Plan Your Weekend: May 18 to 21, 2023

• Empty Bowls at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft – More than 1,500 one-of-a-kind bowls by Houston-area artists will be available for sale, with proceeds benefiting the Houston Food Bank. Crafted from ceramics, wood and other materials, the bowls are perfect for gifts, housewares and more. Suggested donation of $25 per bowl. All attendees purchasing a bowl can enjoy a simple soup lunch. 10am to 3pm.
• Plant Market at Trebly Park | FREE – Downtown’s newest park space hosts a nature-themed event full of botanicals, artists, local vendors, live music, a plant swap, photo booth and more. 10am to 3pm.
• Art Tour at Asia Society Texas – This 60-minute, docent-led tour gives you a deeper understanding of the ongoing Summoning Memories: Art Beyond Chinese Traditions exhibition. $8. 11am.
• Artisan & Art Market at Redemption Square | No Cover – The Northeast Houston hub for shopping and dining hosts a local vendor market with unique items such as jewelry, leather goods, artwork and more. 11am to 3pm. 
• Field Day Houston 2023 at Wakefield Crowbar – This 21+ version of the field days of your childhood includes activities like speed Jenga, a three-legged race, tug o’ war, lawn bowling and more. Sign up by yourself or with a team for a day of fun, and enjoy drink specials on Titos and Karbach pitchers. $50 per person, and up. 11am to 4pm.
• Food Truck Rally #6 at B-52 Brewing | No Cover – The Conroe brewery hosts six food trucks offering everything from pizza to chicken wings and cold treats, which you can wash down with inventive brews from the tap. Noon to 8pm.
• Chu’s Open Studio at Silver Street Studios | FREE – See the debut of Houston-based visual artist Chu Okoli’s newest works during the Third Saturday event at the campus of artist studios. 1pm to 7pm.

Plant Market
Trebly Park
^{Saturday, May 20}

Downtown’s newest park space hosts a nature-themed event full of botanicals, artists, local vendors, live music, a plant swap, photo booth and more.

FREE | 10am to 3pm

• Brooklyn Twang Festival III at the Continental Club – Luba Dvorak and the Brooklyn Twang return to the Mid-Main stage, bringing a slate of performers providing live tunes all day long, including Johnny Falstaff, Mike Stinson, Bonnie Whitmore and the Sad Girls, and more. $20 and up. 1pm to 10pm.
• Light Up the Night Grad Party at the Kemah Boardwalk – Class of 2023 grads are celebrated at this epic full-day event with special gifts, buy-one get-one ride passes, selfie stations, live DJs and more. 1pm to 10pm.
• Ascend AAPI Fashion Show at the Julia Ideson Building | FREE – This immersive experience at the historic library in Downtown Houston celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and features dynamic programming from Project Runway and Houston-native Chloe Dao, Tina Zulu and more. 2pm to 5pm.
• iFest USA at Discovery Green | FREE – Held around the world, this festival gathers artists and cultural representatives for a day of exchange between cultures, communities and diverse peoples that promotes peace, love and friendship. Expect live music and performances, gourmet foods, and unique art on display. Free with registration. 2pm to 9pm.
• Spring Winemaker’s Series: Russian River at Mutiny Wine Room – Gain a deeper understanding of the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from California’s Russian River. At the White Oak wine room, you’ll sample wines from DeLoach, Dutton, Rochioli, Medlock Ames, and Siduri, and learn why these are some of the most sought-after American wines. $84. 2:30pm and 4:30pm.
• Plantasia: Botanical Art Show 2023 at Hardy & Nance Studios | FREE – Nearly 70 local artists exhibit their botanical-themed artwork from across a variety of mediums and styles. Plus, you can shop plants for your home from Eden Plant Co, and enjoy a complimentary bar with Karbach brews and other beverages. 5pm to 9pm.

Field Day 2023
Wakefield Crowbar
^{Saturday, May 20}

This 21+ version of the field days of your childhood includes activities like speed Jenga, a three-legged race, tug o’ war, lawn bowling and more. Sign up by yourself or with a team for a day of fun, and enjoy drink specials on Titos and Karbach pitchers.

$50 per person | 11am to 4pm

• Road to River Revival: Global Village, with Flow Tribe in Concert at Market Square Park | FREE – The Downtown music series continues at the historic Market Square Park, where Flow Tribe gets the party started, followed by Global Village and an afterparty at the nearby Last Concert Cafe with Talking Heads tribute band, HeartByrne. 6:30pm.
• They Might Be Giants in Concert at House of Blues – The prolific alt-rock band returns to Houston with a deep catalog of songs, including from their most recent album, the Grammy-nominated Book. $30 and up. 6:30pm.
• Opera in the Heights: 25th Anniversary Concert at Lambert Hall – The opera company marks this milestone with this concert featuring the Oh! Orchestra and some of the company’s favorite artists from seasons past, who will perform the best of Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Puccini, Strauss, Korngold, Bernstein, Sondheim, and more. $94.50. 7pm.
• Houston Dash vs. San Diego Wave at Shell Energy Stadium – United States striker Alex Morgan and the Wave roll into town to face the Dash in a Western Conference battle. $10 and up. 7:30pm.
• Houston Musical Theater Company presents Puttin’ on the Ritz at Post Houston – The award-winning, smash hit revue comes to Post, paying tribute to the songs of Irving Berlin with more than 35 tunes and rare photographs that illuminate the life of the legendary American musician. $35. 7:30pm.
• Mercury presents Beethoven’s 7th Symphony at the Wortham Center – Conductor Antoine Plante leads the ensemble in Beethoven’s energetic and beautiful work that brought audiences to its feet when it first premiered—and still inspires rapture more than 200 years later. $10 and up. 8pm.

