Look, it's Black Friday (and dark gray Saturday and Sunday, or whatever they call the rest of the weekend), and if you aren't going shopping or to the movies or fighting with relatives, what else is there to do? We've come up with a few suggestions. And they all have the advantage of being free.
For Friday, enjoy Disco on Ice at the St. Joseph Medical Center's ICE at Discovery Green. If the weather cooperates and all the water-freezing gear holds up, Discovery Green's Kinder Lake will be transformed into a frozen pond. Disco on Ice is one of the many special events scheduled for the ICE during the holiday season (various DJs spin tunes during the skating sessions). Yes, some folks will venture out on the ice (there's a $10 fee for that), but the real fun is people-watching and enjoying the music and festive atmosphere for free (which, we might add, does not involve falling on your butt every few minutes).
7 to 10 p.m. 1500 McKinney. For information, visit www.discoverygreen.com or call 713-400-7336. Free.
On Saturday, the place to be is the Rock the Lot! Rock Box Reunion Celebration at Aerosol Warfare. Three exhibits have just opened at the urban art/street art gallery, the "ARTifacts" installation (a 20-year retrospective of the gallery's shows and artists), the "Stick "Em Up!" poster show (posters and photographs from the artists in the upcoming documentary film Stick 'Em Up!), and "The Recruits," (an exhibit by the gallery's most appreciated "warheads). GONZO247, Alex Luster, Give UP, Stick 'Em Up!'s producers and lots of others will be at the opening reception/reunion/party. There's a performance by Urban Movement and tunes will be provided by Gracie Chavez, Squincy Jones, DJ Trainwreck and others. UCTC Radio will broadcast live from the gallery. It's a family-friendly happening that benefits The Art Project, Houston. Rock the Lot! is free, but you can score VIP tickets (which get you a limited edition Aerosol Warfare poster, drinks and admission to a pre- and post-event party) by donating art supplies and other items on The Art Project's wish list.
7 to 11 p.m. 2110 Jefferson. For information, please visit www.aerosolwarfare.com or call 832-748-8369.
On Sunday, the best option for free entertainment is the 10th Annual Holiday Market with Santa Claus at Traders Village. Kids can slip Santa their wish list for the holidays or get their picture taken with the big guy. Everyone can enjoy holiday music and seasonal decorations while you stroll through the market. Window shopping for holiday gifts is encouraged, but the only Holiday Market requirement is to have fun.
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through December 18. 7979 North Eldridge Road. For information, visit www.tradersvillage.com/houston or call 281-5500.
