weekend event planner

Top things to do in Houston this weekend: Queens of the Stone Age, Michael Bublé, and more

Houston rocks out this weekend with some big concerts: A.J. Croce, Akon, and Queens of the Stone Age all take the stage. Speaking of big shows, Jurassic Quest features more than 50 massive, animatronic dinosaurs at equally big NRG Center.

In a nod to our city's nation-leading diversity, the Islamic Arts Festival celebrates 10 years, while an astronaut-hosted screening of The Right Stuff pays homage to our Space City status. And for Sunday Funday, America's Got Talent fans can spend an evening with Howie Mandel.

Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, December 7

Michael Bublé hosts “Easy, Now” pop-up lounge at Spec's

$Michael Bubl\u00e9 Fraser & Thompson tux lawn chair$ Superstar and “sentient tuxedo of a man” Bublé will pass out whiskey here in Houston. Photo courtesy of Fraser & Thompson

Charming singer/actor/pitchman Michael Bublé will host a fan meet-and-greet and tasting event for his Fraser & Thompson Whiskey from 4 pm to 5 pm Thursday, December 7 at Spec’s - Fountain View (2020 Fountain View Dr.). Plan for a long line, arrive early, and be ready to sip the Canadian showman’s celebrity spirit at what’s dubbed the “Easy, Now” pop-up lounge within the store. Bublé is expected to pass out sips only — officially, he’s not slated to sign bottles or pose for photos. 4pm to 5 pm.

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston presents THIS WAY: A Houston Group Show opening reception

THIS WAY: A Houston Group Show showcases new work from 12 visionary, Houston-based Black artists, including Imhotep Blot by way of Amaechina Blot and Studio KER led by Michael Bennett, Colby Deal, Nahtan (Nate Edwards), Dom Elam, Amarie Gipson, Gem Hale, Charonda Johnson, Berlin Nicholas, Irene Antonia Diane Reece, and Jason Woods (Flash Gordon Parks). They all were invited to examine innovative ways of participating in the storytelling of Black legacy and heritage in Houston Freedmen’s Town. Through Sunday, March 24. 7 pm.

AKON in concert

Senegalese-American singer/producer/entrepreneur Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam – that’s AKON, to you and me – will be in Houston this weekend. He’ll be performing as part of The Superfan Tour, in support of his 2022 album, TT Freak. Watch him perform such hits as “Locked Up” and try to forget that he has a Wakanda-inspired city in Senegal that he hasn’t finished building yet. 7:30 pm.

Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life

Brett Goldstein is a breakthrough British creative force on and offscreen who has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after multi-hyphenates. He is the co-executive producer, writer, and star of Ted Lasso, playing the brash yet lovable Roy Kent. He is also the host of podcast, Films To Be Buried With, which finds him in candid conversation with special guests as they discuss the films that have shaped them. Now, he’s going around the country giving you some stand-up goodness. 8 pm.

Friday, December 8

The Ultimate Watch Event at Zadok Jewelers

If you’re a person who still prefers to check the time by looking at your wrist, join Zadok Jewelers for an extraordinary showcase of the world's rarest and most remarkable timepieces. Shop among many brands such as Bulgari, Cartier, Chopard, Grand Seiko, Hublot and IWC. And there will also be booze! On Friday only, guests can join in for a whiskey tasting from 4 to 6 pm with The Macklowe Whiskey. 10 am.

Jurassic Quest

Jurassic Quest Triceratops Meet a kind Triceratops. at Jurassic Quest. Photo courtesy of Jurassic Quest

Jurassic Quest is a dinosaur adventure for the whole family. The main dinosaur exhibit features over 50 ultra-realistic, life-size animatronic dinosaurs. Visitors can interact with these huge creatures, learn about them, and even ride a few. There are also huge T-Rex and Triceratops fossil digs where young paleontologists can uncover long, hidden dinosaur bones, the “Dino Bounce” area with several dinosaur-themed inflatable mazes, face painting, dino crafts, and more. Noon (9 am Saturday and Sunday).

