Plan your weekend: February 27 to March 2, 2014

Make the most of your weekend with our Houston Weekend Guide for Thursday, February 27 to Sunday, March 2, 2014.

[quote_box_right]Weekend Shortcuts

All Weekend Long

Thursday, February 27

Friday, February 28

Saturday, March 1

Sunday, March 2

[/quote_box_right]This weekend means the final days leading up to the start of the Rodeo, Mardi celebrations, Texas Independence Day and some little movie awards show on Sunday night. There are plenty of things to do this weekend in Houston, but if you haven’t made plans yet, we’ve got your back. 

Things to Do All Weekeend

• Mardi Gras Celebrations, Parties, Festivals and Events Across Houston | Some FREE | Friday through Fat Tuesday – Laissez les bons temps rouler” with fun, festive and frivolous Mardi Gras parties, events, boat cruises, galas, happy hours and other celebrations.
• World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest | Thursday through Saturday – Enjoy three days of days of cooking, competition, eating, carnival riding and dancing while 300 culinary teams vie for barbecue domination at this pre-Rodeo event at Reliant Park.
• Second Weekend of Galveston’s Mardi Gras Parades | Some FREE | Friday to Sunday – It’s the thick of Mardi Gras season 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.
• Texan Independence Day and Sam Houston Birthday Weekend Ceremonies, Events and Parties Across Greater Houston and Beyond | Some FREE | Friday through Sunday – Choose from historical observations and happy day-drinking parties across Houston and beyond.
• Brazilian Carnaval at Batanga | Thursday through Saturday – Mark Carnaval season at Batanga next to Market Square Park, featuring Brazilian and world music from Andre Rievers, Rafael Pereria, and Felipe and Helder Zanella. Sip on $5 caipirinhas and enjoy special pricing on tapas plates. Samba dancers join the fun the night of Saturday, March 1. No cover. 9pm to 1am on all three nights.
• Houston Ballet presents Aladdin | Friday through 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.
• 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 and Saturday – 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.

• 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 27, 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.
• Bar Boheme’s Cultured Cocktails Supporting Voices Breaking Boundaries – Drop into the eclectic Montrose favorite for drinks and help support the grassroots nonprofit arts organization and literary arts collective. 5pm to 7pm.
• College Night at MFAH | FREE – Join college students from across Houston for art-making activities, food truck bites, music and drinks. 6pm to 9pm.
• Bayou City Outdoors Mixer at Phoenicia’s MKT Bar in Downtown | FREE – Mingle with the active folks from Bayou City Outdoors over complimentary apps and live music. 6:30pm to 9pm.
• Throwback Thursday at J. Black’s Feel Good Lounge – Enjoy old school music, drinks and prices at this weekly party on Washington until 2am.
• The Pixies in Concert at Bayou Music Center – This favorite alternative rock band from the 80s and 90s is back on the road. Tickets are still available, but you’ll likely find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale market. 8pm.
• Dale Watson in Concert at Goode’s Armadillo Palace – The Pasadena-born alt-country singer returns to the Bayou City. $12. 10:30pm.

• 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 28, 2014

• Aimee Woodall on the topic of “Rebel” at Creative Mornings Houston | FREE – The founder of Houston’s own BlackSheep Agency kicks off this new breakfast series with a talk on the theme of “Rebel.” Held at Dance Source Houston in East Downtown, the program also includes breakfast and music from Sergio Trevino of Buxton and the Ancient Cat Society. Free tickets are limited and going quick. 8:30am to 10am.
• Critical Mass Downtown Bike Ride | FREE – Love it or loathe it, the monthly mass bike ride designed to draw attention to Houston’s cyclists gets rolling from Downtown’s Market Square Park at 7pm.
• Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation Movie Screening at MFAH – Catch this remarkable shot-by-shot remake of Steven Spielberg’s and George Lucas’ classic 1981 film, produced and directed by three boys from the Mississippi Gulf Coast between the years 1989 and 1995. $9 General Public; $7 Members. 7:30pm.
• More Broadway at the Box at The Music Box Theater – 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.
• Welcome to H-Town Hip Hop Concert with Slim Thug, Paul Wall, the Geto Boys and more at Arena Theatre – See this showcase of H-Town hip hop artists and friends. Tickets are still available from Arena Theatre, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale market.

