The Deborah Colton Gallery’s Tribute to Women of the African Diaspora exhibit was an enormous highlight of last week. Otherwise there’s plenty coming up from academic lectures and live podcasts to concerts to art fairs.

Saturday, September 24

Scholar-In-Residence Lecture: “A School of Their Own: Booker T. Washington High School and Educational Self Determination” at the African American Library at the Gregory School at 2pm. These lectures are always really interesting and full of fun tidbits about Houston’s history.  James Blake with Moses Sumney at House of Blues Houston at 6:30pm. These are both excellent singers. Go to this show. Tickets start at $32. False Idols is a solo show by Houston artist CLEAR at Wired Up starting at 11pm. I hear there’ll be veggie tacos too!  Alabama Shakes are at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion with Corinne Bailey Rae with doors at 6:30pm. Normally I wouldn’t both posting something in the Woodlands but these two acts are worth the hike with tickets starting at $31. Relationshit podcast is having a live show with rapper Fat Tony at the Rec Room starting at 8:30pm. Only $10.

Sunday, September 25

If you missed out on my free SoulCycle class then maybe head to the Old Fashioned World Championship Competition at Revolver Bourbon Social at noon. With the $10 ticket you’ll have plenty of whiskey and a full kitchen to soak up the liquor. Family-friendly day party The Smudge – Harvest Edition is at Skol Casbar & Grille at 3pm. There’ll be music, vendors, food, drinks, and activities for the kids. DJ duo Soul Control are holding Any Given Sunday at Alley Kat starting at 4pm. There’s free fried chicken with a drink purchase!

Monday, September 26

You should really be watching the debate but if not there’s Monday Movie Night: Edward Scissorhands at Campesino Coffee House which starts at 7pm. Watch a classic creepy movie and show the FB event for a discount! Joy Yoga and The West End are coming together to offer free night yoga at 6pm at The West End (a bar in the galleria area). Bring your mat and water!

Tuesday, September 27

Af-Am History Professor Ibram Kendi of the University of Florida is speaking at the University of Houston on The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America at 11:30am.  Innovative Houston: Discovery Discussions is the free discussion series at Discovery Green starting at 7pm and this time it’s taking on Houston’s innovation and startup scenes.  Feeling nostalgic? Layzie Bone is at The Studio at Warehouse Live at 8:30pm. Advance tickets are $18.

Wednesday, September 28

Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals (HAULYP) and Young African Professionals (YAP) are pairing up for a happy hour at Irish Cowboy at 6pm. Go enjoy the drink specials and get registered to vote on site! START Houston’s monthly Demo Day starts at 6pm. See local startups pitch and meet others interested in entrepreneurship over pizza and beer.  Monthly listening party Straight No Chaser is featuring Atlanta’s Dungeon Family starting at 8pm at the Alley Kat.

Thursday, September 29

Young Professionals in Energy Houston is holding a breakfast speaker series event Leaders Under 40 focusing on the private equity business model. It starts at 7am at The Houston Club and tickets are only $10.  The Texas Contemporary Art Fair kicks off through October 2 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. A one-day pass is $25. Similarly the Houston Art Fair (also focused on contemporary art) kicks off at Silver Street Studios and their one-day pass is $20. Hooray for competition!  Voices of the Movement: A Community Forum is at 6pm at Trinity UMC and will be a forum examining our criminal justice system. There’ll be light refreshments for the event with a long list of community partners.  Black Women in Science and Engineering (BWISE) is bringing a Federal Reserve Bank VP for their Career Conversations series to share insights at State of Grace at 6:30pm. Tickets are $10.

RSVP now: the Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals’ upcoming Casino Night on October 1, Opulence. Groove Fest Houston is bringing Juvenile, Vivian Green, Raheem DeVaughn, Tweet, and Jazmine Sullivan! Black professional happy hour Convos & Cocktails finally returns on October 6. Last but not least, I’m having a meetup at Station Museum of Contemporary Art on October 2 and you should come!

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