new year's eve parties

The 12 best ways to party on New Year's Eve in Houston

Look for belly dancers and drag queens at Boheme.

Photo courtesy of Boheme

Rest assured that, on the night of December 31, Houston will be swarming with New Year's Eve parties. Here's a rundown of festive gatherings, which include desserts, disco, drag queens, and even a sober party.

Stay safe — and feel free to party hop. The parties are listed in order of start time, so you can plan your night and your ride sharing.

Children's Museum of Houston's "Rockin' New Year's Noon"
For those who have kids who want to celebrate New Year's Eve too (but can't stay up for it), the museum will have its annual "Rockin' New Year's Noon." There will be festive hats and noisemakers, a countdown, two simultaneous ball drops and parade featuring a New Orleans-style brass band. (A pre-show kicks off at 10:45 am.) Noon.

Belly dancers and drag queens at Boheme
Start your New Year's Eve early over at this cocktail hangout. The popular bar will have an extravaganza featuring a drag show by beloved drag queens Chloe Knox, Cyn City, Angelina, and Chloe Crawford. Exotic belly dancers will perform in-between sets and around the bar. (Entertainment starts at 9 pm.) 4 pm.

"Dancing & Desserts: NYE" at Heights Theater
What's been missing at New Year's Eve parties? Desserts! Thankfully, this theater will be offering up a self-serve dessert buffet if you buy a ticket to "Dancing & Desserts: NYE," which will feature a live set from Boomtown Brass Band. There will also be a champagne toast at midnight. 7 pm-1 am.

Arnaldo Richards' Picos "Dine and Disco New Year's"
You ever wish you could've hung out with Andy, Liza, Bianca and the gang at Studio 54 back in the day? This restaurant will be fulfilling your wish with "Dine and Disco New Year's." Guests can enjoy a fabulous four-course dinner, with an open premium bar and specialty cocktails. After that, you can boogie the new year away! 8 pm.

Conservatory's Asian-style market
Instead of throwing another NYE soiree, our favorite, underground beer and grub spot will be hosting an Asian-style night market. Among the vendors that will be ready to celebrate: Beer Garden, Noble Rot Wine Bar, aRTe Pizzeria, El Burro & the Bull Restaurant, Treacherous Leches, and others. 8 pm-2 am.

Finca Tres Robles "Farm & Firelight: A Sustainable New Year's Celebration"
If you're in the mood for an all-natural, outdoorsy, New Year's Eve party, here we have "Farm & Firelight: A Sustainable New Year's Celebration." Guests can cozy up around bonfires whose ashes go into the farm's compost to help feed the East End, roast marshmallows and drink hot toddies & craft beer from Sigma Brewing Co. 8 pm-1 am.

"Totally Awesome '90s New Year's Eve Party" at MKT Bar
The bar will have a "Totally Awesome '90s New Year's Eve Party," complete with a champagne menu, food specials and dance-off prizes. Kay Allah and Mohawk Steve will be spinning the music, and we're sure they'll be playing tunes that'll have people doing such '90s dance crazes as the Macarena, the Humpty Dance, and even the Bartman. 8 pm-2 am.

"New Year's Comedy Jam" with Cedric the Entertainer and D.L. Hughley
Wouldn't you like to leave 2018 with a good laugh? Check out a top-notch collection of comedians ready to make you chuckle over at the "New Year's Comedy Jam." Expect two Original Kings of Comedy — Cedric the Entertainer and D.L. Hughley — along with Arnez J and Nephew Tommy. 8 pm.

New Year's Eve at the Crystal Ballroom at Rice Lofts
The ballroom and Lawless Spirits and Kitchen will be joining forces for one, big, blowout NYE bash. General admission tickets will get guests into the ultimate and all-inclusive party at the ballroom. Guests can upgrade their tickets with a pass into the adjoining, intimate and glamorous Lawless. 9 pm.

"Year of the Bo$$ 2K19 NYE Celebration" with Slim Thug
Welcome in the new year with Slim Thug and his crew, as they will be the headliners for the "Year of the Bo$$ 2K19 NYE Celebration." You can head in early for happy hour, from 5 to 7 pm. There will also be a chef-created, á la carte dining menu, available until 8pm. (The lounge menu will be available until 11pm.) 9 pm.

Sober Eve 2018 at The Story Houston
If you would like to ring in the new year with a clear head, this spot will have "Sober Eve 2018." The shindig will have all the familiar accoutrements of a NYE party — music, flashing lights, confetti dropping at midnight — except there won't be any drugs or alcohol. It's perfect for people who want to drive home safely. 9 pm-1 am.

Fireworks at CityCentre
What New Year's Eve isn't complete without fireworks? This event will have a countdown to midnight that will be capped off with confetti and a 60-second, rooftop fireworks show, which we're sure will be a spectacular sight. There'll also be a live performance in the plaza from five-piece, variety dance band A Sure Thing. 9:30 pm.

nightlife holidays

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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