weekend event planner

Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend

For the first weekend of June, we have several celebrations of local music legends who are no longer with us. But we also have celebrations featuring pop stars who are coming to town and looking to blow the roof off the place.

We also have a couple of interesting movie screenings, the return of a two-decade-old film fest, a water lantern festival, a superstar Houston author’s homecoming, and a benefit that’ll feature the comedy stylings of Dana Carvey. Well, isn’t that special!

Enjoy; here are this weekend’s best bets.

Thursday, May 30

Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival Opening Night
The 20th anniversary Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival (HAAPIFEST), which will run through Friday, June 14, includes live movie screenings and panels that will bring some of the world’s best filmmakers to Houston. The opening-night event at Rooftop Cinema Club will include a showing of Love in Taipei and a meet-and-greet with author Abigail Hing Wen, whose novel Loveboat Taipei the movie is based on. Wen will also be discussing her new novel, Loveboat, Forever. 6 pm.

Jazz Houston presents The Joe Sample Celebration
Jazz Houston presents the Joe Sample Celebration to close out its 2023-24 season. The concert features the Jazz Houston Orchestra with guest artist Stix Hooper, in his long-awaited homecoming back to Houston. Hooper, along with Sample, founded the group The Crusaders in Houston before moving to the West Coast. The concert features new and existing arrangements of compositions made famous by the Crusaders, songs written by Sample and Hooper, and the debut performance of the final song that they wrote together. 7 pm.

Downtown Houston+ presents Movies Under the Stars: Moana
As part of the Downtown District’s ongoing summer series, Movies Under the Stars, Trebly Park will host a screening of Moana. In ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the demigod Maui reaches Moana's island, Moana answers the Ocean's call to seek out Maui to set things right. Guests are encouraged to grab takeout from a surrounding restaurant and bring blankets to sit on the grass. 8 pm.

Friday, May 31

Villain Arts presents Houston Tattoo Arts Festival
The sixth annual Houston Tattoo Arts Festival will feature three days of artistry and self-expression as top local, national, and international artists unite under one roof to show their passion for tattooing. Guests can mingle with artists such as Anwon Boneface Johnson (Ink Master seasons 8 and 9 and Grudge Match), Trocon Talhouk (VH1), and Sydney Dyer (Ink Master season 15). Attendees can watch seminars, enjoy live entertainment, and participate in tattoo competitions with new or existing tattoos. 2 pm (11 am Saturday and Sunday).

Children At Risk presents Stand Up for Children
Children At Risk presents Stand Up for Children, featuring Emmy-winning actor, comedian, and Saturday Night Live alum Dana Carvey as the entertainer. There will be cocktails, dining, an auction, and comedy entertainment, which we’re sure will include Carvey pulling out some characters and catchphrases from his old SNL days. In past years, Stand Up has raised critical funds for Children At Risk to support their mission to improve the quality of life for children across Texas. 6:30 pm.

Asia Society Texas presents A Conversation With Kevin Kwan: Lies, Weddings, and Crazy Rich Stories
Asia Society Texas presents Kevin Kwan, the author of the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy, for a conversation about his career, including his new book, Lies and Weddings, working in Hollywood, and growing up in the Houston suburbs. Lies and Weddings is a comedy about what happens when a forbidden affair erupts amid a decadent tropical wedding. All tickets include a signed copy of Lies and Weddings. Enhanced tickets include access to a champagne and sushi social with Kwan following the talk. 7 pm.

Dave Matthews Band in concert
Perhaps it’s because we’re hardcore fans of ‘70s jazz fusion, but are we the only ones who think of veteran jazz keyboardist David Matthews every time someone mentions the Dave Matthews Band? Both men do have a knack of doing their best work with African-American performers. The piano-playing Matthews arranged music for George Benson, Ron Carter, and Nina Simone, among others. As for the guitar-playing Matthews, he and his crew will be in town this weekend, performing tunes off their latest album, Walk Around the Moon, as well as all their fan favorite hits. 7:30 pm.

