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    weekend event planner

    Here are the top 16 things to do in Houston this weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Feb 8, 2024 | 6:00 am
    Lunar New Year Festival + Night Market

    The Lunar New Year Festival + Night Market is a beast of a party.

    Photo by Lee's Golden Dragon/Courtesy of Downtown Houston

    Catch CultureMap's weekend events segment with editor Steven Devadanam and ABC13'a Brittaney Wilmore live at 8:45 am Thursdays on ABC13's livestream and on ABC13 all weekend.

    This Sunday, football fans, Swifties, and people who hate Taylor Swift — but are willing to bet on or against her — will catch the big game. But what to do before? How about rolling out to the Discovery Green roller skating rink. A Queso Bowl is cheesy fun; the party continues at Mardi Gras! Galveston, and Lunar New Year boasts monster parties everywhere.

    Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

    Thursday, February 8

    SIlver Street Studios present Nathan Lindstrom: On Set / Off Set opening reception

    Immerse yourself in the captivating narrative of On Set / Off Set, an extraordinary photographic exhibition by Nathan Lindstrom that explores the juxtaposition between art created for commercial endeavors and his personal, fine art exploration. On Set / Off Set serves as a visual dialogue between two distinct worlds, prompting reflection on the intersections and divergences between commercial and artistic realms. Through Monday, February 12. 5 pm.

    Julia Child Foundation presents Julia Child Award 10th Anniversary

    The Julia Child Award, created by The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, will commemorate a decade of honoring those who foster profound change in the way America cooks, eats, and drinks. The series will kick-off in Houston with an event featuring a menu curated by chefs Aaron Bludorn, Chris Shepherd, and Chris Williams. The series raises critical funds for The Smithsonian Food History Project at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington D.C., home to Julia Child’s kitchen. 6 pm.

    Houston Symphony presents "Perlman Conducts Tchaikovsky 5"

    No composer mines the depths of the human experience more fearlessly or wholeheartedly than Tchaikovsky, and his beloved Fifth Symphony surges with unbridled passion, candid emotion, and balletic grace on its journey from darkness to light. Houston Symphony artistic partner Itzhak Perlman leads these performances, which also feature treasured music from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and George Walker’s deeply moving Lyric for Strings. 8 pm (2:30 pm Sunday).

    Friday, February 9

    Discovery Green presents The Rink Opening Night

    Discovery Green will celebrate the opening night of The Rink, Houston’s only outdoor roller rink. Daisies and Pancakes’s skate community and instructors will showcase their talent with music by DJ Yung Chris. The first 50 skaters in line will skate for free. Forever Green members skate for free from 5-7 pm. Proceeds support Discovery Green Conservancy’s mission, park maintenance and free cultural programs. Tickets must be purchased online. Through Sunday, March 31. 5 pm.

    Houston Grand Opera presents Madame Butterfly

    Puccini’s beloved Madame Butterfly, with its soaring score and unforgettable tragic story, returns in a revival of Tony-winning director Michael Grandage’s acclaimed production. The opera’s diverse cast will be led by internationally sought-after soprano Ailyn Perez, who returns to Houston as Cio-Cio-San, the young Japanese girl who marries American naval lieutenant Pinkerton, performed by tenor Yongzhao Yu in his role debut. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday).

    Art Factory presents On Broadway: A Musical Celebration of Show Business

    Art Factory begins their 2024 Bronze Anniversary Season with On Broadway: A Musical Celebration of Show Business. Vocalists will perform numbers from Broadway’s most popular and beloved musicals. This limited engagement takes the audience from the Golden Era all the way to the musicals that are currently running in New York City today, including Guys and Dolls, Dear Evan Hansen, The Color Purple, The Music Man, and more. 8 pm (5 pm Sunday)

    Galentine's Day at The Plant Project

    Join founder Bree Iman Clarke at her popular plant shop at Montrose Collective for a blooming good, Galentine's Day floral workshop. Grab the gals and take in the beauty of flowers, create stunning floral arrangements, share laughs, and celebrate friendship in full bloom. Consider this the perfect way to spend quality time with your favorite ladies and spread love and joy on this special day. Light bites and sips come courtesy of Fiora’s Bottle Shop. 6:30 pm.

