What’s Happening in Houston This Weekend: Original Greek Festival, Bayou City Art Festival, Texas Renaissance Festival return

Houston, Texas– This weekend offers a flurry of festivals for almost every taste, from arts to black and Greek culture to the ancient Renaissance festival.

Meanwhile, a hot stage show comes to town, Texas’ favorite grocery store hosts a wine walk for those who love to strip down and stroll, and Texas’ most intrepid country musicians move to town.

Enjoy! Here are your best bets for the weekend.

Friday October 7th

Rockefeller’s Houston presents Tracy Anne Hart: “Past, Present and Future

Rockefellers Houston presents this exhibition of prints by photographer Tracy Anne Hart in conjunction with the FotoFest. This is the official release event for Hart’s 2023 Stevie Ray Vaughan Calendar. The show includes the calendar, live music and prints of Hart’s pictures of SRV, Gary Clark Jr., Billy Gibbons, Eric Tessmer, Sue Foley, Fantastic Negrito, Eric Gales and other great artists past, present and future. These images explore culture and cultural appropriation as well as amazing American music. The event includes a short Q&A session, bar and refreshments. 6 p.m

Theater Under the Stars Lit Gala

Theater Under The Stars’ Lights Up Gala will see Alex Newell, the renowned Grammy-nominated singer of “Glee”, join the TUTS Pre-Professional Company and the Performance Troupe. The evening begins with cocktails and a silent auction, followed by a four-course dinner. Chaired by Patricia & Sig Cornelius and Dolores Cavatore & John Tobola, the annual event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Humphreys School of Musical Theater and raises funds for TUTS. 6:30 p.m

Moody Center for the Arts presents Elainie Lillios: Night Sky

Composer Elainie Lillios will debut her latest sound and light composition at James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany Skyspace. Lillios presents a meditative journey of sound in response to Turrell’s iconic work, located on the Rice campus. Her composition also includes the poem Night Sky by Don Bogen. Lillios integrates Bogen’s poem into her soundscape in a way that reflects and amplifies the text while creating a connection between the twilight of life and the Twilight Epiphany Skyspace. Until Sunday 23 Oct 7pm

Performing Arts Houston presents Tom Papa: Family Reunion Tour

With more than 20 years as a stand-up comedian, Tom Papa is one of the top comedy voices in the country. He has found success in film, television, books, radio and podcasts, and on the live stage. Dad recently published his second book, You’re Doing Great! – And Other Reasons To Stay Alive, which was the follow-up to Your Dad Stole My Rake: And Other Family Dilemmas. He also writes for the New Yorker magazine. Papa has four stand-up specials, including his latest, “Tom Papa: You’re Doing Great!” on Netflix. His other specials include “Human Mule”, “Freaked Out” and “Tom Papa Live in New York City”. 19:30 o’clock

Saturday October 8th

Art Colony Association, Inc. presents the Bayou City Art Festival

The Bayou City Art Festival returns to downtown Houston to celebrate 50 years of unique arts experiences and education in Houston while supporting local organizations and promoting the impact art is having on the Houston community. Patrons have the opportunity to meet artists, view original works, and purchase artworks across 19 art disciplines, including paintings, prints, jewelry, sculpture, and more. The two-day festival features live music, a food truck park and drink stations, as well as two entertainment stages and art installations. 10 am

Bonus! Raise your sorrows and raise your glass to the magic and merriment of the Texas Renaissance Festival, or simply Renfest! The festival celebrates its 48th anniversary and kicks off the 2022 season with themed weekends. Oktoberfest is the first theme for the opening Saturday and Sunday. You can also expect new artists and vendors at the annual festival, held in Todd Mission, about an hour from Houston. Tickets are available now, but prices vary depending on the weekend. Children up to 12 years are free every Sunday.

But wait, there’s more!

Celebrate Greek culture at the Original Greek Festival, which dates back to 1966 in Houston. If you want to see it, you have one last chance on Saturday, when the festival runs from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The action will take place at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in Yoakum in the Montrose area. The festival is known for authentic dishes, live Greek music, dancing and more. You can also visit the newly enlarged Cathedral. Tickets cost $5, but note that you cannot purchase them online. Children up to 12 years have free entry.

You can find more events at our partners at Culturemap Houston.