weekend event planner

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

A royal disco ball color factory houston

Purple reigns at Color Factory's new disco devoted to iconic Texas female artists.

Photo courtesy of Color Factory Houston

This weekend serves up some delicious food events — one cooked up with the help of Netflix — plus some Easter fun for all. A Tokyo-themed car meet and car wash brings the drift vibes, while Elle Woods holds court in Legally Blonde at TUTS.

For the "do it for the 'gram" crowd, a new silent disco brings the best Texas female jams in a purple room for some IG story and reel perfection.

Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, April 6

Full Moon Party at Under the Volcano

It’s time to take tarot to the next level. Learn and discuss the themes of this full moon and its cycle and apply it to your life. Amber Kimura Ambrose will lead and use tarot as a way to help participants set intentions. There will be tarot card readings, along with magic from Billy Cohn, music from DJ Purplepitch, pink ladies, pink champagne, and pink Jello shots. It’ll all end with a full moon ritual. $15 donation request. 7 pm.

Rec Room Arts presents Wolf Play

Robin wants a kid. But she’s not doing it the old-fashioned way. She’s found him online. And now he’s here, and her wife is not on-board. The impacts of Robin’s decision ripple through her newly formed family, creating consequences animal in nature. Caught in the middle, the child launches himself on a lone wolf’s journey to find a pack he can call his own. In this wildly theatrical tale about the families we choose and unchoose, Hansol Jung’s play hunts for familial connection in the wilds of 21st-century America. Through Saturday, May 6. 7:30 pm.

Theatre Under The Stars presents Legally Blonde

Fabulously fun, the stage-musical version of the 2001 Reese Witherspoon hit is the ultimate Broadway tribute to girl power. The story follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, sexism, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams, and proves that you can be legally blonde and still be the smartest person in the room. This contemporary, sassy musical moves at a breakneck pace driven by memorable songs and explosive dances. 7:30 pm. (8 pm Friday; 2 and 8 pm Saturday; 2 and 7:30 pm Sunday).

Friday, April 7

A Royal (Disco) Ball at Color Factory

Houston's immersive and interactive art destination — and selfie paradise — has opened “A Royal (Disco) Ball.” The silent disco room invites guests to step into a royal purple crown room created to celebrate some of the most iconic female Texas artists. Expect a playlist with the best of Selena, Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé, Lizzo, and more.Dance under the glittery, disco ball sky and get that perfect IG story and reel.

Reeves Art + Design presents Chris Bexar: "Some Images May Be Disturbing" and Max Kremer: "Perfect Day" opening reception

In “Some Images May Be Disturbing,” Chris Bexar looks to examine the dynamic relationship between the virtual and physical landscapes. These meticulously planned works resound and resonate with images culled from the fantastical realm of imagination. In “Perfect Day,” Max Kremer explores the intricacies of individuality and community through the lens of landscape painting. He suggests that one might just as easily think about the paintings as portraits because they are a commentary on the agency of the land. Through Saturday, April 29. 6 pm.

WOND3R presents A.R.E featuring Eric Harland

Three of the world’s most in-demand jazz musicians are coming to Houston. Space age percussionist Eric Harland, a native Houstonian and graduate & board member of the Houston High School for Performing and Visual Arts, will be hosting two of his good friends – Ruben Rogers on standup bass and Aaron Golberg on keys – as the jazz trio A.R.E., in the first concert of the season at LIVE at the Astorian. 7 pm.

Houston Symphony presents Mozart, Farrenc & Haydn

This Friday and Saturday, delight in glorious classical masterworks. Concertmaster Yoonshin Song will pull out her trusty violin and draw out the singing sweetness and delicate grace of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 1. Nine musicians from the orchestra will also join together for a performance of Louise Farrenc’s genial Nonet. The concerts conclude with Haydn’s charming and good-humored Symphony No. 101. 8 pm.

Saturday, April 8

Studio Saturday Sale at Mary Patton Design

Local Houston-based designer Mary Patton is hosting a studio sale at her design studio at 2439 Bissonnet. Locals can browse and shop Mary’s hand-selected and curated pieces in home & décor while sipping champagne. The 2,828-square foot space has been strategically styled by Mary’s whimsical and sophisticated aesthetic with various vintage design vignettes, featuring items for sale from Mary’s e-commerce store, brand collaborations with local artisans, and one-of-a-kind redesigned vintage furniture. 11 am.

Urban South Anniversary Party

Urban South will be throwing an extra special anniversary party filled with delightful circus performers and carnival treats at both New Orleans and Houston taprooms. Fans of Urban South beer can enjoy eight specialty releases at both taprooms brewed in collaboration with Baa Baa Brewhouse, Great Notion, Martin House Brewing, Mortalis Brewing, RAR Brewing, Tripping Animals, Unbranded Brewing, and Weldwerks Brewing. Come for a magical day of food, fun, and of course, plenty of beer. 11 am.

Second Saturday in Second Ward

The neighborhood block party and community market in Houston’s historic East End is back. This month’s market will feature more than 30 Houston-area vendors, many of which are local to the East End. Participating businesses include Eden Plant Co., The Plant House, How to Survive on Land and Sea, AC Studio, Frostown, Hempworks, The Second Shop, Little Red Box Grocery, Santana, and Evergirl Vintage. There will also be Eight Row Flint’s Honky Tonk grand opening; an Easter egg hunt; multiple DJs; a live band at Santana; and much more. Noon.

