Plan your weekend: February 20 to 23, 2014

Make the most of your weekend with our Houston Weekend Guide for Thursday, February 20 to Sunday, February 23, 2014.

[quote_box_right]Weekend Shortcuts

All Weekend Long

Thursday, February 20

Friday, February 21

Saturday, February 22

Sunday, February 23

[/quote_box_right]The forecast may call for a somewhat gloomy-looking Houston, but Spring events are starting to roll into town come-what-may. Mardi Gras season is taking hold, the Rodeo is in the air, carnaval is shaking its tail feathers and Houston is getting busy. Check out our weekly guide of some of our favorite events. As always, if you don’t see your favorite, then add it in the comments below.

Things to Do All Weekend

• First Weekend of Galveston’s Mardi Gras Parades | Some FREE | Friday to Sunday – Kick off Mardi Gras season with the first big weekend party of the year on Galveston Island. Spy Krewe parades along the Seawall and in the Uptown Entertainment District, then party all night with live music, revelry, balcony parties and more.
• Ghost the Musical at the Hobby Center | Daily – Relive the iconic, Oscar-winning 1990 film with this new Broadway musical that takes you on a romantic trip to the afterlife.
• Houston Ballet presents Aladdin | Thursday, Saturday and Sunday – Jones Hall is home to the American premiere of English choreographer David Bintley’s full-length ballet telling the classic tale of three wishes, love, trickery and more.
• Brazilian Carnaval Parties around Houston | Friday through Sunday – Get your pre-Lentian partying done with a South American flair at this lively and indulgent Carnaval parties and celebrations around Houston.
• Houston Symphony presents Music of the Mad Men Era | Friday through Sunday – Enjoy swinging tunes of the 50s and 60s, including “It’s Not Unusual,” “Bésame Mucho,” “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” and “The Best is Yet to Come” at this fun musical program conducted by Steven Reineke.
• Singin’ in the Rain at the Hobby Center | Friday through Sunday – Second Baptist School presents the toe-tapping and knee-slapping stage musical based on the classic movie starring Gene Kelley.
• Theatre Suburbia presents Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily | Friday and Saturday – Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson come face-to-face with Oscar Wilde and actress Lily Langtry in this clever Victorian romp that blends fact and fiction. Discount tickets available.
• UpStage Theatre presents The Three Musketeers in the Heights | Friday through Sunday – Catch this fresh, swashbuckling take on Alexandre Dumas’ classic story of young d’Artagnan and his adventures with the play’s namesake musketeers in 17th Century Paris. Discounted tickets are available.
• Neil Simon’s The Prisoner of 2nd Avenue at Texas Repertory Theatre | Daily – Laugh along and commiserate with Simon’s classic dark comedy about the tribulations of Mel Edison after he loses his job during a humid New York summer. Limited discount tickets available.

• Discover a new Houston date idea (or a new date) | Sponsored – Looking for a popular date idea, or for someone to join you? Either way, Howaboutwe.com has some suggestions for you.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

• Free Museum Thursday in the Museum District | FREE – Enjoy free admission to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Children’s Museum and more during special hours today.
• Tai Chi by the Reflecting Pool at Rothko Chapel – Beginner to expert practitioners of this physical and meditative martial art are all welcome at this outdoor class led by instructor Henderson Smith. $10 suggested donation. 5pm to 6pm.
• Grand Prix of Houston Pit Party #1 at Local Pour in River Oaks – Start revving up for June’s big race weekend as Local Pour welcomes the first of 2014’s monthly pit parties. Discover exotic cars, new Hondas, the Miss Grand Prix team, drink specials and more. 5:30pm to 8:30pm.
• Happy Hour for a Cause at Kung Fu Saloon – Enjoy free light bites and drink specials on Washington Avenue knowing that 15% of the evening’s drink sales will go to help DePelchin Children’s Center. 6pm to 8pm.
• Happy Hour Thursday at MFAH | FREE – Take advantage of free museum admission and unwind at this cocktail hour with drinks at the cash bar, DJ beats and food for sale from Ladybird Food Truck. 6pm to 10pm.
• Lyft Houston Launch Party at Hughes Hangar | FREE – Enjoy a few complimentary drinks, music from The Beans, eats from Oh My Gogi, and live artwork being created by Gonzo247. Show or download the Lyft App at the door to get in. 6pm to 10pm.

• More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things happening in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.