Midtown Cultural Arts presents Mistletoe Market

The Midtown Mistletoe Market, with the theme of "Holiday Twinkle in Midtown," will feature artisans and specialty crafters showcasing their unique creations. 29 artists and makers will be participating, including Miriam O’Brien, Anna Naumenko, Charles Washington, and Samantha Peterson. There will be picture-twinkling lights, Santa Claus, holiday music, craft classes for both adults and children, holiday-themed public art installations, food options, and more. 5 pm (10 am Saturday).

The Music Box Theater presents A Beatles Holiday Cabaret

The Music Box Theater will celebrate Christmas and The Beatles in one memorable, festive holiday concert, A Beatles Holiday Cabaret. Song selections include some of the group’s original Christmas/Beatles mash-ups, such as “O Darlin”/”Please Come Home for Christmas,” “The First Noel”/”Here Comes the Sun,” “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”/”Marshmallow World” and “Help”/”O Come Emmanuel.” There will also be lots of other holiday and The Beatles musical surprises. Through Sunday, December 23. 7;30 pm (2 pm Sunday).

Saturday, December 9

Islamic Arts Society presents Islamic Arts Festival

This year, the Islamic Arts Society will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Islamic Arts Festival, the oldest festival of Islamic arts in the country. During the two-day festival, visitors will have the opportunity to see the work of renowned artists who will be available in person. They will be able to browse through the festival hall and purchase magnificent pieces of art for their homes. We’re talking hundreds of pieces of art under one roof, live paintings, Ebru, henna, bazaar, food, and more. 10:30 am.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents The Right Stuff

Based on the bestseller by Tom Wolfe, this Oscar-winning, 1983 epic is about the race to put the first man on the moon. Four U.S. Air Force test pilots (Scott Glenn, Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid, Sam Shepard) are chosen as the bravest, the best, and the most daring—the men with “the right stuff.” Retired Astronaut Colonel Terry Virts, who will introduce this “Movies Houstonians Love” presentation, says this film inspired him to become an astronaut. 5 pm.

Sawyer Yards presents Debbie Gibbs: "Hands Talk" opening reception

Sawyer Yards presents "Hands Talk," a solo exhibition of new works by Houston artist Debbie Gibbs. The mixed media artworks in this exhibit, composed of paper and acrylic on stretched canvas, highlight the role of hands in communicating and connecting. From the most literal interpretation, sign language, to symbolic gestures, hands can say a lot. The racially diverse hands visible in the works represent the beauty that diversity brings to the world as well as the complexity it brings to communication and connection. Through Friday, December 29. 5 pm.

Queens of the Stone Age in concert

When we heard Queens of the Stone Age is coming to Houston this weekend (in support of their new album In Times New Roman…), we immediately thought of the time Will Ferrell pulled out his trusty cowbell and performed with the band of Saturday Night Live. (If you’ve never seen it, here you go.) While it would be a dream to see them team up for a live performance here in H-Town, we’re still looking forward to Josh Homme and his crew performing the hard-driving numbers that make them one of the best rock bands working today. 7 pm.

Sunday, December 10

Cigna Sunday in the Park

Cigna Sunday in the Park does its final outdoor get-together of the year this weekend. Of course, Sunday in the Park spotlights Houston’s most unique neighborhoods around the city with a focus on promoting healthy living, supporting neighborhood economies and a sense of community. Since it’s December, we have a holiday-themed celebration at Tuffly Park. The free, family-friendly event will include activities for the entire family including bounce houses, live music, dancing, free food, games and photos with Santa. Noon.

