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weekend event planner

Top things to do this weekend in Houston: Beyoncé brunch, a lit downtown party, and more

Craig D. Lindsey
Nov 30, 2023 | 5:55 am
Houston Ballet

Houston Ballet celebrates its visionary artistic director in a special performance.

Photo courtesy of Houston Ballet

This weekend, SNL alum and famous funnyman Pete Davidson comes to town to bring the laughs and dish on his very public private life.

Houston Ballet celebrates its visionary artistic director Stanton Welch in a Jubilee of Dance, while the whole city can celebrate Queen Bey at a Beyoncé-themed brunch to toast her new movie.

And speaking of city celebrations, don't miss the Mayor's Holiday Spectacular as light it up. Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, November 30

DASH Holiday Market at the Houston Design Center

One of Houston's boutique markets is partnering with the Houston Design Center to present DASH Holiday Market. The four-day market will give Houston shoppers an all-inclusive experience as they discover the finest home accessories, art, jewelry, clothing, and gifts under one roof. Ove 75 local and national dealers will bring Houston shoppers the newest in trending decor and unique holiday gifts for everyone. 6 pm (10 am Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).

Bayou Music Center presents Pete Davidson

Actor, comedian, and professional rizzmaster Pete Davidson will be down here to do some stand-up. Davidson was a cast member on NBC’s Saturday Night Live from 2014-2022, and is the creator, executive producer, writer and star of the new Peacock comedy, Bupkis. But, of course, you mostly know him as the guy who somehow can get any A-list dimepiece any time he wants. Yeah, it boggles our minds too. 7 pm.

The Doll Foundation presents Model of the Year

The 2023 Model of the Year Awards will embrace the glamorous atmosphere of Studio 54, encouraging attendees to dress up as their favorite '70s icons. The occasion will honor individuals recognized as “Women of Influence”: Dr. Vanessa Barrow, Jessica Hatch Farrokhza, Dr. Cheryl Murphy Haseeb, LeBrina Jackson, Staci LaToison, Malaika Mukoro, Milka Waterland, and Susan Hough. Additionally, the event will salute Cheryl Creuzot, recipient of the "Model of a Lifetime" award, for her significant achievements. 7 pm.

Friday, December 1

University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance presents Emerging Choreographers Showcase

For over 20 years, the UH School of Theatre & Dance has presented the three-day Emerging Choreographers Showcase to introduce audiences to rising student talent. UH School of Theatre & Dance students produce, choreograph, perform, and design the entire evening, showcasing their performance, design, and production skills in a professional theater setting. Noon & 7:30 pm (7:30 pm Saturday).

Sawyer Yards presents Ray Jiang: "Life" opening reception

Sawyer Yards presents "Life," a solo exhibition of oil paintings on canvas by artist Ray Jiang. Jiang's work explores deeply felt themes such as life, love, death, sex, and dreams. His approach is between surrealism, minimalism, and symbolism; and his goal is to express the profound essence of the human experience, going beyond culture through the use of abstract and concrete forms, and brilliant colors. Through Saturday, January 20. 6 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Farewell My Concubine (Ba wang bie ji)

On its 30th anniversary, experience this influential Chinese film, restored and uncut for the first time. Dieyi (Leslie Cheung) and Xiaolou (Zhang Fengyi) are classmates at the Peking Opera Academy. The boys mature and their dramatic identities become real for Dieyi when he falls in love with Xiaolou, who fails to reciprocate his affections and marries a courtesan (Gong Li), This genre-bending love story captures the historical scope of a changing country and features performances showcasing the remarkable tradition of the Peking Opera. 7 pm.

Houston Ballet presents Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance: A Celebration of Stanton Welch

This year’s Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance celebrates the 20th anniversary of Stanton Welch as artistic director for one special night only. The evening will begin with a selection of highlights of Welch's work created in Houston over the past 20 seasons. Audiences will be introduced to four world premieres — three new ballets by soloist Jacquelyn Long, demi-soloist Jack Wolf and Corps de Ballet dancer Jindallae Bernard, capped off by a one-act ballet from Welch. 7:20 pm.

Saturday, December 2

2023 Comic Indie Con

Whether you're a die-hard indie media fan or curious about the world of indie comics, board games, arts and crafts, this event will have something for everyone. You'll have the opportunity to explore a wide range of independent comics and discover unique stories that push the boundaries of traditional storytelling. Explore some self-published novels and get a chance to see and play with some indie board games. Don't leave without purchasing some unique indie arts and crafts. 10 am.

The Union Kitchen presents Bubbles & Beyoncé

All five of The Union Kitchen’s Houston-area locations will celebrate Beyoncé with a themed brunch, coinciding with the release of Bey’s newest concert film Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé. Chef James Lundy and his team have curated a themed menu just for the day, including a handful of cocktails and decadent dining options. Brunch fare includes The Blue Ivy (blueberry muffins with blueberry compote) and The Disco Cakes (classic fluffy pancake stack, topped with colorful sprinkles and housemade honey butter). 10 am.

