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

Over-the-top acting and incoherent plot drag down Her Private Hell

Photo courtesy of Neon

Sophie Thatcher in Her Private Hell.

Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn is not someone who plays nice with the general film world. His 2011 film Drive introduced him to American audiences in a big way, but that pulsating thriller was followed up with artier films like Only God Forgives and The Neon Demon that eschewed coherent plots in favor of moody, atmospheric pieces.

Winding Refn, who hasn’t made a feature film in 10 years, has gone fully down the rabbit hole with Her Private Hell. Taking place in a liminal space that kind of resembles Earth but also feels like someone’s dreams/nightmares, the film focuses on Elle (Sophie Thatcher), an actor currently starring in a sci-fi film. Staying at a hotel with newcomer Hunter (Kristine Froseth), the two bond over their shared passion and the legend of Elle’s father, Johnny Thunders (Dougray Scott), who’s now married to Elle’s friend Dominique (Havana Rose Liu).

After spending a good amount of (mostly incomprehensible) time with that group, Refn introduces Private K (Charles Melton), who seems to be living in post-World War II Japan. He is looking for his daughter, who might have been taken by a mysterious figure known as “Leatherman,” and he will stop at nothing to find her, fighting whoever stands in his way.

It becomes clear almost right away that Winding Refn has no desire to engage in traditional storytelling in this film. The main characters wander through neon-drenched streets and buildings, which are often surrounded by a mist that is referred to on multiple occasions but never explained. Everyone speaks as if in a constant state of wonderment, and there are many moments where it’s unclear if events are actually happening, part of a movie-within-a-movie, or something else entirely.

Unlike his previous films, Winding Refn has taken the characters in this film completely out of the real world, with every scene taking place in a sparsely decorated room or street that is obviously a movie set. While there are moments where this decision really works, especially the striking first shot of a human-like figure mixed in with a cityscape and clouds, most of the time it only adds to the stilted nature of the film as a whole.

In fact, the entire movie has the feel of an avant-garde theater exercise. Every actor seems to be trying to outdo the others with awkward performances and out-sized reactions. Two very specific characters make appearances in both sides of the story for seemingly no reason other than to inject their weirdness into both spaces. The shocking violence that crops up on occasion would have more of an impact if it was related to anything intelligible.

Thatcher (Companion) and Liu (Tuner) are among the young stars who have had breakout moments in recent years, but neither of them is served well by this hot mess of a movie. They, along with Melton, still demonstrate the talent they possess, but the oddity of the film weighs them down. Scott makes an impression for all the wrong reasons, while Froseth is called upon to play a character who might as well not be there at all.

If there’s any kind of message that Winding Refn was trying to convey with Her Private Hell, it’s lost among the flashing lights, overload of pink, and jewel-like structures. Filmmakers who try to make art for art’s sake have a place in the world, but this film too often feels like people are making things up as they go, with no real goal in mind.

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Her Private Hell opens in theaters on July 24.

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