Top Things To Do This Weekend: July 4–6
fourth of july
Image: Courtesy of Houston Symphony
Star-Spangled Salute
Don’t ask us how a piece written by a Russian composer to commemorate the defeat of a French emperor became America’s quasi-official Fourth of July soundtrack. But for our money, no Independence Day is complete without a performance of the 1812 Overture, cannons and all. Conductor Michael Krajewski leads the Houston Symphony in a program of patriotic music culminating with Tchaikovsky’s literally bombastic masterpiece.
July 4 at 8:30. Free tickets available at the box office between 10:30 and 1 on the day of performance. Open seating on the hill. Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Dr. 281-373-3386. milleroutdoortheatre.com
Image: Kevin Trotman / Flickr
Southwest Airlines Freedom Over Texas
Just when Eleanor Tinsley Park is beginning to recover from the Free Press Summer Fest multitudes, here comes the city’s official Fourth of July party, this year featuring numerous branded events, from the Walmart All-American Kids Zone to KBR Liberty Park. As for us, we’ll be watching the fireworks at the Bud Light Lime-A-Rita Beach Bash.
July 4 from 4–10. $8–15. Eleanor Tinsley Park, 150 Sabine St. houstontx.gov/july4
Concerts
Steve Earle & The Dukes
After countless albums, seven marriages, a well-publicized prison stint, and a recurring role on The Wire, the hard-living Earle, who served an apprenticeship with Townes Van Zandt in Houston as a teenager, is back in town with his latest back-up band, The Dukes. Don’t miss this chance to see a living legend and one of the greatest singer-songwriters of his generation. With The Mastersons.
July 3 (Thursday) at 7. $25–45. House of Blues, 1204 Caroline St. 888-402-5837. houseofblues.com/houston
Z-Ro
Born in the South Park neighborhood of Houston in 1977, Z-Ro released his debut album in 1998 and soon established himself as a force in the city’s hip-hop scene and beyond—a New York Times critic once called him one of the country’s most underrated rappers. But we have to wonder: after five albums entitled Crack, Cocaine, Heroin, Meth, and Angel Dust, what’s next—Bath Salts? Paint Huffing?
July 5 at 9. $20–32. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak Dr. 713-862-3838. fitzlivemusic.com
Family
Image: Silvia Pera
Maravailloso! A Contemporary Circus
America couldn't have won the Revolutionary War without the French, so it's only fitting that Discovery Green is celebrating Independence Day by hosting a free performance by the French Barolosolo Cirkus Company, which presents the Texas premiere of "ile O," a show filled with acrobatics about two musicians who are forced to perform on a stage filled with water. Also on the bill are works by two Houston companies, Cirque La Vie and FrenetiCore Dance Company.
July 3 & 4 at 7. Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St. discoverygreen.com
