Festivals, concerts, plays and more, there are lots of events in the area to keep your calendar booked.
‘Rex’s Exes’ [Through May 8]
This deliciously funny Southern-fried farce finds the Verdeen cousins — Gaynelle, Peaches and Jimmie — of Sweetgum, Texas, teetering on the brink of disaster again.
8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays through May 8, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 state Highway 3, Dickinson, 281.337.7469 or www.harbourtheater.com
Galveston Historic Homes Tour [April 30, May 1, 7-8]
The 42nd annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour opens the doors to numerous, privately owned, historic island homes. This year’s tour also hosts numerous special events and spotlights new island construction with specially selected additional homes.
April 30 to May 1 and May 7-8, Various locations in Galveston, www.galvestonhistory.org
Galveston Island Cinco de Mayo Fiesta [May 1]
LULAC Council 151 will host the annual Galveston Cinco de Mayo Fiesta featuring Tejano Award winners The Hometown Boys from Lubbock and Grupo Imagen, who won the award for Best New Artist. There also will be folkloric dancers, mariachis, jalapeño eating contest, pet costume contest, gritto contest (Mexican yell), queen-princess crowning, piñatas, face painting and games.
Noon to 8:30 p.m. May 1, Old Galveston County Courthouse, 722 21st St., Galveston, 409.256.9602
Blessing of the Fleet [May 1]
Watch as decorated shrimp boats and pleasure craft cruise down the Clear Creek Channel to Galveston Bay.
May 1, Kemah Boardwalk, 215 Kipp Ave., Kemah, www.kemahboardwalk.com
Galveston Symphony Orchestra [May 1]
Trond Saeverud will lead the Galveston Symphony Orchestra in a concert featuring the works of Schreker, Copland, Frazier and Brahms.
4 p.m. May 1, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston, 800.821.1894, www.thegrand.com or www.galvestonsymphony.org
Red Cat Jazz Festival [May 5-7]
Come and spend a great day out with the family or an intimate date night listening to amazing music by some of the best musicians in the world. The festival lineup will include Michael Philips, Kermit Ruffins, Jonathan Butler, Gerald Albright, Warren Hill, Alex Bugnon, Michael Ward, Joey Sommerville, Mindi Abair, Jessy J., Theresa Grayson, Lala Wilson and many more.
May 5-7, Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston, www.redcatjazzfest.com
Rock the Dock [May 5, 12, 19, 26]
The summer concert series returns with performances every Thursday night through August.
May 5, 12, 19 and 26, Kemah Boardwalk, 215 Kipp Ave., Kemah, www.kemahboardwalk.com
League City Music Festival [May 7-8]
Clint Black and The Bellamy Brothers are the headliners for this year’s festival, which benefits the charities of the League City Lions Club. The event also features a barbecue cook-off, carnival attractions, arts and crafts and more.
May 7-8, Walter Hall Park, 807 state Highway 3 N., League City, www.lcmusicfest.com
Texas Crab Festival [May 6-8]
Celebrating its 31st year, the Texas Crab Festival is an event not to be missed. The event features music from a lineup of Gulf Coast favorites, carnival rides, crab races, crab arcade, crab legs contest, fun run, two-step dance contest, wiener dog races, washers tournament, arts and crafts booths, crab gumbo cook-off and fresh local seafood dishes as well as traditional festival favorites.
May 6-8, Gregory Park, Crystal Beach, www.texascrabfestival.org
Santa Fe Fest [May 7]
This communitywide, family-fun event features a fun run through Jack Brooks Park, car show, crawfish cook-off and other activities. Runners who participate in the 5K in the Fe will receive free admission to the festival.
Race check-in 6:30 a.m., festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Galveston County Fairgrounds, 10 Jack Brooks Road, Hitchcock, santafetexaschamber.com
Strawberry Festival [May 7]
The 86th annual event will feature strawberry shortcake, barbecue plates, games, face-painting, crafts and other items for purchase, baked goods, live music and more.
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 7, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 4613 state Highway 3, Dickinson, www.holytrinitydickinson.org
Craft Beer Fest [May 7]
Spend the day sampling more than 72 craft beers from 24 breweries.
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. May 7, Kemah Boardwalk, 215 Kipp Ave., Kemah, www.kemahbeerfest.com or www.kemahboardwalk.com
Movie Nite on The Strand [May 7]
Bring a lawn chair to Saengerfest Park and watch a movie after dusk the first Saturday of each month. May’s showing is “Pitch Perfect.”
May 7, Saengerfest Park, 2302 Strand, Galveston
Galveston Bay Orchid Society Spring Orchid Show and Sale [May 7-8]
Make plans to bring mom and family to celebrate and experience beautiful orchid displays. Orchid experts will be available to answer questions, and vendors will offer a wide variety of blooming plants for sale.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 7 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 8, South Shore Harbor Conference Center, 2500 South Shore Blvd., League City, www.galvestonbayorchidsociety.org
An Evening with Paul Anka [May 8]
Experience an evening with one of the most prolific and versatile artists of any generation. Paul Anka is the only singer/songwriter in history to have a record on Billboard’s Top 50 chart for seven consecutive decades. In addition to his own classic hits, “Diana,” “Lonely Boy” and “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” Anka wrote Tom Jones’ “She’s a Lady” and the English lyrics for Frank Sinatra’s signature song “My Way.”
