Thursday, February 9

Out in Tech
LGBTQ tech professionals from interns to CEOs come out to Avant Garden for an inclusive space for networking. Drinks will be available with some drink specials available. 6:30-8 p.m.

Chicago Out@TUTS
Chicago and “all that jazz” come to Houston at the Hobby Center, featuring Houstonian Christina Wells as Matron “Mama” Morton. Read her interview with OutSmart. After the performance, join OutSmart for the Out@TUTS reception with free bites, drink specials, and live music. Showing through Feb. 12. 7:30 p.m.

Alaska 5000 – Valentine’s Day Is Terrible
Give a very merry unwelcome to Valentine’s Day with RuPaul’s Drag Race star Alaska 5000, who brings her tour to House of Blues Houston. Tickets can be purchased online. 7 p.m.

Paradise Blue
Ensemble Theatre presents Paradise Blue, a “musically-infused drama” featured in OutSmart that follows Blue, a gifted trumpeter, as he contemplates selling his jazz club in Detroit’s Blackbottom neighborhood—a decision that will impact everyone around him. Showing through Feb. 26. 2 and 8 p.m.

Friday, February 10

Mardis Gras! Galveston
Mardi Gras kicks off in Galveston this weekend, with celebrations continuing through Feb. 21. For its 112th year, Galveston will have parades, headline performances, family events, and more to celebrate the Mardi Gras season.

Spring Fling: Social Hour
Rice University’s Moody Center for the Arts hosts a free outdoor concert featuring the People Museum band and Bright Light Social Hour. Tour the Moody’s new fiber-art show Narrative Threads and enjoy light bites during the concert. Free and open to the public. 7 p.m.

Movement for Black Lives
Urban Souls presents Movement for Black Lives, highlighting Black dancers and choreographers while paying homage to Black artists with movement-based practices that celebrate and advance Black culture. The show is at MATCH in the MATCHBOX 4 theater. 8 p.m.

Saturday, February 11

A Valentine’s Horror Market
Love bites at this pop-up market hosted by Houston Horror Film Festival. Come to Raven Tower to meet horror celebrities, then browse and buy from the market’s vendors and artists. Tickets are available to purchase online for $5 in advance, or $10 at the door. Food and drinks available throughout the day. 12–7 p.m.

Amy Ray Band
Lesbian singer-songwriter and Indigo Girl Amy Ray comes to Houston with a band tour for her acclaimed new solo album If It All Goes South, which explores her personal connection to the South. Doors open at 8 p.m.

 DEVOTIONAL at Numbers
Visit Numbers nightclub for their annual Valentine’s weekend Depeche Mode tribute, with a live performance by Devotional performing their Depeche Mode Experience show. General admission is $25, and the VIP experience—including early entry, a free poster, and a meet-and-greet with a photo op—is $40. Tickets available online. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Roe
Stages presents Roe by Lisa Loomer—the story and personalities behind the headlines of Roe v. Wade, featuring archival audio from the Supreme Court and spotlighting fervor from every side and perspective of the case. Roe follows attorney Sarah Weddington, who argued the case at the Supreme Court at the age of 26, and plaintiff Norma McCorvey (“Jane Roe”), whose story gripped prime-time news for decades. Showing through March 5, curtain times vary.

Sunday, February 12

The Burly Soirée: Love in All Forms
Celebrate love in all its forms with this steamy burlesque performance by the Divine Darlings Burlesque Troupe at 8th Wonder Distillery. Come early to browse and buy burlesque goodies provided by an array of vendors. 2–4 p.m.

Obscure Houston Oddities Market: Bloody Valentine Bazaar 2023
Numbers nightclub’s Obscure Houston Oddities Market makes its Valentine’s appearance this weekend. All ages are welcome at this market with more than 30 vendors and a stage show featuring headliner Ak’Chamel. Don’t miss this chance to see the weirder side of Houston. Admission is $5 for attendees over the age of 5, and includes a free bumper sticker. 1–8 p.m.

Super Bowl Crawfish Sunday
Head over to Pearl Bar Houston for their first crawfish Sunday of the season. Serving up crawfish for $5.99/lb., Pearl will have their weekly Pride Market from 3 p.m. until they sell out, and the Super Bowl will be playing both inside and outside.

Cirque du Soleil: Kooza
Cirque du Soleil returns to its circus origins with KOOZA, featuring acrobatic performances and clowning that explores fear, identity, recognition, and power. Tickets are on sale in advance. Showing through March 5. 1 and 4 p.m.

Know about an LGBTQ event we missed? Let us know by emailing us here. (Having trouble with the link? Copy and paste [email protected] into your email app)