Weekend events planner

Here are the top 10 things to do in Houston this weekend

There's plenty to do in Houston over the next four days. From a massive giant pop-up shop event to Walt Disney characters on ice skates, here's a rundown of some of the most fun-filled options available. Read on for the top 10 things to do in Houston this weekend. For more options, check out the full CultureMap Events Calendar.

Holiday shopping extravaganza
Thursday, November 9-Sunday, November 12
Signature holiday fundraising shopping event, the Nutcracker Market, kicks off Thursday, November 9, and runs through November 12 at NRG Center. The giant pop-up shop features over 280 merchants with items from clothing to pottery. (Various times; tickets: $20 per person at the market and $18 per person in advance at Houston-area Randalls stores and online at Ticketmaster.)
One Energy Parkway; 713-227-2787

Ice skating spectacular
Thursday, November 9-Sunday, November 12
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy set the stage for Reach For The Stars, presented by Disney On Ice, at NRG Stadium. Royal sisters Anna and Elsa and snowman, Olaf, from Frozen, Rapunzel and her charming ally, Flynn Rider, from Rapunzel, Ariel and Sebastian from The Little Mermaid, and Belle and the Beast from Beauty and the Beast also hit the ice. (Various times; tickets: $20-$140 per person)
8400 Kirby Dr.; 713-629-3700

Wine event
Thursday, November 9
Chairs Sean Beck and John Clutterbuck welcome guests to the 10th annual Iron Sommelier wine competition, showcasing hand-selected wines carefully curated by 14 sommeliers, from Adele Corrigan (13 celsius Wine Bar) to Brandon Kerne (Pappas Bros. Steakhouse). Held at the Houstonian Hotel, proceeds from the event benefit The Periwinkle Foundation. (6-10 pm; tickets: $200-$225 per person)
111 North Post Oak Ln.; 713-807-0191

Light up the season
Friday, November 10-January 2, 2018
The holiday festival Magical Winter Lights returns for its third year. The 50-day fest, at Gulf Greyhound Park, boasts seven themed sections of sparkling lights and colossal lanterns, from Magical Wonderland to Santa’s Christmas Village to Dinosaur Land. The newest section, called The Lone Star State, features Texas staples including a 36-foot tall cowboy lantern and a maze leading to eight Texas icon and landmark lanterns. There’s also a holiday market with shopping and food, photos with Santa, acrobatic performances, arts and crafts, and a lot more. (Various times; tickets: $13-$21 per person. Children 4 and under are free.)
1000 FM 2004 Rd.

Stand-up comedy
Friday, November 10
Comedian Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show, gets back to his roots as a stand-up comic with a performance at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land. (8 pm; tickets: $39-$75 per person)
18111 Lexington Blvd.; 281-207-6278

Hot Latin tunes
Friday, November 10
Da Camera of Houston presents three-time Grammy-nominated Afro-Caribbean ensemble Tiempo Libre at the University of Houston's Cullen Performance Hall. The Latin band has appeared on The Tonight Show, Live from Lincoln Center, and Dancing with the Stars. (8 pm; tickets: $37.50-$67.50 per person)
4300 University Dr.; 713-524-5050

Festive fun
Saturday, November 11
The 29th annual Ice Spectacular at The Galleria kicks off the holiday season with the lighting of a 55-foot tall Christmas tree, adorned with 450,000 lights and 5,000 ornaments. TSoul, semi-finalist from season 12 of The Voice, performs during the 45-minute tree-lighting ceremony, which ends with a fireworks display. (Family and children's activities at 12 pm, ice and musical performances, plus a countdown to the tree lighting and fireworks at 6 pm; tickets: free admission)
5085 Westheimer; 713-622-0663

Motown grooves
Saturday, November 11
Two legends of Motown, The Temptations and the Four Tops, take to the stage at Arena Theatre for a retrospective of hit songs from throughout their careers. (7 pm; tickets: $39.50-$69.50 per person)
7326 Southwest Fwy.; 713-772-5900

Foodie fun
Sunday, November 12
Head to gourmet strolling event, the International Risotto Festival, for samplings of Italian wines and fare, including a risotto throwdown between local chefs like Johnny Mandola (Damian’s Cucina Italiano) and Carmelo Mauro (Carmelo’s), as well as Italian music and entertainment, an exotic car display, activities for kids, and designer showroom tours at host space, The Houston Design Center. (2 pm; tickets: $75-$175 per person)
7026 Old Katy Rd.; 713-864-4735

Sunday concert
Sunday, November 12
Imagine Dragons head to Toyota Center in support of their album, Evolve. Singer and songwriter K. Flay opens for the band. (7:30 pm; tickets: $29.50-$150 per person)
1510 Polk St.; 713-758-7200

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse set the stage for Reach For The Stars, presented by Disney On Ice.

Disney on Ice presents Reach for the Stars

Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse set the stage for Reach For The Stars, presented by Disney On Ice.

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Waddle We Have Here

3 endangered penguin chicks just hatched at Galveston's Moody Gardens

A Humboldt penguin chick in an Easter Basket at Moody Gardens

Photo courtesy of Moody Gardens

Look what showed up in an Easter Basket!

Galveston's Moody Gardens announced this week that it has successfully hatched three Humboldt penguin chicks in the Aquarium Pyramid, the first time the facility has done so.

“This is our first ever time having Humboldt penguin chicks, so we’re very excited,” said Amy Jones, a biologist who works with the penguins and seals at Moody Gardens.

Two chicks were born to penguins Yolanda and Cusco, and another to Marcona and Ballesta, all between March 15 and 18. Aquarium staff has been monitoring the chicks and their parents, and all seem to be thriving.

Humboldt penguins are warm weather penguins that naturally inhabit the coasts of Peru and Chile. Moody Gardens introduced Humboldt penguins to its aquarium in 2017. A burrowing species, mating pairs lay and protect eggs in protected nests.

The new chicks will remain secluded in their nesting box for the time being until they develop their waterproof feathers. The parents are keeping them warm and fed. Sex will be determined via DNA testing at a later date, after which the chicks will be named and formally introduced to the public.

Achieving viable Humboldt penguins hatchings is a significant feat for a program that is less than 10 years old, according to Moody Gardens. The birds require strict diets and climate controlled habitats to thrive, and successfully housing a colony of 12 in an environment that makes them comfortable enough to breed is quite an achievement. Engagement and stimulation is key, and visitors to the aquarium can often see the penguins playing with bubbles and toys that simulate activity in the natural environment.

Successful hatchings are also a win in the fight against extinction. Humboldt penguins are classified as a vulnerable species, with only about 23,000 left worldwide. The birds are heavily impacted by El Niño events that disrupt the nutrient-rich Humboldt current that forms the base of the penguins' food pyramid. Driven by man-made climate change, these events are increasing in number and severity. Overfishing, pollution, habitat loss, and being caught in fishing nets also accounts for a decline in the population, according to press materials. Programs like the one at Moody Gardens help educate the public on the dangers the penguins face in the wild.

The real question is: when will visitors be allowed to see the babies? Staff continues to monitor the chicks with regular weigh-ins. The chicks will remain in the nesting boxes for at least several weeks until they are mature enough to start entering safe areas and, eventually, the main habitat. In the meantime, people can see videos on the Moody Gardens Instagram page.

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