Houston Pride was wild. Between Pride, the mental health discussion at 14 Pews, Lake Street Dive, In the Heights, and Dpat on Saturday night, I was exhausted by the time Sunday came around. Didn’t even make it to yoga but I think it was raining anyway. Here’s what’s coming up this week!  

Thursday, June 30: Satchel Paige and the Kansas City Swing opens through July 31 at The Ensemble Theatre. The Waxaholics are bringing Harlem DJ Large Professor to their weekly (and lively) party at Alley Kat. Entry is free with RSVP. Kaleidoscope Houston’s new free monthly networking series for creatives, Tales of the Creative: Meet | Mix | Mingle, kicks off at The Flat with photographer and DJ Jay Tovar aka Third World TV spinning. If you care about Star Wars The Force Awakens will be screened at Miller Outdoor Theatre beginning at 8:30pm. If you appreciate the movie Stepbrothers like I do you’ll be at Axelrad for the Catalina Wine Mixer starting at 7pm. Or you can just listen to this new mix that just came out.

Friday, July 1: The free Movies at Miller [Outdoor Theatre] series continues with Jurassic World and it starts at 6pm. The Houston Symphony starts two days of Raiders of the Lost Ark screenings at Jones Hall backed by the live orchestra! Tickets start at $30 and it begins at 7:30pm. I saw Star Trek backed by the Symphony and had a great time. Local comedian Chase DuRousseau will be headlining Haywire! at Midtown Bar & Grill for only $5 starting at 10pm. I promise he’s not that corny in person. Singer LeeLonn (I mentioned him in my FreshDark Fest review) is hosting The LeeLoon Soiree: a party and merch release at Skol’s Casbar & Grille. Entry is $5 and it starts at 11pm but will probably go a little late.

Saturday, July 2: Interested in yoga and supporting local black nonprofits? Folklore Films is benefiting from donations for the BIG + RAD class at the lovely (outdoor) Axelrad Beer Garden. $10 suggested donation and byom (bring your own mat). Praia Urbana electronic music festival continues its 10 year anniversary celebration at Last Concert Cafe with a whole slew of artists that I couldn’t begin to tell the quality of but tickets are $33 and it begins at 2pm. The Tre Chic pop up event at BlueOrange Gallery is sure to be fun with food, champagne, jewelry, and showings of Lemonade and Prince’s Under the Cherry Moon. Tickets are only $20 and it starts at 6pm. Houston millenial festival Mindsets is taking place at Lo-Fi and seeking to build a community of like-minded individuals through body painting, music, live art, and food trucks all starting at 5pm.

Sunday, July 3: The Clutch City Bhangra Competition at Revention Music Center will be an exciting dance competition with tickets starting at $18 and the event beginning at 6pm. If you buy tickets at one of the local spots you avoid the wild Live Nation fees.

Monday, July 4: There’s all kinds of parades and whatnot. Personally I’m not invested because (1) I’m Black and (2) I’ll be out of town. Go to a cookout, hang out with family/friends, and enjoy your day off!

Tuesday, July 5: Recovery day from the bad (but memorable) decisions I’m sure you made on the 4th.

Wednesday, July 6: Weekly happy hour Sundown at The Grove continues with their craft beer and food pairings. They also have wine for the uninitiated and tickets are $20.

Thursday, July 7: The opening reception for Spring Street Studios exhibition Visual Voices begins at 6pm. The exhibit is open through September 17. Anyone interested in presenting at one of the SXSW festivals should check out the PanelPicker Best Practices Meet-up that includes a free drink starting at 6:30pm. Local comedy promoter The Secret Group is having their inaugural weekly Satellite Annex show at Avant Garden with no cover and super cheap drinks (possibly even free ones!).

RSVP now: Chance the Rapper is coming October 15. Startup Weekend is July 22-24 (build something awesome!). Emily King and PJ Morton will be here July 26. And you should really check out Station Museum’s new exhibit, Parallel Kingdom.

That’s pretty much it for this week. There are concerts going on but honestly I’m not too excited about them. Stay in the loop with these and more at merlexpicks.com!