weekend event planner

Here are the 14 best things to do in Houston this weekend

This weekend has a lot of sports-themed happenings popping off around the city. Thirteen Lounge will have a March Madness-related basketball challenge, while Maven Coffee & Cocktails at the Thompson Hotel will celebrate the Astros’ opening day weekend with coffee and cool music. Some of the world’s top golfers will get into the swing of things at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, and tennis players will battle it out in the early rounds of the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship.

But we also have an evening of fine whiskey tasting, a luncheon featuring an appearance from one of The Goonies, a downtown art festival, a sneaker convention, and – for all the cat lovers – the return of some very talented felines.

Read on for this weekend's best events.

Thursday, March 27

Kazzan Ramen & Bar presents Kazzan Whiskey Night
Kazzan Ramen & Bar, the Heights-area spot that introduced its innovative “volcano” ramen to Houston, is hosting its first Kazzan Whiskey Night this weekend. Houstonians are invited to explore the rich, complex flavors of Japan’s finest spirits and can choose between four different whiskey flights priced between $23 and $40. To celebrate the launch, Kazzan is also offering guests a complimentary bartender’s choice shot with the purchase of any whiskey flight. 6 pm.

Fred Armisen: “Comedy For Musicians But Everyone Is Welcome”
First, he dropped the Netflix special Standup for Drummers in 2018. Now, comedian Fred Armisen comes to Houston as part of his “Comedy for Musicians but Everyone is Welcome” tour. Armisen is best known for his 11 seasons on Saturday Night Live and as the co-writer and co-star of IFC’s Emmy-nominated series Portlandia. He's also appeared on the Netflix series Wednesday as Uncle Fester and in HBO’s Los Espookys, which he co-wrote and executive produced. 7 and 9:15 pm.

Thirteen Lounge presents 13 Madness Pop-A-Shot Challenge
James Harden’s Thirteen Lounge is turning up the heat for March Madness with the launch of its first-ever “13 Madness Pop-A-Shot Challenge,” a Pop-A-Shot arcade-style basketball tournament where competitors will battle for cash, prizes, and bragging rights. Alongside the competition, Thirteen is rolling out a brand-new lounge menu, featuring a host of decadent new bites. The entry fee to play in the challenge is $13 per player and participants should register in advance. Walk-ins are welcome, if space permits. 8 pm.

Friday, March 28

Texas Children's Houston Open
Over at the Memorial Park Golf Course and Driving Lounge, the Texas Children's Houston Open, the PGA Tour's annual stop in Houston, will feature some of the best pro golfers in the world. The tournament serves as a warmup for The Masters, which takes places in a couple of weeks. Participants include defending champion Stephan Jaeger, previous winners Tony Finau and Lanto Griffin, and more. 8 am.

CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare presents Spring Luncheon
Actor and director Sean Astin will be the guest speaker of CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare's 21st annual Spring Luncheon. Astin will share his personal journey with mental health awareness, shaped by his experiences with his late mother, actress Patty Duke, who faced her own mental health challenges. The Spring Luncheon honors community leaders and raises funds for CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare’s healthcare and social service programs. 11:30 am.

Off the Wall Gallery presents Bernie Taupin: "Reflections & The Sixties" opening reception
Bernie Taupin is a multi-award-winning songwriter who has been Elton John's collaborator for decades (read our interview with him here). But Taupin is also a gifted visual artist. "Reflections & The Sixties" delves into the heart of a pivotal era, showcasing a collection of Taupin’s original artwork and hand-signed prints. The exhibition offers a unique glimpse into his personal and professional reflections on the social and cultural movements that shaped a generation, intertwined with his lifelong journey of writing songs and creating art. Through Saturday, April 12. 5 pm.

Rock Cats Rescue presents The Amazing Acro-cats
Ladies and gents, the Acro-Cats are back. The Amazing Acro-Cats, featured in the Netflix series Cat People, is a troupe of trained domestic house cats, all former orphans, rescues, and strays, that give purrformances (get it?!) like riding skateboards, jumping through hoops, ringing bells, balancing on balls, and performing other feats of agility and entertainment. The tour aims to support nonprofit Rock Cats Rescue, which focuses on saving cats "One Click at a Time" through cat welfare, rescue, and adoption. 7 pm (2 and 7 pm Saturday; 1 and 6 pm Sunday).

Saturday, March 29

Bayou City Art Festival Spring Downtown
Bayou City Art Festival will transform downtown Houston into a lively outdoor gallery and interactive art event with art, entertainment, and more. The two-day fest returns to showcase the works of 250 artists in 19 different categories. Guests can personally meet the artists, view original works, and purchase one-of-a-kind art, prints, jewelry, sculptures, functional art, and more at all price levels. They can also enjoy live entertainment stages, numerous food trucks, a craft beer and wine garden, a VIP Hospitality Lounge, and entertainment. 10 am.

Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship
The ATP Tour will return to Houston at the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship, featuring singles and doubles play. Among the top players scheduled to appear are Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Brandon Nakashima, Denis Shapovalov, Thanasi Kokkinakis, and more. Founded in 1910, the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship is the 14th oldest professional tennis tournament in the world. It remains a USTA National Championship, and it is the only ATP World Tour event contested on clay in the U.S. Through Sunday, April 6. 11 am.

Sneaker Con Houston
If you’re a hardcore sneakerhead looking to nab some shoes for your collection, Sneaker Con is the place where you can get your kicks – figuratively and literally. Sneaker Con is the premier event for sneaker enthusiasts of all ages, featuring everything from the latest drops to the rarest shoes, alongside special guests and a family-friendly atmosphere. It features over 250 vendors and more than 100,000 pairs of sneakers under one roof. Noon.

