This one’s for the grown ups. That one day in the school year where you, your classmates and maybe even the faculty let loose in the schoolyard. Fast forward to adulthood where we’ve lost the recess and faculty but our competitiveness and strength have reached their peak. Channel it all at Grown Up Games this Saturday at HTX Sports Creek and keep reading for more of this weekend’s best bets.
RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked The World at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Friday, 7 p.m.
1001 Bissonnet
Rock and roll’s mixed-race background has been crucial to its musical innovations and decorum-defying popular appeal since the beginning. In an unfortunate bit of irony, however, the achievements of musicians with Native American ancestry, such as Charley Patton and Mildred Bailey, have often been glossed over at best. Named for the devastating 1958 instrumental by Link Wray — the half-Shawnee guitarist whose thick metallic sound was a key influence on the MC5, Pete Townshend and Slash (among others) — Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana’s 2017 documentary RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World attempts to set the record straight, at full volume, through interviews with The Band’s Robbie Robertson, Little Steven Van Zandt, Rolling Stone’s David Fricke and many others. For information, call 713-639-7300 or visit mfah.org. $7 to $9.
Rooftop Party- Salsa and Bachata Mixer at Atlas Pub
Friday, 8 p.m.
5102 Washington
The evenings are finally cooling down, but leave it to Houston to bring back the sizzle. Whether you’re a salsa or bachata aficionado or looking to learn a few moves Latin Dance Factory is packing it all. Learn the moves with bachata class at 8 p.m., salsa class at 9 p.m. and a dance all around. There’s more to to be heard and danced to than Despacito and for that Latin Dance Factory continues to look for it’s next hot venue to continue the nomadic dance party. For information, visit facebook.com/events/477140642644321/. $10 to $15.
The Morning After at Bayou City Event Center
Saturday, 11:30 a.m.
9401 Knight
Even if you’ve been partying all night and your mouth tastes sort of furry, come on out for hair-of-the-dog bloodies, bottomless bites and plenty of people-watching. Austin mixologists Bloody Revolution are challenging revelers to make the perfect cocktail using one of their gourmet mixes as a base — original, roasted garlic, rib eye with Worcestershire, habanero, pickle zest or wasabi ginger — then garnish to taste. VIP tix get you a 30-minute head start. For information, visit brunchthemorningafter.com. $35 to $75.
Grown Up Games at HTX Sports Creek
Saturday, 11 a.m.
2619 Polk
Coming up with your team name was only half the fun at field day, deciding what flavor of Gatorade you would take was a close second though. Relive the fun of field day at Grown Up Games this weekend where teams of six will link up in Giant Speed Jenga, Don’t Touch the Lava Race and a giant inflatable obstacle course. The winning team will earn the title of Recess Royalty and of course all the bragging rights in town. For information, visit grownupgames.fun. $37.92 to $211.99.
Burtonesque at Hardy & Nance Street Studios
Saturday, 3 p.m.
902 Hardy
Tim Burton’s distinct cinematic style leaps right off the movie screen and sticks in the audience’s imagination, so it makes complete sense that he inspires many other visual artists. Just in time for Halloween, glimpse works inspired by the Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe-winning director of Batman, Beetlejuice and Corpse Bride at East End Studio Gallery’s Burtonesque: 2nd annual Tim Burton tribute. “It’s all very diverse. You’ll see a lot of painted artwork and fine art. It ranges from popster realism and sculptures, to wall art and LED pieces,” says show curator Blue 130. It elicits “a feeling of a dark whimsy. [It’s] creepy and melancholy but fun and whimsical.” For information, visit eestudiogallery.com. Free.
Oktoberfest at Texas Renaissance Festival
Sunday, 9 a.m.
21778 Farm-to-Market Road 1774
By royal decree, it’s time once again for the Texas Renaissance Festival, which is entering its 43rd year. The extravaganza’s opening weekend is a journey back to old Bavaria with the best of the “wurst” and beer. The King and Queen will greet guests at the front gate at 8:45 a.m. before firing the village cannon to open the day’s festivities; each evening will close with Royal Fireworks. “We have traditionally opened with an Oktoberfest-themed weekend because it is a traditional European event which people love and also is part of this area’s German heritage,” says RenFest spokesman Travis Bryant. Besides the ever-popular turkey legs, events suited to the theme include polka dancing, costume contests and a Bratwurst-eating competition. Huzzah! For information, visit texrenfest.com. Free to $30.
Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium
Sunday, Noon
1 NRG Park
Houston’s current team meets its former team, but bad blood isn’t the only draw for this Houston Texans-Tennessee Titans matchup at NRG Stadium. These teams are regarded as the two most likely to vie for the AFC South championship; Tennessee is even considered a dark-horse Super Bowl contender by some. Led by quarterback Marcus Mariota and running back DeMarco Murray, the Titans rely on a healthy mix of passing and running in one of the more balanced offenses in the league. The Texans, meanwhile, have turned to rookie quarterback DeShaun Watson to get the team’s offense on track. “The thing about DeShaun is he doesn’t get nervous…and I see that, so I don’t really concern myself too much about (inexperience),” said Texans head coach Bill O’Brien at his weekly press conference. Both teams look to make an early-season statement in a big division matchup. For information, call 832-667-1400 or visit houstontexans.com. Tickets are technically sold out, but start at around $50 on a number of secondhand-ticket sites.
Sam Byrd, Chris Gray, Clint Hale and Susie Tommaney contributed to this post.
This article appears in Sep 21-27, 2017.