Plan Your Weekend: October 5 to 8, 2023

Things to Do
All Weekend Long

• Fotofest presents Fighting: Ukrainian War Photographers at Silver Street Studios | Daily – This powerful exhibition features the work of 16 Ukrainian artists and photojournalists, documenting the invasion of their country by Russia. This exhibition is on display through Saturday, November 18. Noon to 5pm.
• The Original Greek Festival at Annunciation Orthodox Cathedral | Thursday to Saturday – The beloved festival returns to Montrose, bringing with it three days of family fun. Expect Greek dancing demonstrations, an agora where you can shop for unique Greek and Greek-made items, music, tours of the cathedral and, of course, loads of Greek food. Opa! $5. Times vary.
• 44th Festival Chicano at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Thursday to Saturday | FREE – Celebrate Chicano culture with performances across three nights, featuring David Lee Garza y Los Musicales on Thursday; Los Palominos on Friday; and a Saturday night performance from Little Joe y La Familia. 7pm.
• 2023 ALDS: Houston Astros vs. Minnesota Twins at Minute Maid Park | Saturday & Sunday – Carlos Correa returns to Houston with his team from Minnesota in a battle for the ALDS title. The Astros will be seeking their 5th American League Division Series title since winning the division—and their first World Series title—in 2017. Tickets are sold out, but you may find hard-to-get tickets on the TicketNetwork resale marketplace. Saturday 3:45pm; Sunday 8pm.
• Grito Fest 2023 in Baytown | Friday & Saturday | FREE – The two-day Grito Fest celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month in Baytown, getting the ball rolling with a pre-party at Baytown Town Square, featuring mariachi, ballet folklórico and Tejano artist Gary Hobbs. The festival moves to Bicentennial Park on Saturday, with a full day of festival fun like a grito competition, jalapeño eating contest, dance performances and music from Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution, and headliner La Leyenda. Times vary.
• The International Gem & Jewelry Show at NRG Center | Friday to Sunday – The world famous jeweler’s market brings wholesalers, manufacturers and designers under one roof. Shop row after row of quality gemstones, beads, jewelry, accessory dealers and more. $6 and up. Times vary.

Original Greek Festival
Montrose
^{Friday to Sunday}

The beloved festival returns to Montrose, bringing with it three days of family fun. Expect Greek dancing demonstrations, an agora where you can shop for unique Greek and Greek-made items, music, tours of the cathedral and, of course, loads of Greek food.

$5 | Times Vary

Learn More

• Karbachtoberfest Week 3 at Karbach Brewing Company | Friday to Sunday | FREE – The Spring Branch brewery caps their three-week Oktoberfest celebration with Friday night music from Diamante Perez; a Saturday of stein hoisting, chicken dances and keg races, with polka music, live DJ and The Slags; and Sunday wraps up with wiener dog races, a wiener dog costume contest and pet vendors. Times vary.
• Houston Writers Guild presents AuthorPalooza at Hilton Houston Plaza/Medical Center | Friday to Sunday – This weekend celebration of writing includes sessions where you can pitch agents and editors, a keynote by science fiction writer Kevin J. Anderson, a kick-off party showcasing winners of the Guild’s annual short story contest, and more. $25 and up. Times vary.
• Pickleball Camp at San Luis Resort & Spa | Friday to Sunday – This three-day event includes a day of clinics and practice to perfect your game, plus two days of tournament play. Come to Galveston, make new friends and get active. $275. Times vary.
• 49th Annual Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission | Saturday & Sunday – Revel in the enchanting world of knights and ladies, kings and queens, fairies and elves. Expect unique performances and vendors offering an array of handmade goods, food, music and more. This weekend’s theme is the Queen’s Birthday Celebration. Costumes are encouraged. $29 and up. 9am to 8pm.
• Terror Fest 2 at Southern Star Brewing Co. | Saturday & Sunday – The Conroe brewery’s two-day spooky fest has a UFO and supernatural theme this year. Expect immersive experiences, horror film celebrities, a costume contest, escape rooms, a haunted house, artists and vendors, and more. $20. Saturday 10am to 6pm; Sunday 10am to 5pm.
• Houston Symphony presents Seong-Jin Cho Plays Ravel at Jones Hall | Saturday & Sunday – The Chopin International Piano Competition winner brings his exquisite style and unique approach to Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand. Jolas’ A Little Summer Suite and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique are also on the bill. $39 and up. Times vary.

