weekend event planner

Here are the top 12 things to do in Houston this weekend

Pretty Woman charms audiences with a red-hot musical.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

The first weekend of 2023 offers some feel-good fun in theater, music, and comedy starring some familiar names.

Fans of the romcom classic Pretty Woman will delight in the red-hot musical that's in town. Fans of David and Bowie and Elvis can celebrate the stars at a show honoring them both. And, fans of Elton John and Billy Joel can jam at a Houston Symphony show of the pair's greatest hits.

Plus, some funny folk stage some serious comedy this weekend. Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, January 5

The Riot presents "Live LAUGH Love" Comedians on Relationships

We’re nowhere near Valentine’s Day, but you can still head over to the legendary Rudyard's comedy room to catch comedians share their dating experiences and answer your questions about relationships. The club features comedy shows with the funniest comedians you've seen on Netflix, HBO, Comedy Central, at the Comedy Store and Comedy Cellar. They also serve tasty food, draught beer, wine, Delta-8, and cocktails in an intimate and casual setting. 7 pm.

Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center: Pretty Woman

Based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, this stage-musical version of the 1990 movie that made Julia Roberts a star springs to life with a powerhouse creative team led by two-time, Tony-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell. The production features an original score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance & a book by Garry Marshall, the movie’s late director, and screenwriter J. F. Lawton. 7:30 pm (8 pm Friday; 2 and 8 pm Saturday; 2 and 7:30 pm Sunday).

ISHIDA presents Stirs up still things

Stirs up still things includes world premieres by ISHIDA based on original poetic narratives and works by emerging and renowned, international choreographers. “Among dim shapes” follows an intimate relationship and the ghosts they carry, triggered by archetypal patterns. The program also includes a new creation by Swedish dancer, film director, and choreographer John Wannehag (formerly with Tanzmainz), and a new work by award-winning, British-Finnish choreographer Kristian Lever. 8 pm (2 pm Sunday).

Friday, January 6

Vitacca Vocational School for Dance presents Winter Works

This Friday and Saturday, Vitacca Vocational School for Dance presents this two-act performance, featuring Vitacca Studio Company dancers in a restaged excerpt of La Bayadere and original contemporary works. These works are created by 2022-23 guest artists Greg Dolbashian, Jess Hendricks, Sean Aaron Carmon, Garrett Smith and Kelly Ann Vitacca. 7 pm.

Improv Houston presents Bill Bellamy

Using his experiences growing up in Newark, former MTV VJ (and creator of the phrase “booty call”) Bill Bellamy started doing stand-up while he was a student at Rutgers University. Bellamy quickly discovered how much he enjoyed making people laugh, and began honing his skills at small comedy clubs around the country and was soon making waves in clubs and on shows like HBO’s Def Comedy Jam. 7:30 and 9:45 pm (7 and 9 pm Saturday; 7:30 pm Sunday).

Houston Symphony presents The Music of Elton John and Billy Joel

From “Rocket Man” to “Piano Man,” the iconic hits of two classic rock legends come alive in this special concert. Piano-and-vocal talent Michael Cavanaugh — handpicked by Billy Joel to recreate his music in the Broadway musical Movin’ Out — delivers electrifying renditions of the songs you know and love, including “Tiny Dancer,” “Uptown Girl,” “Your Song,” “New York State of Mind,” “Saturday Night’s Alright,” and many more. 8 pm (2:30 pm Sunday).

Saturday, January 7

Community Artists' Collective presents Morgan Newton: "When I Think of Home" opening reception

The Community Artists’ Collective opens the new year with a solo exhibition by local artist Morgan Newton. The paintings included in this exhibition mark a stylistic shift that conveys the aesthetic and spiritual blossoming of Newton’s pursuit to internalize familial notions of home and cultivate home within herself. Newton centers Black female figures as symbols for her life experiences, in idealized, chromatic and in some cases, fantastically celestial environments to suggest the infinite potential of the nurtured self. Through Saturday, February 4. 2 pm.

Splice Records presents 14th Annual BowiElvis Fest

Yes, there will be many David Bowie-related events popping off this weekend. But, of course, the Continental Club and Splice Records will have its annual birthday party for Bowie and Elvis Presley, two of the most beloved and influential artists of the previous century. This year’s fest will feature music by Swimwear Department, Pecos Hank, Brian Scartocci, and Henry & the Invisibles. 6:30 pm.

The Museum of FIne Arts, Houston presents The Conformist

When a member of Mussolini’s secret police and his new bride travel to Paris for their honeymoon, Marcello plans to assassinate his former college professor, an outspoken anti-Fascist living in exile. But Marcello’s political and romantic loyalties are tested when he meets the professor’s alluring young wife. A commentary on Fascism and beauty alike, Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1970 masterpiece is acclaimed for its sumptuous visuals and extravagant, artful cinematography. 7 pm (2 pm Sunday).

Sunday, January 8

Italian Cultural & Community Center presents Festa della Befana 2023

Come learn about this Italian holiday tradition with your family. Children will receive sweets from Befana when she comes to visit. L a Befana is an old, kind woman who flies by broomstick on the night of January 5, dropping off goodies for kids to wake up to. According to the legend, the three kings asked her to come with them to bring gifts to baby Jesus. Now, she flies on her broomstick and brings treats to children each year on Three Kings' Day. 3 pm.

Leonard "Lowdown" Brown and Jonn Richardson Play Lucky's Guitar at Emmit's Place

Do you know the story of Lucky Peterson and his ostrich-covered guitar? If you don’t, read it here. And, after that, you can check out this very special, afternoon event. At the request of the current owners, both Leonard “Lowdown” Brown and Jonn Richardson will be playing this custom, ostrich-covered guitar before it is lovingly returned home to Lucky Peterson’s family. A wonderful story of this guitar and its journey home – 15 years in the making. 5 pm.

