Follow the yellow brick road, even if it’s technically not a road but more of an intricately created display of colorful fringe and tassels that hang up above. It’s Arcade, a whimsical installation on view now through November 15 at Discovery Green; and keep reading for more of this weekend’s best bets.
Arcade at Discovery Green
Friday, All day
1500 McKinney
Downtown Houston is about to get a little cooler. Literally. A new art installation will provide both colorful beauty and some very welcomed shade to the outdoor park and events hub. Texas-based duo The Color Condition is building three separate installations, collectively titled Arcade, for the public area between Discovery Green and the George R. Brown Convention Center. The group will create the art from strips of tablecloths, shower curtains and painters’ drop cloths. “We wanted an installation that would have [a] longer shelf life, that could sustain the rain and could provide shade. So this ticked off all those boxes,” says Discovery Green’s marketing manager, Ren Mitchell. For information, visit discoverygreen.com or grbhouston.com. Free.
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’80s Movie Night Trivia at Saint Arnold Brewery
Friday, 7 p.m.
2000 Lyons
Either you love the ’80s or you hate the ’80s, but what common ground unites both sides of the debate is a good old fashioned costume and trivia party. Test your wits about the decade that included Mr. T, Madonna, Anthony Michael Hall and Houston’s own beloved, Patrick Swayze. Speaking of which, this trivia night lands right on Swayze’s birthday so costumes in homage are very welcomed. Lace up your neon colored leggings and tease that hair up high, it’s ’80s night at Saint Arnold Brewery. For information, call 713-686-9494 or visit facebook.com/events. Free.
J. Cole at Toyota Center
Friday, 8 p.m.
1510 Polk
Jermaine Cole is averse to the idea of fame. He’s famous, mostly for being an artist who endured student loans to release a few breakthrough mixtapes drenched with observations about the world in general and how it shaped him. Being someone who engages thought and attempts to change the narrative does. His current tour has yielded no big guests; its most striking image is Cole walking out in full prison garb, hair locked in a dreaded Afro and demeanor quite stoic. Cole raps about attempting to achieve a normal life while being low-level famous. He may have achieved this in some small part, but, as a multiplatinum-selling rapper, he’ll never go back to being anonymous. Life, regardless of hits like as “Lights Please,” “Crooked Smile” and “Deja Vu,” won’t allow it. For information, call 844-466-8849 or visit houstontoyotacenter.com. $29.50 to $125.50.
2017 Houston Food Fest at Hermann Square Park
Saturday, Noon
900 Smith
Houston has a healthy appetite, there’s no denying that, however picking where to satisfy that is where it gets problematic. Are you in the mood for Indian, Chinese, how about Mexican add to that the bevy of new restaurants on your own “must-taste-list”; picking where to chow down though just got a bit simpler thanks to the Houston Food Fest. Only in it’s first year, but with more than 50 vendors to taste from and ten hours to digest it all you’ll be able to taste those restaurants you’ve been dying to try. For information, visit houstonfoodfest.com. $5 to $75.
Bingo Night Hosted by Houston Coogs Aquatics Team at The Heights Villa
Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
3600 Michaux
Four corners, vertical, horizontal diagonal even, be clear on the rules first but than know that in bingo there’s plenty of ways to win and that’s what will keep you going back for another round. This Saturday the Houston Coogs Aquatics Team will host their own bingo night before the school year starts. They’ll have food and drink available for purchase and even adult drinks for those interested in amping up their bingo night. Your entry fee buys you ten games and one blackout round, pack your lucky totem — the $700 cash prize depends on it. For information, facebook.com/events. $25 to $35.
Flea by Night at Discovery Green
Saturday, 6 p.m.
1500 McKinney
Parents and families often wonder what to do on a Friday that’s cool, kid-friendly and affordable. Consider this: an outdoor market at Discovery Green on a summer evening when the night is cooling and the breeze settles in. Summer nights are fleeting; enjoy this part of the season where your kids can play on the playground, but mom and dad can still feel a part of Houston’s energy, no baby sitter needed. Local artists and food trucks will set up shop this month’s Flea by Night at Discovery Green. For information, visit facebook.com/events. Free.
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots Pre-Season Game at NRG Center
Saturday, 7 p.m.
One NRG Park
Who cares if the starters might only play a quarter or two — or maybe just a handful of snaps? It’s officially the return of football when the Houston Texans host the New England Patriots in the Texans’ preseason home opener. Brock Osweiler is out of here, leaving Tom Savage and rookie Deshaun Watson to battle it out for the starting QB position, and J.J. Watt will test his superhero-esque motor that suffered through two back surgeries, all of which means that this game matters quite a bit for the hometown heroes. For information, call 832-667-2002 or visit houstontexans.com. $44 to $349.
Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics at Minute Main Park
Sunday, 1:10 p.m.
501 Crawford
With the Houston Astros humming along with the help of future legends Dallas Keuchel, José Altuve and Carlos Correa (though he’s injured at the moment), it’s easy to forget about the old-school VIPs. Fans attending the final contest of the ’Stros’ Legends Weekend series against division rival Oakland Athletics can pick up a 1997 National League Central Division championship replica pennant, presented by Houston Methodist. For information, call 713-259-8000 or visit astros.com. $9 to $95.
Sweet Charity at EaDo Playhouse
Sunday, 5 p.m.
2619 McKinney
EaDo Playhouse’s show Sweet Charity lets you be a big spender without dishing out a lot of dough. The musical is set in 1960s New York, where we meet Charity Hope Valentine, a woman who puts the “hopeless” in “hopeless romantic.” The unlucky-in-love starlet bounces from one relationship to the next, each one more tragic than the one before. Executive director Luke Hamilton says the show “poignantly points out that if you don’t change what you’re looking for, you’re going to end up in the same place. It’s a tragically beautiful message that hits home with the show and the audience.” Bob Fosse’s Tony Award-winning choreography is the cherry on top for this night on the town. For information, call 832-210-5200 or visit eadoplayhouse.com. $25.
Sam Byrd, Brandon Caldwell and Steve Jansen contributed to this post.
This article appears in Aug 10-16, 2017.