This weekend, there might be occasions celebrating two beloved, American icons: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dolly Parton. A swing live performance and a rap live performance might be saluting the King, whereas Truck Yard will honor the Queen of Nation with a day of enjoyable and music.
However we even have stay music from Killer Mike and Ani DiFranco, the Houston Symphony live-scoring a Harry Potter movie, a “wellness sip soiree,” and – for all these hungry cinephiles – free popcorn on the films!
Thursday, January 16
The Menil Assortment presents Saving Cinema: A Dialog and Movie Screening
Analog movie isn’t fully useless. Filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino nonetheless shoot films on 35 and 70mm. And now, visitors can discover the world of movie preservation and the delicate way forward for cinema with Academy Movie Archive preservationist Mark Toscano and movie scholar/curator Tish Stringer. The dialog might be adopted by a screening of Tacita Dean’s 2006 movie Kodak, a meditation on the materiality of analog movie, in addition to extra archival movies. 7 pm.
Congregation Emanu El presents Music at Emanu El: Bought That Swing – American Large Band Greats
In case you’re aware of the expression, “It don’t imply a factor if it ain’t bought that swing,” we now have an occasion proper up your alley. Congregation Emanu El will have a good time MLK weekend with an evening of swing music, dancing, desserts, and drinks. The live performance will characteristic the sounds of jazz greats like Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Duke Ellington, and Rely Basie, as carried out by Phillip Corridor, Ernesto Vega, Erin Wright, Cantor Rollin Simmons, and their large band. 7:30 pm.
Houston Symphony presents Killer Mike & The Mighty Midnight Revival
The Houston Symphony will current Killer Mike, with The Mighty Midnight Revival, for a night of music, energy, and creative synergy. The Dungeon Household alumni and one-half of the rap supergroup Run the Jewels might be performing tracks from Michael, his critically acclaimed, three-time Grammy-winning album, together with fan favorites like “Scientists & Engineers,” “Down By Regulation,” and “Ric Aptitude.” Mike will be a part of forces with the Mighty Midnight Revival and the Houston Symphony to reimagine his music in a method that’s each daring and breathtaking. 7:30 pm.
Friday, January 17
Ani DiFranco in live performance
It all the time struck us as unusual that indie folk-rock goddess Ani DiFranco by no means performed Lilith Truthful, the late ‘90s, female-centric, touring music pageant the place a number of the folksiest feminine artists of the period (Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, Lisa Loeb) got here collectively and carried out. You’d suppose the Buffalo-born singer/songwriter, who confirmed everybody you’ll be able to launch music by yourself label and nonetheless acquire a loyal, large following, would’ve been the star attraction. However DiFranco has all the time been an artist who did issues on her personal, which she continues to do to today. 7 pm.
Rice Cinema presents 62nd Ann Arbor Movie Competition Tour
Established in 1963, the Ann Arbor Movie Competition is the oldest avant garde and experimental movie pageant in North America. In 2024, the pageant featured over 40 packages consisting of 110 movies from almost 40 nations of all lengths and genres, together with experimental, animation, documentary, narrative, hybrid, and performance-based works. For 2 nights, Rice Cinema will play choices from the 62nd pageant, which happened final spring. 7 pm.
Paranormal Cirque
Paranormal Cirque is a novel creation of mixed theatre, circus, and cabaret, with a brand new, European-style flare from Cirque Italia that’s for a mature viewers. The horror story options completely different shades of horny and a storyline that may fall right into a parallel world and find yourself surrounded by monstrous creatures with hidden skills that amaze with the circus arts. The present contains the Wheel of Loss of life, magic, and extra. By Monday, January 27. 7:30 pm (6:30 and 9:30 pm Saturday; 5:30 and eight:30 pm Sunday).
