weekend event planner

Here are the top 13 things to do in Houston this weekend

Enjoy the sunshine and a good cause with Saturday's iWalk for Animals.

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Halloween is behind us and people will most likely be celebrating Dia de los Muertos (aka the Day of the Dead) for most of the weekend. But, if you're looking for other non-holiday-themed happenings, here, as always, is our list. Be sure to take advantage of the friendly weather on Saturday.

Thursday, November 1

Chip Gaines stars in The Spirit of Excellence Gala
Chip Gaines, best known as the co-host of HGTV's Fixer Upper (a duty which he shares with his wife Joanna), will be the keynote speaker at a night of raising funds for and awareness of institutional scholarships. Along with Gaines's speech, there will also be a dinner, the presentation of award recipients, and an auction of experiences, such as a private tour and dinner in three University Museums. 6 pm.

Help out fire-damaged Presidio with Ladybird's pop-up feast
Last weekend, Heights restaurant Presidio was damaged by a fire. In an effort to raise some funds for the employees, sister bar Ladybird's will be holding a pop-up event featuring Presidio's favorite bar bites. What's on the menu? Look for 16-month-aged prosciutto San Daniele, pastured chicken wings, hydroponic bibb salad, coriander-spiced pork ribs, grilled backyard burger, cinnamon crumble coffee cake, and five leches cake. 6:30 pm.

Slurp down oysters for a good cause with Oysters, Brews and Blues
It's oyster season, which means there will be events around the area where you'll be fully able to get your shuck on. Goode Co. Armadillo Palace will be having an oyster-themed event which will also benefit the Coastal Conservation Association's Building Conservation Trust oyster reef building project. There will be plenty of oysters and oyster dishes, as well as live, Texas Gulf Coast roots music from The Mighty Orq. 6:30-9 pm.

Friday, November 2

Enjoy art and the outdoors with the Art @ Discovery Green festival
It's that time again for Discovery Green to throw its third annual Art @ Discovery Green festival. This outdoor fine art and contemporary craft market will feature more than 60 vendors from across the United States. This year’s featured artist is the iconic Houston street artist GONZO247, who will be on-site selling his studio work. The Orange Show will also be around to provide craft activities for all ages. 6-10 pm (10 am-6 pm Saturday; 10 am-5 pm Sunday).

Indulge in a collection of Luchino Visconti films
A two-week retrospective on the films of Italian filmmaker Luchino Visconti (aptly titled "Discovering the Passionate Films of Luchino Visconti") kicks off this weekend with a rare, 35mm screening of Bellissima. This 1951 film stars the late, great Italian actress Anna Magnani as a stage mother who gets an education on how the business works. Other films in this program include White Nights, Death in Venice, and historical epic The Leopard. 7 pm (5 pm Sunday).

Dine with the animals at The Houston Zoo's Feast with the Beasts
Now in its thirteenth year, the Houston Zoo's Feast with the Beasts celebration continues to be an event where people can do just that: take in food, beer, and wine while also taking in the fantastic creatures the zoo has on display. Sixty of Houston's finest restaurants will supply the grub, while the zoo will also provide special animal presentations and feedings as well as a live performance by Everclear. 7 pm.

Saturday, November 3

Walk with heart at the 2018 Houston Heart Walk
Believe it or not, you can actually get healthy by just spending most of your days walking. Those of you who are scared off by exercise can just spend 30 minutes to an hour every day just strolling around your neighborhood, and you'll be surprised how slimmer and fitter you'll feel. You can also take part in the 2018 Houston Heart Walk this weekend, where Houstonians will be able to walk to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. 7:30 am.

Memorial Park goes mutty with iWalk for Animals
Saturday's weather already promises to be divine. Perfect time to grab your pooch and head to Memorial Park for the Houston SPCA's 2018 iWalk for Animals. This is a walk and festival that benefits the Houston SPCA's lifesaving programs like adoptions, cruelty investigations, 24-hour injured animal rescue ambulance, foster care, and more. Expect exciting demonstrations, live music, and pet-related vendors. Don't miss the Best Costume and Best Trick contests. 8 am-11:30 am.

Shake it at Latin dance collective Bombon's anniversary celebration
Bombon will be celebrating its eighth anniversary. What's Bombon, you ask? It's a collective of Latin DJs and musicians who integrate traditional Latin vibes with booming basslines and a dash of H-Town's deep-purple aura to make "screwmbia" — aka their signature sound. Since they'll be turning eight(or, as the Latinos like to refer to the number, ocho), Bombon will throw a huge party, right after they're given a Proclamation Day by Mayor Turner. 9 pm-2 am.

Yeah, baby! Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra presents Austin Powers
It might be hard to convince people these days that Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is a funny movie. With all the bad impressions of Mike Myers's swinging-spy protagonist we've been bombarded with over the years (not the mention the two, mediocre sequels this movie begat), it's understandable how people who haven't seen it might think it was junk. But, even after 21 years, Austin Powers is still a silly, shagadelic experience. 7:30 pm.