Tokyo X Pre-Meet & Car Wash

The organizers of Tokyo X will be hosting a pre-meet and car wash. The car wash will be anime cosplay-themed, and the car meet will start at 5 pm. Food from Teagu Cafe and Blk Mkt Birria and merchandise on site will be available. Plus, music from DJ Taboo and DJ Matthew Dunn. The car washes will start at $15. At the pre-meet, Japanese cars will be on display from Oishii Imports. Guests will also be able to showcase their vehicles at the pre-meet. 3 pm.

Have a Nice Day presents Beef Night Market

Netflix is partnering with Have a Nice Day for a free night market to the Houston community. It’s also a gastronomical celebration of their latest series Beef, starring Ali Wong and Steven Yeun. Compliments of Netflix, the entire market is free, with a few surprises and one-time-only dishes that were created specifically for the night. This partnership not only celebrates the release of the show, but amplifies the work that local restaurants and businesses are doing in Houston to nourish their community. 7 pm.

Sunday, April 9

Easter Buffet at Indianola

Celebrate Easter with family and friends over a delicious, modern Texas brunch spread at Indianola in east downtown. Dine indoors or on the patio from and enjoy a prix fixe, bottomless brunch experience (with full tableside service) with dishes including herb-crusted leg of lamb with mint jus, wood-grilled black angus filet with horseradish cream, and cedar plank smoked salmon with cucumber tzatziki sauce. $65 per adult and $20 per child (12 and under). Children under 3 eat free. 11 am.

Southside Sporting Club presents “Bunnies Who Brunch”

Southside Sporting Club is packing a whole lot of fun and excitement into Easter Sunday for the entire family with an Easter egg hunt, brunch with the Easter Bunny, photos, a basket giveaway, and more. The event will give kids of all ages a memorable holiday experience with an Easter egg hunt with 2,000 hidden eggs, Easter basket giveaways, a moonwalk, games, and an arcade. The brunch menu includes lamb chops and eggs, coconut curry shrimp, and chicken and waffles, as well as traditional breakfast fare including bacon, eggs, and sausage. 11 am.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Turn Every Page: The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb

This lively and engaging documentary explores the remarkable 50-year relationship between two literary legends: writer Robert Caro and his longtime editor Robert Gottlieb. At 86, Caro is working to complete the final volume of his masterwork, The Years of Lyndon Johnson. Gottlieb, 91, waits to edit it. With humor and insight, the unique double portrait reveals the work habits, peculiarities, and professional joys of two ferocious intellects at the culmination of a journey that has impacted generations of politicians, activists, writers, and readers. 5 pm.

Movie Review

Over-the-top acting and incoherent plot drag down Her Private Hell

Photo courtesy of Neon

Sophie Thatcher in Her Private Hell.

Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn is not someone who plays nice with the general film world. His 2011 film Drive introduced him to American audiences in a big way, but that pulsating thriller was followed up with artier films like Only God Forgives and The Neon Demon that eschewed coherent plots in favor of moody, atmospheric pieces.

Winding Refn, who hasn’t made a feature film in 10 years, has gone fully down the rabbit hole with Her Private Hell. Taking place in a liminal space that kind of resembles Earth but also feels like someone’s dreams/nightmares, the film focuses on Elle (Sophie Thatcher), an actor currently starring in a sci-fi film. Staying at a hotel with newcomer Hunter (Kristine Froseth), the two bond over their shared passion and the legend of Elle’s father, Johnny Thunders (Dougray Scott), who’s now married to Elle’s friend Dominique (Havana Rose Liu).

After spending a good amount of (mostly incomprehensible) time with that group, Refn introduces Private K (Charles Melton), who seems to be living in post-World War II Japan. He is looking for his daughter, who might have been taken by a mysterious figure known as “Leatherman,” and he will stop at nothing to find her, fighting whoever stands in his way.

It becomes clear almost right away that Winding Refn has no desire to engage in traditional storytelling in this film. The main characters wander through neon-drenched streets and buildings, which are often surrounded by a mist that is referred to on multiple occasions but never explained. Everyone speaks as if in a constant state of wonderment, and there are many moments where it’s unclear if events are actually happening, part of a movie-within-a-movie, or something else entirely.

Unlike his previous films, Winding Refn has taken the characters in this film completely out of the real world, with every scene taking place in a sparsely decorated room or street that is obviously a movie set. While there are moments where this decision really works, especially the striking first shot of a human-like figure mixed in with a cityscape and clouds, most of the time it only adds to the stilted nature of the film as a whole.

In fact, the entire movie has the feel of an avant-garde theater exercise. Every actor seems to be trying to outdo the others with awkward performances and out-sized reactions. Two very specific characters make appearances in both sides of the story for seemingly no reason other than to inject their weirdness into both spaces. The shocking violence that crops up on occasion would have more of an impact if it was related to anything intelligible.

Thatcher (Companion) and Liu (Tuner) are among the young stars who have had breakout moments in recent years, but neither of them is served well by this hot mess of a movie. They, along with Melton, still demonstrate the talent they possess, but the oddity of the film weighs them down. Scott makes an impression for all the wrong reasons, while Froseth is called upon to play a character who might as well not be there at all.

If there’s any kind of message that Winding Refn was trying to convey with Her Private Hell, it’s lost among the flashing lights, overload of pink, and jewel-like structures. Filmmakers who try to make art for art’s sake have a place in the world, but this film too often feels like people are making things up as they go, with no real goal in mind.

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Her Private Hell opens in theaters on July 24.

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