weekend event planner

15 top things to do in Houston this weekend: Star Wars, a Potter party, and more

Star Wars: A New Hope

Photo via StarWars.com

This weekend, our hometown heroes and bearded legends ZZ Top come home for a classic rock showcase. A local brewery serves up some Harry Potter fun, while Star Wars fans can blast off to a live symphony performance of A New Hope while watching the epic summer blockbuster.

NobleMotion Dance puts on a powerful performance, UH puts on some stirring Shakespeare, and a gamer/cosplay con hits west Houston.

Enjoy; here are you best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, July 27

Sawyer Yards presents Alison Donaldson: "Paper Trail" opening reception

In her first-ever solo exhibition, Alison Donaldson explores her love of deconstructing original artwork and piecing it back together into intuitively created works that are hybrids of collage and abstract expressionism. Each piece is made with torn or cut pieces of original, mixed-media artwork. Donaldson is a mixed media artist with a love of color and exploring modern ways to reimagine working with deconstructed artwork. Through Saturday, September 9. 6 pm.

Friends of River Oaks Theatre presents Blue Velvet (4K Restoration) and Raquel Cepeda Live

David Lynch's psychosexual 1986 masterpiece, starring Dennis Hopper, Isabella Rossellini and Kyle MacLachlan (who will be a guest on a future Friends on Film podcast episode) will screen and be accompanied by a live performance by Raquel Cepeda Duo at Friends of River Oaks Theatre’s July event. As an homage to the music of the film and enigmatic nightclub singer played by Rossellini, let Raquel Cepeda stir you with her sultry jazz vocals before the screening. The film will be screened using the latest 4K restoration. 7 pm.

The University of Houston presents Houston Shakespeare Festival: Macbeth

The Houston Shakespeare Festival opens their 49th season with Shakespeare’s “Scottish play,” as it’s usually referred to by superstitious theater folk. A Scottish general and his wife are plunged into a murderous quest by the prophecy of three mysterious witches. Consumed by brutal ambition, the couple’s bloodbath delivers the crown of Scotland to Macbeth. After unthinkable acts of betrayal, a price must be paid. Guilt, madness, and tyranny reign in a world where “fair is foul, and foul is fair.” Through Friday, August 4. 8:15 pm.

Friday, July 28

Urban South presents Houston Potterfest

Urban South HTX will host a Potterfest celebration in honor of Harry Potter’s birthday. Urban South’s Butterbeer draft and slush will be available in regular and non-alcoholic pours. Throughout the festival, attendees will enjoy a movie marathon, a Potter playlist, a costume contest, wand decorating, and a Diagon Alley vendor market. Compete in the costume Contest on Saturday, where they will award prizes for Most Creative Costume, Best Student/Professor Costume and Best Dressed Potter Pup. 7 pm (1 pm Saturday).

The Houston Symphony presents Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert

The Houston Symphony will perform John Williams’ epic score for Star Wars: A New Hope in concert. The symphony will screen the iconic 1977 film by award-winning director George Lucas, bringing its soundtrack to life. Regarded as one of the most important films in the history of cinema, this blockbuster commenced the start of the movie’s franchise, launched the careers of its young stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher, and revolutionized motion pictures. 7:30 pm (2:30 and 7:30 pm Saturday).

NobleMotion Dance presents PowerPlay

NobleMotion kickstarts its 15th season with a radical evening of dance. Section 6 immerses the audience in a simulated A.I. training program, as dancers invite participants into the action-packed performance. Sidelined playfully looks at power dynamics as it creates an absurd world where baseball umpires define the rules of the workplace. And Half-told Stories reveals a pivotal moment in the life of four women and features a collaboration with composer/multimedia artist Badie Khaleghian. 8 pm (4 pm Sunday).

White Oak Music Hall presents Blondshell – My Home is Your Playground Summer Tour

Indie-rock breakout star Blondshell (aka Sabrina Teitelbaum) is embarking on her first-ever, U.S headline tour, which will be making a stop in Houston this weekend. She'll be joined by rock trio Hello Mary. Blondshell's debut, self-titled album dropped earlier this April, while Hello Mary released their self-titled debut album the month before. Teitelbaum began teasing Blondshell in 2022, capturing the attention of music critics and fans along the way who were quick to latch onto her ability to layer her wry sense of humor atop weighty topics. 8 pm.

