weekend event planner

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

Permission Whiskey & Service Co. Kentucky Derby

Get down and Derby at Permission Whiskey.

Permission Whiskey & Service Co./Instagram

Houston's weekend is jam-packed, what with Kentucky Derby parties, coronation of King Charles III events, festivals, and more.

Foodies can dig into some pop-ups and specials events, an Elvis-themed drag musical brings burnin' love to town, and Asia Society celebrates incredible India.

Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, May 4

The Menil Collection presents In Conversation: Art Spiegelman on Si Lewen and Graphic Novels

Art Spiegelman, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1992 for his masterful Holocaust narrative Maus, will discuss Si Lewen’s art and the history of graphic novels with Rebecca Rabinow, director of the Menil Collection. A public reception will follow at the Menil Drawing Institute. The exhibition "Si Lewen: The Parade" will be open to attendees. As always, Menil programs are free and open to all. 4 pm.

Gulf Coast Comics Comicbook Co. presents Underneath: Children of the Sun

Celebrate Star Wars Day with a free movie screening (presented by Gulf Coast Cosmos Comicbook Co.) at University of Houston-Downtown’s New Sciences & Technology building. An ultra-powerful alien artifact passes through generations of bloody fingers and inheritors here on Earth, including the present, and ultimately leads to an epic battle for control. Filmmaker David Kirkman in person for the event. 7:30 pm.

Mildred's Umbrella Theater Company presents Tooth & Tail

Mildred’s Umbrella Theater presents the world premiere of Tooth & Tail, their postponed production by Elizabeth A.M. Keel. Jam-packed with princesses, dragons, pirates and more, the play is part fairy-tale, part rescue mission, part love story, and all adventure. The play has been developed and workshopped through support of Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company, and their ongoing commitment to the empowerment of female artists and their stories. Through Saturday, May 13. (8 pm Friday; 2:30 and 8 pm Saturday; 2:30 pm Sunday).

Friday, May 5

DACAMERA Gala 2023: Music Salons and Jazz Supper Club

DACAMERA's 2023 gala, Music Salons and Jazz Supper Club, will welcome guests for an evening featuring a lively cocktail hour, a wine pull, and a gourmet seated dinner with a selection of curated wines. Jazz vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim, winner of the 2021 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition will treat guests to a performance. Tickets are $550, while tables are $5,000. 7 pm.

Houston Symphony presents Broadway Hits Go to Hollywood

From Singin’ in the Rain to La La Land, Hollywood has a flair for movie musicals, and the Houston Symphony will salute some of the very best this weekend. Audiences will hear favorite songs from My Fair Lady, The Music Man, West Side Story, Man of La Mancha, Les Misérables, The Wiz, Cabaret, Funny Girl, The Phantom of the Opera, Sweeney Todd, and more, sung by Broadway stars Nikki Renée Daniels and Hugh Panaro. 8 pm (2:30 pm Sunday).

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Joyland

Named Best International Feature at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards, Saim Sadiq’s film is set in Pakistan’s patriarchal society. Haider, the youngest son in a traditional family, secretly becomes a backup dancer in a Bollywood-style burlesque. He falls for the lead performer, who is transgender. Once discovered, their relationship has a profound effect on Haider’s family. Since premiering at Cannes, this groundbreaking film has earned multiple honors at international film festivals. 7 pm (5 pm Sunday).

Stages presents The Legend of Georgia McBride

Casey is desperate to be the best Elvis impersonator, complete with his flashy sequin jumpsuit. But his audiences lose interest and his act is replaced by the new drag show in town. With rent overdue and a baby on the way, “The King” takes the plunge and transforms into an all-out queen. With snappy zingers and dance-worthy numbers, this wildly entertaining story challenges our perceptions of identity and classic gender roles with extraordinary humor and depth. Through Sunday, July 2. 7 pm (2 pm Sunday).

Saturday, May 6

Bridgeland presents Nature Fest

Bridgeland will host the 15th annual Nature Fest, headlined by Jeff Musial, a renowned animal rescuer and wildlife expert who has garnered national recognition educating the public on various daytime and late-night talk shows. Children and adults alike can have fun learning about the joys of nature through pony rides, a petting zoo, nature exhibitions and other roaming entertainment. Kids can enjoy a creative experience through arts and crafts, face painting and balloon art; or get wild in the inflatable zone, or through laser tag. 10 am.

Permission Whiskey presents Derby Day

Permission Whiskey will host its third annual Kentucky Derby party. This year’s Derby celebration will feature a broadcast of the race, live music, a trumpet player, Derby-themed roses, a festive hat contest and other surprises to truly capture the experience of the Kentucky Derby. Fresh mint julep cocktails will be flowing, and Maker’s Mark will be on site giving away branded swag to encourage guests to celebrate the Derby with the iconic brand. Noon.