The Gumbo Jam

It’s time once again to get all funky and well-fed, at this Louisiana-inspired jam session with a serious food menu. This session is home to all things hip-hop and jazz. Singers, rappers, poets, musicians and, of course, horn players from all over come to party in the loose, laid-back vibe of Matthew Hartnett & The Gumbo All-Stars. If you like to dance, eat good food, and hear great music, this is the place. And, yes, there will be hookahs! 8 pm.

entertainment weekend events

wine guy wednesday

CultureMap Wine Guy Chris Shepherd coaches Houston — How to pop big bottles for Super Bowl bashes

Photo by Julia Casbarian

He likes big bottles and he cannot lie.

Editor's note:Long before Chris Shepherd became a James Beard Award-winning chef, he developed enough of a passion for wine to work at Brennan's of Houston as a sommelier. He maintains that interest to this day. When Chris expressed interest in writing about wine-related topics for CultureMap, we said yes.

In this week's column, he offers tips for hosting a memorable Super Bowl party. Take it away, Chris,

The biggest professional football game of the year is upon us. What does that mean to me? Big bottles, big groups, and lots of snacks!

Let’s talk about big bottles. If you’re planning on opening multiple bottles throughout the evening, now is the time to consider going big.

A guide to large format wines

750 mL standard-size bottle
1.5L (two standard-size bottles) – Magnum
3L (four standard-size bottles) – Double Magnum
4.5L (six standard-size bottles) – Jeroboam
6L (eight standard-size bottles) Imperial Magnum
9L (12 standard-size bottles, the equivalent of a case) Salmanazar
12L (16 standard-size bottles) – Balthazar
15L (20 standard-size bottles) – Nebuchadnezzar

Why do I buy magnums? They age better and slower than small bottles. The wine matures slower, which means it stays fresher and cleaner for a longer period of time. But when it gets down to it, it’s just damn fun to drink wine out of big bottles. It’s Texas. Bigger is better.

If you’re going to a party, you’ll look really cool walking in with a magnum. For me, it fits my hand just perfectly.

It’s very doable these days to find magnums and double magnums at your local wine shop. Contrary to popular belief, not every big bottle is expensive. Look for varietals like Gamay, Pinot Noir, or Italian reds, and regions like Beaujolais, Chianti, Southern Rhone, and the Sonoma Coast. You can always find a good supply of Champagne and rosé in magnums — it’s hard to get more celebratory than that!

Eating the enemy

I’ve been cooking and "eating the enemy" for years. It was a tradition for every Houston Texans tailgate I’ve ever hosted. Our tailgate team, Duck Fallas, was in Blue Lot 26 every game. The idea is to take the iconic foods of your opponent, cook them and eat them to take their mojo away. I believe that the Astros won the 2022 World Series because I made Philly cheesesteaks every single game they won. The games they lost, I didn’t cook cheesesteaks. Coincidence? I don’t think so.

If you’re a Kansas City fan, it’s Philly cheesesteak time. Luckily, I have lots of tips. First, the bread. Hoagie rolls are available at any local grocery story, but if you know Montrose well, there’s a local bakery selling delicious fresh bread until 1pm every day. If you know, you know. (Editor's note: It's Royal Bakery at 1841 Fairview St.)

For the meat, head on over to H Mart. On your way to the meat department, pick up onions and Korean green peppers, which oddly enough look like long hots, a classic Philly addition to the cheesesteak. The thinly sliced ribeye traditionally used for Korean barbecue is perfect for cheesesteaks. Just season it up, chop it up, and cook it on the flat top.

For cheese, skip the argument by offering all the options — provolone, Cheese Wiz, and American. Plus, all three cheeses make the best cheesesteak anyway. Have plenty of sautéed mushrooms and onions. A friend of mine even introduced me to mayo on a cheesesteak — it’s good! Combine to make a build-your-own party.

What to pair with a cheesesteak? Gamay all day.

If you’re a Philly fan, it’s time to head to Kansas City for some barbecue! Ribs are speaking to me — I love them so much. Let’s go with pork ribs. Pick your favorite style — you’ll find them all in KC. I like to follow a 3-2-1 method: 3 hours of smoke unwrapped around 225 degrees, 2 hours wrapped in foil with a little sauce, 1 hour out of the foil back on the pit glazing with sauce. This method produces a sticky, delicious, sauce-all-over-your-face rib. Texas ribs are not traditionally as saucy, but I can respect Kansas City for requiring more napkins.

I know Kansas City is also known for their burnt ends, but I’d visit my favorite barbecue joint to buy those.

If you don’t feel like spending six hours smoking meat, they also named a steak after the city. You can’t go wrong with a Kansas City strip steak.

Suggested pairings:

Ribs – Champagne, yes. Rosé, yes. Pretty much anything, yes.
Burnt Ends – Go find yourself a Big Red [soda]. A big red wine will work, too, like a Syrah.
Strip Steak – It’s still Cab season, y’all.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Super Bowl. Maybe one day soon our opponents will be cooking banh mi and biryani paired with my favorite rosé to eat the enemy. Welcome home, Coach.

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Contact our Wine Guy via email at chris@chrisshepherdconcepts.com.

Chris Shepherd won a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2014. Last year, he parted ways with Underbelly Hospitality, a restaurant group that currently operates four Houston restaurants: Wild Oats, GJ Tavern, Underbelly Burger, and Georgia James. The Southern Smoke Foundation, a non-profit he co-founded with his wife Lindsey Brown, has distributed more than $10 million to hospitality workers in crisis through its Emergency Relief Fund.

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