This week’s events around the city. Thanks to everyone who said hi at the Houston Hackathon and other events this past week. Of course it wouldn’t be Memorial Day weekend in Houston without the free Motown Revue at Miller Outdoor Theatre. I also had the chance to visit artist Lovie Olivia’s new gallery Space Fftyfv and I’m so excited for it! Stay tuned on Facebook and see Lovie’s art here.

Monday

Movie Night: Napoleon Dynamite w/ Oasis Brewing Co
MOVIE NIGHT: NAPOLEON DYNAMITE W/ OASIS BREWING CO
Monday, May 22, 2017, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
It’s Axelrad’s weekly movie night with featuring a special brewery and a fun movie full of laughs. Duh. And they’ll have a tater tot bar! Learn more here.

Tuesday

NET2HOUSTON REFRESH!
Tuesday, May 23, 2017, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Calling all do-gooders, technologists, leaders, activists, nonprofits, funders, and everyone interested in using technology for social change: NetSquared Houston is rebooting! Newbies will find a friendly, welcoming atmosphere with many opportunities to learn from tech-experienced nonprofits and experts. Learn more here.

1. CONCERT: MOONCHILD – THE VOYAGER TOUR
Tuesday, May 23, 2017, 8:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
This jazzy neo-soul band is perfect for a laid back Tuesday evening. The last time Moonchild was in Houston they opened for The Internet, so that should give you an idea of their audience. The opener is Romina Von Mohr and tickets are only $15. Learn more here.

Wednesday

THE BALVENIE MASTER CLASS SCOTCH TASTING
Wednesday, May 24, 2017, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
A complimentary Scotch tasting with the Balvenie National Ambassader Jonathan Wingo. We’ll be sampling the 12 year, 14 year, 17, and the 21 with a special after dinner offering of the rare Balvenie 1509. Cigars are allowed and encouraged. Free, but a $25 charge for no shows or last minute cancellations. Learn more here.

2. KITCHEN WITCHERY WORKSHOP
Wednesday, May 24, 2017, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
This workshop explores some of the ways mothers and grandmothers used everyday kitchen ingredients to heal, to protect, to rebuild, to make the home a sanctuary. You will use fresh and dried herbs and things you find in your kitchen cabinets to make magical preparations that have been passed down through the generations. This workshop is presented in conjunction with the art exhibition Round 46: Black Women Artists for Black Lives Matter at Project Row Houses. Learn more here.

LIFE DRAWING WITH LAWNDALE
Wednesday, May 24, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
You’ll begin with short, gestural poses, leading into extended poses. Drawing experience not required. Lawndale will provide refreshments, paper, pencils and other drawing materials, but feel free to BYOM (bring your own materials)! This workshop will include a nude model, so participants must be 18 years of age or older. $5. Learn more here.

3. TAILORED WEDNESDAYS (U.K. SOUL TRIBUTE)
Wednesday, May 24, 2017, 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Each week DJ Sly Foxx brings you all music video sets from the most talented artists known and unknown to date at Houston’s oldest bar. There’s free food with a drink purchase and a UK music tribute starting at 10pm. Here are a few musicians from the UK to listen to beforehand. Learn more here.

Thursday

HOUSTON A+ SPEAKER SERIES: EDUARDO BRICENO
Growth mindset is a term that’s thrown around often in education, but here’s how you learn how to implement it. Eduardo founded Mindset Works with Stanford professor Carol Dweck and others. They are a leader in growth mindset training. Mindset Works now provides digital and printed growth mindset training and resources to thousands of schools and their teachers and students. Learn more here.

HOUSTON A+ SPEAKER SERIES: EDUARDO BRICENO
Thursday, May 24, 2017, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Growth mindset is a term that’s thrown around often in education, but here’s how you learn how to implement it. Eduardo founded Mindset Works with Stanford professor Carol Dweck and others. They are a leader in growth mindset training. Mindset Works now provides digital and printed growth mindset training and resources to thousands of schools and their teachers and students. Learn more here.

FEMINIST PERSPECTIVES OF THE DIVINE IN ISLAM
Thursday, May 24, 2017, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Three brilliant Afro-Latina poets will be performing in Houston’s Northside! This event is free and open to the public and a Question & Answer session will follow right after the reading. Learn more here.

