Some big names are in Houston for a jam-packed weekend of entertainment. Superstar Drake — who isn't from Houston but got here as fast as he could — plays two nights at Toyota Center with 21 Savage. Expect a setlist full of songs for their big collab album Her Loss.
Hometown hero Mo Amer, who's riding a wave of success and fame with his breakout Netflix smash, Mo, comes home to celebrate his very own day (Mayor Sylvester Turner made it official in July). We can only imagine how stacked his setlist is now and the stories he's ready to share.
Tall, charismatic actor Zachary Levi — many know him as the star of the Shazam superhero series — comes to town to support a good-hearted gala benefitting children in need across the world — something that would make anyone smile.
Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.
Zachary Levi/Instagram
Charismatic actor and Shazam star Zachary Levi will be honored at the annual Operation Smile gala.
Thursday, September 14
Chapman & Kirby presents Chapman 2.0 Opening Night
EaDo hotspot/private event space Chapman & Kirby is undergoing a transformative change that will reshape the way Houstonians celebrate and create memories. This new direction, dubbed “Chapman 2.0,” includes the debut of a nostalgic cocktail lounge next door named Private Client. Customers can also expect a live music series, with the Spazmatics kicking things off this weekend, followed by a DJ until midnight. 7 pm.
Houston Grand Opera presents Butler Studio Showcase
The Sarah and Ernest Butler Houston Grand Opera Studio presents the annual Butler Studio Showcase. The event will give audiences their first look at the talented Butler Studio class of 2024 during an intimate evening designed to shine a spotlight on their individual gifts.
Ten Butler Studio artists, including four new members, will perform staged, costumed excerpts from a variety of operatic works. This year’s event includes selections from Eugene Onegin, The Turn of the Screw, La favorite, Béatrice et Bénédict, and Madame Butterfly. 7 pm.
Friday, September 15
Marmo Garden Party Featuring St. Germain
Indulge in a captivating afternoon of botanical bliss at Marmo’s St. Germain Garden Party. Head over there for an afternoon of delight, featuring a build-your-own spritz bar with St. Germain and savory light bites on Marmo’s charming patio. Tickets are $35 per person (includes one complimentary themed cocktail and a takeaway bag) and can be booked by going here. Limited spots are available. 3 pm.
Architecture Center Houston presents "Beautiful City - Empty City" opening day
Architecture Center Houston presents an exhibition that showcases the architectural photography by Leonid Furmansky, shot in downtown Houston during the pandemic. Selected from a portfolio titled Oil Towers, these images depict the city we know so well as a mostly empty and evocative canvas for exploration. The isolation experienced due to COVID-19 is visible in the vacant, frozen quality of the images. Through Sunday, November 19. 5:30 pm.
The Great Age Movement presents “Back to the Future” Senior Prom Gala
The Great Age Movement will host a senior prom gala that will support the Movement’s capital campaign to build senior fitness parks and support development of exercise programs in community green spaces, including the organization’s third Great Age Fitness Park for senior citizens, located in Houston’s Fifth Ward. The gala will feature dinner, premium cocktails, an exciting raffle, a silent & live auction, a roaming photobooth, dancing, and the crowning of Senior Prom King and Queen. 6 pm.
Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land presents Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Live in Concert
Featuring a soundtrack that blends symphonic orchestral music with hip-hop, this concert pairs a screening of the Academy Award-winning animated film with live musicians and a DJ scratching live on stage. Daniel Pemberton composed a sprawling score of original music that is complemented with song contributions by Post Malone, Lil Wayne, and Nicki Minaj. The score results in a sonic universe that is woven throughout the fabric of the film, supporting its themes of resilience and universal heroism. 7 pm.
Saturday, September 16
Oiler Studio is north Houston’s first creative social club, where elevated craft activities bring like-minded community members together in an opportunity to tap into creativity while networking through unique social experiences. To celebrate its grand opening, the studio’s launch party will welcome the community to experience a full day of complimentary creative sessions. The exciting lineup of activities covers a variety of experiences unique to the studio’s regular offerings. 9:30 am.