Performing Arts Houston presents An Evening with Howie Mandel

Spend Sunday Funday with Howie Mandel. Photo courtesy of Howie Mandel

Howie Mandel has remained a constant force in show business for more than 30 years. He can currently be seen on NBC’s flagship series America’s Got Talent, where he has served as a judge for 11 seasons. He recently finished production on his new documentary, Howie Mandel: But Enough About Me. But let’s keep it real here: Bobby’s World was the greatest thing dude has ever done. If you have kids and haven’t introduced them to one of the best cartoons of the ‘90s, go on YouTube and watch the little ones fall in love with Lil’ Bobby. 7:30 pm.

Bayou Music Center presents Croce Plays Croce

Queens of the Stone Age/Facebook

Queens of the Stone Age reign this weekend.

After more than 25 years making his own musical mark, A.J. Croce began performing some of the songs of his dad, Jim Croce, live and forming a special show out of it. This concert will celebrate two of his father's legendary albums, 1973’s Life and Times and his final release I Got A Name, in addition to songs from You Don’t Mess Around With Jim. You know he’ll be doing such classics as “Time in a Bottle” and “Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels).” But let’s hope he also hits us with a rendition of our favorite Croce song, “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.” 8 pm.

Movie review

Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd chase their dreams in music-heavy Power Ballad

Photo by David Cleary for Lionsgate

Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd in Power Ballad.

Writer/director John Carney is one of the great purveyors of movies featuring music (as opposed to musicals) in the 21st century. Starting with Once in 2007 (which was turned into a Broadway musical several years later), he has made music-themed stories like Begin Again, Sing Street, Flora and Son, and now Power Ballad.

Rick Power (Paul Rudd) is a former wannabe rock star who is now the lead singer of “Ireland’s #1 Wedding Band,” The Bride & Grooves. While they mostly play smaller weddings, a gig at a country estate leads to an encounter with Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas), a former boy band member struggling to make it as a solo artist. Rick and Danny wind up bonding in a booze- and pot-filled jam session, sharing various song ideas.

After returning to Los Angeles and desperate for a hit, Danny steals one of Rick’s songs, which miraculously turns into the No. 1 “How to Write a Song (Without You).” Rick, initially overjoyed that something he wrote has become big, is crushed when he finds out Danny didn’t give him credit. His quest to find a way to prove his worth sends him into a spiral, upending the ordinary life he had built.

Co-written by Peter McDonald, the film is a nice exploration of two men trying to hold on to their music dreams. Their individual circumstances could not be more different, but each of them knows the ups and downs of the business as well as the other, as well as the ineffable magic of creating that one great song. While the music scenes are hit-and-miss because of a reliance on lip synching, the scene featuring Rick and Danny trading ideas is electric with creativity.

Oddly, though, the film could have used a bit less music and more of a focus on the two men’s personal lives. Rick wound up living in Ireland after falling in love with his future wife, Rachel (Marcella Plunkett), while on tour with his former American band. He spends a decent amount of time with her and his daughter, Aja (Beth Fallon), but his story needed a few more family scenes to drive the point home. Danny’s personal life is all but nonexistent, giving his arc less impact than it could have had.

Instead of loved ones, Carney and McDonald try to give Rick and Danny more depth through friends and business associates. Rick’s bandmate Sandy (McDonald) is a ride-or-die kind of guy for him, but his presence is only good for a few humorous distractions. Danny’s manager Mac (Jack Reynor) is difficult to parse, as he goes to bat for Danny on multiple occasions, but also seems to keep him at arm’s length.

It’s long been joked that Rudd never ages, and that youthfulness serves him well in this role, in which his character is supposed to be much younger than his actual age of 57. His energy and enthusiasm make his character appealing throughout, even when Rick starts to go off the deep end. Jonas is decent in his role, selling the music side well, but there might be a reason his character doesn’t have many scenes requiring him to show emotions.

While Power Ballad has all the hallmarks of another great Carney music movie, it’s missing a few pieces that could have put it over the top. It’s still a fun film with an insanely catchy song at its center, but it’s not quite as memorable as most of the filmmaker’s previous efforts.

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Power Ballad is now playing in theaters.

movies music film