Vampire Weekend, Tibetan Monks Making Mandalas, and a Heights Beer Party — the Best Things to do in Houston 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 — or two.

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

Night Court’s Law of the Jungle

It’s time to rethink the lawyer stereotype. If Elle Woods taught us anything, it’s that not all lawyers are constrained by the courtroom and the stitching of their suits.

This weekend, Friday August 16 and Saturday, August 17, you can get to know Houston’s lawyers in a fun and entertaining atmosphere, free of confusing legal jargon and strange Latin expressions. The city’s all-lawyer performing group called Night Court will be taking the stage at the Hobby Center for a comedic performance of Law of the Jungle II, a spinoff of the ’90s classic George of the Jungle.

The story will follow George as he journeys from the Law Library to the heart of the jungle, learning a host of lessons regarding ethics, law, and civics along the way. The production will feature classic songs from bands like Queen and Guns ‘n Roses, plus tunes from hit movies.

But Night Court is more than just a performance group – they’re a network of lawyers dedicated to service. Funds raised from Night Court’s annual musical comedy performances go towards charities around Houston that provides free legal services to those in need.

Tickets start at $31.05.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

Ray Darten Pop-Up Shop

Beautiful colors, timeless silhouettes, an air of elegance – Ray Darten does it all. But the designs of this brand are anything but ordinary.

Since 2016, Ray Darten has worked to showcase Nigerian culture and heritage through unique designs and accessories, thanks to the work of medical doctor-turned-designer Yetunde Olukoya. Ray Darten sources all of its fabrics from Nigeria, hires local Nigerians to hand make the clothes in an effort to help drive the country’s local economy, and serves the children of Nigeria through various education and health initiatives.

On Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18, River Oaks Shopping Center will be hosting a Ray Darten pop-up shop. Browse, shop, and select which pieces to take home with you, knowing that your contribution to fashion will reach far beyond West Gray.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

Eureka Heights 3rd Anniversary Party

The brewery named for the fault system that runs just below it will be celebrating its third anniversary this year, and it’s hard to imagine a more refreshing way to cool off this sizzling weekend.

While Eureka Heights Brew Co. offers an abundance of super fresh brews in cool little cans with funny names like “Mostly Harmless” and “Moo Caliente” at grocery stores across the city, help them celebrate big at their on-site day party (…darty).

The festivities will begin in the morning for those quick (and smart) enough to purchase the “Fancy Pants VIP tasting” tickets. These guests can expect a specially curated flight of barrel aged beers, plus an anniversary glass, open taps on Eureka’s regular beers until noon, birthday cake and more. Regular access to the party (“Normal Pants Party”) will follow, and will still be a heck of a good time, with 25 beers on tap, Korean inspired barbecue, birthday cake, live music and a piñata for smashing.

VIP tickets are $85.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

Vampire Weekend

The last blog-borne, late-’00s indie band standing took a six year hiatus since 2013’s lofty Modern Vampires of the City. In the meantime, lead singer Ezra Koenig wrote his own Netflix show, the anime-dramedy Neo Yokio, and he and partner Rashida Jones welcomed a child. Founding member Rostam Batmanglij left the band to pursue a solo career and produce other people’s records.

The result of six years of changes was this year’s winding, immersive Father of the Bride, an 18-song statement about fatherhood, children, commitment, settling into life at your mid-30s, and so on. It’s fantastic dad rock.

Vampire Weekend’s Saturday lawn show at White Oak Music Hall is officially sold out, but they released a batch of tickets not too long ago so if you’re hoping to go you should be able to find something. Doors open at 6:30 pm. -Matthew Ramirez

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

Tibetan Monks at Asia Society Texas Center

Back by popular demand, Asia Texas Society Center welcomes back the Tibetan Buddhist monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery in southern India. The five day residency consists of the monks constructing an incredible, sprawling and intricate sand mandala. The construction ritual is a mesmerizing spectacle, a construction project featuring millions of grains of sand painstakingly laid into place.

The ceremony began Wednesday, but intrigued guests can still witness the process all day Friday, from 10 am to 6 pm.

Saturday, August 17, from 12 pm to 4 pm, the public is invited out to use a traditional chakpur to contribute to a sand mandala. Also the Sacred Music Dance for World Healing gets underway, with a matinee at 2 pm and the full performance at 7 pm.

Finally on Sunday, starting at 10 am (with viewing hours beginning at 2 pm), the monks will dismantle the mandala, sweeping up the sand to be distributed to the audience, signifying the impermanence of life. Best of all, observing this unique and beautiful process is free.

The Site Lines exhibition will remain open through its last weekend, giving families one last chance to see it before it closes. -Matthew Ramirez

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.