Sharks and an Atlanta Rap Superstar Shake Up Houston — the 6 Best Things to do This Weekend

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.

For All You 713-ers

Though I can’t necessarily relate to anything in the movie Sex and the City (except for my love for fashion), there is one scene in which I feel like Carrie Bradshaw and I are one. After suffering a heart-crushing breakup (spoiler alert), Bradshaw throws her beloved New York City flip phone into the water, and eventually has to get a new phone.

This split-second decision results in a catastrophic consequence: a new phone number with a “new” NYC area code. Gasp. Her heart breaks, and I can understand why.

Houston has its fair share of area codes (713/281/832/346), but this weekend will be one to celebrate the original. On Saturday, July 13 (7/13), Saint Arnold Brewing Company will be hosting a 713 Day Downtown Pub Crawl, starting and ending at Historic Market Square Park.

Before beginning the journey through Downtown, you will receive a punch card with a list of bars. With your card in hand, hit the road and make sure to stop at all the bars located on your card. If you make it to each bar, you’ll score a special Saint Arnold pint glass at the end of the event. Participating bars include Batanga Houston, Boots ‘n Shoots, Conservatory, Houston Flying Saucer and more. Following the crawl, enjoy live music entertainment from CAPYAC.

The Pub Crawl is free to attend.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

Support the Texas Restaurant Scene

Texas is known for going big, and this weekend will be no exception – especially for all you foodies out there. Picture an evening where some of Texas’ most beloved restaurants come together. All under one roof.

On Sunday, July 14, you can experience this foodie delight at the fifth annual Lone Star Bash at Minute Maid Park. The chefs, who are teaming up with Texas Restaurant Association, will have bites prepared for attendees, all in the name of celebrating and supporting the future of the restaurant industry.

Some of the chefs slated to attend the event are Jessica Paul and Ricardo Molina (Molina’s Cantina), Sharon Van Meter (Taco y Vino), Mari “The Angel Chef” (Dolce Affeto Patisserie) and Hollie Contreras (Cane Rosso) to name a few.

And what great Texas party would be complete without some good ol’ country music? Kyle Park, who hails from Leander, will be providing live music for the evening.

Tickets are $60, with VIP tickets running $150.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

Anything For Selena

All About Sharks

People love sharks. And that’s most notable around this time of year when Discovery’s Shark Week is just around the corner (premiering July 28 and running through August 4). I mean, I get it – learning about your favorite, scary, oceanic creatures from the comfort of your home rather than in the ocean is ideal.

While you could certainly wait patiently for Shark Week to air, I recommend you get a head start and head to Shark Day at the Downtown Aquarium this Sunday, July 14. That way, you’ll have all the shark facts ready to throw out at those Shark Week viewing parties we know you’ll be hosting or attending.

The shark-central day will include all sorts of activities at the aquarium. You can meet shark divers, participate in a Q&A panel, get crafty with shark arts and crafts, and more.

Tickets are $12.99 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $9.99 for kids.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

A Lot (to talk about concerning 21 Savage)

Three years ago, when Atlanta rapper 21 Savage burst into the national consciousness, he was a purveyor of horror-rap, with a dead-eyed, monotone flow that spoke of the graphic ills of drug dealing and life on the streets with an unsettling sense of calm. By 2018, on his third full-length record, I am > I Was, 21 Savage abandoned most of the tropes of his early music on a record of vibrant street and conscious rap brought to life by a newfound strain of non-corny positivity.

Then, early this year, a shocking arrest by ICE in Atlanta the day his hometown played host to the Super Bowl made him a pariah. Timed for maximum news coverage, cemented by ICE’s attempted character assassination – “[His] whole public persona is false. He actually came to the U.S. from the United Kingdom as a teen and overstayed his visa” – curiously came days after he criticized the agency on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show.

It was not hard to put it all together and wonder aloud if 21 Savage’s anti-government (“been through some things but I can’t imagine my kids stuck at the border, and Flint still need water”) lyrics made him a target.

21 Savage has become a vital artist, the rare rapper who unites the streets with radio listeners alike. He’s in town this Friday, July 12, at the lawn at White Oak Music Hall. Fellow Georgian Young Nudy, fresh off his excellent dadaist mixtape with Pi’erre Bourne, opens. Gates open at 6:30 pm; tickets start at $49.50. – Matthew Ramirez

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

713, to the 281, Yeah I’m Ridin’

Axelrad, the bustling beer garden on the precipice of Midtown, is celebrating 7/13 day in grand Houston fashion. Indie scene mainstays Wild Moccasins will headline a showcase alongside lo-fi up-and-comers Mind Shrine, with a DJ set from Houston dream-pop auteur Pearl Crush. A comedy set, food trucks and more round out the 21-and-up-only festival. The function gets underway at 8 pm and goes through the night. Free. -MR

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.