Top Things to Do This Weekend: Nov. 20-22
Theater
Opening Night of A Christmas Carol
The Alley’s Christmas tradition lives on as Dickens’s classic tale of redemption heads back in time for the holidays. The story follows crotchety old grouch Ebenezer Scrooge, who takes a journey with…never mind, you know the story.
Nov 20–Dec 28. $35–70. 615 Texas Ave. 713-220-5700. alleytheatre.org
Festival
Houston Whatever Fest
The second annual music-meets-comedy-meets-street-arts festival takes over the EaDo venue with a bevy of performers. Comedians TJ Miller and Brooks Wheelan headline the stand up sets as bands The Ataris, Blackie and The Suspects perform.
Nov 21 & 22. $35-55. Warehouse Live, 813 Saint Emanuel. houstonwhateverfest.com
Concert
Tapestry: The Carole King Songbook
Image: Flickr / BFS Man
The Houston Symphony pays homage to the pop singer with a lineup of some of her most acclaimed songs including "You've Got A Friend" and "So Far Away." Tony-nominated actress Liz Callaway from the Broadway hit Baby performs as conductor Michael Krajewski leads.
Nov 20 & 21 at 8; Nov 22 at 7:30. $25-135. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St. 713-224-7575. houstonsymphony.org
Classical
Homage to the Sun King
Image: Ars Lyrica
Followers of French Baroque masterworks can settle in for a night of stunning chamber music dedicated to the 300th anniversary of Louis XIV’s death. The event at the Hobby Center goes full regalia with historical dress, instruments and dance steps taken directly from the Ancien Régime. This program features Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s sparkling chamber opera Les arts florissants plus royal motets and chamber works by Jean-Baptiste Lully, Jean-Philippe Rameau and François Couperin.
Nov 20. 7:30. $22-59. Hobby Center, 800 Bagby St. 713-315-2525. arslyricahouston.org
Family
Winter Birding
With Houston rivaling only Jumanji in the wildlife department, admirers of nature shouldn't be disappointed. Families can join bird instructor–probably one of the coolest job titles ever–Gary Clark on an ornithological journey at the Houston Arboretum, where he'll be giving pointers on how to spot specific birds during our cooler months.
Nov 21. 8:30. $30-55. Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 4501 Woodway Dr. 713-681-8433. houstonarboretum.org
