It’s Easter weekend and whether you observe the holiday or not, there’s more than that going on in Houston if you’re looking for something to do. Check out the list below compiled by Modern HTX!
Photo by Filip Van Roe
Come see top dance companies from France, Belgium, Finland, Norway and the USA in Dance Salad Festival 2017! 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Continuing 7:30 p.m. April 14-15. Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas. For information, call 832-487-7041 or visit dancesalad.org. $19.50 to $52.50.Tickets www.dancesalad.org :$25-58. Also, join DSF’s kick off event: Choreographers’ Forum on April 12, 7PM @ Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Brown Auditorium, featuring one of the leading choreographers in Europe, American born Carolyn Carlson, with beautiful film of her work Inanna! Free event.
Photo by George Hixson
Mirror, mirror on the wall, what’s the most gruesome story of them all? It turns out those fairy tales didn’t go quite like the Disney movies suggest: Birds pecked out the eyes of Cinderella’s stepsisters, and Sleeping Beauty’s father raped her. That brings us to the other princess, Snow White, whom the Queen detested. In fact, she ordered the girl’s lungs and liver be delivered to her doorstep. How’s that for drama? For Catastrophic Theatre’s world premiere modern-day interpretation of this age-old story, director Greg Dean says, “[Snow White] lives with seven real-estate developers who make high-end baby food. They have a communal sexual setup there, and she is dissatisfied with everything. She’s experiencing an awakening.” Can’t wait to find out what happens next.8 p.m. Saturday. Also 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. April 7 through May 6. The Catastrophic Theatre, 3400 Main. For information, call 713-522-2723 or visit catastrophictheatre.com. Pay what you can; suggested price is $35.
Photo by Aaron Sprecher US Clay
It hasn’t happened in the National Football League or the National Hockey League. But it has during the last four U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships, where there’s been a different champ each year since 2013. Instead of a near-dynasty à la the New England Patriots or the Chicago Blackhawks, John Isner, Fernando Verdasco, Jack Sock and defending champion Juan Monaco have all won the tennis tourney. All return in this year’s field, which also includes Tommy Haas, the 38-year-old German veteran who was tops in 2004. The 2017 edition features ten participants who have posted up in the top 25 in their careers, as well as four players who have been anointed as “next gen” talent by the Association of Tennis Professionals.3 p.m. Monday. Also 10 a.m. April 8, 11 a.m. April 9, noon and 6 p.m. April 11-14, 1 and 6 p.m. April 15, 2 p.m. April 16. River Oaks Country Club, 1600 River Oaks. For information, call 713-527-0345 or visit mensclaycourt.com. $20 to $70.
Photo by Ron Mueck
Ron Mueck spent decades creating puppets, animatronics and models for film, television and advertising and — though his work (and voice of Ludo) are immortalized in the film Labyrinth — his career as a fine artist went stratospheric when he debuted a sculpture of his nude, lifeless father at two-third scale. At the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, we’ll view 13 of his hauntingly realistic figures from cradle to grave, warts and all, in “Ron Mueck.” Alison de Lima Greene, Isabel Brown Wilson curator of modern and contemporary art, borrows a page from Shakespeare to describe the appeal of his work. “From mewling infant to old age, it’s a common fascination. What unites us all is the fact that we have mortal frames.”12:15 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Continuing 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 12:15 to 7 p.m. Sundays. February 26 to August 13. 1001 Bissonnet. For information, call 713-639-7300 or visit mfah.org. Free to $18.
Photo by Jean C. Giallorenzo, courtesy of M. Fernández
The recently rediscovered and rehabbed underground Cistern at Buffalo Bayou Park lends itself to “Rain: Magdalena Fernández,” the debut exhibition inside the former water reservoir. The video installation by Fernández – a Venezuelan abstract-constructivist artist who has transitioned from sculptural works to digital media and animation – showcases a conceptual video projection entitled 2iPM009 that mimics a rain-soaked night and features a minimal musique concrète-like soundtrack. Starting with a geometric unit, she multiples the line exponentially and adds in light, sound and movement until the underground space feels like a rainy night sky. Hollywood SFX designers should take note: her raindrop sound comes from a cappella Slovenian choir members who snapped fingers, stomped heels, and slapped their hands against their legs. This time rain doesn’t come from the sky; it’s co-presented by Buffalo Bayou Partnership and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.3:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. December 10 through June 4. The Water Works, 105 Sabine. For information, call 713-752-0314 extensions 301 or 401, or visit buffalobayou.org. Free to $10.
The very first Mac & Cheese Fest in Houston will take place at Silver Street Studios, complete with over 50 restaurants vying for your vote of Houston’s Best Mac & Cheese by handing out unlimited samples and several Houston local beverage companies providing the adult refreshments. There will be music entertainment and games/activities to keep the fun moving quickly. This event will be as good as it sounds, so get your tickets soon!
The 2017 edition of 94.5 FM Buzzfest will feature performances by Godsmack, Breaking Benjamin, PVRIS, Highly Suspect, P.O.D., Red Sun Rising, The Unlikely Candidates, Toadies, Badflower, Dreamer, Missio, New Politics, Bleeker, and Filter.
The hunt is Over! On Sunday April 16, join us at Le Bistro from 10am for a springtime feast to celebrate Easter with your loved ones! Celebrate Easter with a Grand Brunch at Le Bistro. Menu will feature family style service plus Interactive Chef Stations for the whole family to enjoy. Bottomless Mimosas also available. Menu includes Eggs Benedict, Ribeye, Sweet and Savory Crepes, Seafood, Salmon, Cheese, Fruits, Waffles, lot of Desserts and more! Half Price for Kids of 12 or under and free under 5! $55 per person – 5 Chefs Stations included. Plus Tax, Gratuity & Beverage. Bottomless Mimosas $12 Additional Fee
Bring the whole family to the Orange Show Monument’s colorful maze as kids hunt for candy-filled eggs and, naturally, oranges. Stick around for the fifth annual Peeps Art Contest, where the marshmallow treats are transformed into everything from sculptures to creative dioramas.
Saturday, April 15. Hunt start time and Peep submission deadline: 11 a.m. $5 suggested donation per child. The Orange Show Monument, 2402 Munger St. orangeshow.org
Go wild at the egg-themed scavenger hunt throughout the zoo and spot—but please, don’t touch!—paper maché eggs hiding in the habitats of gorillas, lions, chimpanzees and more.
Saturday, April 15 from 9–3 p.m. Event included with zoo admission; $11.50–18. The Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Dr. 713-533-6500. houstonzoo.org