Here’s my curated list for the week! Don’t forget to keep up with these and other events by subscribing to my newsletter. I don’t always include upcoming concerts in this list but you can see them all here.

Also, if I’m having a rough week and don’t send the newsletter out feel free to check out the calendar at MerlexPicks.com. It’s constantly updated with these events and more!

1. NSBE HOUSTON PROFESSIONALS GENERAL BODY MEETING: SOCIAL MEDIA
Tuesday, August 15, 2017, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Is My Social Media Stopping Me From Getting A Job? NSBE will have an open discussion on social media and how it may influence your career. This is the first General Body Meeting of the year. Food will be provided. The event will be held at TSU’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law in room 105. Learn more here. 

GROWN-UP STORYTIME 105
Tuesday, August 15, 2017, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
You send stories, they pick the best ones, and assign them to a rotating crack-squad of expert story readers who show up the night of and wow the audience’s socks and/or pants off. It’s on a Tuesday – what else are you going to do? $5 – tickets only available at the door, cash or card. Now featuring an 8pm and 10pm show! Learn more here. 

2. THE BODYGUARD MUSICAL AT THE HOBBY CENTER
Tuesday, August 15, 2017 – Sunday, August 20, 2017
Based on the film starring Whitney Houston, this award-winning musical stars Deborah Cox! Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. Tickets start at $30. Learn more here. 

COLLECTIVE OF HOUSTON ASIAN AMERICANS (CHAA) FAMILY STORIES
Wednesday, August 16, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
CHAA’s Family Stories! – now every 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. This is a space for Asian American LGBTQQIA+** folks to share stories, connect over family experiences, and listen/laugh/process any related experiences. You’re welcome to come share or just listen – your presence is valuable. IMPORTANT: Intended for/open to: Asian American LGBTQQIA+** folks. Learn more here. 

BOOKS & BYLINES: KKK AND RACE IN TEXAS
Wednesday, August 16, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
What’s the legacy of white supremacy? In his book “Tomlinson Hill,” Chronicle business columnist Chris Tomlinson describes his slave-holding family’s cotton planation and traces slavery’s echoes through the descendants of the people, both white and black, who lived there. And in this year’s “Ten Dollars to Hate: The Texas Man Who Fought the Klan,” Patricia Bernstein explores the history of racial violence, the KKK and lynchings. With social activist Larry Payne, they’ll discuss Texas race relations and race-related violence, both past and present. Learn more here. 

3. TRAP BINGO
Wednesday, August 16, 2017, 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Bingo with a trap twist. Reverse happy hour runs from 8pm-11pm and of course prizes are included. DJ Shante will be spinning and the bingo starts at 9 p.m.! Hopefully, Live Oak has the air conditioning situation figured out this time. If they don’t then head over to The Countdown at Saint Dane’s for drink specials and music videos from Video DJ Sly Foxx. Learn more here.

BAKER-RIPLEY: IN GOOD COMPANY
Thursday, August 17, 2017, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Good people. Interesting conversations. Serendipitous connections. Casual bites and conversation every third Thursday from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Baker-Ripley to meet like-minded people dedicated to creating change within our communities and discuss everything from how to recruit for a movement to utilizing appreciative inquiry to best plan your development and growth strategies. Learn more here. 

4. HMAAC PRESENTS: ‘GRAB THEM BY THE VOTES’ PANEL DISCUSSION
Thursday, August 17, 2017, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Join HMAAC in a discussion of this phenomenon from the past election, as we unpack its meaning for our electorate, women in general and its illustration of the racial divide in our country and among women. Panel Participants: Kristin Anderson, Psychology Professor, University of Houston Downtown; Bob Stein, Political Science Professor, Rice University; Carla Brailey, Sociology Professor, Texas Southern University. Learn more here. 

DIY STORY NIGHT
Thursday, August 17, 2017, 8:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
If you appreciate the art of storytelling and want to see what Houston has to offer, come have a drink and listen to a story the old fashioned way: In a bar with a bunch of strangers. Readings, Monologues, and good ole’ fashioned tales are welcome. Sign up for the open mic begins at 7:30 and spots are limited! Learn more here. 

