Live Music Now

These are the 5 best concerts in Houston this week

Before our shows of the week, let's give some love to homegrown electro-pop act, Space Kiddettes.

Founded by duo Trent Lira and Devin Will after spending late nights together at the University of Houston radio station, the queer-friendly Space Kiddettes are a mainstay in the local music scene. They just took a big step forward in their sonic evolution with the just released Deadspace. Recalling British Hi-NRG and new wave acts like Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Bronski Beat, the production work is solid and exciting. The highlight comes via "Shine a Light," featuring The Suffers' frontwoman Kam Franklin, a dancefloor banger straight from 1985 London. Highly recommended.

You can catch them at their Abundantly Queer Christmas show at Pearl Bar on December 15.

Other recommended shows are on tap this week. CultureMap's best, biggest, and most notable shows are as follows:

Fantasia at Smart Financial Centre
Let's face it: American Idol doesn't have a great track record of producing stars. Sure, there's the pop chart dominance of Kelly Clarkson (Season 1 winner), the inescapable country hits of Carrie Underwood (Season 4 winner), and Adam Lambert (Season 8 runner up) secured a pretty sweet day job as the frontman of Queen. But otherwise, there have been way more misses than hits.

Just below those successes stands Fantasia, the winner of Idol Season 3, who has gone on to sell three million albums, not too shabby considering people don't really buy albums anymore. She's also picked up a Grammy award for her R&B work and continues to record and tour on the strength of her talents the reality TV show showcased. The North Carolina native is on the road behind her latest album, this year's Sketchbook, and will be joined by The Masked Singer judge Robin Thicke, who has bounced back after a nasty divorce, drug addiction, and the controversy around "Blurred Lines."

Fantasia performs at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, located at 18111 Lexington Blvd. in Sugar Land on Wednesday, November 27. She is joined by Robin Thicke, Tank and the Bonfyre. Tickets start at $40 plus fees. The show starts at 8 pm.

Pat Green at Sam Houston Race Park
San Antonio-raised Texas country troubadour Pat Green takes a break from building a music venue-restaurant empire to make a post-Thanksgiving appearance at Sam Houston Race Park. A prolific songwriter with a catalog over 20 years old, Green has been a staple on the regional country circuit and favorite among those who like a little grit on their cowboy boots. He hasn't released an album since 2015's Home, but you have to forgive him since he's been busy bringing his concept, The Rustic, to multiple Texas cities. Not coincidentally, The Rustic has quickly become home for up-and-coming Texas country acts.

Pat Green is at Sam Houston Race Park, located at 7575 North Sam Houston Pkwy W., on Friday, November 29. Kyle Park opens. Tickets start at $19 plus fees. Event starts at 6 p.m.

CultureMap recommends: Sailor Poon at Satellite Bar
We have the perfect remedy for those who sat through a boring, straight-laced Thanksgiving dinner in the suburbs. Raunchy, feminist, garage punk act Sailor Poon is coming to kick butt and take names. The last time the Austin band — fronted by the charismatic singer/saxophonist/percussionist Billie Buck — played Houston, they thrilled the audience at the Legendary Art Car Ball with bluesy, infectious barnstormers. The group kicks off their Hot Dog Highway tour in the Bayou City and it's not to be missed.

Sailor Poon is at Satellite Bar, located at 6922 Harrisburg Blvd., on Friday, November 29. Daisy Chain opens. Tickets available at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Musiq Soulchild at Arena Theatre
Inspired by D’Angelo and Lauryn Hill, Philadelphia-raised Musiq Soulchild has been a mainstay on R&B charts with a vast catalog that recalls the best the east coast city has to offer. Born Taalib Johnson, Musiq has produced platinum works and earned 11 Grammy Awards. He’ll bring his romantically smooth style to H-town behind his latest, the 2017 release Feel the Real.

Musiq Soulchild plays Arena Theatre, located at 7326 Southwest Fwy, on Saturday, November 30. Marsha Ambrosius opens. Tickets start at $39.50 plus fees. Show starts at 8:30 p.m.

CultureMap show of the week: Bad Bunny
Massive Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny takes over the home of the Rockets, which is an apt symbol for the Latin artist's rise to fame. A true Millennial success tale, Bunny hopped up the U.S. charts without even releasing an album, guest starring on the Cardi B No. 1 single, "I Like It" in addition to Latin hit single "Soy Peor," which racked up 650 million video views, as well as the J. Balvin and Prince Royce collab, "Sensualidad." His latest album, Oasis, topped the Latin charts and is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album category. Expect this show to get close to a sell-out.

Bad Bunny is at Toyota Center, located at 1510 Polk St., on Sunday, December 1. Tyla Yaweh and Swae Lee open. Tickets start at $51 plus service fees. Doors open at 7 pm.

Fantasia is at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land on Wednesday, November 27.

Fantasia/Facebook

Fantasia is at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land on Wednesday, November 27.

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Movie Review

An all-star cast delivers clever laughs in new comedy The Invite

Photo courtesy of A24

Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, and Edward Norton in The Invite.

Once upon a time, well before scandal embroiled him, Woody Allen made great comedies aimed at adults. That type of film — which is different from the raunchy, R-rated comedies of the 21st century — has fallen out of favor in Hollywood, but as the new film The Invite proves, when done well it can be as funny as anything else out there.

Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Olivia Wilde) are an unhappily married couple living in San Francisco. As we meet them, Joe has arrived home to Angela preparing for a visit from their upstairs neighbors, Hawk (Edward Norton) and Piña (Penélope Cruz), who have moved in relatively recently. Their impending arrival starts a new round of arguing between Joe and Angela, something they can barely contain once the other couple comes to their door.

What proceeds is a getting-to-know-you process that is mostly awkward as Joe and Angela continue sniping at each other while Hawk and Piña put in their two cents in a much calmer manner. A sticking point between the two couples — the loud sex Hawk and Piña have on an almost nightly basis — turns the film on its head with an unexpected invitation.

Directed by Wilde and written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, the film is a fast-paced chamber piece that takes place almost entirely in Joe and Angela’s apartment. Wilde, the writers, and the actors speed the story along not with action but through almost non-stop dialogue that often has the characters overlapping each other’s lines. The rapidity of the speech fuels the humor of the situation and establishes the differing personalities of each person.

Sex is very much top of mind for each of the characters for most of the film, but the filmmakers approach the topic in such a way that it never feels salacious. Each of the characters is a rational adult who can talk about sex in a mature manner while also acknowledging their unique feelings on the matter. And it’s the discoveries each of them makes along the way that brings about the most comedy.

But, like any comedy for adults, the film also has a dramatic tilt to it, and Wilde edges the story back-and-forth between the two tones extremely well. Joe and Angela fighting is played for laughs at times, but the sadness of their relationship comes through loud and clear. Hawk and Piña are much more intimate with each other, but the funniness of their openness is juxtaposed with a depth that arises through their conversations.

In the 2020s, Rogen has managed to make the transition from goofy stoner to stoner with real acting chops. In a stacked cast, he is the one who sells every moment the best. That’s not to say that Wilde, Norton, and Cruz don’t measure up, though; each of them inhabits their respective roles magnificently. The four actors play off each other as if they had been working together for years.

While The Invite will likely play better to those who have experience with long term relationships, its insights — and occasional bawdiness — make it a comedy that can be appreciated universally. With four actors at the top of their games and a razor-sharp script made even better by some well-done improv, it proves that you don’t need to go low to get great laughs.

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The Invite is now playing in theaters.

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