weekend event planner

Here are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

On Your Feet, the Broadway smash musical dedicated to Gloria and Emilio Estefan, will keep you on your feet.

Photo by Doug Hinebaugh

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.

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The first weekend of February — yes, really — marks our favorite beaded bash. Mardi Gras! Galveston returns to the island with a jam-packed opening weekend (find our guide here) of concerts (Gin Blossoms, Hayden Baker), funky parades, and billions of the beads — some that could really pay off if you catch them.

We can't wait for the premiere of On Your Feet!, the smash musical that pays tribute to icons Gloria Estefan and her husband, Emilio, who founded the Miami Sound Machine. The Afro-Cuban dance and glorious grooves will have you on, well, you know, at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

Galveston's biggest bash is back. Photo courtesy of Mardi Gras! Galveston

Thursday, February 1

Buffalo Soldiers National Museum presents "The Blue Helmets in Action” opening day

Buffalo Soldiers National Museum’s new rotating exhibition, "The Blue Helmets in Action," focuses on the 93rd Infantry Division, the first African American combat division to be activated during World War II. The purpose of the exhibition is to educate visitors about this historically overlooked Army division. The exhibition follows the formation of The Blue Helmets, their early history, training, service in the Pacific theater, and occupation duties through to deactivation. Through Sunday, June 30. 10 am.

Community Artists' Collective presents "Here and Now: Cultural Expressions" opening reception

Community Artists' Collective presents "Here and Now: Cultural Expressions," an exhibition celebrating Black History Month. The exhibition showcases art from the Collective’s permanent collection and includes works by such contemporary artists as Ann Johnson, Gail P. Mallory, Shani Crowe, Earlie Hudnall, Ricardo Francis, Latonia Allen, Jo El Mercer, Ibraim Nascimento, and Bert Long. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Black Art Crawl in mid-February will include the exhibition. Through Thursday, February 29. 6 pm.

Theatre Under the Stars presents On Your Feet!

It’s the astounding and inspiring true story about heart, heritage and two people who believed in their talent—and each other—to become an international sensation: Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Their story is brought thrillingly to life in this breathtaking, original musical bursting with the Afro-Cuban rhythms that became the Miami Sound Machine. This features such hits as “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “Conga,” and, of course, “Get On Your Feet.” Through Sunday, February 11. 7:30 pm (8 pm Friday; 2 & 8 pm Saturday; 2:30 and 7:30 pm Sunday).

Friday, February 2

Houston Home + Garden Show

The Houston Home + Garden Show is a vibrant marketplace where people can shop for home-related products and services, experience displays to help inspire their next home project, connect with industry experts, and enjoy informative presentations from local and international home professionals. The three-day event will include a special guest appearance from HGTV star Egypt Sherrod, adoptable pets from the Houston Humane Society, and an array of vendors specializing in home and garden projects. 11 am (10 am Saturday).

Mardi Gras! Galveston

They got the bead(s) at Mardi Gras! Galveston. Photo courtesy of Mardi Gras! Galveston

Celebrate Mardi Gras in Galveston. The 3rd largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country will have several parades, live entertainment, street food vendors and much more. 20 parades will be taking place over the course of two weekends (and Fat Tuesday), while Gin Blossoms, Eli Young Band, and Duelo will be some of the artists scheduled to perform. Mardi Gras has a lot to love. And when you add the sand between your toes and the epic views of the island of Galveston, Mardi Gras gets even better. 5 pm (11 am Saturday; 1 pm Sunday).

MFAH Films presents Through the Lens of Black Women: Beauty and Expectations

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, presents a film series featuring four films that consider the experiences of Black women. Returning to program the second iteration of the series she created is Autumn Johnson, communications coordinator at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston and social media coordinator at Houston Cinema Arts Society. This year, Johnson decided to focus on the idea of “beauty” and what defines Black and female authorship in film. Johnson will introduce each screening. 7 pm (4 and 7 pm Saturday; 5 pm Sunday).

Houston Symphony presents "Jazz, Love & Gershwin: A Century of Rhapsody in Blue"

The Marcus Roberts Trio and jazz singer Catherine Russell join the Houston Symphony for virtuoso jazz and classic Gershwin songs, including a love song for all the sweethearts. Plus, the Houston Symphony performs a new take on Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue, alongside jazz pianist Marcus Roberts, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of its premiere. 8 pm (2:30 pm Sunday).

Saturday, February 3

Burger Bodega World Smash Cancer Day

In honor of World Cancer Day this Sunday, Burger Bodega (4520 Washington Ave.) will join other Smash Burger concepts, Leon's Smash Burgers (Australia) and 7th Street Burger (New York), for a World SMASH Cancer Day Fundraiser. Each one of the Smash Burger concepts will donate $1 to a foundation of their choice, benefitting cancer research. Burger Bodega will donate to support cancer research at the Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center. 11 am.

Friends of the Phoenix presents Fried Rice Cook Off and Lunar New Year Celebration

Friends of the Phoenix presents their 7th annual Fried Rice Cook Off and Lunar New Year Celebration, with friends from within the community presenting their version of fried rice with a very international flair. The competition will be based on judging as well as fan favorites. There will also be prizes for best booth/station presentation. Activities include a ping pong tournament and a bounce house. This charity event will raise money for the FOTP emergency fund and education pillar. Noon.

PJ’s Coffee Spring Branch presents Mask-tastic Mardi Gras

Get ready to celebrate the vibrant spirit of New Orleans at PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans Join them for an unforgettable in-person event filled with music, custom mask decorating, and delicious treats. Don't forget to bring your most extravagant mask ideas to add some extra flair to the festivities. Whether you're a local or just visiting, this is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Mardi Gras. Grab your friends and family, and get ready to let loose and have a blast. Children will receive a free beignet for their participation. Noon.