Get lit at the Ann & Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival
This weekend marks the kickoff of the two-week, 46th annual Ann & Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival, where wall-to-wall, Jewish authors will be speaking/reading/signing. The first author up on opening night is Nell Scovell, a legendary TV writer (The Simpsons and Late Night with David Letterman are a couple of her credits) who'll be promoting her book, Just the Funny Parts:…And a Few Hard Truths About Sneaking into the Hollywood Boys’ Club. 8 pm.

Sunday, November 4

It's fun and dance in Rice Village with Cigna Sunday Streets
Rice Village will be the latest spot for the monthly, Cigna Sunday Streets series to do its business. For this celebration of health and community, booths and activities will be set up throughout Rice Village inviting the community to get up and be active with family and friends. As for Cigna's booth, it will host several family-friendly activities, such as a photo booth, wellness-themed games, and dance exercises. Noon-4 pm.

Rock out with Karbach Brewing at the Foamhenge 2018 festival
When you have a name like Foamhenge, you know we have to give you a shout-out in this column. Karbach Brewing Company's rock festival has some good bands for its second-annual lineup. Australian hard-rock group Wolfmother headlines the festivities, with April Wine, Red Fang, The Sweet, and Texas Flood rounding out the bill. And, of course, there will be beer. (Our personal fave is Rodeo Clown Double IPA.) 1:30 pm.

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weekend event planner

These are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

Motley Crue Facebook

Mötley Crüe returns to The Woodlands this weekend.

As Houstonians commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, many people across the city will get together to celebrate peace and remember those who lost their lives.

Others will be spending their weekend participating in the H-Town Naked Bike Ride. Happening this Saturday at Super Happy Fun Land, attendees will be able to get their bodies painted with other cyclists, hop on their ten-speeds, and just ride the night away.

Of course, this weekend offers plenty of other things to do, from attending an evening of art and food to celebrating National Video Games Day at a new playhub to having “no fun” with these guys.

Thursday, September 10

Space Center Houston presents An Evening with Leland Melvin
Leland Melvin is a former NASA astronaut, engineer, and NFL wide receiver whose journey powers his speaking experience. After an injury ended his professional football career and a near-deafness diagnosis threatened his future at NASA, Melvin defied the odds to fly two Space Shuttle missions aboard Atlantis, helping build the International Space Station and logging more than 565 hours in space. Melvin delivers a message that challenges audiences to embrace setbacks, unlock potential, and pursue bold new frontiers. 5:30 pm.

Barbacana presents A Taste of Art with Affordable Art Fair Houston
Barbacana chef-owner Christian Hernandez is staging a one-night dinner where every course is a direct response to an original work of art. It’s built around work from Joan Steinman and Holly Wong (Ellio Fine Art) and Angel Oloshove (Hooks-Epstein Galleries), three local artists showing at the Affordable Art Fair Houston this October. Throughout the evening, both the artists and the chefs will share insights into their creative processes. 7 pm.

The Hobby Center presents Live at the Founder's Club: Orfeh’s Off the Record with Steven Jamail
Grammy/Tony nominee Orfeh brings powerhouse vocals, sharp storytelling, and unmistakable style to the Founders Club for a two-night show that blends music, personality, and a few surprises along the way. Joined by Houston native/Rice University alumnus Steven Jamail, Orfeh moves across genres with ease, pairing songs audiences love with stories from her life and career, including a few nods to Texas legends. 7:30 pm.

Friday, September 11

Inman Gallery presents Angela Fraleigh: "I have decided not to be hungry" opening reception
Angela Fraleigh’s newest paintings enter the charged terrain of the feral feminine, unleashing a cast of unruly figures animated by desire, instinct, and an irrepressible appetite. Maenads, witches, and animals emerge and recede through lush layers of paint, carrying an energy that shifts between the ecstatic and the intimate, the violent and the tender. Guided by a logic closer to ritual than narrative, Fraleigh approaches painting as a form of alchemy, allowing images to collide, dissolve, and transmute. Through Saturday, October 31. 6 pm.

Mötley Crüe in concert
Mötley Crüe comes to The Woodlands as part of its The Return of the Carnival of Sins tour. The two milestones being remembered are the 20th anniversary of their 2005-06 Carnival of Sins tour, which marked the reunion of the band's original four members, and the 45th anniversary of the band itself. It's also the 12th anniversary of Mötley Crüe's "retirement" from touring, but that retirement was shelved in 2022 when the band started the first of two tours with Def Leppard. 6:30 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Take Care of My Cat
A sleeper hit in 2001, Jeong Jae-eun’s debut chronicles the lives of five graduating friends whose bonds fracture as they contend with unrealized dreams and unequal opportunities. Set in the port city of Incheon, the film tackles notions of class, solidarity, and privilege – in what is now a timeless snapshot of a rapidly evolving society. Suffused with the joys of girlhood, yet clear-eyed about the uneasy transition into adulthood, Take Care of My Cat offers a tender portrait of young women at the turn of the new millennium. 7 pm.

