20+ Celebrations for Houston’s Unofficial Holiday, 713

Is everyone okay?

Hurricane Beryl has destroyed a lot of things, from trees to power lines. Luckily, there are plenty of events happening this weekend to take your mind off the chaos. While there are several events planned to celebrate both 713 Day and Bastille Day, we also have a few art exhibits, a few large-scale stage productions, a grand opening, the return of a beloved boy band, and a pool party that is sure to cool everyone down.

Read on for this weekend’s best bets.

Thursday July 11

Memorial Hermann Broadway at Hobby Center presents Disney’s The Lion King
Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, The Lion King brings together one of Broadway’s most imaginative creative teams. Director Julie Taymor brings to life a story of hope and adventure set to stunning visuals. It also features the work of choreographer Garth Fagan and some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, created by Elton John and Tim Rice. Through Sunday, August 4. 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (8 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday).

Laura Rathe Fine Art presents the opening of “Paper Trails”
Laura Rathe Fine Art presents an exhibition dedicated to the versatile and complex art of paper. It will feature a range of works by 15 acclaimed artists who explore the limitless possibilities of paper as a medium. Each artist is renowned for their unique approach to paper art, making this exhibition a rich tapestry of styles and techniques. Whether gestural or structured, calculated or organic, each of the featured artist’s works highlights the eternal repetition of small elements combining to create a moment larger than themselves. Through Monday, August 5. 6 p.m.

The Woodlands presents Rock the Row
Rock the Row, The Woodlands’ concert series, returns with Thursday night events hosted by Howard Hughes and The Woodlands Township. The official lineup of artists includes a range of genres including variety, country, classic rock and pop. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, picnic baskets, coolers and lawn chairs (no glass allowed). First up on stage will be the variety group Party On. Through Thursday, August 15. 7 p.m.

Friday July 12

Stardust Entertainment presents Delta H Con
Delta H Con, a Houston-based, women-owned company, is made up of people who have been gamers or anime fans for years. So of course they want to put on a three-day convention for gaming enthusiasts and anime aficionados, featuring card games, board games, role-playing games, live-action role-playing games, figurines, computer games, and more. There will also be voice actors, cosplay guests, maid and cosplay shows, and anime rooms. 9 a.m.

Houston Holocaust Museum Presents ‘Facing Survival | David Kassan’ on Opening Day
The Houston Holocaust Museum presents “Facing Survival | David Kassan,” featuring paintings and drawings by renowned artist David Kassan, which capture the poignant stories and portraits of more than 24 Holocaust survivors. The exhibition invites the public to witness the strength and resilience of those who persevered through unimaginable adversity. Through Sunday, January 5, 10 a.m.

Anya Tish Gallery presents the opening of “The “I” in Immigration: Tatiana Escallón”
Anya Tish Gallery presents a pop-up exhibition titled “The ‘I’ in Immigration” by Colombian-born, Houston-based artist Tatiana Escallón. Featuring vibrant, large-scale, mixed-media abstract paintings and highly textured, saturated works on paper, the exhibition explores Escallón’s personal experience with immigration, reflecting deeply on various aspects of her identity as a woman living between contrasting cultures. Through Saturday, August 3, 6 p.m.

The Queensbury Theatre presents The Wizard of Oz
The Queensbury Theatre, a nonprofit theater based in Houston, presents The Wizard of Oza multicultural reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale, featuring the iconic soundtrack from the 1939 MGM film. It tells the timeless story of young Dorothy Gale’s journey from Kansas over the rainbow to the magical land of Oz. Through Sunday, July 28. 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday).

Saturday July 13

Grand Opening of La La Kind Cafe
La La Land Kind Cafe, the popular coffee shop that promotes bright yellow cups, kindness, and life skills for foster youth, will open its latest Houston location this weekend. Guests can enjoy La La Land favorites like the World’s Best Vanilla Latte or Strawberry Fields Matcha Latte while chatting with friends or getting some remote work done. Enjoy 50% off drinks and toast all day, and the first 100 guests in line will receive an exclusive La La Land mug and other exclusive merchandise and surprises. 6:30 a.m.

Extravagant wedding show
The Bridal Extravaganza Show will return with the largest number of fashion shows, cakes, gowns and local vendors ever. Brides, bridesmaids, mothers of the bride, grooms, family and wedding planners will have their choice of over 160 vendors catering exclusively to the wedding industry. The show will feature cake samples, décor, florals, fashion shows, a 200+ wedding dress gallery, multiple Instagram walls for selfies, guest speakers on the latest bridal fashions and trends and entertainment from Houston’s top wedding professionals. 11 a.m. (noon Sunday).

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents All-risk class
Claude Sautet’s first major feature film, released in 1960, stars Lino Ventura as Abel Davos, a wanted man in Italy who organizes a robbery in order to raise the money needed to relocate his family. As losses mount and the noose tightens, Davos must decide when to stop. All-risk class also stars 26-year-old Jean-Paul Belmondo (direct from Breathless) and Sandra Milo. 7 p.m. (6 p.m. Sunday).

New Kids on the Block in concert
New Kids on the Block is coming to The Woodlands as part of their 2024 Magic Summer Tour. Anyone who lived through the late ’80s knows that this Boston quintet was both pop superstars and teen pin-up girls’ dream, with hits like “You Got It (The RIght Stuff)” and “Please Don’t Go Girl.” They’ll be performing their biggest hits, unexpected fan favorites and magical surprises. They’ll be joined by fellow ’80s icons Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Basically, this is a must-see event for anyone who grew up wearing a Swatch. 7 p.m.

Sunday July 14

Collaboration 93′ Til X Khói Barbecue
Chef Lung Ly of 93′ Til and pitmaster Don Nguyen of Khói Barbecue will be revisiting the classic Vietnamese dishes of their childhood this weekend. They’ll be combining Lung’s seasonal farmers market approach and butchery/charcuterie background with Don’s direct wood-fire cooking, live fire, and offset smoking techniques. The two chefs will be cooking on-site with a menu that includes items like rabbit and pork sausages, whole pig cơm tấm, smoked chả lụa bánh cuốn, and spicy sweet short ribs. Tickets are not required, but it will be first come, first served. 11 a.m.

Brasserie 19 presents the July 14 celebration “Red, White and Brut”
Get ready for the most French day ever with Brasserie 19’s “Rouge, Blanc et Brut” Bastille Day party. Brasserie 19 will host Moët Hennessy for a very special afternoon filled with specialty cocktails, bubbles, brunch-sized bottles, raffles, giveaways, DJ FXBoxOlmos spinning French disco tunes, and culinary specialties. Guests are encouraged to wear their finest French chic. 11am.

Sum’n Good presents Sum’n Wet: a pool party
Ready for the hottest pool party of the summer? Sum’n Good, a DJ-led dance party and musical journey, and event management agency Top Shelf Entertainment are joining forces to get people wet and refreshed at this pool party. DJ Big Reeks and the Waxaholics will be there to spin the best of hip-hop, R&B, Afrobeats, soul, house and reggae. Grab your swimsuit and your crew, and get ready to make some waves. 3pm.