7 p.m. May 8, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com
Yaga’s Wild Game & Bar-B-Que Cook-oFf [May 13-14]
This competition allows backyard chefs, sportsmen and women, and outdoor enthusiasts to show off their culinary skills and enjoy some good old fashioned fun, fellowship and food.
May 13-14, Pier 21, Galveston, www.ycfund.org
‘Mamma Mia’ [May 13-14]
A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget. More than 54 million people around the world have fallen in love with the characters and the storytelling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs.
8 p.m. May 13, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. May 14, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com
‘The Kitchen Witches’ [May 13-28]
This fun and fast-paced comedy centers on Isobel Lomax and Dolly Biddle, cable-access cooking show hostesses who have hated each other for 30 years. The hatred began when Larry Biddle dated one of them and married the other. But when they are forced to team up on a television show called “Kitchen Witches,” the show becomes a hit as the insults are flung harder than the food.
8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays from May 13-28, Island ETC, 2317 Mechanic St., Galveston, 409.762.3556 or www.islandetc.org
Music Nite on The Strand [May 14]
Don’t miss free live concerts in downtown Galveston’s Saengerfest Park. This month, the Zach Person Band will perform with Campfire Soul.
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 14, Saengerfest Park, 2300 Strand, Galveston, www.galveston.com
‘A Night in White’ with Andrew Bateman [May 14]
Hailed as a one-man-band for the 21st century, Andrew Bateman is a Houston-based artist with a background as diverse as the Lone Star State. He takes on the roles of rhythm and lead guitarist, bassist and percussionist.
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 14, Butler Longhorn Museum, 1220 Coryell St., League City, 281.332.1393 or www.butlerlonghornmuseum.com
‘After the Storm’ [May 15]
Houston Grand Opera presents the world premiere of a new chamber opera set in Galveston. Developed through historical research and interviews with residents of Galveston and Houston, “After the Storm” mines the legacy of The Great Storm of 1900 and Hurricane Ike in 2008 on the area in this story of one family’s choices in the face of crisis.
7 p.m. May 15, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston, 800.821.1894, www.thegrand.com or www.hgo.org/storm
‘Bleacher Bums’ [May 19 to June 5]
In this “nine-inning comedy,” set in the bleachers of Chicago’s Wrigley Field, the long suffering, die-hard, “wait until next year” Cub fans return annually to root for their team. Today’s opponent is the despised St. Louis Cardinals. A rabid cheerleader, a blind man who does color commentary, a sun-worshipping beauty and a henpecked husband bet among themselves, splurge for hot dogs and, occasionally, watch the game. Will the Cubs win the home game, and who will the real winners be?
8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays from May 19 to June 5, College of the Mainland Community Theatre, 1200 Amburn Road, Texas City, 409.933.8345 or www.com.edu/ community-theatre
Up Close and Personal with Kevin Anthony and G-Town [May 20]
Kevin Anthony and his band will make their first appearance at the Butler Longhorn Museum, bringing an eclectic mix of Southern sounds that encompass the Gulf Coast.
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 20, Butler Longhorn Museum, 1220 Coryell St., League City, 281.332.1393 or www.butlerlonghornmuseum.com
Galveston Island Beach Revue [May 20-21]
Galveston’s official kickoff to summer event features two days of family-friendly fun culminating in the Bathing Beauties Contest, where contestants from across the country catwalk across the island’s historic shoreline modeling vintage and vintage-inspired swimwear and accessories. Hot rods, rat rods, vintage trailers and more are lining up to take part in this year’s festivities during the Tom Schwenk, Realtor Hot Rod + Classic Car and Vintage Trailer show.
May 20-21, Beach Central, 2102 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, www.galvestonbeachrevue.com
Funfest [May 20-21]
There will be something for everyone at Funfest, including arts and crafts, food, a barbecue cook-off, car show, children’s activities, live entertainment and the “Super Hero” Run by the Bay 5K, 10K and Kids 1K.
May 20-21, Mall of the Mainland, 10000 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Texas City, www.texascitychamber.com
‘The Philadelphia Story’ [May 20 to June 5]
Join Philly socialite Tracy Lords on the eve of her second wedding as she juggles her fiancé, her ex-husband and a handsome visiting reporter who all vie for her attention.
8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays from May 20 to June 5, Clear Creek Community Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay, 281.335.5228 or clearcreekcommunitytheatre.com
‘The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940’ [May 20 to June 12]
The play is a relentlessly convoluted murder-mystery that makes the audience start laughing at its silliness.
8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays from May 20 to June 12, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 state Highway 3, Dickinson, 281.337.7469 or www.harbourtheater.com
Red, White and Bayou Crawfish and Texas Music Festival [May 21]
Kevin Fowler will headline a day full of music, food and fun. Crawfish is the main attraction, but there will be plenty of other fair fare. Children’s activities include ultimate bungee, hamster balls, zip line, ride-along train rides, mechanical bull and more.
11 a.m. to 11 p.m. May 21, state Highway 3 and FM 517, Dickinson, www.redwhiteandbayou.com
Celebration of Spring Mahjong [May 25]
This D’Feet Breast Cancer Inc. benefit features mahjong, a buffet luncheon and raffle. Individuals or groups of four are welcome. The deadline to reserve space is May 10.
10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 25, Hotel Galvez Restaurant, 2024 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, nikkigreenlee@gmail.com or 409.771.5574
In case of cancellations and changes to events, check with venues for updates. To submit an event, send pertinent information to calendar@coastmonthly.com.
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