Houston is chock-full of culture and fun this month.
Cirque du Soleil, Nov. 13
11/2-14
Sister Act
The musical comedy smash, nominated for five Tony Awards including Best Musical, is gracing Houston, featuring music by Tony and eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken and starring Simone Gundy from NBC’s The Voice. The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, thehobbycenter.org
11/3-7
Carmen
Presented by The Houston Grand Opera, Bizet’s Carmen is making an appearance in Houston, featuring an impressive cast, striking costumes and gorgeous dancing. Wortham Theater Center, houstongrandopera.org
11/4-6
Art on the Avenue
Featuring 500 original pieces from over 250 Houston artists, the 24th annual Art on the Avenue fundraiser is a mustattend for art lovers. The event highlights a “buy local” approach in its silent charity art auction, accessible virtually and in person. Winter Street Studios, avenuecdc.org
11/7
Alabama 50th Anniversary Tour
Alabama, the iconic multiplatinum-selling country rock group, has set Houston as its premiere performance on its 50th anniversary tour. The Country Music Hall of Famers boast over 80 million album sales and will be joined on tour by The Frontmen of Country. The Toyota Center, toyotacenter.com
Houston Exotic Auto Festival
Houston’s biggest show of private exotic automobiles, luxury dealerships and elite nonautomotive brands is on the horizon, ready to award the best automobiles trophies and prizes, with the Best of Show awards selected by the audience. Highland Village, houstonexoticautofestival.com
Art on the Avenue, Nov. 4-6; Melody Locke “Angel Trumpet I”
11/9
Touchdown for TEACH Gala
The ninth annual Touchdown for TEACH Gala welcomes special guest Drew Brees, former quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, NFL champion and 2009 Superbowl MVP, to honor The Champagne Cowgirls, raising proceeds to support educators in decreasing disciplinary referrals. River Oaks Country Club, toeducateallchildren.org
11/12
Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers
The Houston Rockets are back at home this week, playing against the Portland Trail Blazers. The basketball teams have played 203 regular season games with the Houston Rockets winning 112 times. The Toyota Center, nba.com/rockets
11/13
Cirque du Soleil
The highly creative global phenomenon is settling in for a month in Houston, offering several opportunities to see its renowned and reimagined Alegría show, taking place in a fading kingdom with a looming revolution. Sam Houston Race Park, cirquedusoleil.com
11/14
International Risotto Festival
The 15th annual International Risotto Festival will delight fans of food and wine with an evening of Italian fun. Featuring samplings of antipasti, Italian music and entertainment, exotic car displays, designer showroom tours and tastings of risotto entries by Houston’s top chefs, this event will raise proceeds to support Second Servings of Houston in its fight against hunger and food waste. The Houston Design Center, risottofestival.com
11/26-28
Sleeping Beauty
The perfect follow-up to Thanksgiving festivities, the Houston Symphony is presenting Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty, featuring an intoxicating violin performance of the fan-favorite ballet by Simone Lamsma. Jones Hall, houstonsymphony.org
Photography by: MARIE-ANDRÉE LEMIRE; MELODY LOCKE