Make the most of your weekend with our Houston Weekend Guide for Thursday, May 8 to Sunday, May 11, 2014.
[quote_box_right]Weekend Shortcuts
Sunday, May 11[/quote_box_right]The weekend kicks off with the NFL Draft, meaning that after Thursday night we’ll finally know how the Texans play their number one pick. That’s quickly followed by the arrival of the big event, the 27th annual Houston Art Car Parade, with the Main Street Drag, Sneak Peek at Discovery Green, the Legendary Art Car Ball and the parade itself on Saturday afternoon. Mother’s Day dominates on Sunday, but regardless of what you’re looking to do, there are plenty of options all weekend long on another great spring weekend in Houston.
Haven’t made up your mind? We’ve got your back with our Weekend Guide. Check back throughout the week as we add more great stuff to do in Houston this weekend.
Things to Do All Weekend
Houston Art Car Weekend | Almost all FREE | Thursday through Saturday – Celebrate Houston’s quirky, weird and eclectic folk art with a slew of events that build up to the beloved Houston Art Car Parade.- Evita at the Hobby Center | Daily – Don’t cry for her, Houston, Texas. The truth is she never left us. Revisit her wild days, her mad existence. She returned as promised; don’t keep your distance … Tickets are still available via Theatre Under the Stars but you may find cheaper of better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale market.
- Rapunzel at Miller Outdoor Theatre | FREE | Thursday and Friday – Houston Grand Opera presents a colorful, funny take on the classic fairy tale of the girl locked in a tower for her beautiful hair. 11am on Thursday and Friday.
- Highlights of Houston Ballet at Miller Outdoor Theatre | FREE | Friday through Sunday – Delight at a collection of performances choreographed by Artistic Director Stanton Welch over Houston Ballet’s last 11 years. 8pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
- 40th Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour | Saturday and Sunday – Explore nine stunning homes representing different periods in Galveston’s architectural history. $25. 10am to 6pm.
- Georges Bizet’s Carmen by Houston Grand Opera at Wortham Theater Center | Thursday and Saturday – Catch Bizet’s classic fiery opera about the gypsy Carmen, a sexual bird of prey whose charms lead Don José into a fatalistic chain of events, uncontrollable passion, jealousy and bloodshed. Sung in French with English subtitles.
- Provocative comedic play Cock at Obsidian Art Space | Thursday through Saturday – After separating from his boyfriend, a gay man finds love in the arms of a woman in this complicated, contemporary love triangle from Britain’s provocative playwright Mike Bartlett. Discount tickets available. 8pm nightly.
- 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, May 8, 2014
- Main Street Drag | FREE – Entries from this Saturday’s Art Car Parade make appearances at 32 Houston schools, hospitals and community centers. 9am to 1pm.
- Tech Thursday at START Houston in EaDo | FREE – Take a break from working from home or in a coffee shop and visit START Houston’s co-working space, complete with free coffee and ping-pong table privileges. 10am to 5pm.
- Houston Texans NFL Draft Party at NRG Stadium – The Texans’ big official draft party has been sold out for weeks. But if there’s no other place you’d rather be, you can likely find tickets for sale on TicketNetwork’s resale market. Doors open at 5pm. Draft begins at 7pm.
- NFL Draft Day Party at BlackFinn American Grille – Celebrate or ring your hands with other Texan fans as Houston plays its number one draft pick. Draft begins at 7pm.
- Houston Art Car Parade Sneak Peek at Discovery Green | FREE – Get a look at some of the Houston Art Car Parade’s grand entries at this event featuring entertainment, food and drink. Stick around to catch Bill Kirchen in concert. 6:30pm to 9pm.
- Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun in Concert at Discovery Green | FREE – UHD Thursday Concerts kick off with Kirchen’s lively signature twang. Houston honky-tonk favorites The Hollisters open. 6:30pm to 9pm.
- The Slags in Concert at Kemah Boardwalk | FREE – Dance rock music fills the boardwalk at this edition of the weekly Rock the Dock concert series. 7pm 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, May 9, 2014
- Pub Night at Saint Arnold – The Saint Arnold Brewery’s popular tour hall opens its doors as a pub, with no cover and a selection of beers available to purchase, including special cask of DR14 with Grapefruit and Bishop’s Barrel No. 2. 5pm to 10pm.
- The Legendary Art Car Ball at Allen Center – Get funky, wacky and maybe even a little tacky at the big fundraiser ball that for many is the high point of the Houston Art Car Parade weekend. $25. 6pm to 11pm.
- Herradura Tequila Dinner at Américas River Oaks – Enjoy a special menu paired with Américas’ private label Herradura tequilas Unico and Salve and featuring master distiller Ruben Aceves. $89. 7pm.
- Becky Soria’s Totems Beyond Patriarchy Opening Reception at Gallery M Squared | FREE – See Houston artist Becky Soria’s works, which examine the male and female forms as they appear in nature, at this gallery opening in the Heights. 7pm to 9pm.
- George Porter, Jr. and Runnin Pardners in Concert at Market Square Park | FREE – See storied bass player George Porter, Jr., formerly with the Meters, lead an uber-talented group of musicians in this quintessential New Orleans band. 8pm.
- Alonzo King LINES Ballet presents One Thousand and One Nights at Wortham Theater Center – The San Francisco-based and internationally acclaimed ballet company makes its first Houston appearance with a program that reinterprets Scheherazade and Resin. $23 to $58. Tickets discounted to $11.50 are available. 8pm.
- Reverse Happy Hour at MKT BAR at Phoenicia Specialty Foods in Downtown – Enjoy select beers, wines and appetizers for just $3, one block away from Discovery Green. 9pm to midnight.
- The Toadies’ Rubbernecker 20th Anniversary Tour at House of Blues – Fort Worth’s alternative rock band brings their celebration of their 1994 album Rubberneck, and its hit single “Possum Kingdom,” to Houston. 8pm.
- Live Fridays at Bayou Place in Downtown – Dress up and head downtown for the big weekly part at Bayou Place nightclub in the Theater District. Free admission if you arrive before 11pm. 10pm 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.
Click here to find more things to do in Houston on Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11, 2014.