    Professional Bull Riders presents Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour

    For the fourth straight year, PBR’s (Professional Bull Riders) Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour will return to Cedar Park. The bull-riding action begins with Round 1 on Friday, followed by Round 2 and the championship round on Saturday. All 40 competing bull riders will get on one bull each in Round 1. The Top 36 riders from Round 1 will advance to Round 2 Saturday evening. The riders’ individual two-round scores will be totaled, with the Top 10 advancing to the championship round for one more out and a chance at the event title. 8 pm (7 pm Saturday).

    Saturday, February 10

    Eureka Heights Queso Bowl 2024

    For the 4th year in a row, Eureka Heights is gathering teams from around the neighborhood to see who can make the best queso. If you have the cheese to compete, follow this link. For those who just want to eat queso, It's free to attend. All you have to do is show up. You'll be the trusty judges and the decider of the Queso Bowl Champion. Please note that it is first come, first served. Once the queso is gone, that’s when they start handing out awards. 1 pm.

    BLCK Market and Top 3! Games present Live Show

    Top 3! Games is partnering with BLCK Market to present an exciting experience. This live game show aims to bring entertainment, engagement, and a sense of community as a way to celebrate Black History Month, a Black-owned game and Black music creators. There will be a total of nine contestants (three players per round), three regular rounds and a championship round composed of the winners from the regular rounds. The championship round winner will go home with the largest prize and be deemed Houston's Top 3! Champion. 3 pm.

    The Museum of FIne Arts, Houston presents I Went to the Dance (J’ai été au bal)

    SInce we’re right in the middle of Mardi Gras season, get in the Fat Tuesday spirit with the definitive 1989 film on the history of the toe-tapping, foot-stomping music of French Southwest Louisiana, directed by the legendary Les Blank with Chris Strachwitz. I Went to the Dance features Cajun and Zydeco greats including Michael Doucet & BeauSoleil, Clifton Chenier, Marc & Ann Savoy, D.L. Menard, and many others. 7 pm (5 pm Sunday).

    Urban Souls Dance Company presents Souls of Black Houston

    Urban Souls Dance Company presents Souls of Black Houston, a dance concert dedicated to honoring Black history. This performance marks the company’s 20th anniversary season and pays tribute to two decades of sharing the powerful stories of the African American experience. Highlighting the program is “Colored Carnegie” (originally commissioned by Performing Arts Houston in 2021). Inspired by the history of the segregated Houston Colored Carnegie Library, this piece is a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength of the Black community. 7:30 pm.

    Sunday, February 11

    Tidbits Rodeo Market at Armadillo Palace

    Houston Tidbits has teamed up with local, independent brands for a shopping market at Armadillo Palace with a Texas twist. Bring the crew and stroll the indoor vendor stalls to shop custom hats, boots, bandanas, bolos, apparel, permanent jewelry, vintage Western wear, custom denim, art, turquoise, Valentine's treats and gifts from a host premium retailers and brands. $5-$22. 11 am-3 pm.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents "Crowning the North: Silver Treasures from Bergen, Norway" opening day

    "Crowning the North: Silver Treasures from Bergen, Norway" explores the art of the Bergen silversmiths from the 16th to early 20th centuries, and examines the evolution of the craft against the backdrop of greater political, social, and economic change in Norway and other parts of the world. Some 200 objects – from spoons, tankards, sugar bowls and salt cellars to elaborate ceremonial wedding crowns and fantastical vessels – are on exclusive loan to the U.S. from public and private Norwegian collections. Through Sunday, May 5. 12:30 pm.

