This weekend offers a diverse range of activities. Star Wars fans will find a couple of ways to celebrate May 4, and music fans have a number of opportunities to see performers from across the generations.
Dance star Derek Hough is on his first-ever solo tour.
Elsewhere, businesses in Midtown are teaming up to raise money for a worthy cause. A ranch that’s older than Texas has been a state celebrates an impressive anniversary. The charitably-minded will raise money for a worthy cause.
With so many establishments celebrating the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo, we’ll deal with those in separate guides.
Now, onto the weekend’s best bets.
Thursday, May 2
The Holdsworth Center presents Champions of Hope Gala
The Holdsworth Center Champions of Hope gala celebrates the legacy of Dr. Ruth J. Simmons and shines a spotlight on education leaders who have dedicated their lives to creating positive change in Texas public schools. Community leaders are invited to celebrate Dr. Simmons and learn more about Holdsworth while raising funds to create stronger leaders for Texas’ public school students. All proceeds benefit Holdsworth, a non-profit that builds stronger leaders for Texas public schools through its leadership development programs and services. 6 pm.
Mid Main Houston First Thursday Block Party
This month, Mid Main Houston’s First Thursday Block Party benefits The Rose Foundation. Make a $10 donation to this worthy organization for an all access wristband to enjoy complimentary Saint Arnold Brewing beer as well as live music by three DJs: G Funk, Big E, and Hot Rocks. This event features four art shows, performance art by ms. YET, tarot readings, henna art, and local vendors on the Winbern Market. Double Trouble will have specials on Condesa Gin and crafts. Other stores on the block will be open late. 6 pm.
Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center presents Ghetto staged reading
The play Ghetto was written in 1983 by Israeli playwright Joshua Sobol and was an international success. Set in the Jewish ghetto of Vilna, Lithuania in 1942, and based on diaries written during the darkest days of the Holocaust, Ghetto tells of the unlikely flourishing of a theater at the very time the Nazis began their policy of mass extermination. This event is a staged reading, which is a form of theater without sets or full costumes. Actors will be reading from scripts with minimal stage movement. 7:30 pm (12:30 pm Sunday).
Friday, May 3
The George Ranch presents 200th Anniversary CPRA Rodeo
In celebration of their 200th anniversary, The George Ranch is hosting a CPRA Rodeo filled with fan favorites: saddle bronc & bareback riding, tie-down calf roping, team roping, mutton bustin', bull riding, and more. There will be a midway for the kids with a petting zoo, pony rides, longhorn photos, and food trucks, plus a Wine Bar for the adults presented by Japaneiro's. 6 pm.
Koslov Larsen presents Brenda Biondo: Sun to Earth opening reception
Sun to Earth, Koslov Larsen’s third solo presentation by artist Brenda Biondo, introduces new ways of looking at common subjects while challenging viewers' perception of color and three-dimensional space. Combining several series of Biondo’s works, the works explored throughout the show focus on atmospheric phenomena and other ephemeral components of the natural world. Through Sunday, July 21. 6 pm.
Randy Rainbow: The Randy Rainbow for President Tour
Singer, comedian, and author Randy Rainbow will take on the hottest topics and skewer politicos of the day as only he can, bringing his most viral video song parodies to life onstage. Featuring live accompaniment by Broadway musicians, the show will also include live audience interaction and original songs written by Rainbow with award-winning composers Marc Shaiman and Alan Menken. 7:30 pm.
Varla Jean Merman: Stand By Your Drag
Varla Jean Merman is an iconic drag queen who has overcome adversity with glittering resilience. In Stand By Your Drag, Varla shares her journey of triumph following the notorious "Tic-Taccident” incident. Varla takes a stand for life, liberty, and the pursuit of non-skid breath mints. This is the chance to revel in the joy of democracy with sky-high hair, glamorous gowns, and delightfully naughty numbers. 8 pm.