Reliant Lights Mayor’s Holiday Spectacular

Reliant Lights Mayor\u2019s Holiday Spectacular Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will preside over his final Reliant Lights Mayor's Holiday Spectacular. Photo courtesy of City of Houston

Mayor Sylvester Turner and Reliant will kick-off the holidays with one of Houston’s favorite family events of the season. This annual free event will feature live music, dance performances, the lighting of the holiday tree, and other festive activities for all ages. American Idol star and Grammy nominee Jordin Sparks will headline the event. There will also be performances by Eduardo Trevino, Houston Children’s Chorus, Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts’ theater department, and more. 6 pm.

The Orange Show presents Negativland featuring SUE-C

Does technology help connect people? Or does it replace them? In "We Can Really Feel Like We’re Here," a collaboration between legendary sound collage group Negativland and live cinema video artist SUE-C, this live performance project is about our nervous systems, our realities, and the evolving forms of media and technology that inevitably insert themselves between them, with original music, found sounds, unique visuals, and a few surprises. 7 pm.

Sunday, December 3

Super Happy Christmas Toy Show and Art Market

Super Happy Incredible Toys, the premier vintage toy store in Houston, presents the annual Christmas Toy Show and Art Market. Held at the famous Saint Arnold Brewery, this all-ages event will combine the amusement of a toy show and creativity of an art market with the opportunity to purchase many examples of both. If that wasn't enough, it'll all be dressed up as one of the year's best Christmas parties with a special appearance by Santa Himself. 11 am.

The Winning Wonderland: Black Girl Christmas Market

For the next two Sundays, The Black Girl Christmas Market will be the best place for holiday shopping, supporting women- and minority-owned businesses. Sponsored by Wins For Black Girls, this holiday mark is back for its third year. The shopping experience will spotlight about 20 brands, including StirTEAse, a luxury honey-stirrer brand, and Sania Ameris, a crochet couture brand. The market will feature clothing, accessories, hair care, skincare, candles, art, and more. Noon.

Asia Society Texas presents Alka Joshi: The Perfumist of Paris

New York Times' bestselling author Alka Joshi joins Asia Society Texas for an author talk on her latest novel, The Perfumist of Paris. As the third entry in Joshi's J'aipur Trilogy, The Perfumist of Paris takes readers to 1970s Paris where Radha’s budding career as a perfumer competes against the growing demands of her family and the secrets of her past. With her signature evocative storytelling, Joshi invites readers on a transformative journey through the deep meaning of family, identity, goals, and dreams. 2 pm.

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Movie Review

Comedian John Early takes on modern foodie culture in Maddie's Secret

Alex Bentley
Jul 2, 2026 | 3:00 pm
John Early in Maddie's Secret
Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures
John Early in Maddie's Secret.

Comedian John Early is one of those “that guy” actors, having appeared in shows and movies like Broad City, Neighbors 2, Portlandia, Late Night, and Search Party without ever being the lead. So he’s taken it upon himself to give himself bigger exposure by writing, directing, and starring in the new film, Maddie’s Secret.

Early plays the titular female character who works as a dishwasher with her best friend Deena (Kate Berlant) at a food video content company called GourMaybe. When a homemade cooking video shot by her boyfriend Jake (Eric Cahill) goes viral, Maddie gets bumped up to on-camera talent, soon becoming the face of the company, much to the chagrin of rival Emily (Claudia O’Doherty).

With that added exposure comes more scrutiny in the form of online comments, many of which point out Maddie’s fuller figure and clear enjoyment of the food she makes. This criticism triggers Maddie’s bulimia, a condition she thought she had under control. Not wanting to lose her coveted spot, Maddie tries to keep her bulimia from everyone around her, something that becomes increasingly difficult to do.

If that sounds like an ABC afternoon special, that’s because that’s the vibe it seems like Early is going for. The film feels like a melodrama, with many of the actors speaking in unnatural cadences to make situations seem more intense than they actually are. That gives the film a natural comedic tilt, although Early makes sure to have everyone play their scenes straight, letting the ridiculousness of the story speak for itself.

Early playing a woman is oddly not part of the joke. According to him, the performance is not him doing drag, and he never plays the role in an over-the-top manner or like he’s making fun of the character. In fact, it’s striking how earnestly he inhabits Maddie, as if he truly was trying to get into the skin of a woman who found herself in such a situation. Anything funny that comes from him is just part of the progression of the story.

Setting the film in the world of food vlogging is the one area where Early seems to actively be going for jokes. Maddie and Emily come up with creations that seem reasonable and off-the-wall at the same time, like a Rotel dip made with French techniques. Characters also frequent real L.A. restaurants with punny names like Naughty Pie Nature, making fun of the food scene as much as they are exalting it.

Early definitely holds the viewer’s gaze in his first lead role, allowing Maddie to become a fully-realized character. His scenes with Berlant and Cahill make the film, as each of the supporting actors commit to their roles and elevate Early’s writing. Other standouts include Connor O’Malley as the boss at GourMaybe, Kirsten Johnston as Maddie’s mom, and Vanessa Bayer in a late-film cameo.

Because Early is not trying to make a full-on comedy, many may come away perplexed by Maddie’s Secret. But the film is clearly made with intention, giving a slight send-up of both 21st century food culture and a loving homage to the cheesy TV movies of the past.

---

Maddie's Secret opens in select theaters on July 3.

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