    Rooftop Cinema Club Uptown presents Big Game Watch Party

    Rooftop Cinema Club Uptown invites you to elevate your game day experience at their Big Game Watch Party, featuring the biggest football event of the year on a spectacular 24-foot, state-of-the-art LED screen. Pregame festivities kick off with a live DJ setting the tone for the evening, and a thrilling Usher lip-syncing contest to get everyone hyped for the halftime performance. Attendees can settle in, grab some delicious bites and refreshing drinks from the bar, and enjoy the electric atmosphere as the game unfolds. 5:30 pm.

    The Secret Group presents “Unbelievable Stories”

    Step into a world of side-splitting humor and jaw-dropping tales with 'Unbelievable Stories,' the live, weekly, storytelling comedy show that will leave you laughing, gasping, and clutching your sides. Join host Ku Egenti and other charismatic storytellers as they regale you with the most absurd, outrageous, and utterly hilarious real-life experiences. From epic misadventures to laugh-out-loud encounters, 'Unbelievable Stories' brings you a night of pure, unfiltered laughter. 8 pm.

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    Movie Review

    Michelle Pfeiffer visits Houston in new Christmas movie Oh. What. Fun.

    Alex Bentley
    Dec 5, 2025 | 3:30 pm
    Michelle Pfeiffer in Oh. What. Fun.
    Photo courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios
    Michelle Pfeiffer in Oh. What. Fun.

    Of all the formulaic movie genres, Christmas/holiday movies are among the most predictable. No matter what the problem is that arises between family members, friends, or potential romantic partners, the stories in holiday movies are designed to give viewers a feel-good ending even if the majority of the movie makes you feel pretty bad.

    That’s certainly the case in Oh. What. Fun., in which Michelle Pfeiffer plays Claire, an underappreciated mom living in Houston with her inattentive husband, Nick (Denis Leary). As the film begins, her three children are arriving back home for Christmas: The high-strung Channing (Felicity Jones) is married to the milquetoast Doug (Jason Schwartzman); the aloof Taylor (Chloë Grace Moretz) brings home yet another new girlfriend; and the perpetual child Sammy (Dominic Sessa) has just broken up with his girlfriend.

    Each of the family members seems to be oblivious to everything Claire does for them, especially when it comes to what she really wants: For them to nominate her to win a trip to see a talk show in L.A. hosted by Zazzy Tims (Eva Longoria). When she accidentally gets left behind on a planned outing to see a show, Claire reaches her breaking point and — in a kind of Home Alone in reverse — she decides to drive across the country to get to the show herself.

    Written and directed by Michael Showalter (The Idea of You), and co-written by Chandler Baker (who wrote the short story on which the film is based), the movie never establishes any kind of enjoyable rhythm. Each of the characters, including competitive neighbor Jeanne (Joan Chen), is assigned a character trait that becomes their entire personality, with none of them allowed to evolve into something deeper.

    The filmmakers lean hard into the idea that Claire is a person who always puts her family first and receives very little in return, but the evidence presented in the story is sketchy at best. Every situation shown in the film is so superficial that tension barely exists, and the (over)reactions by Claire give her family members few opportunities to make up for their failings.

    The most interesting part of the movie comes when Claire actually makes it to the Zazzy Sims show. Even though what happens there is just as unbelievable as anything else presented in the story, Showalter and Baker concoct a scene that allows Claire and others to fully express the central theme of the film, and for a few minutes the movie actually lives up to its title.

    Pfeiffer, given her first leading role since 2020’s French Exit, is a somewhat manic presence, and her thick Texas accent and unnecessary voiceover don’t do her any favors. It seems weird to have such a strong supporting cast with almost nothing of substance to do, but almost all of them are wasted, including Danielle Brooks in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo. The lone exception is Longoria, who is a blast in the few scenes she gets.

    Oh. What. Fun. is far from the first movie to try and fail at becoming a new holiday classic, but the pedigree of Showalter and the cast make this dismal viewing experience extra disappointing. Ironically, overworked and underappreciated moms deserve a much better story than the one this movie delivers.

    ---

    Oh. What. Fun. is now streaming on Prime Video.

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