Saturday, May 4
The Union Kitchen presents Star Wars Day Brunch
All five of The Union Kitchen’s Houston-area locations will celebrate all things Star Wars with a specially-themed brunch. Chef James Lundy and general manager Rebekah Vera have created several dishes and cocktails inspired by the expansive Star Wars universe. Hungry Jedis will be able to fuel up with several Star Wars-inspired dishes, including frosted Princess Leia Buns with fresh berries and Vader’s Death Star Pancakes, a chocolate chip pancake stack topped with cinnamon honey butter, glazed with maple syrup. 9 am.
2024 Soul Flower Music Fest
Treat your soul to an unforgettable experience at Discovery Green. Touted by organizers as “the most beautiful event in the country,” Soul Flower Music Fest is a one-day music festival featuring national/local soul, R&B, and neo-soul artists. (Don’t ask about the lineup; the fest appears to be tight-lipped on who will be performing.) In addition to great music, there will be food, games, shopping, photobooths, contests, and great vibes. 2 pm.
Rooftop Cinema Club Uptown presents Star Wars: A New Hope and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Calling all Star Wars fans! The concept known for providing their guests with the ultimate outdoor cinema experience is gearing up with festive celebrations in honor of Star Wars Day. On May 4, their vibrant LED screen will play the iconic double feature of Star Wars: A New Hope and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Enjoy an evening of all things Star Wars as Rooftop Cinema Club Uptown will be decorated, prizes and the staff dressed up in theme. Costumes are encouraged. 7:15 and 10:15 pm.
Derek Hough: Symphony of Dance
Derek Hough, who danced his way into all of our hearts back when he was a winning dance partner on Dancing with the Stars, will present an all-new Symphony of Dance, a live dance show that is Hough's first-ever solo tour. Fans will journey through a true fusion of dance and music, as Hough explores styles ranging from ballroom and tap to salsa and hip-hop and everything in between, featuring choreography by Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo, aka NappyTabs. 8 pm.
Sunday, May 5
Spectrum Concessions and City of Sugar Land present Sweet Beats Music Festival
Sunday’s the last day to catch the Sweet Beats Music Festival, a two-day extravaganza featuring headliners Rebelution and JJ Grey & Mofro, as well as more than 10 other bands. Beyond the music, the festival offers a family-friendly atmosphere with activities that include body marbling, reptile shows, and BMX demonstrations. For food and drink connoisseurs, Sweet Beats will host the region's first-ever drone show alongside the Beats Cantina - offering tequila tastings, live music, and an array of local food options. 9 am.
Ndadie Begue: Sounds of Africa with Seyba Diouf
Loosely translated as “fun meeting” from the Wolof language, Ndadie Begue is a musical performance that celebrates West African culture. African folk singer Seyba Diouf will play live with other musicians from Senegal, which matches the Houston Botanic Garden’s ZimSculpt exhibition of hand-carved stone sculptures by Zimbabwean artists. The concert is included in the price of admission to the gardens, which is $15 for adults and $10 for students and kids. 3 pm.
In This Moment and Motionless in White in concert
For all you metalcore fans out there, get ready for some hardcore headbanging at White Oak Music Hall this weekend. In This Moment and Motionless in White come to Houston as part of their co-headlining The Dark Horizon tour. In This Moment is touring in support of their 2023 album, Godmode, while Motionless in White has released six albums in their career, most recently Scoring the End of the World in 2022. They will be joined by Kim Dracula and Mike's Dead. 4 pm.
Joe Satriani and Steve Vai in concert
Guitar legends Joe Satriani and Steve Vai come to Houston as part of the The Satch-Vai Tour. Satriani has released 18 albums in his career, including 2022's The Elephant of Mars, which is a musical companion to his Crystal Planet comic-book series. (Dude is a hardcore sci-fi nerd.) Meanwhile, Vai — who some of you may know for his wildman antics as David Lee Roth’s main guitarist back in the ‘80s — has released 12 albums in his career, including the new Vai/Gash. 8 pm.
