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    weekend event planner

    Things to do in Houston this weekend: Duran Duran, Porsche paradise, a hysterical 'Housewife,' and more

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Jun 8, 2023 | 6:00 am
    Duran Duran

    Pop icons Duran Duran play the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on Friday.

    Photo courtesy of Duran Duran

    This weekend promises to get steamy, but those who venture out can check out a new live music series in the new East River area — just as temps cool — as well as an outdoor market in Memorial City.

    Indoor fun promises plenty of great theater (check out all the offerings here), as well as dance and a performance by Houston's legendary DJ Sun.

    As part of Sunday Funday, hysterical LA comic Becky Robinson brings her act town — entitled housewives, beware (read on).

    Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

    Thursday, June 8

    Wine & Food Week

    The week-long Wine & Food Week celebrates the creativity and passion found in the heart of the wine and food industry, featuring hundreds of wines, scores of celebrity guests, and a list of fresh culinary faces. Paying homage to the theme Wine + Food = Art, guests can expect to indulge all their senses with experiential art installations, a meet & greet with emerging artists, more. This will also support charitable organizations such as The Woodlands Arts Council, and New Danville, among others. 6 pm (11:30 Friday; 7 pm Saturday).

    The Catastrophic Theatre presents A Maroon’s Guide to Time and Space

    The latest work by local interdisciplinary artist Candice D’Meza is a genre-blending exploration of quantum mechanics that uses imagination to liberate oneself from the confines of linear time. A thematic continuation of D’Meza’s surreal, Afrofuturist film series 30 Ways to Get Free, this uses film, technology, performance, and audience imagination to create the perfect environment to escape into space - where a new and better world is waiting for us. Through Saturday, June 17. 7:30 pm (8 pm Friday & Saturday; 2:30 pm Sunday)

    Houston Ballet presents Swan Lake

    Houston Ballet’s 2022-23 season is capped off by one of ballet's greatest love stories. In this opulent production, the everlasting love between Prince Siegfried and maiden-turned-white-swan Odette is tested by evil knight Rothbart and his black-swan enchantress, Odile. Stanton Welch's production features lavish sets and costumes by Kristian Fredrikson and utilizes Tchaikovsky's full score to aplomb for this three-act production. Through Sunday, June 18. 7:30 pm (1:30 & 7;30 pm Saturday; 2 & 7:30 pm Sunday).

    Friday, June 9

    Duran Duran: The Future Past Tour

    One of the most enduring bands in pop music hits Houston as part of the new Future Past. Duran Duran's show, as the name implies, will feature past hits like "Rio," "Save A Prayer," "Hungry Like the Wolf," "Come Undone," and their comeback smash "Ordinary World" — along with some future gems. Original members Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes, and Roger Taylor have been bringing it at every stop, so expect a killer show at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion from the New Romantic icons. Tickets are available via LiveNation. 7 pm.

    East River 9 and Riverhouse present Live Music Summer Series

    East River 9 and Riverhouse are thrilled to announce the launch of their new summer series. All ages are invited to experience free, live musical performances, while taking in unmatched views of Buffalo Bayou and the city skyline on Riverhouse’s expansive open-air terrace every Friday and Saturday night. from June through August. Hadlie Jo Duo will kick things off on Friday, while Adrian Michael Duo will perform on Saturday night. 7 pm.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Jazz on Film

    We’re back with the annual film series, guest-curated by Peter Lucas, which celebrates the intersections of jazz and cinema. This year’s program brings three weekends of screenings that include memorable jazz scores, rare classics, a new documentary, and other films that illuminate fascinating figures in the world of jazz. FIrst up, on Friday night, is the documentary Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes. On Saturday night, Shirley Clarke’s independent drama The Cool World will be shown in 35mm. Through Saturday, June 24. 7 pm.

    Alley Theatre presents The Servant of Two Masters

    Identities are mistaken, engagements are broken, and lovers are reunited in a world premiere adaptation of Carlo Goldoni’s commedia dell’arte masterpiece. Set in Venice, mayhem erupts when the wily - and chronically hungry - servant Truffaldino hatches a zany scheme to double his wages (and his meals) by serving two masters at once. Through Sunday, July 2. 8 pm (2:30 pm & 7:30 pm Sunday).

    ISHIDA Dance Company presents having been breathed out

    having been breathed out includes the world premiere of an original ISHIDA poetic narrative titled American Gothic which explores the internal and external dynamics of the nuclear family. The program also features works by two widely respected – but rarely seen in the United States – European choreographers: Horizons by Greek choreographer Adonis Foniadakis, and the critically acclaimed Mutual Comfort by Edward Clug from Romania. 8 pm (3 pm Sunday).

    Saturday, June 10

    Children’s Museum Houston presents Spider-Verse Collision

    Get tangled in a web of excitement as the Spider-Man multiverse collides during Children Museum Houston’s Power Up! Summer. Join Peter Parker, Miles Morales and Spider-Gwen and participate in the Spidey Web-Sling Showdown at 1 pm (admission is separate; relay is first come, first serve). Then, learn how to paint your face to look like your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. 10 am.

    The Lawn at Memorial City presents Memorial Market

    The Lawn at Memorial City presents bountiful, monthly artisanal markets that will feature up to 30 premium and award-winning vendors curated by Your Neighborhood Farmers Market. Farm stands offering ripe fruits and vegetables will showcase fresh produce not available at local grocery stores or the Memorial Villages Farmers Market. In June, for National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, there will be complimentary smoothies while supplies last. 10 am.

    Dance Source Houston presents Barnstorm Dance Fest

    Saturday will be the final day to catch this festival, which highlights the breadth and depth of dance in the Houston region and beyond, offering live performances, dance on film, public workshops, and artist talks.three unique programs, including 19 live performance works and nine dance films, which will highlight the emerging and established dancemakers working in a wide range of styles. In addition to the programs at MATCH, public classes and workshops led by festival choreographers will take place at studios across Houston. 5 and 7:30 pm.

