Parading Poodles

SUN 2/22

The four-legged members of your family deserve a chance to get in on the Mardi Gras action, too. This weekend pet owners will coax their animal companions into costume, then persuade those canines -- plus a few cats, birds, potbellied pigs and horses -- to trot along (with stops for the occasional tinkle) in the annual Barkus & Meow Parade. The animals will be followed by the Munchkins Parade, featuring marching bands, kids on floats and bead-throwing. People line up early to see both of these Mardi Gras traditions, which locals still consider the most fun. Parades start on the south side of Broadway and proceed north along 25th Street to Mechanic Street. To enter your pet in the parade, it must have a leash, plus tags or proof of shots. Krewe of Barkus & Meow Parade: 1 p.m. Avenue M at 25th Street; Krewe of Munchkins Parade: 2 p.m. Avenue N at 25th Street. Sunday, February 22. Galveston. Free ($20 noon registration to enter your pet in Barkus parade). -- Greg Barr

Early Works

Attention aspiring Spielbergs, kindergarten- through high school-age: It's time to wrap production on your latest masterpiece, cut it to ten minutes or shorter and submit it (in VHS format) to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's Young Moviemakers Showcase. Winning entries will get a screening in the state-of-the-art Brown Auditorium Theater in April. All you have to do now is work on your acceptance speech. Entry deadline: noon, Friday, March 5. For information, call 713-639-7530 or visit www.mfah.org. -- Lisa Simon Truth Will Out THU 2/19

Figures from black history are sitting down this week for an imagined chat. In Harriet Tubman Meets Sojourner Truth, the two great women, played by Melissa Waddy-Thibodeaux (pictured above) and Gayle Abbs, will share some strong words (and music) about Civil War times, the Underground Railroad and the enduring importance of reading. 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 19. MECA's Dow School Campus, 1900 Kane, 713-782-7738. $5. -- Lisa Simon