ANA KHAN’S THINGS TO DO
‘Jurassic World: The Exhibition’
This family-friendly dinosaur experience, inspired by the “Jurassic Park” films, showcases lifelike replicas of dinosaurs, including brachiosaurs, velociraptors and the Tyrannosaurus rex, in environments based on the movies.
When: Opens today for a limited time
Where: Katy Mills, 5000 Katy Mills Circle Katy
Details: $24 for children ages 3 to 15; $31.99 for ages 16 and older; jurassicworldexhibition.com
Azalea Trail
The 87th annual garden tour, hosted by the River Oaks Garden Club, invites the public to explore six gardens in the River Oaks area, including four private homes. A complimentary round-trip shuttle is provided for travel to all locations.
When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. today-Sunday
Where: River Oaks Garden Club Forum, 2503 Westheimer
Details: $30; riveroaksgc.org
Camel & Ostrich Racing at Sam Houston Race Park
Witness the thrilling race of camels and ostriches at this family-friendly live racing event. Visitors can explore different dining options, including on-site food trucks.
When: 5 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. Sunday
Where: Sam Houston Race Park, 7575 North Sam Houston Parkway
Details: $5, free for ages 5 and younger; shrp.com
Biggest Picnic in Texas: 100th Birthday Edition
In honor of its 100th birthday, Memorial Park Conservancy is throwing a big picnic celebration. The event includes live music, complimentary birthday cupcakes (while supplies last), appearances by
Astros mascot Orbit and the Shooting Stars, food, drinks, treats from H-E-B and kids’ activities, such as face painting, arts and crafts and a magic show.
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Picnic Loop, 301 N. Picnic Lane
Details: Free; memorialparkconservancy.org
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: Go Tejano Day
The rodeo’s Go Tejano Day features live entertainment at the Junction Stage and Champion Wine Garden, along with the Mariachi Invitational Semifinals at the Hideout. Experience Fiesta Charra at NRG Center Main Arena, showcasing traditional Mexican folk dance, music and horseback riding. Norteño band Los Tigres del Norte will headline the event.
When: Sunday
Where: NRG Park, 1 NRG Parkway
Details: rodeohouston.com
Here are six events recommended for the coming week.
FotoFest
The work of more than 20 photographers will be on display as part of “Critical Geography,” the central exhibition of the FotoFest Biennial 2024. The work in “Critical Geography” investigates the effect of power structures – economic, political, social – affect physical and communal spaces. In addition to that exhibition, FofoFest will included “Ten by Ten,” a collection of 10 portfolios curated from the 2022-23 FofoFest International Meeting Place Portfolio Review. Also showing will be Mark Menjivar’s “Looking Up (Voices From Jack Yates High School),” a commissioned installation with pieces scattered around the city, including the accompanying image from George Bush International Airport. Menjivar connects student-shot photos of the skies above the school with text written by students in which they envision their ideal school. In addition to gallery hours for the exhibitions, FotoFest will host artist receptions, creative conversations, film screenings and other programming during its six-week run, which begins March 9 and runs into mid-April.
When: Saturday-April 21
Where: Silver Street Studios and Winter Street Studios, 2000 Edwards
Details: Free; fotofest.org
‘The Pillowman’
Though he’s enjoyed great success with films like “In Bruges,” “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “The Banshees of Inisherin,” Martin McDonagh’s early success was as a playwright, dating back to his Ireland-set Leenane trilogy in the mid-1990s. His play “The Pillowman” is now 20 years old, having won the Laurence Olivier Award for best new play in 2004 in addition to a Tony Award nomination. Two decades on, “The Pillowman” feels contemporary as McDonagh’s story involves a dark and twisted interrogation conducted in a totalitarian state. The Dirt Dogs Theater Co. presents the play with Malinda L. Beckham directing.
When: Today-March 23
Where: Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston, 3400 Main
Details: $30; 713-521-4533, matchouston.com
Mick Flannery
Like the late, great Bap Kennedy, Mick Flannery hails from Ireland, where he detangles and then re-tangles the folk music of his home with the American country and blues that owe a debt to it. His aching voice courses beautifully through quieter songs about nighttime folks doing the best they can as on “Neon Tonight,” and he can also howl on rousing tunes like “Goodtime Charlie,” the title track to his eighth and latest album. He has a clutch of dates in Tennessee and Texas, with one Houston stop in the mix.
When: 7 p.m. Monday
Where: McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk
Details: $30; mcgonigels.com
Pussy Riot
Punk-rock in the States has gone through so many iterations over a half-century that it can’t help but be a perpetually morphing commercial endeavor. Not so much in Russia. Pussy Riot is almost a concept as much as it is a band, a feminist protest art ensemble that speaks out against the ruling powers in Russia, which is an endeavor far more dangerous than any undertaken by punk-rock bands here. The group created a buzzy video about the 2021 arrest of Alexei Navalny. His death last month has likely only sharpened the ensemble’s resolve. What will the show be like? No idea. But it does feel very much of the moment.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: White Oak Music Hall, 2915 N. Main
Details: $25; whiteoakmusichall.com
Ben Jackson
Ben Jackson first drew wide notice in 2010 when he won first place at the International Close-Up Magic competition in Las Vegas. The Houston magician has over the years fine-tuned his act into a charming and funny presentation titled “Magic, Music and Mayhem,” with some wickedly joyful close-up magic.
When: Various times on today-Saturday and March 22-23
Where: Four Seasons Hotel, 1300 Lamar
Details: $55-$75; benjacksonlive.com
Rick Trevino
Thirty years after he issued a hit single, “Just Enough Rope,” in both Spanish and English, Austin native Rick Trevino continues to create bilingual country music sung in the spirit of Freddy Fender with his big, clear voice leading the way. Trevino isn’t the most prolific of recording artists, but between solo albums and his tenure in Los Super Seven, he has plenty of songs from which to make a setlist. And Main Street Crossing affords the opportunity to see a country music great in a snug setting.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Main Street Crossing, 111 W. Main, Tomball
Details: $48-$78; mainstreetcrossing.com