weekend event planner
Here are the top 11 things to do in Houston this weekend
This week, Houstonians have shown the world how to honor one of our own, as we bid farewell to President Bush. Now, as things slowly return to the normal grind, expect some fun offerings this weekend.
Thursday, December 6
Verizon's 5G Experience Lab
Since Monday, Verizon has been showing a unique experience in Houston that will showcase how 5G will change the world. Called the 5G Experience Lab, spectators will be able to see examples of how 5G will impact entertainment, sports, gaming and the home experiences through demos that allow them to watch a virtually-enabled moon landing, shoot hoops in VR, participate in a streaming gaming tournament, etc. See it before it goes away this Sunday. 215 Welch St. Noon-8 pm.
Christmas Bingo: It's a Ho-Ho-Holy Night
All month long at the Chelsea Market Theatre, Chicagoan Vicki Quade will be entertaining audiences in a very unique way. She'll be in town for this interactive comedy, where audience members play bingo while also answering questions about Christmas traditions, the origin of Santa Claus, where do candy canes come from, etc. This is actually the second installment in Quade's bingo series, along with Bible Bingo. Runs through December 30. 8 pm (2 pm Sunday).
Friday, December 7
Brian Regan at Revention Music Center
Brian Regan is one of those veteran comedians who can show up anyplace in front of any audience and always come with the funny. His clean-but-caustic brand of humor has gotten him fans that include such comics as Jerry Seinfeld and Marc Maron. On Christmas Eve, he'll have a new show on Netflix called Standup and Away! with Brian Regan, which will meld his standup with sketch comedy. Until then, you can see him just do the standup this weekend. 7 pm.
Thorn & Moon Magickal Market's Holiday Bazaar and Krampus Festival
Ever since that friggin' Krampus movie came out a few years back, people keep trying to find ways to make that demonic figure a recurring thing during the holidays. And it appears Thorn & Moon Magickal Market will be keeping the Krampus spirit alive with this bazaar/festival. For this holiday edition of their monthly event, there will be food trucks, DJs/performers, local artists & vendors — mostly of the occult variety — and other dark-underground stuff. 7 pm-midnight.
Les Femmes DJs at The Dive
Are you fed up with DJ booths mainly dominated by men? Wouldn't you like to see some ladies spinning tunes as well? That's what the Les Femmes crew of DJs are here for. Started by veteran crate-digger Gracie Chavez, this lineup of Lone Star lady DJs give other aspiring ladies a forum to grow their talent and establish as formidable artists. Chavez, Kay Illah, Angiesliste, and special guest Yisel Smns will be spinning feminine gold on this evening. 10 pm-2 am.
Saturday, December 8
Happy Pawlidays! at Shops at Arrive
For the next two Saturdays, Shops at Arrive will help pets find homes this season by hosting holiday pet adoptions in partnership with a local rescue group and an animal shelter. First up, Houston K-911 Rescue will be around this Saturday for dog adoptions. The following Saturday, it's the Harris County Animal Shelter, which will be doing dog and cat adoptions. Of course, the whole thing is open to the public. 11 am-2 pm.
1988 Day at the Movies at Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra
1988 was an awesome year for movies, wasn't it? Alamo Drafthouse will be celebrating that year in cinema with an art show (curated by local artists Blue One Thirty and RoosterPop), featuring work that's inspired by such beloved films as Beetlejuice, Coming to America, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, and others. The nostalgia doesn't stop there. There will also be special screenings of Scrooged and Beetlejuice, starting at 7:30 pm. 4-8 pm.
Lights in the Heights
It's that time once again when The Heights gets its Clark Griswold on, pulls out the Christmas lights, and celebrates the season in a very illuminating way. At Sonoma Wine Bar & Restaurant, a lot of fun things will be going on at this yuletide get-together. There will be a mulled-wine sangria stand, a pop-up shop out front for purchasing wine and beer and, of course, Santa will be around for photo opps. 6-9 pm.
Animals at Art Car Museum
The Art Car Museum starts up its 13th annual Open Call Exhibition this weekend, and the theme is animals. This annual, free and un-curated exhibition was open to the first 100 artists to register on a pre-determined day. If they registered and are within the first 100, they have been accepted into the show. No matter what pieces these 100 artists brings to the table, this exhibit promises to be powerful, highly diverse and thought-provoking. Runs through February 24. 7-10 pm.
Sunday, December 9
Burton & Booooze Part 2 at Karbach Brewing
Any Tim Burton fans out there? Well, Karbach Brewing Co. will be the spot to pick up all things Tim Burton-related this weekend. Burtonesque Events is bringing the Burtonesque Art Market back to its Biergarten (the market was there last month), where artists and vendors will show off pieces inspired by the director and his filmography. This will be followed by an outdoor screening of Burton's stop-motion, holiday fave The Nightmare Before Christmas at 6 pm. noon-8 pm.
Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston presents Jewish CultureFest
Christmas is around the corner, but Hanukkah has already begun. Perfect time to head over to Jewish CultureFest. It'll be an afternoon full of live music, local crafts, specialty foods, art, mitzvah projects and more. Vendors will include JoeBob’s Kosher BBQ, Laykie’s Gourmet at the J, Kona Ice and others. 1 pm.