A Classically Black Arts Salon - "I Dream A World"
A Classically Black Arts Salon will feature baritone Reginald Smith Jr., accompanied by pianist Kevin J. Miller, performing his Langston Hughes-inspired recital “I Dream a World.” The event will also feature an exhibition by local photographer Colby Deal, whose work seeks to preserve the cultural essence of underrepresented communities, particularly within Black and Brown spaces. Guests can also enjoy appetizers by Chef Olayemi Thomas that highlight his Nigerian culture. Proceeds will go to the Foundation to support their inaugural scholarships this fall. 5 pm.

Sunday, March 30

Maven at Thompson presents Bayou City Beats & Brews
Maven at Thompson is bringing back its Beats & Brews series for a special Astros-themed edition. Along with combining laid-back DJ sets in a cozy coffee shop atmosphere, this Beats & Brews will feature additional fun activations such as merchandise from Sam & Davy, temporary tattoos, permanent jewelry, and soft and salted cookies. The event also welcomes members of the Loose Lance Run Club to kick off their run at 11 am and finish at MAVEN to join in on the festivities. Noon.

PlazAmericas presents Quinceañera & Bride Expo
PlazAmericas will have a Quinceañera & Bride Expo going down this weekend. The event is free and will feature a fashion show showcasing beautiful quinceañera and bridal dresses from the mall’s tenant boutiques, along with giveaways, live music and more. The expo will highlight local vendors offering wedding and quinceañera services, including Rodo’s Bake Shop, Mayan Graphics, and Foto Y Video Colosal, along with performances by Diana Torres, Grupo Musical La Reaccion and more. 1 pm.

The Sturniolo Triplets: Surprise Party Tour
The Sturniolo Triplets’s Surprise Party Tour is a high-energy experience bringing fans closer than ever to YouTubers/influencers Nick, Matt, and Chris. The tour features an exclusive meet-and-greet opportunity, live Q&As, and on-stage performances filled with their signature humor and behind-the-scenes stories. Designed as an immersive entertainment event, fans can expect surprises, fun segments, and unforgettable moments that capture the essence of the triplets' dynamic personalities. 8:30 pm.

Photo courtesy of Fred Armisen

See SNL alum Fred Armisen on Thursday.

event-planner weekend events

Movie Review

Timothée Chalamet cements star status in new movie Marty Supreme

Courtesy

Timothée Chalamet

In a time when true movie stars seem to be going extinct, Timothée Chalamet has emerged as an exception to the rule. Since 2021 he has headlined blockbusters like the two Dune movies and Wonka, and also earned an Oscar nomination for playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown (his second nomination following 2018’s Call Me By Your Name). Now, he’s almost assured to get his third nomination for the stellar new film, Marty Supreme.

Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, a world-class table tennis player living in New York. But reducing Marty to his best skill doesn’t do him justice, as he’s also a motormouth schemer who will do almost anything to achieve his dreams. He doesn’t have any qualms about wooing married women like neighbor Rachel (Odessa A’zion) or actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow), or hiding his true ping pong skills to win money in scams with friends like Wally (Tyler the Creator).

Marty is seemingly on the go the entire movie, whether it’s trying to convince Kay’s millionaire husband Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary) to fund his table tennis ambitions; or trying to track down the dog of Ezra (Abel Ferrara), a man he accidentally injures; or trying to avoid the ire of the boss at the shoe store where he works. Just when you think he might slow down, he’s off to the races on another plan or adventure.

Directed by Josh Safdie and written by Safdie and frequent co-writer Ronald Bronstein, the film is an almost continuous blast of pure energy for 2 ½ hours. So many different things happen over the course of the film that the story defies conventional narratives, and yet the throughline of Marty keeps everything tightly connected. His particular type of brash behavior turns much of the film into a comedy as he does and says things that are both shocking and thrilling.

Another thing that makes the movie sing is the fantastic characterization by Safdie and Bronstein. Almost every person who is given a speaking line in the film has a moment where they pop, which speaks to airtight dialogue that the writers have created. Characters will be introduced and then disappear for long stretches of time, and yet because they make such an impression the first time they’re on screen, it’s easy to pick up their thread right away.

Safdie, as he’s done previously with brother Bennie (Uncut Gems), calls on a host of well-known non-actors or people with interesting faces/vibes to inhabit supporting roles, and to a person they are crucial to the film’s success. O’Leary (of Shark Tank fame), rapper Tyler the Creator, director Ferrara, magician Penn Jillette, and fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi each deliver knockout performances. The relative unknowns who play smaller roles are just as impressive, making each beat of the film feel naturalistic.

Leading the way is the powerhouse performance by Chalamet. For one person to believably play both the famously reserved Dylan and also a firecracker like Marty is astonishing, and this role cements Chalamet’s status as his generation’s movie star. A’zion is a rising star who gets great moments as Marty’s on-again/off-again love interest. Paltrow pops in and out of the film, lighting up the screen every time she appears. Fran Drescher as Marty’s mom and Sandra Bernhard as a neighbor also pay dividends in small roles.

Josh Safdie’s first solo directorial effort is unlike any other movie this year, or maybe even this century. Thanks to its breakneck storytelling, a magnificent performance by Chalamet, and countless intangibles that Safdie employs expertly, the film smacks viewers in the face repeatedly and demands that they come back for more.

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Marty Supreme opens in theaters on December 25.

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