Cash Money & No Limit Tour
New Orleans icons Cash Money and No Limit are teaming up for a concert that celebrates some of the most signature voices in Southern hip-hip. The lineup includes Birdman, Master P, Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, B.G., Silkk the Shocker, Mia X, Mac, Fiend, Mercedes, Choppa, and Mr. Serv-On with special guest Ying Yang Twinz. VIP packages are also available. 8 pm.

Boondocks presents Let Me Rock! Houston featuring JonoJono
Houston alternative rock artist JonoJono is celebrating the release of his sophomore album, We Asked For More, with a local release event as part of the Let Me Rock! Houston show at Boondocks. This is designed as both an arts showcase and a community resource hub. After navigating his own mental health battles, Jono created More as his personal therapeutic outlet, and he’ll be bringing that message home by merging live music, visual storytelling, and actionable mental health resources for local attendees. 9 pm.

Saturday, September 12

Blue Bird Circle presents Couture Boutique
Luxury fashion meets philanthropy at The Blue Bird Circle’s Couture Boutique. The store will offer a selection of authentic designer apparel, handbags, shoes, jewelry, and accessories from coveted fashion houses, including Chanel, Dior, and Gucci. Every purchase supports The Blue Bird Circle Clinic for Pediatric Neurology at Texas Children’s Hospital and neurological research at Baylor College of Medicine. The annual event offers fashion lovers the opportunity to find designer treasures while supporting vital pediatric neurological care and research. 10 am.

Tokyouth Playhub presents National Video Games Day
Tokyouth Playhub is turning National Video Games Day into an all-day celebration, inviting gamers, families, and claw machine fans to play, compete, and win with prizes happening every hour. Throughout the day, one attendee every hour will be selected to win either a $100 Tokyouth playing card or a $50 gift card to EMA Japanese Cuisine. Tokyouth will also host an hourly claw competition, putting players' claw machine skills to the test. People can purchase 50 credits for $20 and compete to see who can grab the most prizes during their competition. 10 am.

Vietnamese Culture & Science Association presents Viet Cultural Fest
Founded in 2019, Viet Cultural Fest is a day filled with cultural entertainment, traditional games, competitions, and Vietnamese cuisine. The fest’s mission is to preserve and promote the rich beauty of Vietnamese culture while establishing an annual tradition that welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds throughout Houston and surrounding areas. This year’s theme, “Phù Đổng Thiên Vương – When Courage Calls, Giants Rise,” draws inspiration from the legendary Saint Gióng, one of Vietnam’s Four Immortals. 10 am.

Cactus Music presents Kate Waters In-Store Performance
Kate Waters is a neurologically-trained and board-certified music therapist, using music to bring healing and hope. And it’s hope — specifically the kind that’s hard fought-for — that is the undercurrent of Some Comfort, Waters’ sophomore album of soulful Americana and first studio release. Waters finds light in every hardship, and never spares us the dirty, difficult work of searching for it. This weekend, she will celebrate the release with a live performance at Cactus Music. 1 pm.

Sunday, September 13

Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater presents DANCE | HUNGER | ACTION
A multi-day celebration of dance, community, and action that's presented by Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater, the fest brings together youth, pre-professional, collegiate, and professional dance artists from across Houston and beyond. The series includes three concerts: Youth Concert, Pre-Professional Concert, and Professional Concert. Activities continue throughout September with master classes and a community volunteer day benefiting the Houston Food Bank. Through Friday, September 18. 2:30 pm.

River Oaks Theatre presents The Complete Metropolis Live Score with David DiDonato
The restoration of Fritz Lang’s sci-fi 1927 masterpiece Metropolis will feature a live score by Austin composer/multi-instrumentalist David DiDonato. This new score includes elements of classical, electronic, metal, dance, vaporwave, industrial, and shoegaze. The restoration adds new integration of scenes and subplots long considered lost, as it dramatizes the conflict between wealthy über-capitalists and rebellious subterranean laborers — orchestrated by a diabolical scientist capable of destroying them both. 6 pm.

Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter in concert
The Sex Pistols — original members Steve Jones, Paul Cook, and Glen Matlock — and singer Frank Carter (replacing outspoken ex-lead singer John Lydon, who is currently on tour with his band, Public Image Ltd.) come to Houston as part of their Never Mind the Bollocks tour. They'll play the band’s landmark 1977 album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, in its entirety, along with additional material spanning the group’s catalog. 7:30 pm.

Motley Crue Facebook

Mötley Crüe returns to The Woodlands this weekend.

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