Top Things to do This Weekend: May 22-24
Theater
Heartbreak USA
Characters Jerry & Missy in a vulnerable moment.
Produced, performed and perfectly pitched right here in the Heights, the original musical centers around a couple stuck in a passion-less relationship. Missy wants more excitement, and Jerry sees nothing wrong with the situation. The couple splits, retreating to their respective friend groups to seek solace and advice. Featuring a soundtrack described as “show tunes meets Top 40 meets classic country.”
Thru May 30. $20–37.50. Obsidian Art Space, 3522 White Oak Dr. 832-889-7837. obsidianartspace.org.
Shobana’s Krishna
The mononymic South Indian film actress Shobana, who has appeared in over 200 films and won two National Film Awards—the Indian equivalent of the Oscars—brings her own twist on the tradition of Indian dance to Houston. English-language dance drama Krishna, which she choreographed and stars in, uses a blend of regional and historical dance styles to tell the story of Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu and one of the protagonists of the Bhagavad Gita. Eclectic dancing will be accompanied by live music from a similarly diverse range of traditions, from Hindustani and Carnatic classical music to the contemporary, electronica-influenced film scores of A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire).
May 22 at 8. $31–121. Cullen Theater, Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave. 832-487-7000. houstonfirsttheaters.com/worthamcenter
Concert
Nicole Mitchell's Indigo Trio
Courtesy of Nameless Sound
Three jazz players—Nicole Mitchell on flute, Avreeayl Ra on drums and percussion, Harrison Bankhead on bass—play MECA this Saturday. Mitchell, praised across the country for her flute skills, combines classic jazz, new age fusion and Afro-Cuban beats into her songs. Catch the trio one night only.
May 23 at 8. $13-20. MECA, 1900 Kane St. 713-802-9370. namelesssound.org
Readings
CAMH Reading: Richard Hell
A writer and lyricist, Hell contributed to the exhibition catalogue for Marilyn Minter: Pretty/Dirty and visits the CAMH this week for a reading. The aesthetic of grit and the beauty of the rough and unpolished are themes of the Minter exhibition, which makes Hell a perfect fit. The musician-turned-writer's previous works include his 2013 autobiography I Dreamed I Was A Very Clean Tramp and the 2005 novel Godlike. No doubt a few punks, fans of iconic songs “Love Comes in Spurts,” “The Kid with the Replaceable Head” and “Blank Generation,” will show up at the museum.
May 23 at 2. Free. Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, 5216 Montrose. 832-863-6688. camh.org
Celebrations
Carnival Houston 2015 - Street Parade & Festival
The Sambabom Brazilian Dance Company, on their way to Carnival.
Celebrating Central and South American culture in Houston, Carnival 2015 features a parade through downtown, beginning at Toyota Center and going through La Branch, Bell and Austin streets. Batala Houston will be marching, bringing the best of samba and reggae drum beats to the mix, and they'll be joined by the Texas Steel Pan Orchestra Dance, Sambabom Brazilian Dance Company, Ballett Folklorico Ritmos y Vibraciones, and Houston's Lunch Box Dance Crew. Take it in, then try some treats from Belize 1st Food Truck and Jenny from the Block’s Puerto Rican.
May 23 at noon. $15–50. Toyota Center, 1417 Polk St. 832-614-9337. carnivalhouston.com
