We\u2019re officially in the home stretch, and Christmas is just around the corner.<\/p>\n
Before that, this weekend offers plenty of holiday-themed events, including an ugly sweater party\/toy drive and a yuletide visit from Pentatonix. But some fascinating visual art is also popping off this weekend, from an intriguing art exhibition to several movie screenings, including the latest from hometown boy Richard Linklater. <\/p>\n
Or, you could pick up some booze over at O.S.T. Liquor, get lit, and sing \u201cLuv Ya Blue\u201d<\/a> over and over again \u2013 just a suggestion.<\/p>\n Thursday, December 18<\/strong><\/p>\n Contemporary Arts Museum Houston presents Music at the Museum<\/strong> Sabine Street Studios presents “Zuzu’s Petals” opening reception<\/strong> Aurora Picture Show presents Aurora Holiday Party & Raffle<\/strong> Friday, December 19<\/strong><\/p>\n The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents <\/strong>Nouvelle Vague<\/strong> Rice Cinema presents <\/strong>The Projectionists\u2019 Reel<\/strong> Houston Symphony presents <\/strong>Elf in Concert<\/strong> Vincent Victoria Presents <\/strong>The 1968 Cherry Cola Pitts Christmas Special: A Musical<\/strong> Saturday, December 20<\/strong><\/p>\n O.S.T. Liquor Store presents the Annual Holiday Bourbon Allocation BLCK Market Holiday Festival at East River<\/strong> Pentatonix in concert Winsome Prime presents Annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party & Toy Drive Sunday, December 21<\/strong><\/p>\n Kings Harbor Waterfront Village presents Holiday on the Harbor
<\/a>Music at the Museum is back, as CAMH wraps up the year with an evening of live music, an art workshop, and contemporary art. Jupiter will be spinning house, ambient, club tracks, and more. And you can participate in the cyanotype workshop downstairs. Join CAMH FAQ team member and artist Carlos Mendoza<\/a> <\/strong>in this hands-on activity that bridges car cultures from the West Coast to H-Town. 6 pm. <\/p>\n
<\/a>Sabine Street Studios\u2019 end-of-the-year exhibition, \u201cZuzu\u2019s Petals,\u201d takes inspiration from the beloved 1946 classic film, It\u2019s a Wonderful Life. The group exhibition of mixed media works offers an opportunity for reflection on the year that has passed, the promise of the new year ahead, and the meaningful memories that weave through our lives. The reception will include complimentary beverages and snacks, as well as brief artist talks where each creator will share insights into their work and its significance within the exhibition. 6 pm.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Join Aurora Picture Show\u2019s famously festive, annual holiday party \u2013 the first one held in the new Navigation Blvd. space. This free event features beverages provided by Double Trouble and Saint Arnold, light bites from Phoenicia, vintage holiday TV projections, and music provided by DJs Gracie Chavez, Marcelluz Gualez, Alex la Rotta, and Peter Lucas. The raffle, benefitting Aurora\u2019s artistic and educational programming, is open until 9 pm and features an array of great items, experiences, and gift cards. 7 pm.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Nouvelle Vague, Richard Linklater\u2019s love letter to the revolutionary magic of the French New Wave, reimagines the making of Jean-Luc Godard\u2019s Breathless (1960). As a Cahiers du Cinema critic, Godard (Guillaume Marbeck) turns to filmmaking with a mix of fresh faces and daring talents that bring his spontaneous, idiosyncratic film to life. Capturing the behind-the-scenes creative chaos at the heart of one of cinema\u2019s most iconic and influential debuts, catch this movie at the MFAH this weekend \u2013 in glorious 35mm! 7 pm (5 pm Sunday).<\/p>\n
<\/a>Rice Cinema will have a special screening featuring work by Tish Stringer, a Rice alum and former technical exhibition manager at Rice Cinema. In The Projectionists\u2019 Reel, Kirston Otis spins the tale of how crafty projectionists of the Greenway Theater cannibalized cinematic ephemera into remix joy. Preceded by a bonus screening of We\u2019re Not Judges, a short film by Ren\u00e9e Feltz, a former KPFT News Director, and currently at Democracy Now! The filmmakers will be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A. 7 pm. <\/p>\n
<\/a>Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa\u2019s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn\u2019t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York in search of his real father (James Caan). After DNA test confirmation, Buddy and his dad build a relationship with chaotic (and comedic) moments. The heartwarming tale of Buddy the Elf will play on the big screen, while every note of John Debney\u2019s score is played live to picture. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday)<\/p>\n
<\/a>Vincent Victoria Presents delivers the world premiere of a new stage production, The 1968 Cherry Cola Pitts Christmas Special: Christmas Will Never be the Same. The production, a sharp, irreverent, joyously queer holiday biting satire set in the explosive year of 1968, stars Cherry Cola Pitts, an openly gay entertainer navigating fame, freedom, and chaos under the studio lights. 8 pm (3 and 8 pm Saturday; 3 pm Sunday). <\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/a>O.S.T. Liquor Store will launch one of its largest and most anticipated bourbon allocation releases, offering more than 200 rare and highly coveted bottles to collectors and holiday shoppers. The event is known for drawing enthusiasts from across the Houston area who are seeking hard-to-find bourbons, whiskeys, and limited-edition spirits to raise the bar on gifting and entertaining this holiday season. Get there early. 10 am.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Step into a festive celebration of Black-owned businesses at the BLCK Market Holiday Festival at East River. Attendees will enjoy holiday shopping at its finest as East River transforms into a bustling winter market filled with music, merriment, and unique finds. Browse curated gifts (seasonal d\u00e9cor, art, skincare, books, and candles), dance to the beats of live DJs, and get grub at food trucks \u2013 all while being surrounded by the joyful energy of community. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be available for photos from 12-2 pm. 11 am.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/a>In 2011, a cappella group Pentatonix became the first act to top both the Holiday Albums and Holiday Songs charts simultaneously. Since then, Christmas has become their business, dropping such seasonal releases as 2014\u2019s That\u2019s Christmas to Me and 2016\u2019s A Pentatonix Christmas. They\u2019ll be Houston as part of their Christmas in the City tour, performing favorite songs from their seven holiday-themed albums, including the new Christmas in the City. 7 pm.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/a>The Southern-inspired steakhouse is kicking off the holiday week with its annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party & Toy Drive. Attendees are asked to bring a new toy to benefit the Isiah Factor Christmas Toy Drive, as well as dress in their most outrageous, over-the-top holiday sweaters for an ugly sweater contest, with special perks, giveaways, and photo moments throughout the event. 7 pm.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/a>Join Lake Houston mixed-use development Kings Harbor Waterfront Village as it celebrates the holiday season with Holiday on the Harbor. Attendees can enjoy a free photo opportunity with Santa and Mrs. Claus, music from a DJ, face painting, an on-site caricature artist, and riding on the trackless train. Families can also play yard games and create holiday crafts, making it a day full of holiday cheer for kids and adults alike. 1 pm.<\/p>\n