As Al Green would say, this weekend is all about love and happiness.
Houstonians can celebrate both National Tequila Day and Art House Theater Day at various spots in the city. Keyshia Cole will be bringing the love over at Toyota Center on Friday. On Saturday, get a taste of Italy at Pizaro’s Pizza and, afterwards, enjoy the music of Journey as they perform with the Houston Symphony. And, finally on Sunday, a wine bar in the Heights will be serving paella.
Basically, this is going to be a great weekend for foodies, music lovers, and people who know what VHS stands for.
Thursday, July 24
National Tequila Day
Get the limes and salt ready for National Tequila Day. Good God, Nadine’s will have its Desert Oasis cocktail available all day for $7. Diversion Montrose will serve up its Margarita Lab Shot Set for $16. Kazzan Ramen & Bar has $5 ume margaritas and classic margaritas. All four of Hugo Ortega’s restaurants — Hugo’s, Caracol, Xochi, and Urbe — will sell their signature “Greatest Margarita Ever Sold” for $18 (down for $32). Both locations of The Taco Stand will have $5 margaritas all day. Tex-Mex classic Molina’s Cantina will have happy hour pricing on margaritas all day. Mexican Sugar will run specials from Thursday-Sunday.
Art House Theater Day at River Oaks Theatre
Art House Theater Day will be going on at cinemas all across the country. Right here in H-Town, River Oaks Theatre will be taking part, showing a trio of diverse, art-house titles. First up, we have a new 4K restoration of Federico Fellini’s 1957 classic Nights of Cabiria at 4 pm. Later in the evening, Sean Baker’s 2015 Christmas comedy Tangerine will screen at 7:15 pm, featuring a pre-recorded discussion from Baker and producer Samantha Quan. Finally, catch a sneak preview of the absurdist comedy AJ Goes to the Dog Park at 9:45 pm.
Queensbury Theatre presents The Last Five Years
In a love story told from two perspectives and in two different directions, The Last Five Years is a heart-wrenching, deeply intimate musical by Jason Robert Brown that explores the soaring highs and crushing lows of a relationship. Cathy, an aspiring actress, tells their story from the end looking back, while Jamie, a rising novelist, begins at their first spark of love. Their journeys cross just once — in the middle — before fate pulls them apart. 7:30 pm (8 pm Friday; 2 and 8 pm Saturday; 2 pm Sunday).
Friday, July 25
FLATS presents Austin Cullen and Sarah Jentsch: "A Natural History (Built to be Seen)"
"A Natural History (Built to be Seen)" is the second exhibition in FLATS' new gallery space, featuring the collaborative work of artists Austin Cullen and Sarah Jentsch. Through photography and installation, the duo examines how the Western natural world is framed, fabricated, and consumed within museum settings. By documenting the life cycle of natural history displays - from creation to storage - they explore how institutions shape our understanding of nature. 6 pm.
Keyshia Cole in concert
R&B/hip hop singer Keyshia Cole, the lady responsible for “Love” (aka the song some women immediately sing when it starts playing at a club), comes to Houston this weekend. She’s on a tour celebrating the milestone anniversary of Cole's 2005 debut album The Way It Is, which immediately put her at the top of the R&B genre. It was the first of six straight top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 for the singer. She’ll be joined by Tink, Keri Hilson, and Elijah Blake. 7 pm.
Improv Houston presents Donnell Rawlings
Ashy Larry is back in Houston! Veteran comedian Donnell Rawlings, best known for the hilarious characters he did on Chappelle’s Show back in the day, will be at Improv Houston this weekend, Currently on his Black & Mild Tour, Donnell is selling out clubs and theaters across the country, while his hit podcast The Donnell Rawlings Show is building a massive following with over 8 million YouTube views. 7:30 and 9:45 pm (7 and 9:30 pm Saturday; 7:30 pm Sunday).
Art Factory presents Hairspray
Hairspray, based on John Waters’ raucous 1988 film, is a Tony-winning musical that whisks viewers to 1962 Baltimore and follows plump teenager Tracy Turnblad. When she lands a role on local TV dance program The Corny Collins Show, she skyrockets to fame and uses her position to fight for integration and social change. This effervescent musical features a hilarious and touching book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan and infectious music by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Through Sunday, August 3. 8 pm (5 pm Sunday).