    Aperio, Music of the Americas presents Loveletter & Radio Rewrite

    A grooving program of minimalist music and lo-fi jams, Loveletter & Radio Rewrite will feature a live orchestral performance of DJ Sun’s latest release, Loveletter. Maestro Marlon Chen conducts Aperio’s orchestra with guest soloists complemented by Steven Reich’s Radio Rewrite and Duet. Fat Tony, Tim Ruiz, Sam/Sin and Krystal Hardwick will be the guest performers on hand. 8:30 pm.

    Sunday, June 11

    Becky RobinsonThe hilarious Becky Robinson comes to town in the She Gone Tour. Becky Robinson/Facebook

    Kollectiv: Festival of Porsche

    This year marks the second annual celebration that pays homage to Porsche. Kollectiv will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the iconic automotive brand. More than 100 classic and contemporary beauties will be on display around City Place Plaza, courtesy of Coffee & Cars. While some streets will be closed for the festivities, complimentary garage parking will be available. Guests can get snacks and food from urban core restaurants. 10 am.

    Children At Risk presents The Big Brunch: A Celebration of Texas Pediatric Advocates

    Guests of Children At Risk The Big Brunch: A Celebration of Texas Pediatric Advocates will enjoy a brunch prepared by some of Houston’s best chefs, wine tastings, contests, and more. The event will highlight the great work being done by pediatrics across the state to support and advocate for the health and well-being of our most vulnerable children and families. The theme this year is “A Celebration of Texas Pediatric Advocates,” highlighting the great work being done by Dr. Hilda Loria, Dr. Karla Fredricks, and Dr. Anu Partap. 11 am.

    Becky Robinson: She Gone Tour

    Becky Robinson, a JFL Montreal New Face of Comedy (and Wild ‘N Out alumna), is an LGBTQ+ LA-based comedian, writer, actor, and voiceover star. Her explosively unique character antics and viral videos have racked up millions of views and fans. She is also known as “Entitled Housewife,” the outspoken, viral golf character Becky created to help spread laughter during the pandemic. 8 pm.

    Becky Robinson
    Becky Robinson/Facebook
    The hilarious Becky Robinson comes to town in the She Gone Tour.
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    Movie Review

    Star TV producer James L. Brooks stumbles with meandering movie Ella McCay

    Alex Bentley
    Dec 12, 2025 | 2:30 pm
    Emma Mackey in Ella McCay
    Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios
    Emma Mackey in Ella McCay.

    The impact that writer/director/producer James L. Brooks has made on Hollywood cannot be understated. The 85-year-old created The Mary Tyler Moore Show, personally won three Oscars for Terms of Endearment, and was one of the driving forces behind The Simpsons, among many other credits. Now, 15 years after his last movie, he’s back in the directing chair with Ella McCay.

    The similarly-named Emma Mackey plays Ella, a 34-year-old lieutenant governor of an unnamed state in 2008 who’s on the verge of becoming governor when Governor Bill (Albert Brooks) gets picked to be a member of the president’s Cabinet. What should be a happy time is sullied by her needy husband, Ryan (Jack Lowden), her agoraphobic brother, Casey (Spike Fearn), and her perpetually-cheating father, Eddie (Woody Harrelson).

    Despite the trio of men competing to bring her down, Ella remains an unapologetic optimist, an attitude bolstered by her aunt Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis), her assistant Estelle (Julie Kavner), and her police escort, Trooper Nash (Kumail Nanjiani). The film follows her over a few days as she navigates the perils of governing, the distractions her family brings, and the expectations being thrust upon her by many different people.

    Brooks, who wrote and directed the film, is all over the place with his storytelling. What at first seems to be a straightforward story about Ella and her various issues soon starts meandering into areas that, while related to Ella, don’t make the film better. Prime among them are her brother and father, who are given a relatively small amount of screentime in comparison to the importance they have in her life. This is compounded by a confounding subplot in which Casey tries to win back his girlfriend, Susan (Ayo Edebiri).

    Then there’s the whole political side of the story, which never finds its focus and is stuck in the past. Though it’s never stated explicitly, Ella and Governor Bill appear to be Democrats, especially given a signature program Ella pushes to help mothers in need. But if Brooks was trying to provide an antidote to the current real world politics, he doesn’t succeed, as Ella’s full goals are never clear. He also inexplicably shows her boring her fellow lawmakers to tears, a strange trait to give the person for whom the audience is supposed to be rooting.

    What saves the movie from being an all-out train wreck is the performances of Mackey and Curtis. Mackey, best known for the Netflix show Sex Education, has an assured confidence to her that keeps the character interesting and likable even when the story goes downhill. Curtis, who has tended to go over-the-top with her roles in recent years, tones it down, offering a warm place of comfort for Ella to turn to when she needs it. The two complement each other very well and are the best parts of the movie by far.

    Brooks puts much more effort into his female actors, including Kavner, who, even though she serves as an unnecessary narrator, gets most of the best laugh lines in the film. Harrelson is capable of playing a great cad, but his character here isn’t fleshed out enough. Fearn is super annoying in his role, and Lowden isn’t much better, although that could be mostly due to what his character is called to do. Were it not for the always-great Brooks and Nanjiani, the movie might be devoid of good male performances.

    Brooks has made many great TV shows and movies in his 60+ year career, but Ella McCay is a far cry from his best. The only positive that comes out of it is the boosting of Mackey, who proves herself capable of not only leading a film, but also elevating one that would otherwise be a slog to get through.

    ---

    Ella McCay opens in theaters on December 12.

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