Friday, February 21, 2014

• Roberto Angelini Wine Dinner at Quattro at The Four Seasons – Indulge in a five-course, truffle-inspired dinner paired with rare wines from Angelini’s own Italian cellar. Truffles will be shipped in fresh from Italy. $75. 6pm.
• Championship Tennis Series: Camden Wealth Advisors Cup – See tennis legends Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, James Blake and Jim Courier compete in a one-night tournament with three matches. Tickets are still available, but you may find better or cheaper seats on TicketNetwork’s resale market. 7pm.
• Muscle Shoals Movie Screening at 14 Pews – Take a deeper look into Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a gathering place for some of the greatest rock and roll and soul legends of all time in this documentary screening. $10; Free to 14 Pews members. 7pm.
• Party Your Heart Out at Proof Rooftop Lounge – Three heartbreakers – or is that broken hearts – from last season’s The Bachelorette on ABC will be on hand for this special shindig at Proof in Midtown. Meet Zak Waddell, Drew Kenney and Ben Scott and raise money to fight heart disease. $10 donation to the American Heart Association at the door. 7pm to 10pm. RSVP requested.
• The Clear Lake Symphony presents Classics of the French Romantic Period – Enjoy a selection of beautiful music such as Chabrier’s Suite Pastorale, Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and Franck’s Symphonic Variations. Discount tickets available.
• Lone Star Lyric presents Fat Tuesday Feast: Way Down Yonder in New Orleans – A Musical Mardi Gras – Travel to NOLA with a musical program that ranges from “Basin Street Blues” to “Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?” and featuring Sarah Brindley, Kelli Estes, Andrew Reich and Stephonne Smith. Discount tickets available. 8pm.
• The Eagles in Concert at Toyota Center – This stop of the History of the Eagles Tour may be sold out, but if you can’t make it through the weekend without a musical trip to Hotel California and you’re willing to pay a premium, then you can still pick up tickets on TicketNetwork’s resale market. 8pm.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. at Fitzgerald’s – The acclaimed indie pop band from Detroit plays Houston’s own music landmark in the Heights. Chad Valley and Benjamin Booker open. 8pm.
• More Broadway at the Box at The Music Box Theater | Friday through Sunday – Catch a comedic evening filled with live performances of hit Broadway songs as The Music Box Theater presents an all-new tribute to the Great White Way. Discount tickets available.
• 12th Annual Houston Carnaval do Brasil 2014 at Stereo Live – Let your hair down to the music of live band BomBrasil, samba dancers, a Brazilian bikini fashion show, and additional music from DJ Washington Revelo, DJ Richard Floor, DJ Zurdok and Dj Bad Asztech. $25. 9:30pm to 2:30am.

• More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things happening in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