Ongoing Live Theater & Performing Arts in Houston

• Switzerland at Stages | Friday to Sunday | Opening Weekend – In this taut, psychological thriller, Texas murder mystery writer Patricia Highsmith gets a strange visitor to her remote Swiss Alps home. A stranger, a fan of her work, turns up urging her to write another installment of her Tom Ripley series. Will she? Or will something worse happen? Stages favorite Sally Edmunson stars as Patricia. This production runs through Sunday, November 12. $50 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Heroes of the Fourth Turning at Rec Room Arts | Saturday | Opening Weekend – When four friends gather on the edge of the wilderness to honor their mentor, recently named president of a deeply conservative Catholic college, they find their sensibilities and values challenged amid a changing world. Are they really who they thought they were? Find out in this play about grace and redemption. $15 and up. 7:30pm.
• Catastrophic Theatre presents Waiting for Godot at MATCH | Daily | Ongoing – In Samuel Beckett’s absurdist masterpiece, two penniless tramps wait on a road for Mr. Godot to show up, only to find out that he won’t come today, but surely tomorrow. As they wait, they pass the time in every way imaginable. Greg Dean, Charlie Scott, Kyle Sturdivant and Troy Schulze reprise their roles from Catastrophic’s 2013 production, which was hailed by critics across the city for its brilliance. This production runs through Saturday, October 14. Pay-what-you-can. Showtimes vary.
• What the Constitution Means to Me at Main Street Theater | Daily | Ongoing – This regional premiere tells the story of 15-year-old Heidi, who earned scholarship money for college by taking part in Constitutional debate competitions. As Heidi looks back on her experiences, she considers what one of our most important founding documents means for our history and our future. This production runs through Sunday, October 15. $39 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Chicken & Biscuits at Ensemble Theatre | Daily | Ongoing – Douglas Lyons’ family comedy examines what happens when the Jenkins crew comes together to celebrate the life and legacy of the family patriarch. Things unravel when a family secret turns up at the funeral. This production runs through Sunday, October 15. $34 and up. Showtimes vary.

• American Mariachi at Alley Theatre | Daily | Ongoing – In this play about dreaming big, it’s the 1970s, and Lucha wants to form a mariachi band. But girls don’t do that. Or can they? This heartwarming clash of cultures showcases what it means to embrace all of your heritage. This production runs through Sunday, October 22. $35 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Stages presents Always…Patsy Cline at the Gordy | Daily | Ongoing – Celebrating its 35th anniversary, this musical biography features 27 of the iconic country singer’s hits, while showcasing her rise to stardom in the 1960s. It’s also the story of the friendship between Cline and Houston native Louise Seger, who met the singer in a Bayou City honky tonk. $48 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Main Street Theater for Youth presents Carmela Full of Wishes at MATCH | Saturday | Ongoing – This touching tale is the story of Carmela, who has a very special wish to help keep her family together. Based on the children’s book by Matt de la Peña, it’s a family-friendly production that explores hope in the migrant community. This production runs through Saturday, October 21. $20 and up. Showtimes vary.
• 4th Wall Theatre Company presents The Pavilion at Spring Street Studios | Thursday to Saturday | Final Weekend – Craig Wright’s play explores the lives, loves and regrets of Peter and Kari, high school sweethearts who reunite at their 20th high school reunion. Called an “Our Town for our time,” critics around the country have praised the show’s deft dialogue and insight to relationships. This production runs through Saturday, October 7. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Music Box Theater presents Back to the ‘80s at Queensbury Theater | Friday & Saturday | Final Weekend – The cabaret group performs a concert of hits from the era of legwarmers, Members Only jackets and big hair. Expect your ‘80s favorites along with hilarity and hijinks. $38 and up. 7:30pm.
• POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive at the Gordy | Daily | Final Weekend – This feminist farce explores power, misogyny and how women both support and undermine each other. When the president makes an off-color statement including a certain four-letter word, all hell breaks loose. The women on his staff and in his family roll into action to contain the fallout, even as events spool out of their control. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.

Fall Festival Guide, EaDo Happy Hours & Other Destinations

• 75+ Fall Festivals in Houston | Ongoing – Explore our guide to a supersized festival season coming to Houston, showcasing the city’s culture, music, arts, food scenes, and more.
• Fall Markets in Greater Houston | Ongoing – From spooky evenings on the bayou to annual nutcracker extravaganzas, we’ve gathered 25 fall markets to put on your radar.
• Happy Hour Hot Spots in EaDo – This walkable strip of East Downtown is full of laid-back patios, sports bars with impressive tap lists, and the nerdiest bar in town.
• Best Bars in Montrose – Check out our rundown of 20+ signature cocktail bars, dives, and more that can be found throughout the lively Montrose neighborhood.
• Must Do Things in Buffalo Bayou Park – Find your way underground, bring your pup to one of the city’s best dog parks, take to twilight viewing of bat colonies, and more with our 5 ways to explore Buffalo Bayou Park.
• Greater Houston Guide to Hispanic Heritage Month | Ongoing – This weekend and beyond, find more things to do that celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month at concerts, festivals and more in neighborhoods across Greater Houston.
• Oktoberfest Celebrations in Greater Houston | Ongoing – Find more Oktoberfest parties than what’s listed in the Weekend Guide with our comprehensive look at celebrations taking place through the end of October.

