This weekend, there will be events celebrating two beloved, American icons: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dolly Parton. A swing concert and a rap concert will be saluting the King, while Truck Yard will honor the Queen of Country with a day of fun and music.

But we also have live music from Killer Mike and Ani DiFranco, the Houston Symphony live-scoring a Harry Potter film, a “wellness sip soiree,” and – for all those hungry cinephiles – free popcorn at the movies!

Thursday, January 16

The Menil Collection presents Saving Cinema: A Conversation and Film Screening
Analog film isn’t completely dead. Filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino still shoot movies on 35 and 70mm. And now, guests can explore the world of film preservation and the fragile future of cinema with Academy Film Archive preservationist Mark Toscano and film scholar/curator Tish Stringer. The conversation will be followed by a screening of Tacita Dean’s 2006 film Kodak, a meditation on the materiality of analog film, as well as additional archival films. 7 pm.

Congregation Emanu El presents Music at Emanu El: Got That Swing - American Big Band Greats
If you’re familiar with the expression, “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing,” we have an event right up your alley. Congregation Emanu El will celebrate MLK weekend with a night of swing music, dancing, desserts, and drinks. The concert will feature the sounds of jazz greats like Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie, as performed by Phillip Hall, Ernesto Vega, Erin Wright, Cantor Rollin Simmons, and their big band. 7:30 pm.

Houston Symphony presents Killer Mike & The Mighty Midnight Revival
The Houston Symphony will present Killer Mike, with The Mighty Midnight Revival, for an evening of music, power, and artistic synergy. The Dungeon Family alumni and one-half of the rap supergroup Run the Jewels will be performing tracks from Michael, his critically acclaimed, three-time Grammy-winning album, including fan favorites like “Scientists & Engineers,” “Down By Law,” and “Ric Flair.” Mike will join forces with the Mighty Midnight Revival and the Houston Symphony to reimagine his music in a way that is both bold and breathtaking. 7:30 pm.

Friday, January 17

Ani DiFranco in concert
It always struck us as strange that indie folk-rock goddess Ani DiFranco never played Lilith Fair, the late ‘90s, female-centric, traveling music festival where some of the folksiest female artists of the era (Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, Lisa Loeb) came together and performed. You’d think the Buffalo-born singer/songwriter, who showed everyone you can release music on your own label and still gain a loyal, massive following, would’ve been the star attraction. But DiFranco has always been an artist who did things on her own, which she continues to do to this day. 7 pm.

Rice Cinema presents 62nd Ann Arbor Film Festival Tour
Established in 1963, the Ann Arbor Film Festival is the oldest avant garde and experimental film festival in North America. In 2024, the festival featured over 40 programs consisting of 110 films from nearly 40 countries of all lengths and genres, including experimental, animation, documentary, narrative, hybrid, and performance-based works. For two nights, Rice Cinema will play selections from the 62nd festival, which took place last spring. 7 pm.

Paranormal Cirque
Paranormal Cirque is a unique creation of combined theatre, circus, and cabaret, with a new, European-style flare from Cirque Italia that is for a mature audience. The horror story features different shades of sexy and a storyline that will fall into a parallel world and end up surrounded by monstrous creatures with hidden talents that amaze with the circus arts. The show includes the Wheel of Death, magic, and more. Through Monday, January 27. 7:30 pm (6:30 and 9:30 pm Saturday; 5:30 and 8:30 pm Sunday).

I'm Ready Productions presents “One Time For The City”
I’m Ready Foundation, Inc, under the leadership of director Je'Caryous Johnson, will present “One Time For The City,” a musical celebration marking the start of MLK Day Weekend. Performers will include Houston artists Scarface (who might pull out his trusty guitar for this one), Slim Thug, Lil Flip, Mike Jones, Devin The Dude, Lil Keke, Lil Troy, Z-Ro, DJ Michael 5000 Watts, and more. 8 pm.

Saturday, January 18

J-Bar-M Barbecue presents Free Walls
J-Bar-M Barbecuewill host the first-ever Free Walls art event featuring several established and up-and-coming graphic artists and vendors from Houston. Led by Houston graphic artist and icon Donkeeboy,the event will see several brand-new, permanent murals taking shape outside of J-Bar-M throughout the day. Featured graphic artists include Sylvia Roman (Donkeemom), Jesse de Leon, David Maldonado, Floyd Mendoza III, and Gabriel Escobedo. Donkeeboy will collaborate with several students from his Young Art Pros art collective on a mural. 11 am.

Truck Yard Houston presents Dolly Day
Sunday will be Dolly Parton’s 79th birthday, and Truck Yard Houston will be celebrating one day earlier with some Dolly-riffic festivities. There will be Dolly-themed cocktails, a Dolly and Jolene costume contest, live performances of Dolly’s classic hits, and, starting at 5 pm, pictures with a Dolly Parton impersonator. Attendees who bring a new or used children’s book to donate get a special Dolly Parton pin. Donated books will benefit the Houston Public Library. Noon.

Houston Symphony presents Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is our favorite entry in the Harry Potter cinematic universe, mainly because it’s the one that has Harry getting into his awkward teen years. Based on the third installment of the classic saga, the thrilling tale is accompanied by the music of a live symphony orchestra as Harry soars across the big screen. 2 and 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday).

McClain Gallery presents Tim Braden: "The Colouring Garden" opening reception
McClain Gallery will present Tim Braden: "The Colouring Garden," the gallery's first exhibition of the British artist’s work. The exhibition will feature works from a new series that gathers both interior scenes and abstracted landscapes. A carefully orchestrated riot of colors pours from the paintings, and Braden’s attention to art history and the methods that make artists artisans is on display in this enchanting group of works. Through Saturday, March 8. 3 pm.

Sunday, January 19

Culinary Khancepts presents National Popcorn Day.
Sunday is National Popcorn Day, which means movie theaters around the country will be luring in moviegoers with the promise of free popped kernels. As far as popcorn in Houston, fine dining operators Culinary Khancepts has got the city on lock. All the theaters they own – River Oaks Theatre, Reel Luxury CInemas in the Woodlands, and all eight Star Cinema Grill locations will be handing out complimentary popcorn (Star Cinema will have free, small servings) for anyone who buys a ticket. 11 am (10 am River Oaks).

Plume presents GLOW: A Wellness Sip Soiree
Heights cocktail bar Plume will introduce a new wellness food/mocktail menu, curated by Travis “Chef T” Turner. The spot will be celebrating with an exclusive GLOW: A Wellness Sip Soirée launch party. Houstonians looking to celebrate self-care, connection, and mindful indulgence in 2025 are invited to toast the New Year with wholesome, nourishing ingredients alongside wellness enthusiasts and like-minded individuals. 1 pm.

MATCH presents 8th Annual Family Fun Day
At MATCH’s 8th Annual Family Fun Day, kids and families can enjoy an afternoon packed with excitement. It will feature live performances throughout the day from local favorites like Main Street Theater for Youth, Prelude Music, and Open Dance Project. Other activities include face painting, balloon art, stilt walkers, bounce houses, and chalk art displays. Visitors can explore MATCH’s four theaters, gallery, and open-air breezeway. There will also be food trucks and MATCH concessions on-site. 1 pm.

  

Photo courtesy of Cirque Italia

Cirque Italia presents Paranormal Cirque.