• National Margarita Day across Houston – That’s right. There’s an official day for this. Kick back with a frosty margarita at one of these great destinations across Houston.
• Bayou City Outdoors Farmer’s Market Bike Ride | FREE – Start your morning with a coffee at Onion Creek before joining Bayou City Outdoors on a 12 to 15 mile leisurely bike ride through Houston’s side streets, trails, and residential areas to visit two to three popular Saturday morning farmer’s markets inside the Loop. 8am to noon.
• Museum District Walking Tour with Architecture Center Houston – Explore the dense collection of world-class museums, public art, contemporary architecture and landscape design. $10; $5 for ArCH members and architecture students with IDs. 10am to noon.
• Caffeine Crawl Houston – Explore the best of Houston’s specialty coffees at this crawl through some of the city’s favorite coffeehouses, including Blacksmith Coffee, Boomtown, Catalina Coffee, Double Trouble, Eatsie Boys, Paper Co. Coffee and Southside Espresso. 10am to 2pm. UPDATE: SOLD OUT.
• Olympic Open House – Ice Skating at the Ice at the Galleria | FREE – Strap on some skates for a free 45-minute skate session at Houston’s original ice rink. Enjoy games, contests, free raffles, free skating lessons and more. 10:45am to 11:30am.
• Sherlock’s Brew Fest – Choose from 22 craft beers, enjoy live music from Beggars Inc and Fal Skye, and indulge in crawfish, fajitas and Columbian empanadas at this inaugural party at Sherlock’s Baker Street Pub on Westheimer. $25 per 16-ticket tastings. 2pm to 7pm.
• Half-Assed Hash Run at The Phoenix on Westheimer – Join in a 3.5 mile run, complete with six beer stops along the way, offering $2 Karbach half-pints and $3 Karbach pints. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. 2pm.
• Daddy-Daughter Dance at Life Time Fitness CityCentre – Dads take to the floor with their little girls at this ball with music, dancing, games, crafts and food. $25 member and child; $30 non-member and child. 5pm to 8pm.
• Ryan Montalvo In-store performance at Heights Vinyl | FREE – Enjoy free beer and catch a live performance from local musician Ryan Montalvo on White Oak.
• Gala on the Green 2014 – Revel under the stars at Discovery Green’s biggest party and fundraiser gala, which includes a cocktail reception, dinner and dancing to Simply Irresistible, a 13-piece dance band from Atlanta. Money goes to and program Discovery Green throughout the year. Individual Gala tickets begin at $1,000. 7pm.
• Electric Mardi Gras in Galveston – The Mardi Gras after party continues with live DJ music on Stage.  Dance into the when DJ Tina T hailing from Los Angeles takes the turntables from 11:30pm to 1am. She’s preceded by Nesto, DJ Vanilla Spice, DJ Villa and “A DJ named Skritchin,” starting at 8pm.
• Toology, a Tool Tribute Band, at House of Blues – Catch Houston’s homegrown and nationally known Tool tribute band as it fills in the cantankerous metal band’s performance gaps with a live Downtown show. Discount tickets available through Friday, February 21. 9pm.
• 4th Annual Carnaval in Rio de Janiero 2014 at Bam Bou – This large carnaval integrates elements from Brazil, Columbia, Venezuela and Mardi Gras, with music from DJ Pollo, DJ Kasanova and DJ Domenik James and stilt walkers, Brazilian music, Samba performers and wild costumes. $10. 9pm to 2am.

• More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things happening in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

• Double Feature at the Showboat Drive-In in Hockley – Catch a double feature of new releases at this old school classic drive-in theater just northwest of Houston.
• Grafitti Run 5K near Galveston – Get blasted with all the hues of the rainbow at this Sunday morning 5K run at Jack Brooks Park in Hitchcock. $50; discounted $25 registration is available through Thursday, February 20. 9:30am.
• 6th Annual One Pot Cook Off at The Gingerman – Rice Village’s neighborhood beer pub gets in the Rodeo mood a little early with a chili cook off, complete with tastings. Noon to 4pm.
• Fashion Truck Fest at Liberty Station – Shop outside with cocktails and drink specials at this Sunday afternoon fashion gathering featuring Park Boutique, Urban Izzy, Height of Vintage, Shoe Bar Houston and The Billy Pilgrim Traveling Library. Noon to 6pm.
• Dancing States Master Class with Leslie Scates at Frenetic Theatre – Learn to connect your mind with your kinetic body state, with this technique that helps develop a “thinking dancer.” $15. Noon to 1:30pm.
• Heritage Family Day at Sam Houston Park Downtown | FREE – Explore life for Houstonians when they first began to settle and build homes. Families will also enjoy hands-on activities, crafts, refreshments and more. 1pm to 4pm.
• The Big Squeeze Accordion Competition at MECA | FREE – See young up-and-coming Texas accordionists (up to age 21) compete for a finalist spot in the 2014 competition. 2pm to 4pm.
• Black History Month Fashion Show in West Houston – See the fashion of Philetta K. Phillips, ethnic bridal fashions by Tekay Designs, cultural dancing and more at Wyndham Houston West Energy Corridor. $25 general admission; $50 VIP. 6:30pm.
• Lone Star Lyric presents Fat Tuesday Feast: Way Down Yonder in New Orleans – A Musical Mardi Gras – Travel to NOLA with a musical program that ranges from “Basin Street Blues” to “Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?” and featuring Sarah Brindley, Kelli Estes, Andrew Reich and Stephonne Smith. Discount tickets available. 5pm.
• 3rd Annual Brazilian & Mardi Gras Houston Carnaval at Hughes Hangar – Celebrate the build-up to the start of Lent at this costume ball mash-up of South American and Southern Mardi Gras parties. Expect Brazilian and popular music from DJs, capoeira and samba performers, face painting, costumed dancers and a snake handler. $10 presale; $20 full price. 6pm to midnight.
• More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things happening in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.

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Is your favorite event missing from our list? Feel free to add it in the comments below.