Saturday, July 29

Christmas in July at I W Marks Jewelers

One of Houston's oldest and most beloved jewelers is throwing a big Christmas In July event at its Bellaire location (3841 Bellaire Blvd.). Visitors can stroll the aisles and enjoy complimentary Jojo Burgers, live entertainment, score gift cards and more. Spread the pre-holiday cheer with a huge back-to-school drive benefiting the charity BEAR. (No holiday sweater required — it's July in Houston.) 10 am-5 pm.

Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show

Bluey's Big Play, the Emmy-winning animated preschool series, is taking the show on the road to theaters all across the country. Fans of all ages will get to see Bluey, Bingo, Bandit, and Chilli as they’ve never seen them before, as the Heelers embark on their very first live theater show in the U.S., featuring puppetry, live actors, and iconic sets. Based on an original new story written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, the stage show also contains new music by composer Joff Bush. 11 am, 2 and 5 pm (1 and 4 pm Sunday).

Buffalo Soldier National Museum presents Buffalo Soldiers Community Day

Please join The Buffalo Soldier National Museum, as they commemorate 157 years since the formation of the first Army regiments, which consisted of African-American soldiers. The community celebration will include activities like a DJ, a live artist, a bounce house, face painting, food trucks, artifact demonstration, and self-guided tours. RSVP for free admission. Noon.

I, Ruby: Vol 1 Art Exhibition Closing Ceremony

This collaborative effort between renowned Houston artist Jeanne Jones and Megan Olivia Ebel, the founder of Ruby Projects, will close this weekend with a closing ceremony celebration. The exhibition aims to celebrate a diverse group of emerging artists contributing to the ongoing dialogue of change and challenge in the contemporary art world. The exhibition encourages viewers to engage in meaningful conversations and explore fresh ways of perceiving and existing in the art world. Noon.

Karlous Miller: At the End of the Day...

As a comedian/actor, Karlous Miller is most known for being a veteran cast member on Nick Cannon’s hip-hop/improv funhouse Wild ‘N Out. Miller also hosts the popular 85 South Show podcast, along with Wild ‘N Out castmates DC Young Fly and Chico Bean. All three of them usually go on tour together as the Ghetto Legends (they recently dropped a Netflix special from one of those shows). But, this time, Miller is on his own, ready to do some hilarious damage at Cullen Performance Hall. 7 pm.

Sunday, July 30

Sing-A-Long Sundaze: Best of the 90s & On R&B Brunch

Head over to the ASM Boutique and Venue in Dickinson and grab a mimosa or a breakfast shot for the liquid courage you need to sing along to the greatest R&B hits from the ‘90s and early 2000s. Admission includes a breakfast buffet and an interactive experience with one of the best local DJs around, DJ Cidney Ray. A full bar will be provided along with mimosa specials. Come dressed to impress. Prizes will be given away for the best male, female and group costumes. 10 am.

VibeCon: A West Houston Expo

Come to Katy Vibes for the first-ever VibeCon, an afternoon of comics, cosplay and games. We'll be having vendors selling your favorite merch, a photo booth with a backdrop, game tournaments such as Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, a cosplay runway show with prizes, and a live Q&A with Houston pro wrestler Savage King. DJ Old Skool will be in the mix later in the evening. 4 pm.

ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd in concert

American classic rock band ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd come to The Woodlands as part of their first co-headlining tour, The Sharp Dressed Simple Man. The tour combines the name of two of the bands' most popular hits, ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man" and Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man." ZZ Top has released 15 albums in their career, most recently 2012's La Futura, while Lynyrd Skynyrd has released 14 albums in their career, most recently 2012's Last of a Dyin' Breed. They'll be joined by special guest Uncle Kracker. 6:30 pm.

RIP, Chuck

Actor Chuck Norris, star of 'Walker, Texas Ranger,' dies at 86

Courtesy photo

Chuck Norris, star of "Walker, Texas Ranger," has died at 86.

Chuck Norris, the martial arts grandmaster and action star whose roles in “Walker, Texas Ranger” and other television shows and movies made him an iconic tough guy — sparking internet parodies and adoration from presidents — has died at 86.

Norris died Thursday, in what his family described as a “sudden passing.”

“While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace,” the family said in a statement posted to social media.

Before he would become a star in movies and on TV, Norris was wildly successful in competitive martial arts. He was a six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate champion. He also founded his own Korean-based American hard style of karate, known sometimes as Chun Kuk Do, and the United Fighting Arts Federation, which has awarded more than 3,300 Chuck Norris System black belts worldwide. Black Belt magazine ultimately credited Norris in its hall of fame with holding a 10th degree black belt, the highest possible honor.