Archway Gallery presents Becky Soria: "Gaia’s Oracle" opening reception

For some years now, Becky Soria’s work has focused on human and animal figures. In those works, Soria re-constructed female and animal forms from within, though not in any literal sense of depicting internal organs and such. In this new group of works, Soria has moved her penetrating gaze from those figures into the external world they inhabit. This is the dwelling place of Gaia - Mother Earth. “I feel this urge, as an artist, to respond to the urgent call of Mother Earth,” quotes Soria. Through Thursday, May 1. 5 pm

Echoes Cafe Grand Opening Party

Echoes Cafe, a Greek and Mexican kitchen, will officially open this weekend with a grand opening party. The Kazilas family curated the menu with chefs Armando Ramirez and Ana Stanciu. Ramirez, an understudy of Hugo Ortega, was formerly a chef at Hugo's, Backstreet Cafe, BCN, Da Marco, and Vic & Anthony's. The party will feature live music from Curley Cormier and the Gladiators, the legendary rhythm and blues band from the Silver Slipper. 5 pm.

Sunday, May 7

b’Tween Sandwich Co. Pop-Up Event

b’Tween Sandwich Co., helmed by chef Michelle Wallace, is bringing their dynamic and flavorful bites to brand new event space Fareview. The pop up event will feature five menu items the chef has become known for. Customers can also look forward to the inclusion of Devin Strahan of Devin’s Spiked Root Beer, who will be serving sip-worthy samples of his spiked root beer, and spiked root beer floats. Noon.

Houston Area Parkinson Society presents Blues, Brews and BBQ

Houston Area Parkinson Society’s Blues, Brews and BBQ includes live blues music, barbecue, a raffle, games, and more. Live music will be provided by Steve Krase Band (with guest vocalist Allie Rae), Bluestown Shakedown, Staggolee, and Vin Mott Blues Band. The barbecue will be provided by 2Guys1Pit. Proceeds from this event will help fund the free programs and services Houston Area Parkinson Society provides to those living with Parkinson’s disease. Noon.

Asia Society Texas and the Consulate General of India in Houston present Celebrating Incredible India!

Celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence with an evening of fashion, dance, and food. Hosted by Emmy award-winning journalist Rekha Muddaraj, this event will feature a fashion show, performances by Anjali Center for Performing Arts and Rhythm India, mixing from DJ Rocky of South Asian and Bollywood hits from the ‘70s to today, and a reception catered by Daawat Catering. 4 pm.

Movie Review

Michelle Pfeiffer visits Houston in new Christmas movie Oh. What. Fun.

Photo courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios

Michelle Pfeiffer in Oh. What. Fun.

Of all the formulaic movie genres, Christmas/holiday movies are among the most predictable. No matter what the problem is that arises between family members, friends, or potential romantic partners, the stories in holiday movies are designed to give viewers a feel-good ending even if the majority of the movie makes you feel pretty bad.

That’s certainly the case in Oh. What. Fun., in which Michelle Pfeiffer plays Claire, an underappreciated mom living in Houston with her inattentive husband, Nick (Denis Leary). As the film begins, her three children are arriving back home for Christmas: The high-strung Channing (Felicity Jones) is married to the milquetoast Doug (Jason Schwartzman); the aloof Taylor (Chloë Grace Moretz) brings home yet another new girlfriend; and the perpetual child Sammy (Dominic Sessa) has just broken up with his girlfriend.

Each of the family members seems to be oblivious to everything Claire does for them, especially when it comes to what she really wants: For them to nominate her to win a trip to see a talk show in L.A. hosted by Zazzy Tims (Eva Longoria). When she accidentally gets left behind on a planned outing to see a show, Claire reaches her breaking point and — in a kind of Home Alone in reverse — she decides to drive across the country to get to the show herself.

Written and directed by Michael Showalter (The Idea of You), and co-written by Chandler Baker (who wrote the short story on which the film is based), the movie never establishes any kind of enjoyable rhythm. Each of the characters, including competitive neighbor Jeanne (Joan Chen), is assigned a character trait that becomes their entire personality, with none of them allowed to evolve into something deeper.

The filmmakers lean hard into the idea that Claire is a person who always puts her family first and receives very little in return, but the evidence presented in the story is sketchy at best. Every situation shown in the film is so superficial that tension barely exists, and the (over)reactions by Claire give her family members few opportunities to make up for their failings.

The most interesting part of the movie comes when Claire actually makes it to the Zazzy Sims show. Even though what happens there is just as unbelievable as anything else presented in the story, Showalter and Baker concoct a scene that allows Claire and others to fully express the central theme of the film, and for a few minutes the movie actually lives up to its title.

Pfeiffer, given her first leading role since 2020’s French Exit, is a somewhat manic presence, and her thick Texas accent and unnecessary voiceover don’t do her any favors. It seems weird to have such a strong supporting cast with almost nothing of substance to do, but almost all of them are wasted, including Danielle Brooks in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo. The lone exception is Longoria, who is a blast in the few scenes she gets.

Oh. What. Fun. is far from the first movie to try and fail at becoming a new holiday classic, but the pedigree of Showalter and the cast make this dismal viewing experience extra disappointing. Ironically, overworked and underappreciated moms deserve a much better story than the one this movie delivers.

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Oh. What. Fun. is now streaming on Prime Video.

movies film