Brewfests, fried chicken throwdowns, and eating too many gyros

Houston Event of the Week
Get your craft brew on at the 3rd Annual Houston Press Brewfest at Silver Street Station (Saturday from 2-7pm). The huge indoor/outdoor event will feature beer from almost 30 breweries, sustenance from local food trucks, live music, and the inevitable debauchery that accompanies the above. Tickets will run you $35 (or $45 at the door) and include eight 3oz beer samples with the option to purchase more at the event -- an option you'll clearly take.

Flickr User Blake Handley

Thursday, May 15th - Sunday, May 18th: Get your fill of souvlaki, falafel, wine, beer, and more at St. Basil’s 2014 Greekfest. On Sunday, down a gyro as you watch the hungriest competitive eaters around take down way more than one of them (last year's record was 21 gyros in 10 minutes!) at the Niko Niko’s Gyro Eating Contest. Entrance to the weekend-long fest is just $3/day.

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Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Friday, May 16th: This Friday, you have your pick of concerts all over town. Dave Matthews Band will be lighting up the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (in more ways than one) at 7pm, while Jimmy Eat World rocks out the House of Blues and New York-based indie band We Are Scientists takes over the downstairs of music hotspot Fitzgerald’s at 8pm.

Flickr User robbisaurus

Saturday, May 17th: Crawfish season is clearly upon us, and there’s no better way to partake than at the Humble Country Crawfish Festival. Get your mudbug on as you listen to live country and zydeco music from Cory Morrow, Wayne Toups & Zydecajun, and more. Reserve your free ticket here or get a VIP box, complete with tables and seating for 10 people, 10lbs of crawfish, and a case of beer -- all for $200.

Flickr User Edsel L

Sunday, May 18th: Three of Houston’s premier culinary ninjas will be bringing their best fried chicken game to Haven’s Fried Chicken Throw Down this Sunday, 5-8pm. Join as Haven’s Randy Evans, infamous pop-up master Mark Holley, and BRC’s Steve Marques make you forget your granny ever owned a cast iron skillet. Tickets are $85 (or $170 for two) and include chicken, sides, and sweets, plus beer and cocktails from Saint Arnold and Deep Eddy Vodka. As you wipe the chicken grease off your chin, you can feel good about yourself for donating to a good cause -- proceeds will benefit Lucky Dog Rescue.

Straits

Sunday, May 18th: If curry is your thing (and it should be), head to Straits Restaurant in CityCentre for the 3rd Annual Curry Crawl Competition. 10 of Houston’s best food trucks and restaurants will be serving up badass curry-infused bites while competing for the Grand Prize, Best Presentation, and People’s Choice Awards. See how much spice you can actually handle as you get unlimited tastings of curry along with wine, craft beer, and Grey Goose cocktails. Tickets for the event (which raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) are $55.