weekend event planner

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

The Rodeo may be over, but Houston has reached the time of year when our weather is so good that memories of help sustain us in July and August. No wonder this weekend is loaded with festivals, celebrations, and markets.

Elsewhere, a Midtown bar and restaurant will take Houstoians to a Beirut disco, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston will showcase a truly charming film classic. Keep reading for everything else that will make this weekend fun.

Thursday, March 21

Memorial Green presents Spring Live Music Series
Cheers to the return of warmer weather with the Live Music Series at Memorial Green. Head over there for a captivating evening of live music from Michael Flores at the unique wine bar, shop, and bistro VinSanto. The series of local artist performances will continue on the third Thursday of April and May on the Dish Society patio. Whether you are a fan of acoustic melodies, smooth jazz or toe-tapping rhythms, the Live Music Series will deliver captivating performances for all music enthusiasts. 5 pm.

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts, Project Row Houses, and Hobby Center for Public Affairs at the University of Houston present Samora Pinderhughes: "The Healing Project"
Vocalist, pianist, artist and filmmaker Samora Pinderhughes creates large, multi-disciplinary projects, which invite audiences to examine what is visible and what is hidden in our daily lives, and how to make social change. His latest work, The Healing Project, a recipient of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant, is a searing examination of the prison industrial complex in the United States, amplifying the testimonials of those affected by incarceration, policing, violence and detention through original music and film. 7:30 pm.

The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts presents Beyond Broadway: Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes
Some of you may know Patti LuPone as the mom from Life Goes On. But the veteran actress is also a stage legend who will embarrass the hell out of you if you mess with her performance. In Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes, the three-time Tony Award winner (Company, Gypsy, Evita) performs a musical touchstone of her life, singing songs that affected her as a young girl growing up on Long Island, experiencing her first love, finding freedom in Manhattan, career, true love, and family. 7:30 pm.

Friday, March 22

Bisong Art Gallery presents "Electrafine Art"
"Electrafine Art," the collaboration between contemporary fine artist Deborah Argyropoulos and classic neon artist KC Loveless, both originally from Maryland but meeting in Austin after half a century, promises to be a unique and innovative fusion of artistic styles. They have bonded over their shared love of art & creativity, and are set to launch their first collaboration. Their collaboration will explore the interplay between neon light and traditional painting elements, resulting in thought-provoking compositions. Through Saturday, April 20. 5 pm.

ART IS BOND. and FotoFest present PRESENCE opening reception
ART IS BOND will be giving us PRESENCE, a participating show in FotoFest Biennial 2024. PRESENCE captures the essence of our surroundings through a compelling array of photo-based art, delving into the intricate relationship between geography and the lingering imprint of human presence. Participating artists include Antonia Zennaro, Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, L.A. Reno, Marc Furi, Sadie Woods, and others. Through Sunday, May 19. 6 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Meet Me in St. Louis
Judy Garland and Margaret O’Brien star in Vincente Minnelli’s heartwarming 1944 musical Meet Me in St. Louis, set in the time leading to the 1904 World’s Fair. The story concerns a colorful, early-20th-century St. Louis family and their emotional experience when they learn their father has been transferred — and they must move to New York. Songs include “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Since this is a “Movies Houstonians Love” presentation, it will be introduced by Khori Dastoor, general director & CEO at Houston Grand Opera. 7 pm.

Houston Symphony presents "Mozart + Beethoven’s Eroica"
The force of Beethoven’s genius is a palpable presence throughout his groundbreaking Eroica Symphony, commanding attention from the dramatic opening chords to the triumphant conclusion. The grace and unparalleled technique of pianist Emanuel Ax shines bright in Mozart’s exquisite Piano Concerto No. 25. Dedicated to her late father, Missy Mazzoli’s These Worlds in Us offers a powerful meditation on memory, grief, and joy. The concert will be conducted by Juraj Valčuha. 8 pm (2:30 pm Sunday).

Saturday, March 23

Urban Harvest Farmers Market 20th Anniversary Celebration
One of Houston’s largest farmers markets is celebrating its 20th anniversary in style. Urban Harvest will mark the occasion with face painting, plant giveaways, and free tote bags for the first 200 shoppers. In addition, James Beard Award winner Benchawan Painter of Street to Kitchen will showcase the Thai omelet that made her a market favorite long before she became Houston’s newest culinary superstar. More than 100 vendors will be on-site selling fruits, vegetables, meat, prepared items, and more. 8 am.

11th Annual Lyons Ave Renaissance Festival
At the 11th Annual Lyons Ave Renaissance Festival, festival-goers can immerse themselves in an eclectic mix of live entertainment with four stages showcasing a diverse lineup of performances, featuring LeToya Luckett as the headliner. This year’s theme is Homecoming, with the fest celebrating the history, art, culture, and current revitalization of Houston’s historic 5th Ward. Beyond the music, the festival streets will include local food vendors, artisans and merchants selling their wares, and a kids' zone. Noon.

Bayou City Art Festival Spring Downtown Art Festival
Bayou City Art Festival, produced by Art Colony Association (ACA), will transform downtown Houston into a lively outdoor gallery and interactive art event with more art, entertainment, and an intimate culinary art and tasting experience with some of Houston’s top chefs for the annual Bayou City Art Festival Downtown. The two-day fest will also celebrate culinary arts with the returning Chef’s Table. Each chef will demonstrate a signature recipe and pass out samples to attendees after each demonstration. Noon.

