Here are this week’s cultural, music, and startup events around Houston in a curated list! Subscribe to my emails here to get these messages directly in your inbox.

Make sure you’re caught up on this quarter’s featured events, upcoming concerts, cheap tech, and date ideas!

OBSIDIAN THEATER – FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE
Monday, January 29, 2018 – Saturday, February 17, 2018
This groundbreaking “choreopoem” is a spellbinding collection of vivid prose and free verse narratives about and performed by Black women. Capturing the brutal, tender and dramatic lives of contemporary Black women, For Colored Girls… offers a transformative, riveting evening of provocative dance, music, and poetry. Learn more HERE.

AD PLAYERS – BEST OF ENEMIES
Monday, January 29, 2018 – Sunday, February 4, 2018
Two natural enemies—a Ku Klux Klan member and a civil rights advocate—clash then become unlikely friends in this true story of racial tension and reconciliation set in Durham, North Carolina in 1971. (Based on the bestselling book, THE BEST OF ENEMIES, by Osha Gray Davidson) A true story. Their views made them enemies…until their lives made them friends. Learn more HERE.

MOVIE NIGHT AT AXELRAD: COMING TO AMERICA
Monday, January 29, 2018, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Watch the 1988 classic comedy and quote along with your friends outside at Axelrad Beer Garden. Don’t worry, they have a full bar and food trucks if you haven’t yet enjoyed their hammocks. The movie starts at sundown and children are welcome so feel free to be *that parent* who brings their kids to the bar on a Monday. Learn more HERE.

DR. BETTINA LOVE, UHD SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE EVENTS
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 – Thursday, February 1, 2018
The College of Humanities & Social Sciences at the University of Houston-Downtown is bringing noted scholar Bettina Love for a series of events on hip hop civics education, hip hop social justice, and minority-serving institutions such as HBCUs. Most events will be held during the day but the culminating lecture will be on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. Dr. Love is an award-winning author and professor at the University of Georgia. Learn more HERE.

HOUSTON: SXSW COMMUNITY MEET UP
Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
SXSW believes that attending our event in March isn’t just about attending a conference or festival, it’s all about face-to-face meetings and career-enhancing connections. You never know who you’re going to meet while sitting in a session or who you’re in line with waiting for BBQ. Learn more HERE.

MARGINALIZED VOICES JANUARY MEETING: AFROFUTURISM
Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
This month, we’re reading AFROFUTURISM: THE WORLD OF BLACK SCI-FI AND FANTASY CULTURE by Ytasha Womack! As always, you are required to purchase something from woodbar. Learn more HERE.

HOUSTON STARTUP DEMO DAY
Wednesday, January 31, 2018, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Join us for Houston Startup Demo Day! Top tier mentors, local investors, and personalized pitch feedback for participating startups — nothing’s changed but the address. Whether you’re a serial entrepreneur or just looking to get involved in the community, this event is for YOU. Come out and hear a select group of local Houston startups pitch their company, share their current status, and tell us where they’re headed next. Learn more HERE.

CONCERT: MAJID JORDAN – THE SPACE BETWEEN TOUR
Wednesday, January 31, 2018, 8:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
This Canadian R&B duo is signed to Drake’s OVO Sound label. You’ve probably heard their catchy song “One I Want” with PARTYNEXTDOOR. They’re joined by French producer STWO who is signed to the same label as Kaytranada. There’s a meet & greet option after the show but general admission tickets start at $30. Learn more HERE.

DOWN FOR WHATEVER – LILLY & BLOOM
Wednesday, January 31, 2018, 10:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
What’s up H-Town?! Lilly & Bloom – Down For Whatever!! A monthly party happening every last Wednesday of the month. Description:What’s up H-Town?! Lilly & Bloom – Down For Whatever!! A monthly party happening every last Wednesday of the month. Learn more HERE.

SIN MUROS (WITHOUT WALLS) THEATRE FESTIVAL
Thursday, February 1, 2018 – Sunday, February 4, 2018
Stages Repertory Theatre is proud to present a celebration of Latina/o voices and stories reflecting the diversity of local Texas communities during the first annual Sin Muros. The festival is filled with free public events for audiences and local theatre-makers, including workshops, poetry readings, and networking opportunities. Learn more HERE.

ONE HOUSTON EDUCATION KICKOFF
Thursday, February 1, 2018, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Join parents, teachers, students, and education stakeholders for a kickoff meeting to learn more about our Spring Campaigns and how you can get involved! Who is ONE Houston? The Organizing Network for Education (ONE) Houston is a network of students, parents, educators and community members who organize through political and social action to bring about educational change. Dinner is provided! Learn more HERE.

HOUSTON LEAN STARTUP CIRCLE
Thursday, February 1, 2018, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
If you’ve spent more than 4 weeks struggling to generate sales, this meetup will teach you how to discover key themes regarding problems, channels, emotions and deficiencies necessary to develop your marketing message. Free food and drinks! Learn more HERE.