Saturday, July 26
Pizaro’s Pizza presents Summer in Capri
This weekend, Pizaro’s Pizza will bring Italy to Houston. Get dressed for a Euro vacation to Capri & indulge in Southern Italian fare during this one-day event. We’re talking hand-crafted Neapolitan pies, Aperol Spritzes, coastal flavors, chill vibes, good eats, and major vacation energy. Get ready for a dreamy night of delicacies and libations that’ll feel like you’re in some fancy Italian movie – preferably starring Sophia Loren. 1 pm.
Equal Parts Brewing presents Houston VHS Swap
After five long years, the Houston VHS Swap returns this weekend. This free indoor event will feature about three dozen local tape heads and collectors buying, selling and swapping VHS, Betamax, DVDs, vinyl records, posters, toys and more. Grab a cold drink from Equal Parts, grab some BBQ from the OG at Straits Place BBQ or even a tattoo at Battle Royale who will feature some unique VHS themed flash for the event. If you've got a love and nostalgia for old media, then this is the place to be. 2 pm.
Houston Symphony presents The Music of Journey
One of the biggest bands of the ‘80s will be doing two shows in Houston this weekend, with some help from a full orchestra. Combining full rock lighting, a rock band, vocalist Juan Del Castillo, and the Houston Symphony, this concert will feature hit songs, from "Any Way You Want It” and “Wheel In the Sky” to “Faithfully" and – of course – “Don’t Stop Believin’,” to celebrate one of the biggest bands of all time. Think of it a makeup for the band’s RodeoHouston appearance that was cut short by an on-stage electrical fire. 2 and 7 pm.
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Compensation
Zeinabu irene Davis’s debut feature from 1999 (presented in a 4K rejuvenation) follows parallel African American love stories between a deaf woman and a hearing man set decades apart. With inspiration from the work of legendary African American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, this moving narrative depicts the struggle to overcome racism, disability, and discrimination. A post-film discussion with filmmaker Davis and producer Nicoletta Vangelisti is moderated by film programmer/cultural worker Autumn Johnson. 7 pm.
Sunday, July 27
Mutiny in the Heights presents Paella Sunday
It’s time once again for Mutiny in the Heights to go into Paella Sunday mode. The wine bar and restaurant will throw this immersive, outdoor dining experience, featuring chef Eduardo Alcayaga’s signature live-fire seafood paella. Set on the patio, this event brings the vibrant flavors of Spain to the Heights in a relaxed, social setting. Guests will enjoy wine and light bites before gathering for the main course. 1 and 4 pm.
Stages presents Honky Tonk Laundry
After inheriting the Wishy Washy Washeteria from her grandmother, Lana Mae hires Katie to help run the business, but the two soon join forces to convert their good ol’ laundromat into the town’s hottest honky-tonk. This hilarious musical is packed with a country song list that spans decades of classic and contemporary hits, featuring the music of Dolly Parton, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Tammy Wynette, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and more. Through Sunday, August 17. 2 pm.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema LaCenterra presents Summer Wars (Subtitled) in 4K
Summer Wars is anime director Mamoru Hosoda's 2009 look back to the days of our youth, with a little bit of sci-fi excitement thrown into the mix. Kenji is a shy moderator for OZ, the virtual reality world that powers everyday life. He discovers that a rogue A.I. program has stolen his online identity, and he’s accused of causing real-world catastrophes. As the destruction in OZ throws Natsuki’s family into disarray, Kenji must unite his newfound connections to overcome an impending cyber apocalypse. 5:05 pm.
The Fray in Concert
Known for the smash hit “How to Save a Life,” the Denver-based rock trio will perform their hook-filled tunes at downtown’s Bayou Music Center in support of the 2024 EP, The Fray is Back. Retro-inspired L.A. rock band The Strike opens. 7 pm.
Improv Houston presents Donnell Rawlings
