As we limp to the finish line in this presidential election, and while we're waiting to see if our battered and bruised country will be helmed by President Trump or President Clinton, let's pass these last few days of indecision with some fabulous free events in the Bayou City. Creativity is key, with workshops on clay, home brewing and filmmaking, plus we've got a healthy dose of outdoor activities: Midtown Mistletoe Market, a night festival with lanterns, a pop-up at Axelrad and a free concert at the James Turrell Skyspace. Keep reading for ten of our favorite events, and this week all of them are free! Check out the Houston Press calendar for even more things to do.
Vox Feminina VII, Laugh Lines
Fort Bend County Libraries - George Memorial Library
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Free
Pandora Theatre, a Houston-area community theater group featuring local artists, directors and actors, will present an original theater production of Vox Feminina VII, Laugh Lines as part of its annual celebration of the feminine spirit. It is performed in an outdoor amphitheater, which should be perfect for our cooler fall evenings. The seating is concrete, so bring cushions for comfort or lawn chairs on a limited first-come, first-served basis. Refreshments will be available for purchase to enhance your enjoyment of the cast’s portrayals of life’s moments that have contributed to our
Eric Dyer: Real-Time Zoetrope
Aurora Picture Show
7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Free
Zoetrope is an early form of motion picture projector using rotating, slit-windowed cylinders with pictures inside. Eric Dyer, the Baltimore artist responsible for the installation at Aurora Picture Show, will offer an artist talk and screening of some of his additional works at 8 p.m. Participants will see Dyer's Octopi come to animated life with the turn of a tiny crank.
Midtown Mistletoe Market
Bagby Park
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Free
Halloween is barely behind us and we don't really want to think about Christmas shopping, but a boutique-style outdoor market with great food, fine arts and works crafted by talented artisans sounds like a pleasant (and possibly productive) way to spend a Saturday. Join in for the first annual Midtown Mistletoe Market.
Hands-On Houston Family Festival: A Celebration of Clay
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Free
The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is hosting its sixth annual Hands-On Houston Family Festival. Local artists will conduct hands-on polymer and clay demonstrations for participants of all ages. Pendants, figurines and bisque-fired ornaments are just some of the items that will be molded from clay. Before or after crafting, you can view the fall exhibitions in the galleries. Local food trucks will be on site providing food and refreshments. Get your hands around some wet clay and mold some fun.
EastXWest Night Market Festival
Sun's Club, Inc.
11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Free
EastXWest organizers are bringing an open-air night market, a prominent part of life in many Asian countries, to Viet Hoa Plaza. This event was created to exhibit the cultures and bring together the Asian American communities of greater Houston. Booths will be filled with games, hands-on activities, food and shopping. Both traditional and modern live performances will take place on stages throughout the festival. Don’t miss the sky lantern release at 9 p.m.
