There is more to do than just street paintings at Via Colori.: Johhny Hanson/ Chronicle

Paint the streets

More than 200 artists will transform the streets of Houston into a colorful gallery Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17-18, for Via Colori.

This year, the street-painting festival is taking place at Hermann Square in front of City Hall, 901 Bagby.

In addition to watching the many street paintings take shape, festival-goers will find three stages of musical entertainment (including Buxton), multimedia artists (ice carvers, lighting specialists, etc.), a wine and beer garden, children’s activities and a Mini Cooper test-drive course.
Read: What's new to the fest this year

Photos: The pretty people who came out to kick off event

Be careful not to break anything here
Centuries-old pieces will be on display at the 60th annual Theta Charity Antiques Show, Thursday-Sunday at George R. Brown Convention Center. More than 50 U.S. and European antiques dealers will bring out their best.

Read: The must-haves at Theta Antiques show

Get thee to the Menil, 1533 Sul Ross
The Houston institution is gearing up for it's 25th anniversary. There's a sold-out swanky gala for it next weekend, but this weekend check out some letters and drawings pulled from its archives. The letters touch on themes of friendship, civil rights, prison reform and other passions. The show runs 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday through Jan. 6.
Read: Dear John and Dominique

Artcrawl returns

More than 200 artists and art organizations participate in this annual event, which started in 1992. Artists in the neighborhood cluster of warehouses will open their working art studios, live-in and exhibition spaces to the public, who will be encouraged to participate in some processes.The event begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at Artists Warehouse District, 908 Wood Street.

Winter Holiday Art Market is here

Get some of that holiday shopping knocked out at Fresh Arts’ seventh annual event, which features paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, clothing and accessories. All items are made by Houston artists. There will be food, as well as music from Kristine Mills and DJ Delsur of Soular Grooves. The events runs all weekend at Winter Street Studios, 2101 Winter.

Bill Cosby comes to town Sunday.: AP

Cosby's show
Other comedians have drawn fleeting fame by being rude, crude and lewd, but Bill Cosby remains an enduring gold standard for clean and funny. Check him out at 8.p.m. Sunday at the Arena Theater, but please no Jell-o jokes.

Kings of hip-hop

Cypress Hill, Matisyahu and Devin The Dude will all be peforming this week. Cypress Hill has sold more than 18 million albums worldwide, and their signature hit “Insane in the Brain” still gets a party started.
Read : Other concerts are in town .

Get low

The 30th annual Los Magnificos car show and concert hits Reliant Center on Saturday . Besides the collections of lowriders and models, there will also be performances from Slim Thug, J. Cole, Tyga, Naughty by Nature and others.

A couple of completely different movies opening

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2" comes out this weekend putting an end to the popular franchise. Bella, Edward and the rest of the clan seek help from allies around the world to protect their family from the latest threat.
Read : Show times

Abraham Lincoln comes to life.: Handout

A bit of history for you

"Lincoln" hits theaters and is one the most-anticipated films of the year. Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Abe Lincoln as the Steven Speilberg film focuses on on the 16th President's tumultuous final months in office.
Read : The inside scoop from the makers of the film.

Cooking up some fun
Starting Monday, Grand Prize Bar will be hosting some of Houston's best chefs to fund renovations at the Original OKRA Charity Saloon. All the food sales will go to the cause. Here is the schedule:

Monday 11/19: Paul Petronella – Paulie’s

Tuesday 11/20: Chris Shepherd – Underbelly

Wednesday 11/21: Justin Yu - Oxheart

Thursday 11/22: Josh Martinez – The Modular

Friday 11/23: Antoine Ware – Hay Merchant

Saturday 11/24: Justin Basye – Pappas & Adam Dorris – Revival Market

'Tis the season
This weekend’s weather may be perfect for the Texas Renaissance Festival .The event, which takes place on the weekends in Plantersville, will conclude Nov. 25.

Bonus
Is love getting you down?
War'Hous Visual Studios (4715 Main Street) hosted its first photography exhibition called "Love Sick or Sick of Love." The event opened on Thursday and featured art that showed how individuals fight love or accept it, and the emotions attached to love.
Read : See photos from Thursday's launch.