Plenty of poetry, a silent party, Hennything Fest, and a lively discussion of sexuality and spirituality on Friday! Make sure to see more events at MerlexPicks.com and subscribe to my newsletter!

African Fashion Week Houston 2017
Wednesday – Sunday (multiple events)
AFWH is the city’s premier international fashion series that highlights the essence of African culture and aesthetics on the runway through a series of fashion shows, events, educational seminars, industry-focused workshops and special campaigns. Tickets can be purchased here. Learn more here. 

Houston Poetry Fest Performance Poet Finals ft. Ed Koch
Wed, September 20, 7:30pm – 10:30pm
This is a competitive event in which poets perform their work and are judged by members of the audience. The winner will perform at Houston Poetry Fest on October 14. Subscribe to http://bit.ly/WANPoetrySubscribe to see the great poets we have perform every week and throughout the week! $5. Learn more here. 

Let’s Talk: Entrepreneurship in Africa and its Diaspora
Thursday, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Young African Professionals presents a panel of entrepreneurs discussing their experiences creating and financing startup companies. Join for networking and conversation at local entrepreneurship hub Station Houston located downtown. Learn more here. 

Blanket Bingo at Market Square Park
Thursday, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The final Blanket Bingo of the year, benefiting Market Square Park and Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Bring your blanket, lawn chairs or snag one of the tables at the park for a night of fun, music and great prizes! $10 admission (cash only) includes one bingo packet (approx. 9 games). Packets will go on sale at 6 pm and Bingo will begin at 7 pm. Learn more here. 

Reading: Elif Batuman – THE IDIOT
Thursday, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Elif Batuman’s first book, The Possessed: Adventures with Russian Books and the People Who Read Them, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. She is the recipient of a Whiting Writers’ Award, a Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Award, and a Paris Review Terry Southern Prize for Humor. This event will be held at Hudspeth Auditorium at the Anderson-Clarke Center on the Rice University campus. Learn more here. 

Thursday Night Concert with Peterson Brothers & Charley Crockett
Thursday, 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
This Thursday Night Concert features not one but TWO headliners: the soulful-blues Peterson Brothers Band and the country-blues Charley Crockett. Learn more here. 

Antibalas
Thursday, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
The musical collective known as Antibalas (Spanish for bullet-proof or anti-bullets) was conceived of in Mexico City and formed in Brooklyn New York. Though recognized for their fluency in Afrobeat and funk music, the band is known to collaborate with diverse groups and artists, from Angélique Kidjo to Jovanotti to Medeski Martin & Wood to Public Enemy. Learn more here. 

Cafeza Presents – Writer’s Block
Thursday, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
a semi-weekly gathering of poets, MCs, and wordsmiths in Houston’s historic FIrst Ward Arts District. Writer’s Block will be live every other Thursday. Seating is limited, so come early for the best seats. Learn more here. 

Free Acupuncture Stress Treatments
Friday, 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Volunteer acupuncturists from Acupuncturists Without Borders are offering free ear acupuncture treatments. Treatments last about 45 minutes and are helpful for improving sleep, reducing pain, feeling calm, and helping with concentration. Everyone is welcome! Learn more here. 

UR Talks: Sexuality and Spirituality
Friday, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Upper Room Houston is excited to announce the first in a series of dynamic curated experiences for young adults in Houston. Make plans to join a night of entertainment, social engagement, and provocative dialogue from guests and attendees that are as diverse as Houston! Learn more here. 

Double Feature Fridays: Harlem Nights and Boomerang
Friday, 7:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
The Vibe Commission is dedicated to bringing you good music, good food, good drinks, good vibes & classic black cinema in the heart of Third Ward. For the September edition, we will be giving you a double dose of Eddie Murphy classics with “Harlem Nights” and “Boomerang”. Take your pick of viewing inside the shop, or on the patio under the stars! $6. Learn more here. 

Friday Night Lights Bike Ride: Trap Music Edition
Friday, 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Riders will cruise the city streets while hearing the hottest trap music by featured artists Migos, Future, Gucci Mane and more. Come experience bike riding through the city by meeting great people, music and more on the brand new Dutch Cruisers. $24 with bike rental. Learn more here. 

The Loudest Silent Party on a Rooftop
Friday, 10:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
A silent party of leisure and entertainment through headphones. When you arrive you’ll receive a pair of special wireless headphones. You can adjust the volume and choose between up to three DJ with a flip of a switch. Each headset has a color LED that shows what you are listening to, so you can dance along with those listening to the same DJ as you. $16 in advance. Learn more here. 

BLM Houston: Day of Action and Community Resource Fair
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
In partnership with Black Women’s Defense League and West Street Recovery, #BLMHOU will be returning to the Lakewood area this weekend to continue assisting the community with #HurricaneHarvey cleanup and recovery efforts. Learn more here. 

Hennything Fest
Saturday, 6:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
A celebration of the world’s most popular cognac, food, culture and entertainment. Giving you a new way to celebrate Hennessy! There will be live entertainment for all to enjoy including local bands, dj’s, vendors, and interactive games. $12 in advance. Learn more here. 

The Night Light Ride of Lauryn Hill
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
During this special event we are looking for riders to come experience bike riding through the city with 3rd Ward Tours on the lighted LED Dutch bikes vibing to “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” the 1998 solo album by Lauryn Hill. $12 with your own bike. Learn more here. 

The Dope Art Show [Farewell Harvey] Relief Benefit Show
Sunday, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
dopeART… the show, the movement, the platform –highlighting dope-ARTistic expression in Houston. Come out and support dope Singers, dope Poets, dope Painters…and a dope cause! $25. Learn more here. 

That’s it for this week but check back here in case I add more!