Last week was so much fun! I saw LinManuel Miranda’s In The Heights (you should too), went to a screening of Loving,  Lots to do this week. For a shortened list check out my I Don’t Do Clubs Top Ten Events post for this week! Also shout out to all the people who went to In The Heights with me especially Courtney for the plug! A couple opportunities coming up for readers including a Queen of Katwe screening Wednesday and a SoulCycle class next Sunday (RSVP now). My new mindfulness app MindRemind launched on Monday and it’s going well so far! And for those wondering what I actually do I wrote about it here.

Thursday, September 15

Trap Thursday at Scrappy Brown’s at 7pm. To be honest I’m mainly just putting this here for the TRAP PLATE which consists of the Scrappy Burger, a Fried Lobster Tail, and Truffle Fries for $25. Aside from that and happy hour from 5-7 pm, any other detail is superfluous.  In Good Company at Leonel Castillo Neighborhood Center at 6pm. This monthly informal gathering of change-makers over light bites sounds like a good time. I’ll make it there soon.  ZIN & Folklore Films presents, Porch Stories is a a documentary that focuses on the life experiences of elders living in the famous Third Ward, a predominantly Black neighborhood in Houston. This screening has special importance because it continues the work of the late ZIN, a beloved figure in the community. The Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour is coming to the Toyota Center. Need I say more? Lyric Michelle is hosting #SIPANDDRIP2 “Art w/ a Soundtrack”  at Sharespace at 8pm. Advance tickets are only $6 for the event that includes free drinks.  Satellite Group Secret Annex #11 at AvantGarden at 9pm. Check it out. Eat some tacos, drink some Topo Chico, and have fun! For those not doing the Bad Boy Reunion concert (or for those with enough stamina for an afterparty) head to the Thursday night Waxaholics party at Alley Kat for a Bad Boy tribute.

Friday, September 16

Eat. Drink. Art. At Houston Museum of African American Culture at 6pm. If you missed out on the RSVP it’s too bad, but those who caught it will get a free preview of the new exhibit while also meeting the new CEO!  Hispanic Heritage Month Art Show opening reception at East End Studio Gallery at 6pm. Exploring how Latinx-Americans have contributed to US culture. Frida Kahlo: Entre el Dolor y el Placer at University of Houston at 7pm. This award-winning documentary about Frida Kahlo is part of a series about important figures in Mexican art. All Access Art Show at The HESS Club at 7pm. They’ll have live music and art, a selfie booth, and food!  Riders Against the Storm at The Nightingale Room at 9pm. This Austin couple will give you a bit of an Afropunk vibe in this free show!

Saturday, September 17

Houston Black Heritage Music & Arts Festival is at Discovery Green starting at 4pm! Tickets are only $25 and singer Monica is performing! Houston African-American Faith-Based Mental Health Conference at Windsor Village KBC at 8am. This all-day conference will look at how black churches can support community wellness. Veuve Clicquot & Fried Chicken at Lee’s Fried Chicken & Donuts starting at 11am. The title says it all. The Fable of the Ancient Children and Other Stories at DiverseWorks at 6pm. Local dancers and musicians will be performing with inspiration from fairytales and fables. The exhibit opening for Tribute: Women Artists of the African Diaspora at Deborah Colton Gallery starts at 6pm. I’ll be there. Some of the artists from last week’s Unapologetic will be showing other pieces.

Sunday, September 18

The DopeART Show [Farewell Summer Edition] at The Engine Room at 6pm. Check out Houston poets, singers, and painters. Tickets are $17. Author and historian Mary Beard will be at Christ Church Cathedral at 7:30pm. The $18 ticket included a signed copy of her book and admits two people. I find her really interesting so I’ll be there.

Monday, September 19

Innovation Week at Leonel Castillo Community Center kicks off at 9am. This free 3-day conference is for entrepreneurs and anyone else interested in innovation. It runs through Wednesday, September 21.

Tuesday, September 20

If you love animals and are even remotely interested in tech (you’re reading this online so you’re included) you should check out Sketch City’s Animal Tech Night at Leonel Castillo Community Center. They’ll be thinking up solutions to animal issues throughout the city starting at 5pm. And free pizza! Connect and Create by Go Savvy at Café Brasil at 5:30pm. It’s a networking mixer for professionals and artists.  Kanye’s Best at Barbarella at 9pm. They’ll be playing all Kanye and G.O.O.D. music all night!

Wednesday, September 21

DiverseWorks is holding a curator’s tour of Pablo Helguera’s The Fable is to Be Retold at 6pm. Helguera is combining various art forms to examine the “social and cultural function of conventional teaching and memory systems.” Lupita Nyong’o’s Queen of Katwe screening is at 7:30pm at AMC Gulf Pointe 30 (it’s a hike). I have some passes! Sign up here to see it for free before it’s released. Chicago rapper Alex Wiley will be at Walter’s Downtown with a bunch of other acts supporting at 9pm for only $15 in advance.

Thursday, September 22

Latina Power: The Next Generation of Activism/Activists is a lunchtime panel discussion at the University of Houston at 11:30am. It’s $10 to the public which includes lunch. Black and Brown is not a Crime at TSU at 6:30pm talks about the need to include the fight against HIV criminalization and stigma into #BlackLivesMatter. Houston rapper Fat Tony is having a DJ set at Arlo’s Ballroom at 10pm. If you can stay out a little (actually a lot) late it’ll be worth it.

RSVP now:

Josephine Baker: A Personal Portrait on September 30 and basically the entire Da Camera season. This Edward Tufte one-day data visualization course on October 12 comes highly recommended. I have no idea who might be interested in this but just in case here it is. Houston African Diaspora Museum Tour on September 24 should be interesting. Raise The Macallan whisky tasting still has a few slots left September 28-30. Jump on it now! James Blake with Moses Sumney at the House of Blues on September 24. You may recognize his name/voice from Forward on Beyonce’s new album. His music is great. Moses Sumney’s music is great. Also, I’m giving my blog readers a free SoulCycle spin class on Sunday, September 25!

As always, check out the MerlexPicks.com calendar for more good stuff. And subscribe to my newsletter to get these in your inbox!