UH COLLEGE OF EDUCATION FIRST LECTURE: LATEEFAH SIMON
Friday, August 18, 2017, 10:30 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Simon, a former high school dropout and teen mother, became the youngest woman ever to win a MacArthur “Genius” Grant, for her work with a California nonprofit dedicated to helping young girls on the streets and in the criminal justice system. She now serves as president of the Oakland-based Akonadi Foundation, which provides grants and other advocacy in support of racial justice. Learn more here. 

OPEN PITCH PRACTICE
Friday, August 18, 2017, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
This is your opportunity to get feedback on your pitch from peers, the Station Team, and Mentors! Join us to share your pitch for investors, potential customers, potential hires, co-founders, and partners. Please RSVP if you plan to pitch or spectate. Learn more here. 

MELANIN & MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: POWER OF CONNECTION MIXER
Friday, August 18, 2017, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Come out & join your local mental health professionals & advocates committed to raising mental health awareness in Black, Brown, & Latinx communities. Heard of speed dating? How about speed networking? This will be a fun, quick structured way to make your way around the room and exchange marketing & business information with your colleagues. Learn more here. 

5. CONCERT: J. COLE, ANDERSON .PAAK, ARI LENNOX, BAS, J.I.D.
Friday, August 18, 2017, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
The North Carolina native is touring in support of his fourth album, the Platinum-certified 4 Your Eyez Only. J. Cole will be joined by Anderson .Paak, Bas, J.I.D. and Ari Lennox. Rapper Anderson .Paak put on a phenomenal show during his HOB show last year and singer Ari Lennox is finally making her Houston debut. Find music from each artist along with other upcoming concerts here. Learn more here. 

6. VIBE & RIDE TO SOLANGE: A SEAT AT THE TABLE
Friday, August 18, 2017, 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
At this new themed event, Vibe & Ride To Solange: A Seat at the Table, 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 Solange. The music will be played on the loud speaker as everyone enjoys the sights and sounds. $5-$10. Learn more here. 

7. SUMMER ENTREPRENEURSHIP ROUNDTABLE – “ASK A SMALL BUSINESS EXPERT”
Saturday, August 19, 2017, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
The event will feature a panel of small business advisors and mentors representing various local incubators, accelerators, and economic development groups. Participants will be able to ask any burning questions that they have regarding their business, and how to maintain, grow, and thrive. The gathering will include a 45-minute breakfast mixer with participant introductions, followed by an hour-long panel, concluding with information about the local entrepreneurship community. Learn more here. 

8. RITUAL CULTURE PRES SHAKEDOWN – MICHAEL JACKSON B-DAY PARTY
Saturday, August 19, 2017, 10:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Every 3rd Saturday at The Flat you get House x Garage x Disco x Soul x Funk w/ RITUAL residents SoulOne & Keva. Ranging from the electronic beats of House music to the soulful swing of live RnB, Ritual Culture’s focus is on anything that enhances the soul of this already culturally rich city. Learn more here. 

9. GAME OF THRONES AT REC ROOM VIEWING AND PANEL
Sunday, August 20, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Hosted by comedian Kathryn Way, this is a free event that includes the screening of the latest Season 7 episode with a panel held afterward to take questions & obsess over the details. Rec Room has a bar stocked with beer & wine, & a theatre that seats just over 80 people. Learn more here. 

10. CONCERT: PJ MORTON AND MAJOR.
Sunday, August 20, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
New Orleans native and Morehouse alumnus PJ Morton is joined by Houstonian and HSPVA alumnus MAJOR. I’ve seen both of these singers live and enjoyed their shows and the Bronze Peacock Room at the House of Blues is a wonderfully intimate venue. If you’re a Maroon 5 fan then you’ve heard Morton on the keyboard and MAJOR. has over 20 million views on last year’s Why I Love You. $28 is a steal. Learn more here. 

*Let me live with fotography.