This week’s events include an amazing Wednesday night art show, panel discussions, and the return of Ritual Culture on Saturday night! Also this week’s performers are Azealia Banks, Tricky, A$AP Mob, Kid Cudi, Evanescence, 6LACK, and Faith Evans. Find details and tickets here!

Head to MerlexPicks.com for more events and as always, subscribe to my newsletter and share with friends!

RSVP Now:
4 The People II on November 3 (early bird tickets); $10
Lo Fi Music Fest on November 11 (early bird tickets); $10

WHAT IS INTERSECTIONALITY? DISCUSSING “IN PASSING”
Wednesday, October 18, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
This interdisciplinary panel discussion will provide an introduction to the topics of passing and intersectionality and will approach them through issues of representation, sculpture, and performance, as seen through Gaignard’s work. Learn more here.

HURRICANE HARVEY BENEFIT EXHIBITION
Wednesday, October 18, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Join Black Buddha Creative Agency and Artists Clear Houston at the Community Artists’ Collective for a Hurricane Harvey Benefit Exhibition. Proceeds will go directly to uninsured families that lost everything following the devastation of the hurricane. Special thanks to Awakenings Movement and S.Suber Consulting Group for making this possible. Learn more here.

STRAIGHT NO CHASER FEATURING NAS
Wednesday, October 18, 2017, 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
The Straight No Chaser Wednesdays team is always hard at work curating the ultimate listening experiences for true music connoisseurs. Raise your drink with DJ Flash Gordon Parks and hosts Savvi and Equality from H.I.S.D. This week’s focus is the catalog of Nasir Jones. Learn more here.

PANEL: INTEGRATION, SEGREGATION & GENTRIFICATION
Thursday, October 19, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Join the panel discussion on the ethical dilemmas of gentrification, integration, and segregation. The panel will include Representative Garnet Coleman, Dr. Ronald Sundstorm, and Dr. Assata Richards moderated by Johanna Luttrell. Learn more here.

READING: MARGARET WILKERSON SEXTON – A KIND OF FREEDOM
Thursday, October 19, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
A Kind of Freedom is an urgent novel that explores the legacy of racial disparity in the South through a poignant and redemptive family history. Evelyn is a Creole woman who comes of age in New Orleans at the height of World War II. Her family inhabits the upper echelon of Black society, and when she falls for no-account Renard, she is forced to choose between her life of privilege and the man she loves. Learn more here.

2000’s TRIVIA NIGHT AT SAINT ARNOLD
Friday, October 20, 2017, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
And after the 90’s comes the 00’s! Oh yes, the days of cryptic AIM away messages, and downloading music from Napster/LimeWire/etc. Relive the glory of all those and more on Friday, October 20 for trivia with Geeks Who Drink! So, assemble your clique and reach back in your memory banks just a little bit to remember the 00’s! Trivia starts at 7:00 p.m. Learn more here.

CAFEZA PRESENTS – SINGER BRANDIE FREELY
Friday, October 20, 2017, 9:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Cafeza presents soulful vocalist Brandie Freely and her band in Houston’s Historic First Ward Arts District. Brandie takes the stage at 9pm. Admission is free, so come early for some dinner and drinks and get yourself a great seat! Learn more here.

RACE AND THE PROPHETIC IMAGINATION
Saturday, October 21, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
What resources can one pull from various Judeo-Christian prophetic traditions in order to facilitate more authentic relationships with our “Others” and join in social movements for justice and equity? Learn more about the relationship between power, racial formations, and how religious orientations can either stifle or open up avenues for imagining and working toward a better world. Learn more here.

FREE YOGA WITH LETTY AT PROJECT ROW HOUSES
Saturday, October 21, 2017, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
These light-hearted beginner lessons introduce the community to vinyasa flow to relax the body and ease the mind. At the corner of Emancipation and Francis, all you need are a yoga mat, water, and a towel to join this series of free classes. Learn more here.

OKTOBERPEST
Saturday, October 21, 2017, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Beetles, Butterflies, Bugs and Fun! Come celebrate the fascinating world of bugs. Enjoy a bug petting zoo, gourmet insect cooking demonstration, face painting, monarch butterfly release, bugs & crafts, adopt-a-ladybug and more! Free for members or with a general admission ticket to the Cockrell Butterfly Center. Learn more here.

EAST END STREET FEST
Saturday, October 21, 2017, 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
This colorful, annual FREE Houston community festival promises to continue to draw crowds to Houston’s birthplace. The event will have one stage with more than half a dozen eclectic acts. Artisans from various disciplines including painters, sculptors, street performers will entertain attendees on Navigation. Late in the evening, the festival will transform into a huge party featuring DJs and festive evening entertainment. Learn more here.

FAITH RINGGOLD AT HMAAC
Saturday, October 21, 2017, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Faith Ringgold is a New York-based artist and author who became famous for innovative, quilted narrations like Tar Beach that communicate her political beliefs. This talk is in conjunction with her current exhibition at HMAAC. Learn more here.

THE 3WARD BEER FEST W/ TWISTA
Saturday, October 21, 2017, 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
This event will showcase over 20 different beers ranging from domestic, import, popular crafts and local favorites. Headlining the show in Peggy Park is legendary recording artist Twista! $5+. Learn more here.

HOUSTON PRESS TACOLANDIA
Saturday, October 21, 2017, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tacolandia is an outdoor Taco-sampling event and festival that will feature Houston’s best tacos, ranging from urban contemporary to authentic street style. Complete with live music, cash bars with beer and cocktails, as well as awards for best tacos in various categories. Ticket includes unlimited samples from Tacolandia vendors; beer & cocktails available to purchase. $35. Learn more here.

THE SHAKEDOWN AT THE FLAT
Saturday, October 21, 2017, 10:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
The star-studded cast of Houston DJs and strong drinks at The Flat are guaranteed to keep you dancing. Every third Saturday you get a mix of house, garage, disco, soul, and funk music all blended together for a good time! Learn more here.

BEER AND CHIPS ART FESTIVAL
Sunday, October 22, 2017, 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The show pops up at the best local breweries and brings the hottest local artists. Not only is there art, beer and chips but it’s also kid friendly and free to attend. Guests get to relax with craft beer, freshly cooked chips, and eye-opening art from over 50 local and international artists. Learn more here.

LIU IDEA LAB LAUNCH PARTY AND 3 DAY STARTUP SHOWCASE
Sunday, October 22, 2017, 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Rice students will present their 3 Day Startup projects to the community! Come see what they are imagining. Mingle with other entrepreneurs, innovators, and special guests from across the campus and Houston. Celebrate the Liu Idea Lab launch with food, music, and surprises. Learn more here.