Mogwai and Asian action films have us reeling.
FROM THE JAPANESE-MADE “KINGDOM,” SHOWN, TO THE CHINESE COP DRAMA “LINE WALKER 2” AND THE THE KOREAN EXORCISM HORROR STORY “THE DIVINE FURY,” FANS OF ASIAN ACTION HAVE GOOD REASON TO STAY INDOORS THIS WEEKEND. IT’S TOO HOT OUTSIDE ANYWAY.
When: Opening Friday • Where: AMC Studio 30, Houston • Details: amctheatres.com/movie-theatres/houston/amc-studio-30
1. Nari Ward
Jamaican-born artist Nari Ward has turned staggering amounts of humble, found materials into large-scale sculpture, creating compelling work that evokes the tenuousness and resilience of life in Harlem, his chosen home. A number of his signature pieces have come to Texas for the first time in the survey “We the People” — including the namesake 27-foot-long hanging installation, which spells out the preamble to the U.S. Constitution in shoelaces.
When: Friday through Nov. 30 Where: Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, 5216 Montrose Details: Free; 713-284-8250, camh.org Molly Glentzer
2. Mogwai
Back when Mogwai released “Young Team” in the late ’90s, there weren’t a lot of bands out there doing epic instrumental rock with compositions that unfolded beautifully over 10 minutes. These days the Scottish band has more company but remains the gold standard of the form. Mogwai released “Every Country’s Sun” a year or so ago and is promoting it with a tour that also includes Papa M, fronted by alt-rock legend David Pajo of Slint. When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 Where: White Oak Music Hall, 2915 N. Main
Details: $22; 713-237-0370, whiteoakmusichall.com Andrew Dansby
3. Adam Carroll
There’s nothing showy about Adam Carroll’s work. He sings in a conversational manner that recalls John Prine. But over eight albums, Carroll has made a strong case for being one of the best singer-songwriters in a state full of them. Ask other tunesmiths, and they’ll testify to their admiration of his work, which is wise, witty and full of poetry and lingering stories. His latest is “Good Farmer,” and it’s a little different in that Carroll shared songwriting, singing and picking duties with Chris Carroll, his wife, who traveled to Texas from Canada and found a home for her own music.
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 22 Where: McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk Details: $22-$25; 713-5285999, mcgonigels.com Andrew Dansby
4. Jen Kirkman
Though Jen Kirkman got her start doing stand-up, the comedian has done a pretty admirable job filling out a résumé. She founded Girlcomic.net and is a Funny or Die and Comedy Central regular, including notable spots on “Drunk History.” Recently she also contributed to TV’s much lauded “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” helping pen jokes for the titular rising comedian. Then there are the books, TV, movies, podcasts. But she gets back to her roots with a stand-up show here next week. When: 8 p.m. Aug. 22 Where: Heights Theater, 339 W. 19th Details: $22; the heights theater.com Andrew Dansby
5. The Mingus Big Band
Composer, band leader and bassist Charles Mingus died in 1979. But his widow, Sue Mingus, is determined to keep his legacy alive, forming the Mingus Big Band to perform some of the jazz legend’s complex and enduring compositions. The band’s lineup has evolved over the decades, including all sorts of jazz greats including Jeff “Tain” Watts, Randy Brecker and Donny McCaslin. More recently pianist Helen Sung — a graduate of Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts — has been a featured member. No matter the lineup, the ensemble remains dedicated to presenting some of the best music made by a 20thcentury iconoclast.
When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive Details: free; 713-524-5050 Andrew Dansby
6. Tibetan Buddhist Monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery
Monks from India’s Drepung Loseling Monastery are here this week for a series of healing ceremony events, including making an intricate mandala that will be on display and performing in concert Saturday night. When: Through 3 p.m. Sunday Where: Asia Society Texas Center, 1370 Southmore
Details: Free except for Saturday’s Sacred Music Sacred Dance for World Healing performances at 2 p.m. (family matinee, $25) and 7 p.m. (full length, $35); asiasociety.org/ texas Cary Darling