James Harden’s Weekend, Gerrit Cole’s Wine Extravaganza and Music Stars — the Best Things to do in Houston

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 — or two.

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

Clay Walker in Concert

Houstonians love to love Clay Walker. And it’s not hard to see why. Between his Texas swagger, canted cowboy hat, and intoxicating way with music, the legendary country singer can never, and has never, done us wrong. And he continues to set our hearts ablaze with every National Anthem sung at professional sports events.

Walker has a way of adapting to new generations of country music listeners, all while maintaining his genuine and authentic country sound. His long awaited 2019 album Long Live the Cowboy is a perfect blend of new and old sounds that can bridge the gap between old fans and new ones. His cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” that appears on the album is a surprising masterpiece.

This Friday, August 23, you can see Clay Walker live in concert at Arena Theatre. Dust off your boots and grab your cowboy hat for what is sure to be a sensational, down-home-country concert.

Tickets start at $45.50.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

Theater District Open House

As much as I personally dread the impending end of August (life without summer is unimaginable), the closing days of the summer months and the arrival of a new season do signal a host of fresh occasions and events for our city.

Of the many wonderful things Fall brings us here in Houston (with foliage not being one of them), one of the most exciting is the opening of the 2019-20 arts season. Between the Houston Ballet, the Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Symphony, and others, there’s a lot to look forward to as we flip our calendars from August to September.

On Sunday, August 25, head Downtown to help celebrate this upcoming 2019-20 performing arts season for the much-anticipated TC Energy Theater District Open House. The free event will be a one-day opportunity to check out Houston’s performing arts organizations in a fun festival format. The Open House will take place at venues throughout the Theater District, and will include snacks from local food trucks, a street fair with art activities, plus behind-the-scenes experiences, classes with the Houston Ballet, a concert from the Houston Symphony, and more.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

Uncork for a Cause

I often catch myself finding any excuse to buy wine. I appreciate a good stroll through Spec’s or a a casual mosey down the aisles of Total Wines. Though I’m not sorry I love wine, I think my bank account is.

If you’re the type that appreciates good wines and loves to eat good food, this Sunday, August 25 will be a dream come true. Houston Astros ace Gerrit Cole and his wife, Amy Cole, will be hosting their third annual Uncork for a Cause charity event, and you can bet there will be an incredible selection of fine wine and delicious food at this not-to-be-missed occasion.

But it’s not just about the special menu (created by chef Chris Shepherd) and list of premium wines (more than 30 from Napa Valley and beyond) at this special event. The Coles will be joined by Astros teammates and spouses, as well as some special guests, to help raise money for No Kid Hungry, which works to provide children with good meals throughout the year, both at school and during the summer months.

The event will feature live and silent auctions with some incredible prizes. Tickets to the charity bonanza start at $350.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

Mogwai

Scottish post-rock legends Mogwai regularly hit Houston to satisfy the band’s group of devoted  fans. Mogwai don’t really have a calling card album or song, instead it’s their depth of work that earns them a hardcore following. Spread across soundtracks, scores, EPs, and full-lengths, the band has amassed a vast catalog that has a little something for everyone (at least anyone with a nominal interest in sorta avant-garde rock music outside the window of pop).

They’ve never really had an Explosions in the Sky-esque breakout, but they’ve also never compromised their sound, three decades into their storied career. (Don’t worry, they won’t become evil if they touch water.)

See them this Thursday, August 22, at White Oak Music Hall. Doors open at 7:30 pm; tickets $22. -Matthew Ramirez

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

James Harden Weekend

James Harden has just finished one of the most statistically impressive offensive seasons of all time, on par with Michael Jordan during his peak years. About a month or so before training camp opens, Harden now has a weekend to call his own: the third annual JH-Town Weekend takes over starting Friday, August 23, with a special concert at Revention Music Center.

Doors open at 6 pm, with the show beginning at 7 pm. Tickets are just $20. (The performers are being kept secret, but I’m told these artists could sell out the Toyota Center easily.)

That’s followed by a comedy show at A.D. Players at The George Theater Saturday, but the main event is the softball tournament Sunday, at the University of Houston’s Schroeder Park. Scheduled to play are Harden’s new teammate Russell Westbrook, Travis Scott, Meek Mill, and more yet to be announced.

The first 3,000 people who show get in free. The game gets underway at 1 pm. –Matthew Ramirez

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.