Happy Monday! Did you see my latest post on upcoming concerts for the rest of the year? Get your tickets now before they sell out! We have a great list of events this week; will I see you there? As always, see these events and more at MerlexPicks.com and subscribe to my newsletter!

 

 

 

PRAIRIE VIEW HOMECOMING 2017
Monday, October 23, 2017 – Sunday, October 28, 2017
Including performances throughout the week by H.E.R., Kiki Sheard, and Jack Freeman, PV Homecoming has a full lineup of events. There’s a free silent party on Friday before the main show, and of course, the parade and tailgating take place on Saturday. You can also join in on community, service, trap yoga, and bingo! Learn more here. 

THE HOUSTON INNOVATION SUMMIT
Monday, October 23, 2017 – Sunday, October 28, 2017
THIS invites you to join Houston’s most creative and enterprising minds for a week of discovery, recovery, creativity and collaborative problem-solving. Participate in daily events designed to spark curiosity, stimulate ideas and ignite the problem-solving potential of Houston’s innovation ecosystem. Learn more here. 

BRUNO MARS 24K MAGIC WORLD TOUR
Tuesday, October 24, 2017, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
The 24K Magic World Tour marks Mars’ first full-length tour since 2013’s hugely successful Moonshine Jungle World Tour, an international blockbuster that sold 2 million tickets worldwide across 155 sold-out dates. The Grammy Award winner and world-renowned, multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter/producer/director/musician is joined by Jorja Smith. Learn more here. 

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS: THE RISE & FALL OF AMERICA’S HIGHEST OFFICE
Wednesday, October 25, 2017, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Jeremy Suri traces America’s disenchantment with our recent presidents to the inevitable mismatch between presidential promises and the structural limitations of the office. A masterful reassessment of presidential history, his book is essential reading for anyone trying to understand America’s fraught political climate. The $15 ticket includes heavy appetizers and great conversation. Learn more here. 

INDIGENOUS: AN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC EXPERIENCE
Wednesday, October 25, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Journey through foreign lands by way of native rhythms and present fusions. Live instrumentation and selections from DJ Elevated & DJ SoulOne. The goal is to enhance your life experience. Bring your dancing shoes. Happy Hour from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Learn more here. 

YOGA ON THE PATIO W/ REPUBLIC YOGA: HALLOWEEN EDITION
Wednesday, October 25, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Free yoga and a complimentary pint at Revolver Bourbon Social. This month will be Tim Burton themed. Come dressed as your favorite character from any movie! But comfortable enough to let loose. Tell your friends, bring your mats and have a great time! Learn more here. 

STRAIGHT NO CHASER: TRIBUTE TO PRINCE AND THE MINNEAPOLIS SOUND
Wednesday, October 25, 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 Prince. Learn more here. 

NATIONAL BLACK BOOK FESTIVAL
Thursday, October 26, 2017 – Saturday, October 28, 2017
The largest African-American book event in the South bringing together authors, publishers, readers and book clubs for a weekend of literary exchange. 2017 is the 10th anniversary!General admission is free and includes the author exhibits, seminars, and featured author sessions. Featured authors include Omar Tyree, Reshonda Tate Billingsley, and Mathew Knowles. Learn more here. 

DIY STORY NIGHT 4
Thursday, October 26, 2017, 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
This Storytelling Open Mic offers writers, performers, and storytellers a stage to express their art no matter how unique. If it tells a story, it belongs on our stage. Readings, Monologues, and good ole’ fashioned tales are welcome. The show is pay-what-you-can, and sign up for the open mic begins at 7:30 p.m. Learn more here. 

RE/THINKING PHOTOGRAPHY: CONCEPTUAL PHOTOGRAPHY FROM TEXAS
Friday, October 27, 2017, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Two of Texas’ leading photographic arts organizations come together again to present an exhibition highlighting Texas artists. The exhibition is large and diverse, with a number of overlapping, intersecting themes, the unifying concept is a conceptual approach to photography, and a reframing of the medium. Learn more here. 

ELLA FITZGERALD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Friday, October 27, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
A Concert Featuring Stories and selections from Ella’s musical legacy. The Texas Southern University Jazz Ensemble will be paying tribute to this jazz legend with an evening of music, singing, dancing, drinks and hors d’oeurvres. $20 donation. Learn more here. 

HOUSTON CRITICAL MASSACRE BIKE RIDE
Friday, October 27, 2017, 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
The biggest Critical Mass party of the year is the Halloween ride and this year Winbern Mess Hall in Midtown is hosting! Get that costume ready and come ride with the largest group ride in the city. Roll out of Market Square Park at 7:30 p.m. and the party starts at 9:00 p.m. at Winbern. Learn more here. 

BRAZILIAN FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 28, 2017, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The biggest Brazilian event in Texas! Explore beautiful traditions, music, and food at this festival for the whole family! There will be vendors for everything from caipirinhas to Brazilian lingerie. Advanced tickets online are $5.00 before October 26. Yes, it’s in Katy but it should be fun! Learn more here. 

DEBUT BOOK LAUNCH PARTY: LIARA TAMANI, CALLING MY NAME
Saturday, October 28, 2017, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Celebrate Liara Tamani’s fantastic debut novel, Calling My Name. This unforgettable novel tells a universal coming-of-age story about Taja Brown, a young African American girl growing up in Houston, Texas. Learn more here. 

ZINE-MAKING WORKSHOP
Saturday, October 28, 2017, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
This workshop will focus on DIY publishing techniques and the use of collage in zines. Basic supplies such as paper, pens, magazines, scissors, and glue sticks will be provided. Participants may bring optional materials such as personal writing or artwork, magazines, newspaper articles, photographs, etc. Free! Learn more here. 

*DISPELLING THE MYTHS: THE TRUTH ABOUT BLACK MEN
Saturday, October 28, 2017, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
You will have an opportunity to openly discuss with Black men of various backgrounds how and why Black women are being cheated out of successful relationships. Moderated by Dr. Obari Cartman author of Lady’s Man: Conversations for Young Black Men about Relationships and Manhood. Tickets are $30!? Learn more here. 

*Disclaimer: I fully expect this event to be terrible yet hilarious. I’m only putting it on here because I want someone to go and report back.

SPIRITS & SKELETONS AT THE HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE
Saturday, October 28, 2017, 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Calling all ghosts and ghouls, monsters and mummies, witches and werewolves: Houston’s favorite Halloween party — the one and only Spirits & Skeletons — is back at HMNS! Whether you go with scary and spooky or fab and kooky — dress up, party the night away at HMNS and they’ll put a spell on you! Tickets are $50 but $35 on Groupon for this huge event. Learn more here. 

SYN: HALLOWEEN HOUSE PARTY
Saturday, October 28, 2017, 10:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.
Syn-ister / Syn-sual / Syn-ergy. Brought to you by the good souls of The Regal People and Black Origins. It’s going down in the Tre. BYOB. $10 to get in. There will be a prize for most impressive costume twerking (yes you need to both wear a dope costume AND break somebody off).  Learn more here. 

*I’ve been hearing stories about an Eve costume that promises to be legendary.

MELANIN & MENTAL HEALTH™: SELF-CARE BRUNCH
Sunday, October 29, 2017, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This brunch will be dedicated to self-care. Your ticket will grant you access to: brunch with a mimosa, and a presentation, but it’s not just for mental health professionals. Bring a yoga mat/towel for yoga. You may also opt for bringing extra clothes to change into after the yoga, but it’s not required. $35. Learn more here.