Saturday, June 1

Water Lantern Festival
The Water Lantern Festival is a floating lantern event that is all about connections. The event includes food, games, activities, vendors, music, and the beauty of thousands of lanterns adorned with letters of love, hope, and dreams reflected upon the water. As the sun begins to set on the evening sky, the festival begins to shine with the launch of the lanterns onto the water. Unique lanterns will drift out into the water as they join other lanterns carrying hope, love, happiness, healing, peace, and connection. 5:30 pm.

Bleachers in concert
If you’re a fan of Taylor Swift and the music she seems to drop every two months or so (that woman is a songwriting machine!), then that means you’re a fan of Jack Antonoff, the former Fun bandmate who has been Swift’s most frequent collaborator since her 1999 album. He’ll be in town this weekend fronting Bleachers, a band he created to perform Springsteen-esque anthems (he is a Jersey boy, after all) and the kind of catchy pop/rock tunes you used to hear in ‘80s John Hughes movies. 6:30 pm.

Mitochondria Gallery presents "Strength in Unity" opening reception
Mitochondria Gallery will present "Strength in Unity," a duo exhibition featuring new works by Nigerian artists Odeyemi Oluwaseun and Okoye Chukwuemeka John. "Unity" is an exploration of the collective power found in coming together. In an era defined by division and individualism, this exhibition seeks to celebrate the unifying force that emerges when two individuals join hands. Utilizing figurative paintings, these artists’ works highlight the resilience, solidarity, and transformative potential inherent in unity. Through Saturday, June 22. 7 pm.

Houston Chamber Choir presents Brubeck! A Celebration
In 2006, the Houston Chamber Choir invited jazz great Dave Brubeck to perform in Houston after a 20-year absence. Now, 18 years later, his sons Chris and Dan (Dave Brubeck Quartet) and noted Houston musicians Paul English and Horace Alexander Young join the choir, along with a chamber orchestra, in a concert celebrating Brubeck’s contributions to jazz and his explorations of new musical forms. Brubeck had a significant impact on the music world, and his legacy continues to influence musicians today. 7:30 pm.

Sunday, June 2

Sawyer Farm and Flea Market at Sawyer Ice House
Free, curated outdoor market Sawyer Farm & Flea will be back this weekend in the Sawyer Yards/Historic First Ward area. Starting this weekend, the farmers/makers market will be over at Sawyer Ice House on Sundays. They say that food, chill vibes, and anything cool will be fully served at this gathering. Plus, Top Chef finalist Dawn Burrell will be serving brunch (pre-order by Thursday at 9 pm or walk-up). It’s free to attend, and parking is free. 8 am.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema presents Alamo Time Capsule 1999: Teen Witch
See the ultimate late '80s musical mystical teen girl fantasy! Join geeky Louise (Robyn Lively – Blake’s half-sister) as she makes the leap from bespectacled nerd to teen dream, all with a little help from a horny old witch (Zelda Rubinstein!) and some untapped magical powers. This awkwardly sexual musicalamity features tons of hairspray; incredibly strange rapping sequences; and a soundtrack that features such crowd pleasers as “I Like Boys,” “Most Popular Girl,” and the greatest rap song ever, “Top That!” 1:15 pm.

Cherish the Day: A Celebration of DJ Chicken George’s Life
Earlier this month, veteran Houston DJ Chicken George (aka Jeff Henry) passed away after a long battle with a rare form of skin cancer. The Flat will have a memorial event that honors his legacy with music, memories, and community spirit, reflecting his impact on Houston and beyond. There will also be tribute sets from DJ Sun, DJ Melodic, Gracie Chavez, Josh Zulu, Seth Jones, DJ Starsign, Brotha Jibril and others. 4 pm.

Photo courtesy of Allen Event Center

Dana Carvey stands up for children on Friday night.