Viet Cultural Fest: A Taste of Viet Nam
Houston boasts a thriving Vietnamese community, evidenced by the thousands who pack NRG Center for the annual Viet Cultural Fest: A Taste of Viet Nam.Expect a children's traditional dress contest, a teen scholarship pageant, captivating displays, thrilling, cultural entertainment, traditional games, interactive activities and — this being Houston — authentic, mouth-watering cuisine. Speaking of cuisine: make room for the pho eating contest. 10 am.
9th Annual "Original" Houston Creole Festival Event
Celebrate a fusion of Creole culture in Houston at the ninth-annual Houston Creole (Heritage) Festival. Guests will experience a full day of live music, an assortment of flavorful food/restaurants/food trucks, dancing, special Mardi Gras punch, a Creole Bar, and more - all in the name of preserving the heritage of a dynamic culture. The VIP Experience will feature Chef Seddy demonstrating his skills at creating tasty Creole treats. Yes, this is a fun feast the whole family can enjoy. 11 am.
GSK and Lupus Texas Gulf Coast present Houston's Best Damn Fried Chicken Contest
Get ready to get your arteries clogged this weekend! Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken and Blood Bros. BBQ will go head-to-head to earn the title of "Best Fried Chicken" in H-Town to benefit the Lupus Foundation Texas Gulf Coast Chapter. (Personally, we feel Frenchy’s has got that title on lock, but we’re open to see if they can stomp with the big dogs chicken-wise.) Proceeds from the event will support Lupus Warriors with programs, grants, and other important resources. 1 pm.
Operation Smile Houston Smile Gala
Operation Smile’s seventh-annual Houston Smile Gala will honor charismatic actor and philanthropist Zachary Levi (Shazam!). Guests will come together to celebrate Operation Smile’s mission to save a child’s life through the gift of a smile, as well as Levi’s extensive efforts in which he helped raise funds for more than 1,000 surgeries, giving children worldwide new hope. The program will include a cocktail hour followed by a curated dinner and award ceremony. 6:30 pm.
As we reported, acclaimed comedian, writer, blossoming celeb, and former Houstonian Mo Amer headlines a homecoming performance at Bayou Music Center to toast “Mo Amer Day in Houston,” which was officially christened by Mayor Turner on Thursday, July 13 — 713 Day in Houston. Amer is the creator and star of runaway, eponymous Netflix hit Mo, which debuted last August to rave reviews, scoring a 100-percent critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Brilliantly telling the Palestinian immigrant experience, Mo has won and been nominated for a slew of awards, and now, Amer is courting Hollywood stardom and even getting fan mail from Steven Spielberg. Not bad for a guy from Southwest Houston.
Sunday, September 17
M-K-T Heights presents Sunday Funday: Fall Fling
At M-K-T's autumnal trailside outdoor market, guests can shop wares from local vendors, including candles, wine, home goods, fashion, pet accessories, fall-inspired baked goods, and sweet treats. (We wanna try the seasonal and boba-inspired cookies and desserts from Brian's Bitchin' Bakery!) There will also be hands-on activities for all ages, music by DJ Dayta, the latest fall beer releases from Holler Brewing, and more. Admission is free. Noon.
Celebration of Life for John Nova Lomax and Celebration of Ricky Welch’s Life
Editor/journalist John Nova Lomax and stage actor/director Ricky Welch, two Houston legends who passed away during the summer, will get their proper sendoffs this weekend.
Lomax will be saluted at The Continental Club. This will be a time to connect and share stories with friends, family, and others in Lomax’s orbit who loved and admired him. Welch’s tribute will be at Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar, starting at 5 pm. There will be live music and storytelling and lots of pictures. 3 pm.
Drake and 21 Savage in concert
Drake is coming to Houston for two nights, which means a lot of ladies with extreme bra sizes will be throwing their brassieres onstage when the Canadian hip-hop superstar performs. (Yeah, it’s a thing.) He’ll be joined by 21 Savage, which also means the pair will perform tunes from their blockbuster 2022 album Her Loss, also known as the album where Champagne Papi went after a lot of folks (including, quite possibly, our own Megan Thee Stallion). 8 pm.