FEMINIST PERSPECTIVES OF THE DIVINE IN ISLAM
Thursday, May 24, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
How does a Muslim woman’s perspective of the Divine shape a person’s faith and commitment to religious liberty and social equity? Asma Uddin is at the forefront of this conversation, creating the space for women to make their faith their own. A reception follows the program. $10 suggested donation. Learn more here.

4. DANCIN’ IN THE STREET MOTOWN & MORE REVUE
Thursday, May 25, 2017 – Sunday, May 28, 2017
Groove down memory lane this Memorial Day Weekend with the sounds of classic Motown hits, featuring an ensemble of soul singers, funky dancers, and the Bacement Soul Orchestra! Houston’s biggest celebration of soul will knock you off your feet with nonstop classics including a Stevie Wonder tribute! The event is free but if you don’t get assigned tickets at the box office bring your chairs and blankets for open seating on the hill. If you decide to skip the crowds check out some Afro-Latina poets Thursday night! Learn more here.

Friday

5. FADED FRIDAYS W. ILL FADED X GUILLA
Friday, May 26, 2017, 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Rapper Guilla and DJ Ill Faded are hosting this free monthly party that takes place on the last Friday of every month at EaDo bar The Secret Group. It is an online request party with special guests and it will be streamed live. Bonus: you can see a free comedy show there on the same night! Learn more here.

EXPOSURE – DJ NIMBUS’ BORNDAY CELEBRATION
Friday, May 26, 2017, 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
For the house music heads. Exposure is celebrating dj NIMBUS’s birthday! For this special occasion, two of the most soulful house cats in Houston will be spinning, while Tian Chi Chi adds the rhythmic accents via percussion! Learn more here.

Saturday

6. SUNDRESSES & SANGRIAS DAY PARTY
Saturday, May 27, 2017, 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Spend your Memorial Day Weekend on Washington with drink specials, two female DJs, and two separate floors of entertainment along with a full kitchen. Free with RSVP until 4pm. Learn more here.

7. PLUS FEST: THE EVERYTHING PLUS POETRY FESTIVAL
Saturday, May 27, 2017, 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
A one-day interdisciplinary art event that celebrates raw, innovative, and high-caliber artistic experience and will highlight spoken-word poetry. Plus Fes+ aims to break down barriers around artistic disciplines so that new works can be created. The one-day festival will position spoken-word artists on a level playing field with local visual artists, videographers, DJ’s, musicians, and others to create new works and showcase their work through a variety of innovative platforms. Tickets start at $15. Learn more here.

8. HOUSTON NEO SOUL SESSIONS
Saturday, May 27, 2017, 9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Musician Philippe Edison hosts this monthly event that includes a live fusion and neo soul band with an open jam session! This is the place to be if you love live music, especially if you play an instrument. Learn more here. 

Sunday

9. MEMORIAL DAY BLOCK PARTY FT. RAKIM
Sunday, May 28, 2017, 3:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Hip hop legend Rakim will be performing live at this block party along with local musician Frank D’Amato. Of course you’ll be able to get food along with your drink specials at this popular bar right behind The Breakfast Klub. Learn more here.

10. MADNESS ON MAIN MUSIC FEST
Sunday, May 28, 2017, 9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
This is the place to discover talented local musicians of all genres! Everyone in the local music community plays an integral part to bring this festival together in true DIY form. You can look forward to a kid clothing swap, live artist interviews, festival fashion show, and “how music influences fashion” panel discussion along with vendors and food trucks! Tickets are $15 in advance. Learn more here.

RSVP Now (before it sells out)

BRUNCHIN’ WITH BLACK GIRLS WHO BRUNCH AT HAROLD’S
Saturday, June 10, 2017, 12:00 p.m.
BGWB is hosting their first event! For the price of admission ($30), attendees will be treated to an appetizer and entree from a select menu plus mimosas (not unlimited though). Erika has written about Harold’s a couple times and you can read more on the blog.  Learn more here.

AUTHOR ROXANE GAY AT BAYOU PLACE
Monday, July 10, 2017, 8:00 p.m.
Roxane Gay is the bestselling author of the novel An Untamed State, the essay collection Bad Feminist, and the short story collection Difficult Women, and she’s a frequent contributor to the New York Times. She’s also a writer for the new comic Black Panther: World of Wakanda. Her newest book, Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body, explores what it means to be overweight in a time when the bigger you are, the less you are seen. Learn more here.

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