I am Prepared Productions presents “One Time For The Metropolis”
I’m Prepared Basis, Inc, beneath the management of director Je’Caryous Johnson, will current “One Time For The Metropolis,” a musical celebration marking the beginning of MLK Day Weekend. Performers will embrace Houston artists Scarface (who may pull out his trusty guitar for this one), Slim Thug, Lil Flip, Mike Jones, Devin The Dude, Lil Keke, Lil Troy, Z-Ro, DJ Michael 5000 Watts, and extra. 8 pm.
Saturday, January 18
J-Bar-M Barbecue presents Free Partitions
J-Bar-M Barbecuewill host the first-ever Free Partitions artwork occasion that includes a number of established and up-and-coming graphic artists and distributors from Houston. Led by Houston graphic artist and icon Donkeeboy,the occasion will see a number of brand-new, everlasting murals taking form outdoors of J-Bar-M all through the day. Featured graphic artists embrace Sylvia Roman (Donkeemom), Jesse de Leon, David Maldonado, Floyd Mendoza III, and Gabriel Escobedo. Donkeeboy will collaborate with a number of college students from his Younger Artwork Professionals artwork collective on a mural. 11 am.
Truck Yard Houston presents Dolly Day
Sunday might be Dolly Parton’s 79th birthday, and Truck Yard Houston might be celebrating someday earlier with some Dolly-riffic festivities. There might be Dolly-themed cocktails, a Dolly and Jolene costume contest, stay performances of Dolly’s traditional hits, and, beginning at 5 pm, footage with a Dolly Parton impersonator. Attendees who convey a brand new or used youngsters’s guide to donate get a particular Dolly Parton pin. Donated books will profit the Houston Public Library. Midday.
Houston Symphony presents Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban in Live performance
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is our favourite entry within the Harry Potter cinematic universe, primarily as a result of it’s the one which has Harry entering into his awkward teen years. Primarily based on the third installment of the traditional saga, the thrilling story is accompanied by the music of a stay symphony orchestra as Harry soars throughout the large display. 2 and seven:30 pm (2 pm Sunday).
McClain Gallery presents Tim Braden: “The Colouring Backyard” opening reception
McClain Gallery will current Tim Braden: “The Colouring Backyard,” the gallery’s first exhibition of the British artist’s work. The exhibition will characteristic works from a brand new collection that gathers each inside scenes and abstracted landscapes. A fastidiously orchestrated riot of colours pours from the work, and Braden’s consideration to artwork historical past and the strategies that make artists artisans is on show on this enchanting group of works. By Saturday, March 8. 3 pm.
Sunday, January 19
Culinary Khancepts presents Nationwide Popcorn Day.
Sunday is Nationwide Popcorn Day, which implies film theaters across the nation might be luring in moviegoers with the promise of free popped kernels. So far as popcorn in Houston, high quality eating operators Culinary Khancepts has bought the town on lock. All of the theaters they personal – River Oaks Theatre, Reel Luxurious CInemas within the Woodlands, and all eight Star Cinema Grill places might be handing out complimentary popcorn (Star Cinema may have free, small servings) for anybody who buys a ticket. 11 am (10 am River Oaks).
Plume presents GLOW: A Wellness Sip Soiree
Heights cocktail bar Plume will introduce a brand new wellness meals/mocktail menu, curated by Travis “Chef T” Turner. The spot might be celebrating with an unique GLOW: A Wellness Sip Soirée launch celebration. Houstonians trying to have a good time self-care, connection, and conscious indulgence in 2025 are invited to toast the New 12 months with healthful, nourishing elements alongside wellness fans and like-minded people. 1 pm.
MATCH presents eighth Annual Household Enjoyable Day
At MATCH’s eighth Annual Household Enjoyable Day, children and households can get pleasure from a day filled with pleasure. It is going to characteristic stay performances all through the day from native favorites like Essential Road Theater for Youth, Prelude Music, and Open Dance Challenge. Different actions embrace face portray, balloon artwork, stilt walkers, bounce homes, and chalk artwork shows. Guests can discover MATCH’s 4 theaters, gallery, and open-air breezeway. There can even be meals vans and MATCH concessions on-site. 1 pm.