Weekend Event Planner

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

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Water for Elephants.

Now that the arctic blast has finished with us, several events that were cancelled last weekend – Gallery Sonja Roesch’s 35th anniversary show, a dual opening at Foltz Fine Art, Asia Society Texas’s Kawaii Market – have been rescheduled for this weekend.

As for the scheduled events this weekend, there’s an “autoboative” show, a screening of a sci-fi classic with live musical accompaniment, an all-star show for autograph collectors, a fashion competition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the return of Houston's noisiest music festival.

Thursday, January 29

Houston Autoboative Show
It’s the 42nd Houston Auto Show at NRG Park this weekend, which is also combined (for its third year) with the Houston Boat Show. The event showcases a diverse array of vehicles, from electric cars to trucks and sedans. It also offers a fantastic opportunity to get up close and personal with the hottest models on the market and learn from brand experts about each vehicle/vessel without the pressure of being sold to. 11 am (10 am Saturday and Sunday).

Asia Society Texas presents Offside
Asia Society Texas will kick off the World Cup with Offside, a 2006 dramedy from Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. (It’s also part of this year’s Festival of Films from Iran.) Set during a World Cup qualifying match between Iran and Bahrain, the film follows a group of young women who attempt to circumvent a ban on women attending sporting events by disguising themselves as men to enter the stadium and watch the game, leading to a series of increasingly absurd situations. 7 pm.

Performing Arts Houston presents Blade Runner Live
Ridley Scott’s stylish, 1982 noir classic Blade Runner (aka the 2007 Final Cut) will screen while Vangelis’ synthesizer-led cult score is performed live by The Avex Ensemble. In this futuristic hriller, detective Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) must continue as Replicant Hunter following the escape of four Replicants (including main baddie Rutger Hauer – RIP) from colonies who’ve returned to earth. His mission, however, is complicated when he falls for Rachel (Sean Young), a Replicant based at the Tyrell Corporation. 7:30 pm.

Friday, January 30

TRISTAR Houston Collectors Show
For three days, a lot of stars will be flocking to the NRG Arena in order to give Houstonians their signature. Along with lots of sports memorabilia for sale, the 40th Annual TRISTAR Houston Collectors Show will have tons of celebs signing autographs. Just on Saturday alone, we’ll get Karate Kid/Cobra Kai castmates Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, and Martin Kove; the cast of The Sandlot, Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Dennis Rodman, former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich, former Rockets player Elvin Hayes, and Houston’s own Randy Quaid. 2 pm (10 am Saturday and Sunday).

The Hobby Center presents Houston Is Inspired - [Jk]creativ: Our Road Home
Multidisciplinary company [Jk]creativ gives us Our Road Home, an interactive rhythmic production created and directed by native Houston artist Jakari Sherman. Through layered rhythmic storytelling - spoken, rapped, preached, and sung - the work honors the communal labor and ingenuity that built spaces of freedom across time. Inspired by the legacy of Houston’s Freedmen’s Town, the work asks: Once freedom is gained, how do we live in it, preserve it, and pass it on when the pull of bondage lingers near?

MFAH and HCC present Fashion Fusion X
Frida Kahlo meets contemporary couture in Fashion Fusion, the 10th edition of the annual fashion competition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Open to aspiring designers in the Fashion Design program at Houston City College, Fusion challenges students to create original garments in response to art on display in the museum’s galleries. This year, the aspiring designers will showcase garments addressing the exhibition, "Frida: The Making of an Icon." 7 pm.

Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Water for Elephants
After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train, unsure of where the road will take him. He finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life - and love - beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age. 7:30 pm (2 and 7:30 pm Saturday; 1:30 and 7 pm Sunday).

