weekend event planner

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

Celebrate Popston's sweet one-year anniversary this weekend.

Popston/Facebook

This weekend sees a new music series, a tribute to our very own Deli Man, and the grand opening of a new restaurant/sports bar/cigar lounge.

Asia Society unveils a must-see new journey to five Asian countries with a free exhibit showcase and some choice theater starring pirates, Patsy Cline, and Maya Angelou takes the stage.

And what's more sweet than popsicle on a weekend afternoon or a Peanuts party? Why not try both?

Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, July 20

Jax Grill & Bar presents Summer Texas Country Music Series

Beginning this weekend, country singer Rich O’Toole and Jax Grill & Bar will host free, live country music every Thursday. Singer-songwriter Paige Lewis will kick off each Thursday night performing alongside a rotating cast of the city’s best pickers before the week’s headlining act takes the stage. Jax will offer an array of food and drink specials each week, including a custom taco plate created by O’Toole – a noted taco connoisseur – in collaboration with the kitchen team. 6 pm.

Holocaust Museum Houston presents The Deli Man

In tandem with the exhibition, "I'll Have What She's Having: The Jewish Deli," Holocaust Museum Houston will host this movie screening. The documentary tells the story of local "deli man" Ziggy Gruber, who grew up in a family-owned deli in New York City, then went off to the Culinary Institute of America, Le Cordon Bleu in France and eventually a three-star Michelin restaurant. Ziggy moved back to the U.S. and eventually landed in Houston, where he opened Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen. 6:30 pm.

Musaafer presents “House of Illusions” Anniversary Party

For one night only, Musaafer will celebrate its third anniversary by transforming its walls into a realm of enchantment and allure. Guests will be invited to unleash their inner mystic with Tarot and fortune tellers, marvel at the beauty of live statues and elaborate digital projections, get lost in the rhythm of live DJs, and indulge in an array of delectable live food and cocktail stations. Each corner of the restaurant will transform into distinct themed experiences, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all attendees. 7 pm.

Friday, July 21

Asia Society Texas presents "Explore Asia" Grand Opening Weekend

Asia Society Texas presents the grand opening of an immersive exhibition highlighting five Asian countries across six unique experiences.The $4.6 million permanent exhibition focuses on Asian art and culture and transforms the experience of visiting AST’s Yoshio Taniguchi-designed center. The weekend will include free access to the new exhibition, made possible by generous funding from the Ling and George Yang family, along with lion dances and a variety of family-friendly activities. Noon (10 am Saturday and Sunday).

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipnogsis)

Whether or not you are a fan of Pink Floyd, chances are you recognize the album covers of The Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. This documentary celebrates the creative duo behind those iconic images, Aubrey “Po” Powell and Storm Thorgerson, revealing the duo’s influence by revisiting their iconic album covers and tracing their career. The documentary features commentary from stars including Peter Gabriel, David Gilmour, Paul McCartney, and Robert Plant. 7 pm Friday (5 pm Sunday).

Quad HTX Restaurant & Sports Lounge Grand Opening Weekend

Quad HTX Restaurant & Sports Lounge, Houston’s hottest new Third Ward destination for sophisticated sports, dining, and leisure, is hosting a massive four-day, grand opening weekend celebration. Quad HTX kicks off its public festivities with a “Flirty Friday” evening of seductive fun, starting at 7pm. Legendary R&B artist Adina Howard will take center stage for this event, and DJ Gloss will provide the beats to dance the night away and enjoy an evening of food, drinks, and flirtatious fun. 7 pm.

The Ensemble Theatre presents Phenomenal Woman

This world premiere collaboration between North Carolina Black Repertory Theatre and The Ensemble Theatre is a profound musical about the life and works of Maya Angelou. Her constant pursuit of a home, true love, and the “right words” are evident in her labored desire, endless searching in the most remote places, heartbreaking failures, and awe-inspiring victories. Her journey culminates in profound epiphanies woven throughout this endearing story. Through Sunday, July 30. 8 pm (2 & 8 pm Saturday; 3 pm Sunday).

Saturday, July 22

Cothren Contemporary presents Texas Contemporary Art Brunch

Guests of the Texas Contemporary Art Brunch will be in the studio living space of Houston-based contemporary painter Janice Freeman. South Texas-born and Houston-bred, her colorful abstractions embrace her deep-rooted connection to/love for rivers and the duality of her nomadic nature. Soulful art & conversation, LALO tequila con paleta cocktails, lite Latin brunch bites and music by accordionist Alex Harover and upright bass player Max Winningham will be on the menu. 11 am.

Popston One-Year Anniversary Party

Locally owned-and-operated popsicle and gelato company Popston is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its brick-and-mortar location with the debut of a new Houston-themed ice cream, in collaboration with the iconic graffiti artist behind Houston’s famous BE SOMEONE mural. Inspired by the red artwork on the bridge while being stuck in a traffic jam, Traffic Jam ($10) is a creamy blend of cheesecake ice cream and strawberry jam with chunks of cheesecake and pie crust throughout. 11 am.

