Kicking off the Fall Season with a Wide Range of Events

The days are getting shorter, the sun’s heat is cooling a bit and the kids are back in school. Fall is on its way back, and with it comes a whole host of events in Montrose. From Buddhist philosophy to midnight screenings of cult movie classics, there’s something for everyone on the schedule.

Rocky Horror Picture Show Midnight Screening
When: Saturdays, September 13 and 27 around midnight
What: Not only is it a midnight screening of cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, it’s also an interactive experience and simultaneous live show put on by The Royal Mystic Order of Chaos. Guests will quote along, sing along, dress up like their favorite Rocky Horror characters and so much more. Other than the fact that it starts at midnight, leave the kids at home. This is an evening of adult themes and raunchy fun.
Where: River Oaks Theatre
Cost: $10.50 per movie ticket

Mini Pops from Pop Shop
When: Sunday, September 14 from noon to 6pm
What: Mini pop-up market brought to you by Pop Shop, an organization based in Houston promoting artists who create handmade goods. What is a mini pop-up? A temporary open-air market with vendors selling handmade and vintage products, but also with food trucks, beer samples and live music.
Where: Pavement Clothing at the corner of Westheimer Road and Dunlavy Street
Cost: Free entry

Twilight Meditation and Dharma Talk
When: Tuesday, September 16 from 6-8pm
What: Learn more about the practice of Zen Buddhism at this dharma talk (basically a seminar or public presentation) from Master Miao Tsan. Then, put that knowledge into action — or inaction, as it were — with a meditation that will follow. After your moment(s) of Zen, Master Miao Tsan will be signing books.
Where: Rothko Chapel, 3900 Yupon St.
Cost: $10 suggested donation

Grown-Up Storytime 
When: Tuesday, September 16, 8pm and 10pm (two shows)
What: It’s exactly what it sounds like — a storytelling session inside a bar — with stories written by grown-ups, told by other grown-ups, organized by interactive theater company and nonprofit, BooTown. You can submit your own story and/or sign up to read submitted stories at the event, but you must be over 21 to attend.
Where: Rudyard’s British Pub, 2010 Waugh Dr.
Cost: $5

International Day of Peace
When: Sunday, September 21 at 7pm
What: An event celebrating the United Nation’s International Day of Peace starts with a panel discussion examining the cross-cultural transcendence of art. Panelists are Edge of Arabia co-founder Stephen Stapleton, photographers and FotoFest Biennial founders Fred Baldwin and Wendy Watriss, Palestinian artist Taysir Batnjii, Saudi artist Sarah Abu Abdallah, with Ussama Makdisi, Rice University professor and scholar of US-Middle Eastern relations, moderating. After the discussion will be a screening of a film about a journey into Mecca from Saudi artist Ahmed Mater, along with a reception with food, live music and drinks.
Where: Rothko Chapel Plaza, 3900 Yupon St.
Cost: $10 suggested donation

Montrose District Monthly Mixer
When: Thursday, September 25, 6-8pm
What: Join fellow Montrose neighbors, Montrose District administrators and neighborhood business owners at this monthly mixer. Meet new people, catch up with the ones you know and discuss the latest neighborhood happenings and issues while sipping on drinks and enjoying light bites.
Where: Siphon Coffee, 701 West Alabama Street
Cost: Free

Anthology of Tango
When: Saturday, September 27 from 7-10pm
What: A program sponsored by Casa Argentina, this event will detail the dramatic form of Latin American song and dance known as tango. Both music and dancing are featured, plus a narration of the art form’s history. Expect performances by pianist René Casarsa, violinist Pablo Donatti, vocalist Andrea Berri, dancers Marcos Zapata and Elizabeth Wingfield and narrator Patricia Gras.
Where: University of St. Thomas’ Jones Hall, 3910 Yoakum Blvd.
Cost: $25 general admission fee, $10 for students

Greek Festival
When: Thursday, October 2 through Sunday, October 5, times vary
What: This Big Fat Greek Festival has all the trappings of a good time with live Greek music, dancing, crafts, cathedral tours and some of the greatest food available in Houston. Fill up on souvlaki and baklava and dance it all off before the day is over. Opa!
Where: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Blvd.
Cost: $5 general admission

Montrose Crawl
When: Halloween – Friday, October 31, 7pm
What: It’s one of the most extensive Halloween parties in the city, covering an entire neighborhood with costumed revelers, offering drink specials at participating Montrose businesses and doing away with cover charges for the evening. Though it’s called a “crawl,” attendees can choose from the list of participating restaurants and bars (see below) and make their way around the neighborhood. There is a staggered schedule available on the website, and costume awards at varying venues throughout the evening.
Where: Participating stops are Brasil, Poison Girl, Pistolero’s, Boondocks, Stone’s Throw, Etro Lounge, Catbirds, Royal Oak Bar & Grill, Doc’s Motorworks, Slick Willie’s, El Real Tex-Mex Cafe, The Hay Merchant.
Cost: Free to attend