What’s Halloween without the well considered costumes that bust the spectrum wide open; from pumpkins to zombies to the hybrid costumes like zombie-pumpkins or vampire-nurses. Visit the land of the wild in whatever costume you choose this weekend at Something Wicked. Keep reading for more of this weekend’s best bets.
The Halloweening 666 at Walters Downtown
Friday, 7 p.m.
1120 Naylor
Of course, many of you will probably be heading to Walter’s for their Halloween show called The Halloweening. Featuring sets from some of Houston’s finest acts performing as other bands, the show should be one for the ages. It will be headlined by a set from Giant Kitty & Miears as Devo, alongside Rose Ette as Vevet Underground, a Minor Threat cover band, and many more. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and a $10 cover. For information, call 713-222-2679 or visit waltersdowntown.com. $10.
Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play at Obsidian Art Space
Friday, 8 p.m.
3522 White Oak Drive
After an apocalyptic pandemic has claimed many lives, a small group of survivors begins to entertain themselves — while still trying to figure out where “safe” is — by recalling on an episode of The Simpsons called “Cape Feare.” The transition The Simpsons take on in this new world from the first act to the third is one from pop culture to grand theater. “The third act is set 75 years in the future. The Simpsons have become like Shakespeare. “They’re not really the Simpsons anymore,” says Obsidian Theater’s Tom Stell, who will be directing his company’s production of the 2012 work by playwright Anne Washburn. If that sounds all a bit too weird for you, know that Ben Brantley of The New York Times called the play “downright brilliant.” For information, call 832-889-7837 or visit obsidiantheater.org. $20.
Feathers and Teeth at Spring Street Studios
Friday, 8 p.m.
1824 Spring
“The play is like a mash-up between Hamlet, a ’70s sitcom and a slasher movie,” says Mildred’s Umbrella Artistic Director Jennifer Decker of Feathers and Teeth. “It’s hilarious and horrifying in equal measure.” Written by Charise Castro Smith and directed by Mildred’s regular Jacey Little, the dark comedy deals with a teenage girl (the “wonderful” Maddie Calais) dealing with losing her mother to cancer. There’s a boy with a crush on her, and her dad has begun dating her late mother’s former nurse. For information, call 832-463-0409 or visit mildredsumbrella.com. $15 to $25.
2nd Annual Houston Egyptian Festival at Discovery Green
Saturday, 11 a.m.
1500 McKinney
Whether you’re staring up at the Chrysler Building in New York, checking your calendar to see if you can make brunch with an old friend or putting pressure on your hand after accidentally cutting yourself in the kitchen, you can thank the Egyptians. Learn all about Egyptian contributions to society – from 8,000 years of culture and traditions – all while enjoying food (with Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill, Dandanah Café and Grill, and Mediterraneo Market and Café on hand); the return of the 8th Wonder Brewery’s specially created Pharaoh’s Brew; enjoy camel rides and take a lesson in belly-dancing. For information, call 713-400-7336 or visit egyptfesthouston.com. Free to $10.
Sculpture Month Houston at SITE Gallery Houston
Saturday, noon
1502 Sawyer
We can’t get enough of the spooky, eerie silos over at Sawyer Yards, with their honeycomb of towers, moody lighting and echoing sound. It’s also the perfect space for “Tensile Strength,” a gizmo-heavy exhibit with local heavy hitters (Patrick Renner, Tommy Gregory, Joe Havel) and a few out-of-town superstars. Sculpture Month Houston is a two-for-one this year, with the artworks split into two the “dark, somber and somewhat ponderous” show at SITE Gallery and a more lighthearted show at Artscan titled “SNARE,” with a talking fish, an alien flower garden. For information, call 713-807-1836 or visit sculpturemonthhouston.org. Free.
Something Wicked at Sam Houston Race Park
Saturday, 3 p.m.
7575 N. Sam Houston Parkway
Something Wicked isn’t out here trying to reinvent the wheel. This year’s headliners are Above & Beyond, Marshmello, Tiësto and Zed’s Dead, all artists who’ve played the Houston festival scene a time or two already. And that’s fine, because they’re among the most interesting performers in EDM; give in to the moment and Above & Beyond may just make you cry, y’all. Add to that an under-card full of promise and the thousands of costumes that are typically involved when the festival isn’t being rained out, and you’ve got one of Houston’s most reliable festival tickets. For information, call 281-807-8700 or visit somethingwicked.com. $129.95.
Vampires and Vixens Ball at Spring Street Studios
Saturday, 9 p.m.
2000 Edwards
Ghoulish glamour is the term that comes mind when you think of this weekend’s ‘it’ party. Not to be confused with any other seasonal party, this event that is hosted by supermodel Charlotte McKinney will cater to those in the mood to play with the haunts of the season in style. Dress to nines for the decadent event with light bites and $5,000 winning cash prize for the costume contest. For information, call 281-402-6742 or visit vampiresandvixensball.com. $150 to $250.
Natalie de la Garza, Margaret Downing, David Garrick, Vic Shuttee and Susie Tommaney contributed to this post.
This article appears in Oct 19-25, 2017.