Saturday, January 31

The List One Year Anniversary
East End creative space The List will be celebrating its first anniversary with a bevy of weekend events, with two going down on Saturday. The day starts off with the return of the Vinyl & Furniture Garden Market, curated by local DJ vet Malcolm Bravo, over at the List Cafe. Bravo and other DJs will be spinning tunes as stores and vendors will be open for business. Later that evening, DJ/TikToker Sheri Koko will be working the turntables, along with some special-guest pals, at Room808. 11 am and 9 pm.

Burger Bodega present For the Culture
Chef and restaurateur Abbas Dhanani is taking a break from burgers to pay homage to his Pakistani heritage by partnering with the PX Project for a one-day only pop-up. Working with his mother and his aunt, the four-item menu showcases some favorite childhood dishes, including Nihari, slow-braised, spiced beef stew with naan; Hina Khala's Chicken Biryani, fragrant basmati rice layered with boneless chicken; the Chicken Sixty-Five Po' Boy; and a mango lassi sundae with a cardamom snickerdoodle cookie.

$\u200bBroadway at the Hobby Center presents Water for Elephants$

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Water for Elephants.

Seven Sisters presents Ping Zheng: Soft Interference opening reception
Soft Interference presents a new series of oil-stick works on paper by Ping Zheng, following her 2024 exhibition Nature’s Canopy at Seven Sisters. In these works, Zheng continues her investigation of landscape as a site of perception and interiority. Through repeated mark-making and shifting chromatic fields, she constructs images that hover between observed nature and remembered experience. Through Saturday, February 28. 2 pm.

MGEntertainment presents The 5th Annual Harsh Noise Houston
Believe it or not, there’s a heavy experimental-music scene here in H-Town. This weekend, you have the opportunity to see a lot of the scene’s most valuable players over at Super Happy Fun Land, where the fifth annual Harsh Noise Houston fest will be going down. 13 acts, representing some of the best experimental music, performance art, and noise that Texas has to offer, will be performing, including HauntedPixel, Ether Research, Astrogenic Hallucinating, and Psychosomatica’s sister project Del Norte. 7 pm.

Rice Cinema presents American Sons
Film producer and Rice alum Elizabeth Avellán presents American Sons, a documentary using first-hand footage captured by fallen Marine Cpl. Jorge “JV” Villarreal, a native of San Antonio. The film focuses on a brotherhood of U.S. Marines a decade after their Afghanistan deployment, focusing on their struggle with combat trauma, PTSD, and reintegration, especially after losing their friend Villarreal. Avellan and director Andrew James Gonzales will be around for a post-screening Q&A. 7 pm.

Sunday, February 1

ReelAbilities Houston presents ReelArt For All
The ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival’s ReelArt For All program will feature art and interactive activities, brunchy bites, and more. Guests can see the world through the eyes of artists from Celebration Company, an entrepreneurial employment program for adults with disabilities, and explore the works of featured artist Emmett Kyoshi Wilson. A Chicago-based artist living with Down syndrome, Wilson has created over 150 works, exhibited in five galleries, and even painted the American Flag for the U.S. Embassy in Croatia. 10:30 am.

Shepherd School of Music presents Inside Look: Modern American Operas
The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University will present a deconstructed look at two full-length American comic operas: Karim Al-Zand’s 50th anniversary commission A Joint Interest and William Bolcom’s Lucrezia. Aleko Endowed Artist Paul Curran guides audiences through these mischievous and delightfully theatrical worlds. Shepherd School Chamber Players will accompany both contemporary operas from the pit, led by Miguel Harth-Bedoya. Bolcom's Lucrezia contains adult content and is not suitable for all audiences. 2 pm.

Cultural Center Our Texas presents Popovich Comedy Pet Theater
The World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater is a family-oriented blend of the unique comedy and juggling skills of Gregory Popovich, and the talents of his furry costars. There are more than 30 pets (dogs, cats, horses, birds, etc.) in the show, and each one has been rescued from animal shelters and given a new leash on life. Bad pun aside, this show will be a joy for viewers of all ages. 4 pm.

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