Community Artists' Collective presents "Third Ward Unity in Faith: Backbone of Our Souls" opening reception
Early African American settlers in Houston’s Third Ward area established small worship places, reminiscent of the praise houses attended during slavery in the Jim Crow era. Images of the still-standing small houses of worship, captured by art photographers Earlie Hudnall, Ray Carrington and Tamirah Collins, will be shared at the exhibition “Third Ward Unity in Faith: Backbone of Our Souls”. Kathleen Coleman, a fourth-generation, Third Ward resident, curated the exhibition. Through Saturday, May 18. 2 pm.

Craft Pita X Winnie's Habibi Night
Craft Pita is teaming up with well-known bar and grill Winnie’s for a special one-night event celebrating Lebanese culture. Craft Pita chef Rafael Nasr and Winnie’s owners Graham Laborde and Benjy Mason are blending flavors from both restaurants, creating an innovative twist on some of their iconic dishes. The night will also feature an Arabic Afro-house set from Dr. House, Arak cocktails, and hookah. 6 pm.

Sunday, March 24

Super Happy Incredible Toy Show and Art Market
Super Happy Incredible Toys, the premier vintage toy store in Houston, presents the return of the Super Happy Toy Show and Art Market. Held at St. Arnold Brewery, this all-ages, pet-friendly 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 Easter parties with a special pre Easter egg hunt and maybe even an appearance by the Easter Bunny himself. Noon.

93’ Til and L.O.U.D. Muzik present Beats & Bourbon
93' Til is hosting a special Beats & Bourbon event sponsored by Makers Mark. The event, hosted by L.O.U.D Muzik, will be an unforgettable night with Dallas artist, actor, producer, and songwriter Fat Pimp. It will be an evening full of music, insight, bites from 93' Til, and the finest bourbon. Dive into the world of music, witness beat breakdowns, and connect intimately with Fat Pimp's creative process. 6 pm.

The Music Box Theater presents Damaged Divas of the Decades
The Music Box Theater presents Damaged Divas of the Decades, an all-new production that is a lighthearted musical exploration of some of their most popular divas (and divos) and the songs and scandals that helped shape them. Song selections include “Proud Mary” (Tina Turner), “Walking after Midnight” (Patsy Cline), “I Have Nothing” (Whitney Houston), “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” (Elton John), “You Know I’m No Good” (Amy Winehouse), “Killer Queen” (Queen), and more. Through Saturday, April 27. 7:30 pm.

Photo courtesy of Bayou City Arts Festival

The Bayou City Art Festival returns to downtown.

event-planner

Movie Review

Star TV producer James L. Brooks stumbles with meandering movie Ella McCay

Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios

Emma Mackey in Ella McCay.

The impact that writer/director/producer James L. Brooks has made on Hollywood cannot be understated. The 85-year-old created The Mary Tyler Moore Show, personally won three Oscars for Terms of Endearment, and was one of the driving forces behind The Simpsons, among many other credits. Now, 15 years after his last movie, he’s back in the directing chair with Ella McCay.

The similarly-named Emma Mackey plays Ella, a 34-year-old lieutenant governor of an unnamed state in 2008 who’s on the verge of becoming governor when Governor Bill (Albert Brooks) gets picked to be a member of the president’s Cabinet. What should be a happy time is sullied by her needy husband, Ryan (Jack Lowden), her agoraphobic brother, Casey (Spike Fearn), and her perpetually-cheating father, Eddie (Woody Harrelson).

Despite the trio of men competing to bring her down, Ella remains an unapologetic optimist, an attitude bolstered by her aunt Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis), her assistant Estelle (Julie Kavner), and her police escort, Trooper Nash (Kumail Nanjiani). The film follows her over a few days as she navigates the perils of governing, the distractions her family brings, and the expectations being thrust upon her by many different people.

Brooks, who wrote and directed the film, is all over the place with his storytelling. What at first seems to be a straightforward story about Ella and her various issues soon starts meandering into areas that, while related to Ella, don’t make the film better. Prime among them are her brother and father, who are given a relatively small amount of screentime in comparison to the importance they have in her life. This is compounded by a confounding subplot in which Casey tries to win back his girlfriend, Susan (Ayo Edebiri).

Then there’s the whole political side of the story, which never finds its focus and is stuck in the past. Though it’s never stated explicitly, Ella and Governor Bill appear to be Democrats, especially given a signature program Ella pushes to help mothers in need. But if Brooks was trying to provide an antidote to the current real world politics, he doesn’t succeed, as Ella’s full goals are never clear. He also inexplicably shows her boring her fellow lawmakers to tears, a strange trait to give the person for whom the audience is supposed to be rooting.

What saves the movie from being an all-out train wreck is the performances of Mackey and Curtis. Mackey, best known for the Netflix show Sex Education, has an assured confidence to her that keeps the character interesting and likable even when the story goes downhill. Curtis, who has tended to go over-the-top with her roles in recent years, tones it down, offering a warm place of comfort for Ella to turn to when she needs it. The two complement each other very well and are the best parts of the movie by far.

Brooks puts much more effort into his female actors, including Kavner, who, even though she serves as an unnecessary narrator, gets most of the best laugh lines in the film. Harrelson is capable of playing a great cad, but his character here isn’t fleshed out enough. Fearn is super annoying in his role, and Lowden isn’t much better, although that could be mostly due to what his character is called to do. Were it not for the always-great Brooks and Nanjiani, the movie might be devoid of good male performances.

Brooks has made many great TV shows and movies in his 60+ year career, but Ella McCay is a far cry from his best. The only positive that comes out of it is the boosting of Mackey, who proves herself capable of not only leading a film, but also elevating one that would otherwise be a slog to get through.

---

Ella McCay opens in theaters on December 12.

movies film