Calendar of Events: Houston
Discover the best things to see and do in Houston this fall.
Sports
Polo Club Tournaments
Sept. 9 – Nov. 11
Put away your cowboy boots and join The Houston Polo Club every Sunday from Sept. 9 to Nov. 11 for high-class horsemanship. Founded in 1928, the club hosts tournaments on its 26 wooded acres throughout the spring and fall. Join the club as a spectator for some of the most memorable events of this fall season—including the Fall Classic on Sept. 9 benefitting Texas Children’s Hospital Cancer Center; the first annual seniors tournament on Nov. 4; and the 18th Annual Ladies Tournament on Nov. 11, which attracts top female polo players from all over the world. (8552 Memorial Dr.; 713-681-8571; thehoustonpoloclub.com)
Weather Museum Golf Tournament
Oct. 19; Wildcat Golf Course
Hosted by the Weather Research Center, the 17th Annual Weather Museum Classic Golf Tournament is played four-man scramble style, with a few extra challenges like the longest drive. Players enjoy lunch, dinner and an awards banquet. Tournament proceeds will benefit the educational programs of The John C. Freeman Weather Museum. (12000 Almeda Rd.; 713-529-3076; wxresearch.com)
Theater
“Women @ Art”
Select dates Sept. 20 – 30; Brown Theater at Wortham Theater Center
The vision of three female choreographers, “Women @ Art” features three distinct performances—Julia Adam’s “Ketubah,” a humorous portrait of a Jewish wedding; internationally acclaimed Aszure Barton’s “World Premiere;” and Twyla Tharp’s testament to contemporary dance, “The Brahms/Haydn Variations.” (501 Texas St.; 713-227-2787; houstonballet.org)
Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”
Sept. 25 – 30; Sarofim Hall at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
Director Rob Roth and choreographer Matt West bring the timeless love story of “Beauty and the Beast” to life once more with the film’s Academy Award-winning score, Ann Hould-Ward’s Tony Award-winning costumes and Disney’s unforgettable characters. (800 Bagby St.; 713-315-2525; thehobbycenter.org)
“Death of a Salesman”
Oct. 3 – 28; Alley Theatre
Arthur Miller’s Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning tale chronicles the struggles of Willy Loman, a failing salesman and father. While the title is telling, “Death of a Salesman” reconciles Willy’s hopeful attitude with the realities of the business world. (615 Texas Ave.; 713-220-5700; alleytheatre.org)
“Les Miserables”
Nov. 6 – 8, 10 – 11; Sarofim Hall at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
The longest running musical in the world, “Les Miserables” tells the engaging story of ex-convict Jean Valjean. Filled with history, political conflict and romance, “Les Misérables” continues to captivate audiences with new staging and a classic score. (800 Bagby St.; 713-315-2525; thehobbycenter.org)
Events and Activities
Haunted Heights Ghost Tour
Sept. 17 – Dec. 23
The Haunted Heights Ghost Tour takes participants on an eerie stroll through the historic and haunted Houston Heights district. The 90-minute tour features chilling stories of death, murder and mystery about past residents that are sure to make your hair stand on end. (1548 Heights Blvd.; 832-224-8687; ghosttourstexas.com)
The Original Greek Festival
Oct. 4 – 7; Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral complex
The 46th Annual Original Greek Festival celebrates Greek culture with authentic, homemade Greek food, cathedral tours, and Greek folk music and dancing. A portion of the proceeds is donated to a number of charities, including Children’s Assessment Center, Texas Emergency Aid Coalition and Houston Area Women’s Center. (3511 Yoakum Blvd.; 713-526-5377; greekfestival.org)
Houston Culinary Tours: Farm
Nov. 10; Throughout the city
Local chefs Claire Smith and Randy Evans guide participants through a culinary adventure through Houston—enjoy a sampling of fresh produce at a farmers market, a tasting of locally sourced cuisine at Houston’s popular food trucks and a tour of one of the chef’s favorite farms where you can pick your own produce. (713-437-5275; houstonculinarytours.com)
Via Colori Street Art Festival
Nov. 17 – 18; Hermann Square at City Hall (downtown houston)
Two hundred local and guest artists decorate the downtown streets of Houston at the Houston Via Colori Street Art Festival—a large outdoor gathering complete with fun activities, live entertainment and food from local vendors. All proceeds from the festival benefit the Center for Hearing and Speech. (900 Smith St.; 713-523-3633; centerhearingandspeech.org)
Exhibits
Craft Texas 2012
Sept. 29 – Dec. 30; Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Enjoy the work of local craft artists at the seventh exhibit of Craft Texas in a series of juried exhibitions highlighting Texas-made contemporary crafts. Featuring 40 works from Texas artists, the exhibit includes crafts made from clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood and found materials. See everything from rocheted linen and latex paint to stoneware ceramic vessels. (4848 Main St.; 713-529-4848; crafthouston.org)
“Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit”
Oct. 21 – Jan. 13; Museum of Fine Arts
Henry Ossawa Tanner, the first African American painter to gain international acclaim, illuminates both his racial and religious life with a realistic lens. The exhibition features more than 100 of Tanner’s works, including his only two known sculptures. (1001 Bissonnet St., 713-639-7300; mfah.org)
“Perspectives 180: New Video from China”
Nov. 3 – Feb. 17; Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
In this innovative exhibit, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston focuses on seven members of a new generation of artists from China involved with video and video installation. A separate program of work by emerging artists will also be shown. (5216 Montrose Blvd.; 713-284-8250; camh.org)
“War/Photography: Images of Armed Conflict and its Aftermath”
Nov. 11 – Feb. 3; Museum of Fine Arts
With nearly 500 objects from 280 photographers documented over 165 years and six continents, “War/Photography: Images of Armed Conflict and its Aftermath” provides a full visual of war throughout the years. This unprecedented exhibit highlights the relationship between photography and war, encouraging visitors to see war through the eyes of the photographer. (1001 Bissonnet St., 713-639-7300; mfah.org)
