Roxane Gay on Monday was a recent highlight. Kendrick Lamar is here on Saturday and you already know that, but below I have details on his pop-up shop. This week I have an event coming up Saturday to launch a social enterprise startup accelerator called Command Line. If you’re interested we have limited space so make sure to RSVP. As always, sign up for my newsletter! I have occasional giveaways and you get everything directly in your inbox!

Wednesday

HOUSTON: 2018 SXSW COMMUNITY MEET UP
Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
All who are interested in being involved with SXSW are invited to come and learn more about these opportunities. This meet up will include an informational presentation followed by a Q&A with SXSW staffers. Refreshments will be served. Learn more here.

STRAIGHT NO CHASER PRESENTS MARY J. BLIGE (APPRECIATION NIGHT)
Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Weekly album listening that’s featuring a legend this week! Learn more here.

TRAP BINGO
Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Bingo with a trap twist. A reverse happy hour and of course prizes are included. What more needs to be said? Learn more here.

Thursday

ONE HOUSTON SUMMER OF IMPACT EDUCATION CONVERSATION
Thursday, July 13, 2017, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
You can turn your passion into action and help eliminate barriers to an excellent education for our kids and their families. Join us on Thursday, July 13th at the Montrose Center for an education conversation around the school-to-prison-pipeline, immigrant, refugee, and undocumented supports and services, and turning our schools into community hubs. Learn more here.

THE SCORE AT DEAN’S DOWNTOWN
Thursday, July 12, 2017, 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Every Thursday DJs Flash Gordon Parks, IV, and Good Grief hold it down at Dean’s Downtown on Main. The drinks are great and you can watch classic movies and clips like Foxy Brown and Soul Train projected on the wall. Learn more here.

“A NIGHT WITH TIFFANY GOUCHÉ” WITH SPECIAL GUEST JACK FREEMAN.
Thursday, July 12, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Hailing from a family of renowned musicians, Inglewood, CA native and singer/songwriter/producer Tiffany Gouché has demanded her way to the forefront of the independent R&B/Soul scene. I’ve seen both her and Jack Freeman perform and they’re good. Learn more here.

Friday

BLUMING SEASON HOUSTON SHORT-FILM PREMIERE
Friday, July 14, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
See Houston’s own rapper Genesis Blu, in a live performance and premiere of her film Bluming Season followed by a panel discussion. Learn more here.

BAND “IF YOU HAVE TO ASK” AT AXELRAD
Friday, July 14, 2017, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
I caught them performing downtown coincidentally and really enjoyed the performance! And it’s Axelrad which is always a good option. Learn more here.

SILENT DISCO FT. PRISMO AND MORE
Friday, July 14, 2017, 9:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
3 DJ’s, 3 channels, 1 stage, simultaneously playing; you choose your sound! 15-18 Texas DJ’s performing; something for all to enjoy as one. Delicious cocktail and food offerings, glow paint and more! I’ve gone to one and had an amazing time. $25. Learn more here. 

THE FIX AT ALLEY KAT
Friday, July 14, 2017, 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Bringing back the true essence of the dance party with Hip Hop and R&B flavas crossing many decades. Learn more here.

Saturday

POSITIVE SELF-TALK: A GUIDE TO BEING SWEETER TO OURSELVES
Saturday, July 15, 2017, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Good vibes, positivity, and guides to self-care will be present. Reserve your space via PayPal for $11. Mimosas available upon arrival. Bring your personal journals if you have them. If not, journals will be provided. Studio #111. Learn more here.

AFRICAN GREEK PICNIC
Saturday, July 15, 2017, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
One weekend filled with culture, Greek life, unity and memories to be created. The goal is to leave AFGP with more culture and more connections, so networking for the community is key! The picnic is free but there are other paid events. Learn more here.

 

HOUSTON BLACK FOOD TRUCK FEST
Saturday, July 15, 2017, 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The festival is set to showcase the city’s Black-owned food trucks, while highlighting its rich and diverse food culture. Come out for an afternoon of food, fun, and family. $10. Learn more here.

VIBE & RIDE TO SZA : CTRL
Saturday, July 15, 2017, 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
At this new themed event, Vibe & Ride To SZA , riders will experience a cruise around the city streets on the brand new Dutch Bikes with stops at various hot spots and sounds from the Featured Vibe artist SZA: Ctrl. $5-$10. Learn more here.

THE MUSIC OF PRINCE
Saturday, July 15, 2017, 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
To remember his legacy, the Houston Symphony is teaming up with returning conductor Brent Havens and the group that brought you The Music of Led Zeppelin, The Music of Queen, and others for an exceptional night of Prince’s eclectic music, complete with full orchestra, band and featured vocalist Marshall Charloff. $29 – $149. Learn more here.

Sunday

SCREEN PRINTING 101
Sunday, July 16, 2017, 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Learn screen printing! This workshop focuses making a screen with the photo emulsion technique. Students will make their own screen that is useable for both fabric and paper, this workshop will primarily focus on printing on paper. Students are welcome to bring their own image. By the end students will have made a custom reusable 18″ x 24″ aluminum screen of their own design to take home. $115. Learn more here.

#YOUAREENOUGH
Sunday, July 16, 2017, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Method: Sharing an open space where the people can write their negative thoughts and leave them in a jar, use their voices to release them, and/or share their gifts. Learn more here.

K. MICHELLE & BJ THE CHICAGO KID
Sunday, July 16, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Full disclosure: I’m not sure who K. Michelle is but I like BJ the Chicago Kid. And discounted tickets are available for $23. Learn more here.

IZZAR THOMAS’S “SOMEWHERE NEW” LISTENING PARTY
Sunday, July 16, 2017, 7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
This will be a gathering of friends, people who love good music, creatives, & everyone who supports Izzar Thomas. It’s been a long journey putting this project together & he can’t wait for you all to hear all of the hard work he has put into it. I don’t know his music but support local artists! Learn more here.

Monday

MODERN-DAY ABOLITIONIST: AN INTIMATE CONVERSATION WITH KATHRYN GRIFFIN
Monday, July 17, 2017, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Kathryn Griffin is a modern-day abolitionist, who is currently employed to administer her Re-Entry Program “Been There, Done That” in the Jail of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, where she rehabilitates women who have been victims of human trafficking and prostitution. She is a strong voice for victimized children, men, women and transgender people. $20. Learn more here.

BLACK IN A CLASSICAL WORLD
Monday, July 17, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
A discussion centering black classically trained musicians; the stigmas that we face, our under-representation in the performance world, the miseducation of our role in this genre, and much more. Whether you are a professional, an amateur, or if you no longer practice your craft, we encourage you to share your story and ideas on how we can gain more representation within the Classical realm. Learn more here.