IgboFest Houston

IgboFest Houston, hosted by Ndi Ichie Cultural Club, has reigned for over 15 years in Houston, bringing in performers from across the United States and Nigeria. The 20th annual edition will consist of professional dancers of Nigerian and non-Nigerian descent who have embraced the Igbo culture to display an array of cultural dances and folklore with an educational twist. 3 pm.

Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston presents The Pirates of Penzance

The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston presents this family-friendly comic opera filled with infectious melodies, colorful costumes, and dialogue. The story revolves around Frederic, who was mistakenly apprenticed to a band of tender-hearted pirates. Hoping to be released from his apprenticeship on his 21st birthday, Frederic soon realizes that having his birthday on February 29 means that he will have to serve for decades to come. What becomes of Fredric? Are the pirates as tender-hearted as they claim? 7 pm (2:30 pm Sunday).

Sunday, July 23

Lucy Meet & Greet at Houston Toy Museum

If you grew up a huge fan of Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Snoopy, Woodstock, and the whole Peanuts gang, have we got an event for you. Visit the Houston Toy Museum this weekend for a chance to meet Melanie Kohn, one of the original voices of Lucy Van Pelt from the Peanuts cartoons. Guests who have paid museum admission that day ($18 for adults and kids will pay their age) will be able to meet the voice actor for free. Those wanting an autograph will pay just $10. 2 pm.

Stages presents Always...Patsy Cline

In 1961, country music legend Patsy Cline met Louise Seger, a fan from Houston, at a honky-tonk. The two struck up a friendship that continued via letter-writing, until the singer’s tragic death years later. First premiering at Stages 35 years ago, this show welcomes home the fans who made it a hit and invites new generations to discover Patsy and Louise. This timeless tale of friendship and great music features 27 of Patsy Cline’s biggest hits, such as “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “I Fall To Pieces,” and “Crazy.” Through Sunday, October 29. 2 pm.

Houston Museum of African American Culture presents Beats on Screen: House Party

The Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) and Emancipation Park Conservancy (EPC) closes out its Beats on Screen series, celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, with an outdoor screening of the beloved 1990 comedy. Rapping/dancing duo Kid ‘n Play made their big-screen debut as teenagers throwing a rowdy, indoor soiree full of rap battles, dance numbers and other wild, raucous stuff. After all these years, the movie is still hilarious, and way better than that weak reboot that came out earlier this year. 7:30 pm.

Movie Review

Daniel Craig shines in Queer, an unapologetic tale of love and loss

Photo courtesy of A24

Drew Starkey and Daniel Craig in Queer.

As recently as the late 2010s, if a movie was made about an LGBTQ+ character, it was more than likely about their coming out experience. Romance, if it existed, was typically chaste, and actual sex was almost completely out of the question. Things have changed dramatically in the 2020s, to the point that a major movie star has no issue starring in a film called Queer.

Based on the 1985 novella by William S. Burroughs, the film features William Lee (Daniel Craig), whom everyone calls just Lee, a writer living in 1950s-era Mexico City who spends most of his time haunting local bars with friends like fellow writer Joe Guidry (Jason Schwartzman) and hitting on younger men. His early interactions in the film seem to indicate that Lee has a bad reputation within the local gay community, as multiple people avoid him or give him odd looks.

Lee senses an opportunity when he encounters a newcomer, Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey). Despite some awkward interactions, the two of them start spending time together, although Lee has much more invested in the relationship than Eugene does. Their hit-and-miss bond continues until Lee, who’s starting to get into drugs in addition to the booze, convinces Eugene to accompany him on a trip to South America.

Directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by Justin Kuritzkes (making their second straight film together after Challengers), early on the film seems to be mostly about the divide between an older person who’s grown comfortable in his ways and a younger person who’s living a relatively carefree life. The introduction of drugs into the plot changes things, though, with Lee searching out more ways to open his eyes to what the world has to offer.

Guadagnino and his team use some interesting visual storytelling techniques to introduce ideas that may not be present in the actual script. The most successful, demonstrated in multiple scenes, is the superimposition of movements by Lee over what’s actually taking place in the scene. The subtle overlay gives the audience insight into Lee’s true feelings, showing what he can’t or won’t say out loud.

Music also plays a big part in how the plot is perceived, with the use of anachronistic songs from Nirvana and Prince serving to heighten certain moments. The score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is not as in-your-face as the one they did for Challengers, but it complements the film well, especially when the plot starts to get trippy in its final half hour.

Craig, who appears sweaty and disheveled for much of the film, is about as far from the suaveness of James Bond as you can get in this role. He takes multiple risks with his performance and almost all of them pay off. Starkey’s character is subdued by comparison, but still comes off well. Schwartzman and Lesley Manville are given showy roles, with both using altered appearances that make them nearly unrecognizable to deliver memorable performances.

Queer is not as accessible as Challengers was storytelling-wise, but the fact that it tells a story about gay men living their lives as they see fit with no interference or questions shows how far the film world has come in a short period of time. It also continues Guadagnino’s streak of making audacious films in a way that few other filmmakers are willing or able to approach.

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Queer is now playing in theaters.

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