5 Best Things to do in Houston This Weekend — From a Midtown Food Fest to Crazy Art Play

Houston weekends are packed full of events, but how many of them are truly worthy of your time? PaperCity’s new events calendar offers a curated look at all the best things to do in the area. But everyone can still use a guru.

PaperCity Weekend Gurus Matthew Ramirez and Virginia Reynolds cull our calendar for your weekend must dos in this weekly series.

Spice Up Your Restaurant Life

Raise your margarita glass to Dad this weekend, and treat him at any number of Latin-owned restaurants this Father’s Day Weekend. Latin Restaurant Weeks is (sadly) coming to a close this Sunday, June 16.

The two-week Latin-foodie event strives to bring awareness to the Latin-owned restaurants — including several under-the-radar spots worthy of more foodie love.

Besides specials that are offered at participating restaurants, LRW also hosts three signature events. The final event takes place this Saturday, June 15. La Sorpresa is a pop-up dinner with a five-course meal curated by Chef CJ Dilan at a secret location. That’s to say, they aren’t announcing the location until the day of. They’re serious when they say es una sorpresa.

A portion of Latin Restaurant Weeks proceeds will benefit the Hispanic Health Coalition, a local nonprofit dedicated to promoting the health of Houston’s Hispanic community through education, advocacy and research.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

Don’t Feel that #FOMO

Celebrate your inner child this weekend at The FOMO Factory, which has finally come to Houston. From the vision of native Texan Rachel Youens, this traveling immersive art play land is made up of the best, most Instagrammable, vibrantly colored, interactive spaces.

If you don’t Instagram the visit to the Factory, did you really even go to the Factory? Make your followers feel that #FOMO.

There are 17 themed spaces that will transport you back to your childhood – when responsibilities were few and worries were non-existent. The exhibit includes a rainbow seesaw, a ball pool, a giant sand castle, and even a room-sized coloring book to transport you back to those joyous and freedom-filled days.

The FOMO Factory is open now through December 31 in The Galleria. Tickets run $23 for adults, and $18 for kids.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

Food Fest

Houston knows how to dish out the tastiest bites, and this Saturday, June 15,  you can indulge in some of the city’s best food at the 2019 Houston Food Fest at Midtown Park. This year marks the event’s third year, and it’s sure to be a yummy afternoon.

There will be no shortage of food so if you’re unsure what your Saturday cravings may be –  tacos or gumbo? crepes or ice cream? – just get it all. All of it, Frank.

But this Food Fest isn’t just about the food. As you scarf down your snacks, you can partake in some fun activities, and enjoy live music from local bands. Bring a chair or a blanket to sit out with friends and enjoy this true summer celebration. Tickets start at $5.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

Hear from Artist Abhidnya Ghuge

The Asia Society Texas Center opened up the exhibit Site Lines: Artists Working in Texas back in April, and the one-of-a-kind works featured in the exhibit are a must-see. The exhibit is the first of its kind for the Center, as all the pieces are made by a number of locally-based Asian American artists.

The works include video, drawings, paintings, installations, and collages from artists Ambreen Butt, Beili Liu, Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba, Prince Varughese Thomas and Abhidnya Ghuge.

The Center is proud to welcome artist Abhidnya Ghuge on Saturday, June 15 for Artist Talk: Abhidnya Ghuge. The artist will discuss her particular works within the exhibit, which are made out of white paper plates printed using hand-carved woodblocks, and folded and placed in large frameworks of chicken wire. Through her truly unique and fascinating installations, Ghuge communicates a number of important life values and themes with visitors of the exhibition.

Tickets for Artist Talk are free for members, $8 for non-members, and $5 for seniors and students.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

You Are Enough

theythat present an art show that is urgent, timely and heralds the unheralded. Borne under the name Tenativ in 2014, Mich and J. Bilhan designed hybrid backpacks/tents in order to raise awareness about Houston’s homelessness crisis, particularly the young homeless. (They once organized a 150-mile walk from Houston to Austin in a partnership with Covenant House.)

The duo return with There is Enough for Everyone, a show spanning across media tackling the topic of scarcity as it exists in black and brown communities. The show, and the artists therein, engage in a dialogue of not simply “haves” and “have-nots,” but an examination of privilege and wealth amidst the backdrop of the most diverse city in the country.

Some artists worth seeking out: Stephen Wilson, a multimedia artist whose watercolors are amazing; the talented Sidney Mori, who appeared in the accompanying film to Solange‘s ode to Houston, When I Get Home; and stark photographer Cary Fagan. A few have made their way from New Orleans, Austin and other nearby cities.

“There is Enough for Everyone” opens Friday, June 14 at 6 pm and runs through Saturday, June 15 at 11 pm. Its location is in the East End: 5601 Navigation. It will be open every weekend at the spot through July 8. Donations of $20 are strongly encouraged.