HMNS CATALYSTS EVENT: CULLEN HALL OF GEMS AND MINERALS
Thursday, February 1, 2018, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Featuring a huge blue topaz crystal weighing more than 2,000 carats, the spectacular specimens on display are true masterpieces – the Rembrandts and Picassos of the natural world. Discover more than 450 beautifully crystallized mineral specimens, including some of the world’s most rare and beautiful examples. Drinks and food are both complimentary and delicious and the Houston Museum of Natural Science events are always really fun. Tickets are $25 unless you join their young professional group like me. Membership also gets you free entry to Mixers & Elixirs on Friday night. Learn more HERE.

THE FUNKY SCORE
Thursday, February 1, 2018, 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
First Edition of The Funky Score for 2018! Fall Thru and join the groove…featuring guests: Joey Flaco and Dj Hurricane of Killem Collective. Cozy up to familiar faces and enjoy the vibes! Learn more HERE.

HMNS MIXERS & ELIXIRS: MARDI GRAS MIXER
Friday, February 2, 2018, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Put on your fanciest masquerade mask, grab your beads and your krewe and head to HMNS for the best Mardi Gras party this side of the delta, Mixers & Elixirs! Doors open at 7 p.m. for the live band, dancing, cash bars and the city’s best food. Tickets are $25 for the general public. Learn more HERE.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH MIXER WITH ACT ONE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Friday, February 2, 2018, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
You are invited to join Act One Young Professionals for their Black History Month Mixer and viewing of The Ensemble Theatre’s production “Fetch Clay, Make Man,” a story about the unlikely friendship between boxing champ Muhammad Ali and actor Stepin Fetchit against the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement. The mixer begins at 7:00 p.m. and the show begins at 8:00 p.m. Learn more HERE.

BEYONCÉ + BOUDAIN
Saturday, February 3, 2018, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
DJ Reel Chill will be spinning hits from Houston’s very own Beyonce, while the Houston Sauce Co. Team serve up delicious Fried Boudain (and Gumbo). Can’t wait to see you all there! The menu is 100% vegan for this free event. Learn more HERE.

OVER THERE SOME PLACE: RECEPTION
Saturday, February 3, 2018, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
The Houston Museum of African American Culture is pleased to present to you Over There Some Place, an exhibition composed of works by emerging artists in Houston, Texas curated by Dominic R. Clay. The work on view will discuss the idea of deference within the African Diaspora from a southern perspective. Each artist will provide contextual ideas of identity through their own practicing mediums. I highly recommend going to the nearby Station Museum afterward! Learn more HERE.

STATION MUSEUM EXHIBITION OPENING: IN(DI)VISIBLE
Saturday, February 3, 2018, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
This exhibition examines immigration, the residual effects of war, and the implications of assimilation, integration, and invisibility for Asian Americans. Reinforced through systematic subjugation and discrimination, the myth of the ‘model minority’ obscures the lived experiences of people perceived as Asian in America and is often used as a wedge between them and other marginalized groups. Head to the Station Museum, one of my favorite museums in the city, for free refreshments and music! Learn more HERE.

MR CARMACK (LIVE) // THE ORIGINAL SOUND TOUR!
Saturday, February 3, 2018, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Mr. Carmack is a Hawaii-based producer making hip hop and dance music. You can hear him mix together Carlos Santana and A$AP Ferg on this track. He’s joined by Goodnight Cody and Tsuruda at White Oak Music Hall. Tickets are $18 in advance. Learn more HERE.

5TH ANNUAL HAULYP OPULENCE CASINO NIGHT
Saturday, February 3, 2018, 8:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Participants will have access to great casino games, entertainment, food, and networking. Wear your best cocktail attire to this open bar affair! The event will bring together the City of Houston to raise funds in support of the Houston Area Urban League which supports programs including youth enrichment, education, small business development, first time home buyers, and health awareness. Learn more HERE.

SUPER SOULFUL SUNDAYS: RELIGION & SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
Sunday, February 4, 2018, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Head to St. John’s Downtown church for a discussion on allies versus friends in the struggle for racial justice. There’s an all-star list of participants including organizers and activists with Black Lives Matter HTX. St. John’s Downtown and Immerse: Urban Studies Project are partnering with Project Curate to begin a provocative series of conversations on religion, faith and contemporary life. Learn more HERE.

AND, AND, AND – STAMMERING: AN INTERVIEW
Sunday, February 4, 2018, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Hồng- n Trương and Hương Ngô’s performance of AND AND AND will take place on Sunday. Featuring: The Black Lunch Table (BLT) an oral-history archiving project whose primary aim is the production of discursive sites, wherein cultural producers engage in dialogue on a variety of critical issues. BLT mobilizes a democratic rewriting of contemporary cultural history by animating discourse around and among the people living it. Learn more HERE.

THE SUNDAY SUPER PARTY
Sunday, February 4, 2018, 3:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
The Sunday Super Party will be showing the Super Bowl in high definition on 2 wall-sized projector screens. $26 tickets include all-you-can-eat catered football foods and all-you-can-drink-mixed drinks so hopefully you see this before it sells out. Video DJ Sly Foxx selects great music so don’t be surprised when someone suddenly acts out Teyana Taylor in the “Fade” video. Learn more HERE.