• 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, March 1, 2014

• Conoco Phillips Rodeo Run 10K and 5K – Join in the competitive 10K race or the family-friendly timed 5K, followed by a Saturday morning party with live music and other entertainment to celebrate the runners. 8:55am to 12:30pm.
• Downtown Rodeo Parade 2014 | FREE – Texas takes over Downtown with this procession celebrating Western heritage. Thousands of riders will proceed through Downtown on horseback, accompanying festive floats and marching bands. 10am.
• First Saturday Arts Market in the Heights | FREE – Enjoy good food, browse fine and eclectic art and get outside at this monthly Heights favorite. 11am to 6pm.
• It’s a Woman’s World Concert by the Houston Pride Band | FREE – Catch a program celebrating the women of Houston Pride Band at Resurrection MCC. 3pm.
• Mardi Gras Jamboree and Gumbo Showdown at Market Square Park | FREE – Enjoy Saint Arnold’s beer, gumbo and music from New Orleans Hustlers Brass Band and T Bird and the Breaks at this new Mardi Gras event in Downtown. An illuminated Art Car Drive-About will conclude the event a little before 9pm. 4pm to 8:30pm.
• MacBeth by Prague Shakespeare Company – Enjoy a fast-paced, streamlined production of Shakespeare’s classic tale. Discounted tickets available for a limited time. 5pm.
• David Dunn at Live at Night Concert Series at Waterway Square in The Woodlands | FREE – Enjoy the music of Christian soul pop artist David Dunn under the stars by the Fountains at Waterway Square. 6pm to 8pm.
• Rattletree Marimba Concert and Afro-Electronica Dance Party at the Orange Show – Mixing electronica and traditional African marimba, Austin-based Rattletree Marimba will bring the Orange Show to life in a repeat of last year’s popular event and dance party. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. 7pm.
• Houston Rockets vs. Detroit Pistons at Toyota Center – Both teams are expected to be firing at this face off. You’ll likely find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale market.
• 15th Annual Yachty Gras Boat Parade in Kemah | FREE to view – Grab a spot to watch elaborately decorated yachts parade through the channel in Seabrook / Kemah and then circle back along the Kemah Boardwalk. 7pm.
• Manuel Valera and New Cuban Express in Concert at Wortham Theater Center – Havana born and raised, pianist-composer Manuel Valera was nominated for the 2013 Best Latin Jazz Album Grammy. He brings his sextet to Houston for an unforgettable and rhythmic show. Discounted tickets available for a limited time. 8pm.
• 7th Annual Houston Brazilian Carnaval 2014 at Ayva Center on Richmond – Dance to the samba rhythms of the JP Poupard Band and his special guest Shirley da Silva, along with the sequined and feathered Sambabom dancers, DJ Cassio Duarte and live beats from the Batala Band. Enjoy drinks, elaborate costumes and Brazilian dishes. Discounted tickets are available in advance and LivingSocial is offering two tickets for $30 for a limited time. 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. 
  

Sunday, March 2, 2014

• Texan Independence Day and Sam Houston Birthday Events and Parties Across Greater Houston and Beyond | Some FREE – Choose from historical observations and happy day-drinking parties across Houston and beyond.
• Bayou Bikers at Market Square Park | FREE – Grab your two wheels and join the Bayou Bikers on a 25- or 40-mile bike ride exploring Houston’s trails and bayous. 8am.
• The Market At Mid-Main | FREE – Browse the works of independent artisans, makers, vintage purveyors and other creative types at this outdoor markets in the Art Garden on Mid-Main, complete with live music, food and crafts. 10am to 4pm.
• Movie Hullabaloo – A Cinematic Mystery Tour at Alamo Drafthouse Vintage Park – Enjoy a five-movie marathon featuring four films to be revealed plus an advanced screening of Afflicted, an upcoming horror film from CBS Films. The four secret films stretch across decades, genres and formats and have been hand-chosen by Robert Saucedo, programming director for the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – Houston; Meredith Borders, managing editor for Badass Digest; and Alan Cerny, Nordling from Ain’t It Cool News. $15. 1pm.
• 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.
• Awards Drama – The Big Film Awards Viewing Party at Sundance Cinemas – Attend a live screening of The Academy Awards, complete with ballots, drawings and fancy dress at Downtown’s own cinema destination. This LGBT event is open to all and benefits The Montrose Center. $15. 6pm.
• Dropkick Murphys in Concert at House of Blues – The bawdy boys of Boston make a stop in H-Town to get everyone riled up for St. Patrick’s Day, which is just around the corner. 7:30pm.
• More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things happening in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. 
  

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