Birthday Roast of Brian Gendron
Rudyard’s Pub
^{Saturday, May 20}

One of the founders of the Riot Comedy Club, Brian Gendron gets the roast treatment for his big 4-0 at Rudyard’s, courtesy of his friends and roast master, the visiting Frank Castillo.

$20 and up | 9pm

• Quebradita Time 2023 at Arena Theatre – The technocumbia and Quebradita musical group from Mexico, Mi Banda El Mexicano headlines this tour coming through the Southwest Houston venue. $49.50 and up. 8pm.
• Michael W. Smith in Concert at Bayou Music Center – The multi-platinum singer-songwriter comes to Houston for a live concert rooted in his Christian faith. $39.50 and up. 8pm.
• Steve Tyrell in Concert at the Grand 1894 Opera House – The historic Galveston theater offers this performance by the Grammy Award–winning soulful crooner. $31.50 and up. 8pm.
• Summer Kickoff Luau at Little Woodrow’s Rice Village | No Cover – Start the summer season with this tropical-themed party featuring $5 flavored piña coladas, a limbo contest, a best Hawaiian shirt contest and more. 9pm.
• The Riot Comedy Club presents the 40th Birthday Roast of Brian Gendron at Rudyard’s Pub – One of the founders of the Riot Comedy Club, Brian Gendron gets the roast treatment for his big 4-0 at Rudyard’s, courtesy of his friends and roast master, the visiting Frank Castillo. $20 and up. 9pm.
• Taylor Rave at Rise Rooftop – Sing and dance all night long to your favorite songs by Taylor Swift at this party featuring lasers, neon and more. $15 and up. 9pm.

• More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston are happening all weekend long. Check out this week’s list, local attractions and destinations, or browse Houston Experiences to save on museum and brewery passes, tours, and more.

• Recover Out Loud Sober Fest at White Oak Music Hall – This unique event celebrates the joys of sobriety with live music, food trucks, local vendors and mocktails served up all day. $15. Noon
• Obscure Oddities Market at Numbers Nightclub – The Montrose nightclub opens up early on Sunday for a full day of market vendors doling out the odd and uncommon, from taxidermy and apothecary to tarot and jewelry, along with food, drinks and live entertainment. $5. 1pm to 8pm.
• Bachata Brunch at Fabian’s Latin Flavors | No Cover – Head Downtown and enjoy an afternoon of Latin favorites, along with a free bachata lesson, social dancing and more. 12:30pm to 5pm.
• Behind the Scenes Tour at Rienzi – Discover rooms and pieces of art not usually on view as you explore MFAH’s beautiful home of European decorative arts. $10. 2pm to 4pm.
• Poodle Social at Little Woodrow’s Midtown | No Cover – Bring your poodle along for this social afternoon at the Midtown outpost of the popular drinkery. There’s a puppy pool and toys, plus plenty of drinks and fun for two- and four-legged guests alike. 2pm.
• 713 Walks: Cultural Walking Tour of 5th Ward | FREE – The second of seven city walks explores Houston’s 5th Ward with a two-hour tour that stops by the historic neighborhood’s significant architecture, the DeLuxe Theater, parks and greenspaces, public art along Lyons Avenue and more, plus refreshments from a local cafe. Spanish interpreters will also be along for the tour. 3pm to 5pm.
• Curator Talk: Kirsten Marples on Hyperreal: Gray Foy at Menil Collection | FREE – Menil’s Curatorial Associate for the Drawing Institute, Kirsten Marples leads a close look at artist Gray Foy’s intricate drawings of the ’40s and ’50s. 3pm to 3:30pm.

713 Walks: Cultural Tour
Fifth Ward
^{Sunday, May 21}

The second of seven city walks explores Houston’s 5th Ward with a two-hour tour that stops by the historic neighborhood’s significant architecture, the DeLuxe Theater, parks and greenspaces, public art along Lyons Avenue and more, plus refreshments from a local cafe. Spanish interpreters will also be along for the tour.

FREE | 3pm to 5pm

• The Impractical Jokers at Smart Financial Centre – Known for one of the highest-rated comedy programs on cable, Q, Murr and Sal of the Impractical Jokers arrive in Sugar Land for an intimate comedic experience on the live stage. $45 and up. 5pm.
• J. Talasek Homes Cup at Houston Polo Club – Enjoy an exciting match of ponies, along with a Champagne divot stomp, expert announcing, and delicious dishes from Chef David Cordua and the Lymbar. $35 and up. 5pm.
• Jazzy Sundays: The Gabriel Santiago Project at the Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park | FREE – One of the final Jazzy Sundays concerts welcomes the award-winning Brazilian guitarist, Gabriel Santiago, joined by trumpet player Matt Serice to open the show. 5pm to 7pm.
• Musica Tra Amici at the MATCH – The ensemble performs works by Korngold, along with a discussion of his life and career in revolutionizing the film music industry, followed by Tchaikovsky’s thrilling and evocative Souvenir de Florence. $35. 7pm.
• Naomi Raine, Tasha Cobbs Leonard & More in Concert at 713 Music Hall – Four gospel vocalists highlights this night at 713, featuring Naomi Raine, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Natalie Grant and Taya. $86 and up. 7pm.
• Panchiko in Concert at House of Blues – Coming off the brand new studio album, Failed at Math(s), the English indie rock five-piece rolls through Downtown for a live show. $26. 7pm.
• Carolyn Wonderland at the Heights Theater – The award-winning Texas guitarist and singer-songwriter is joined by special guest John Egan for a night in the Heights. 8pm.

• More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston are happening all weekend long. Check out this week’s list, local attractions and destinations, or browse Houston Experiences to save on museum passes, tours, and more.

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