• Story Time at Blue Willow Bookshop | FREE – Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, this session includes a story, an art activity and singing songs. Start your morning off with a story and making new friends. 9:30am.
• Houston Career Fair at Crowne Plaza Hotel | FREE – Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this career fair is a chance to meet with some of Houston’s top employers. Candidates are advised to dress professionally and bring multiple copies of their resume. 11am to 2pm.
• Women Leading the Evolution of Skincare Discussion at Asia Society Texas Center – This luncheon and panel discussion covers the evolution of the skincare industry, the unique experiences in the beauty landscape, and how the intersection of beauty and wellness can create meaningful and joyful approaches to beauty. $125. 11:30am.
• Get to Know the Art of the Islamic Worlds at Museum of Fine Arts Houston | FREE – This guided, drop-in tour gives you a deeper understanding of Islamic art. It’s a chance to see the museum’s new galleries dedicated to Islamic art and build understandings of how the colors, calligraphy, themes and styles have resonated across the world for centuries. Meet at the entrance to the galleries. 1:30pm to 2:30pm.
• 19th Annual Wine Walk at Market Street – This sip-and-stroll-style event in the Woodlands lets you chat up wine vendors and craft beer producers while sampling incredible beer and wine. Sponsored by H-E-B, the walk is among the most popular events on the calendar for foodies. $75. 6pm to 9pm.
• Anita Jaisinghani in Conversation with Brittany Britto Garley at Brazos Bookstore | FREE – The chef and owner of Pondicheri talks to award-winning journalist Brittany Britto Garley about the recently published Eater: 100 Essential Restaurant Recipes, and her approach to Indian cuisine. 6:30pm. 
• Author David McCloskey at Murder By the Book | FREE – The Texas author will speak about and sign copies of his latest novel, Moscow X, which draws from his experience as a CIA analyst. Those wishing to have books signed must purchase a copy from the store. 6:30pm.

19th Wine Walk
The Woodlands
^{Thursday, October 5}

Sample incredible wines and fun food pairings at the 19th Annual H-E-B Wine Walk in the Woodlands. Chat up wine and craft beer experts, enjoy live music and get into the spirit of culinary exploration.

$75 | 6pm to 9pm

Learn More

• Houston Mayoral Candidate Forum at Emancipation Park | FREE – Come out to hear the slate of candidates running for mayor of Houston discuss their positions on issues relating to the city’s parks and open spaces, then take questions from the audience. 6:30pm.
• Tequila Tasting Dinner: Komos Edition at Musaafer – The opulent Galleria destination restaurant, known for its authentic, elevated Indian fare presents a 5-course dinner featuring pairings with luxurious Komos Tequila, which Tasting Panel Magazine awarded a perfect 100-point score—its first ever. $200. 7pm.
• Magnolia Park in Concert at White Oak Music Hall – The five-member, Orlando-based band comes to the Bayou City, ahead of their Halloween Mixtape II release on Oct. 27. The group blends elements of hip-hop, pop funk and Emo rock. $20. 7pm.
• Summer Dean in Concert at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck – With songs evoking the ruggedness of the American West, Texan singer Summer Dean has been praised for her “husky twang” by Fort Worth Weekly and “rich resonance” by Texas Monthly. $30 and up. 7pm.
• Fright Night Movie Screening at Daiquiri Time Out | No Cover – The Galveston hotspot for frozens opens their Halloween-themed movie series with a screening of the 1985 classic, Fright Night. Come for the screening, stay for trivia, prizes, cocktails and more. 21+. 7:30pm.
• Comedian Andrea Jin at Houston Improv – The stand-up comedian and writer, who gained recognition in the comedy scene after winning Comedy Album of the Year in 2021 at the Juno Awards, Andrea Jin takes the stage at the Spring Branch laugh house. $40 for 2, and up. 7:30pm.
• Serve! at Numbers Nightclub – Jessica Wild, Lala Ri, Jorgeous, Jan and Denali team up for a night of spectacular drag at the iconic Montrose nightclub. $40. 8pm.
• Gregory Porter in Concert at Arena Theatre – The Grammy Award–winning jazz singer-songwriter and actor comes to Southwest Houston, performing songs from his hit albums, like 2016’s Take Me to the Alley. $69.50 and up. 8:30pm.
• The Mustn’ts, with Nathan Ray in Concert at Continental Club – Making their Continental Club debut, The Mustn’ts bring their folk harmonies to Houston. They’ll share the stage with California singer-songwriter Nathan Ray. $10. 9pm.

• More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston are happening all weekend long. Scroll up to explore events and shows spanning multiple days, or browse Houston Experiences to save on museum and brewery passes, tours, and more.