Cactus Music presents Jane Woe In-Store Performance

Jane Woe is a group of Houston musicians that capture scenes and emotions through the bend of a guitar string, through a crescendo of a rolling cymbal, and – most of all – through words that paint a picture. Jane Woe is a woman sitting on her front porch with a shotgun, waiting for her lover to get home. Jane Woe is when singing the blues isn’t enough and howling them is the only way. Jane Woe is a repetitive drum beat with two ladies harmonizing and hypnotizing a room. One fan described, “If David Lynch did the music for Urban Cowboy.” 3 pm.

Casa Argentina de Houston presents Tango Time 25th Anniversary

Casa Argentina de Houston presents Tango Time 25th Anniversary. The event will feature pianist Rene Casarsa and the participation of Michael Fahey & Johnny Chang (violins), Pablo Fernández (bandoneon), Matt Tavilson (bass), Susana Collins & Jeremías Fors (dancers), and Andrea Berri & Giancarlo Piletti (vocalists). Eighty percent of the event´s net proceeds will benefit local musical education scholarships and Orquesta-Escuela Mediterránea, a music program for children living in vulnerable communities in Córdoba, Argentina. 7 pm.

Sunday, February 4

Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra presents Notting Hill Brunch

William Thacker (Hugh Grant) is a London bookstore owner whose humdrum existence is thrown into romantic turmoil when famous American actress Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) appears in his shop. A chance encounter over spilled orange juice leads to a kiss that blossoms into a full-blown affair. While you watch this classic 1999 rom-com, order from Alamo Drafthouse’s tasty brunch menu and pair with a brunch cocktail classic. Each is available to order along with our full menu at this special brunch screening. 11 am.

ReelAbilities Houston presents ReelArt opening reception

At ReelArt, visitors can see the world through the eyes of artists from Celebration Company, an entrepreneurial employment program for adults with disabilities, and featured artist Grace Fisher. The artists work with a variety of mediums, such as painting, photography, and glass fusion. This wide range of mediums allows the artists multiple ways to excel at expressing themselves. 1 pm.

Mania the ABBA Tribute in concert

Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny, and Anni-Frid, collectively known as ABBA, dominated the charts for nearly 10 years and enjoyed nine UK No.1 hits. Mania (formerly ABBA Mania) recreates ABBA’s sound not only perfectly, but respectfully too. Mania is not only for lifelong, die-hard ABBA fans but the new generation of fans, who never had the opportunity to see ABBA live. They will perform hits like "Dancing Queen," "Waterloo," "Mamma Mia," "The Winner Takes it All," "Super Trouper," "Fernando," "Take A Chance On Me," and more. 6:30 pm.

Movie Review

Denzel Washington brings new spectacle to the Colosseum in Gladiator II

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Paul Mescal in Gladiator II.

There are some films for which making a sequel is natural, and others where a follow-up is wholly unnecessary. Gladiator, which made both tons of money and was named Best Picture at the Oscars, told an impactful stand-alone story that ended with the protagonist dead and no real loose ends. And yet because there’s always more money to be made, here we are 24 years later with Gladiator II.

The lead character this time around is Lucius (Paul Mescal), a general in a North African army who becomes a prisoner of war when the Roman army led by Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) bests him and his troops in battle. Taken back to Rome, he is put in the pool of captured men forced to fight at the Colosseum for the amusement of twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracella (Fred Hechinger).

Lucius is controlled by Macrinus (Denzel Washington), an ambitious schemer who bets liberally on his prized fighter and always has an eye to move up in the world. Meanwhile, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), the sister of Emperor Commodus from the first film, is now married to Marcus Acacius and has a unique connection with Lucius that is fairly obvious from the get-go.

Directed once again by Ridley Scott and written by David Scarpa, the film commits a number of sins throughout its 150-minute running time, the most blatant of which is that, aside from a few embellishments, it essentially tells the same story as the first film. Lucius, like Maximus, is a deposed military leader who’s out for revenge on the person who killed his family. Instead of one obnoxious emperor, there are now two. And the only way for Lucius to earn his freedom is to fight his way out.

Stories told in the same world can echo each other and, if done well, overcome those similarities. But Gladiator II is shockingly boring for a purported sword-and-sandals epic. Scott and his team try to introduce new elements to the fights, like a gladiator riding a rhinoceros or a ship battle inside the Colosseum (with sharks!), but most of the sequences are inert with no propulsion to them.

The action fails because none of the relationships in the film amount to much. There are stand-out characters like Macrinus and the twin emperors, but instead of creating antipathy or strong feelings of triumph or defeat, the story just kind of happens without any sense of excitement or importance. Much of that issue lies at the feet of Lucius, who simply doesn’t inspire in the same way that Russell Crowe’s Maximus did.

Mescal is a fine actor who’s done good work in more intimate roles, but he’s not up to the task of being an action star, at least not in this film. Any bombast he shows with the character feels forced, and the story doesn’t give him enough opportunities to counteract that lack. Washington, however, fills up the screen with his charisma, and it’s during his scenes that the film comes closest to being rousing. Quinn and Hechinger are a lot of fun as the twin emperors, but in the end they feel like retreads of Joaquin Phoenix from the original.

Any sequel should have a purpose that sets it apart from what came before, but Scott, Scarpa, and the rest of their team fail in that respect in Gladiator II. It’s a mostly lifeless film that delivers scenes that would be exciting if they had any kind of good story to back them up.

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Gladiator II opens in theaters on November 22.

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