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 dwell 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 utterly lifeless. Filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino nonetheless shoot films on 35 and 70mm. And now, friends 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 further archival movies. 7 pm.
Congregation Emanu El presents Music at Emanu El: Acquired That Swing – American Huge Band Greats
If you happen to’re conversant in the expression, “It don’t imply a factor if it ain’t received that swing,” we’ve got an occasion proper up your alley. Congregation Emanu El will rejoice 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 massive 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 manner 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 Honest, the late ‘90s, female-centric, touring music pageant the place among 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 may launch music by yourself label and nonetheless acquire a loyal, huge 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 this present day. 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 practically 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 occurred 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 totally different shades of horny and a storyline that can fall right into a parallel world and find yourself surrounded by monstrous creatures with hidden abilities that amaze with the circus arts. The present consists of the Wheel of Demise, magic, and extra. Via 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, below 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 would possibly 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 exterior 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 Execs 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 at some point earlier with some Dolly-riffic festivities. There might be Dolly-themed cocktails, a Dolly and Jolene costume contest, dwell performances of Dolly’s traditional hits, and, beginning at 5 pm, photos with a Dolly Parton impersonator. Attendees who carry 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 moving into his awkward teen years. Based mostly on the third installment of the traditional saga, the thrilling story is accompanied by the music of a dwell symphony orchestra as Harry soars throughout the massive display screen. 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 rigorously 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. Via 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, effective eating operators Culinary Khancepts has received 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 areas might be handing out complimentary popcorn (Star Cinema could 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 occasion. Houstonians seeking to rejoice self-care, connection, and aware indulgence in 2025 are invited to toast the New 12 months with healthful, nourishing substances 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 take pleasure in a day full of pleasure. It would characteristic dwell performances all through the day from native favorites like Fundamental Avenue 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 may even be meals vehicles and MATCH concessions on-site. 1 pm.
