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Things To Do

Houston's Best Bets This Weekend: Battle of the Music Genres

It's Mr. Wonderful himself.
Photo by Marco Torres
It's Mr. Wonderful himself.
Tim McGraw, Faith Hilll, Action Bronson and Oscar de la Renta — well, maybe not Oscar himself, but the fashions in lieu of his presence — will certainly suffice for this star-studded weekend. Pick your poison between a country concert that packs two of country music's most beloved performers and the large and in charge Queens-based rapper Action Bronson, both happening this Friday night. The weekend carries on with a full itinerary to match; keep reading for this weekend's best bets.


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From treats to treasures, all will be available for purchase at this weekend's Original Greek Festival.
Photo by Chuck Cook
Original Greek Festival at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Cathedral
Friday, 11 a.m.
3511 Yoakum

Original Greek Festival co-chair Fote Demeris admits that after Harvey, the organizers considered postponing or even canceling the annual celebration of all things Greek, but “decided to keep it because it gives people an escape.” The festival will include everything from music to all your favorite treats on the menu, like spanakopita and gyros to baklava and kourambiedes — not to mention 20,000 shish kebabs — so it’s no surprise Demeris advises festival-goers to “come hungry.” Also, try zTrip; users who download the app will get a $25 credit from Yellow Cab. For information, call 713-536-5377 or visit greekfestival.org. Free to $25.

Leave the skinny pants and leather hats to Tim; you just need to show up ready to party.
Photo by Violeta Alvarez
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill at Toyota Center
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
1510 Polk

After launching the most successful country-music tour to date in 2006 and ’07, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are doing an encore as a sort of extended 20th-anniversary present to themselves — and their fans, of course. Houston is a late stop on this 65-date tour, a four-part program that sandwiches solo sets by each performer between the big-time duets — “I Need You,” “It’s Your Love,” new single “Speak to a Girl” — that made them country’s biggest first-name-only couple since George and Tammy, only with a much happier ending. For information, call 866-446-8849 or visit houstontoyotacenter.com $69.50 to $119.50.

Expect every view to be a good one when Action Bronson, known for using all parts of a venue, performs this Friday night.
Photo by Marco Torres
Action Bronson at Warehouse Live
Friday, 8 p.m.
813 Emanuel

Action Bronson is back. As are his words that make your mouth water, make you write off your ex and develop the Queens accent you never knew you had. This smart, sharp former chef will take the stage at Warehouse Live, adding to the venue's banging week by following SZA's knockout performance, which took place this past Tuesday. "Actin' Crazy," "Baby Blue" and "Easy Rider" are just a few of the big man's hits we know he'll deliver with a punch, but word to the wise: Don't show up hungry. His salacious words just might backfire should you show up with an empty stomach and an impressionable appetite. For information, call 713-225-5483 or visit warehouselive.com $35 to $40.

The Hippolotofus Home is back and ready to be seen on this year's Weird Home Tour.
Photo by Thanin Viriyaki Photography
Houston Weird Home Tours
Saturday, 10 a.m.
Open location

Spend a Saturday focusing on the odd and wacky when the second annual Houston Weird Homes Tour returns. The self-paced, self-driving tour will lead you through at least eight of the weirdest dwellings Houston has to offer, including Susie and Dirk Stronck's "Journey Through Time" house, boasting a collection that includes Egyptian, African and pre-Columbian artifacts and an original Lutheran Bible; art car artist Rebecca Lowe's hand-painted "House of Tree"; and "The Hippolotofus Home," owned by a hippo enthusiast and member of the Hippolotofus Society. Ten percent of the proceeds will go to local nonprofits fighting for affordable housing. For information, call 512-308-6215 or visit weirdhomestour.com. $30 to $50.


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With no fourth wall, you'll be left to decide the ending with those on and off the stage.
Photo courtesy of Obisidian Theater and Standing Room Only Productions
The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Obsidian Art Space
Saturday, 8 p.m.
3522 White Oak Drive

There’s orphans galore, picturesque names (Rosa Budd, Reverend Crisparkle) and a plot more labyrinthine than most modern spy novels. The Mystery of Edwin Drood is vintage Charles Dickens made all the more complicated by the fact that he never finished it. Enter Rupert Holmes in the mid-1980s, who wrote the book, music and lyrics; while maintaining the integrity of Dickens’s text, Holmes made judicious edits and turned it into a comic musical that went on to win five Tony awards, including Best Musical and Best Score. Obsidian Theater and Standing Room Only Productions are bringing the show to Houston, and Rachel Landon, who is directing, says audience members should know ahead of time that this is an immersive theater experience. For information, 832-889-7837 or visit obsidiantheater.org. $27.50 to $37.50.