Born Carlos Ray Norris in Ryan, Oklahoma, on March 10, 1940, he grew up poor. At age 12, he moved with his family to Torrance, California, and joined the U.S. Air Force after high school, in 1958. It was during a deployment to Korea that he started training in martial arts, including judo and Tang Soo Do.

“I went out for gymnastics and football at North Torrance high,” he told The Associated Press in 1982. “I played some football, but I also spent a lot of time on the bench. I was never really athletic until I was in the service in Korea.”

After he was honorably discharged in 1962, he worked as a file clerk for Northrop Aircraft and applied to be a police officer, but was put on a waitlist. Meanwhile, he opened a martial arts studio, which expanded to a chain, with students including such stars as Bob Barker, Priscilla Presley, Donnie and Marie Osmond, and Steve McQueen, whom he later credited with encouraging him to get into acting.

From one studio to another
Norris made his film debut as an uncredited bodyguard in the 1968 movie “The Wrecking Crew,” which included a fight with Dean Martin. He had also crossed paths with Bruce Lee in martial arts circles. Their friendship — sometimes, as sparring partners — led to an iconic faceoff in the 1972 movie “Return of the Dragon,” in which Lee fights and kills Norris' character in Rome's Colosseum.

He went on to act in more than 20 movies, such as “Missing in Action,” “The Delta Force” and “Sidekicks.”

“I wanted to project a certain image on the screen of a hero. I had seen a lot of anti-hero movies in which the lead was neither good nor bad. There was no one to root for,” Norris said in 1982.

In 1993, he took on his most famed role, as a crime-fighting lawman in TV's “Walker, Texas Ranger.” The show ran for nine seasons, and in 2010, then-Gov. Rick Perry awarded him the title of honorary Texas Ranger. The Texas Senate later named him an honorary Texan.

“It’s not violence for violence’s sake, with no moral structure,” Norris told the AP in 1996, speaking about the show. “You try to portray the proper meaning of what it’s about — fighting injustice with justice, good vs. bad. … It’s entertaining for the whole family.”

Norris also made a surprise comedic appearance as a decisive judge in the final match of the 2004 movie “Dodgeball.” He only on occasion has taken acting roles in recent years, including 2012's “The Expendables 2” and the 2024 sci-fi action movie “Agent Recon.” He's due to appear in “Zombie Plane,” an upcoming film starring Vanilla Ice.

Chuck Norris: the man, the meme, the legend
It was around the time of “Dodgeball” that his toughman image became the stuff of legend, literally: “Chuck Norris Facts” went viral online with such wildly hyperbolic statements as, “Chuck Norris had a staring contest with the sun -- and won,” and, “They wanted to put Chuck Norris on Mt. Rushmore, but the granite wasn’t tough enough for his beard.”

Norris ultimately embraced the absurdity of the meme craze, putting together “The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book,” which combined his favorites with supposedly true stories and the codes he aimed to live by. He would also write books on martial arts instruction, a memoir, political takes, Civil War-era historical fiction and more.

“To some who know little of my martial arts or film careers but perhaps grew up with 'Walker, Texas Ranger,' it seems that I have become a somewhat mythical superhero icon,” Norris wrote in the forward to the fact book. “I am flattered and humbled.”

That book raised money for a nonprofit he founded with President George H.W. Bush that promoted martial arts instruction for kids.

The intentionally outlandish statements featured in the 2008 Republican presidential primary, when Norris endorsed Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and shot an ad playing on the “Chuck Norris facts.”

President Donald Trump's supporters later promoted Trump Facts in the same vein, and political pundits tried it as well, describing the commander-in-chief's decision to seize Venezuela's sitting president, Nicolas Maduro, as a “Chuck Norris Moment,” and its initial effect on oil prices a “Chuck Norris Premium.”

Norris was outspoken about his Christian beliefs and his support for gun rights, and backed political candidates for years — he even went skydiving with Bush for the former president's 80th birthday. As for Trump, Norris endorsed him in the 2016 general election and wrote guest columns praising him without explicitly endorsing him the in the days before the 2020 and 2024 elections.

Norris has five surviving children: stunt performers Mike and Eric with his late ex-wife Dianne Holechek, twins Dakota and Danilee with his wife Gena Norris, and Dina, the result of an early 1960s “one-night stand” revealed in his autobiography.

Norris celebrated his birthday just over a week before his death, posting a sparring video on Instagram.

“I don't age. I level up,” he wrote.

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