There’s all kinds of craziness in Houston this weekend, which can be chalked up to the NBA All-Star Weekend events in and around downtown. The George R. Brown Convention Center plays hosts to much of the festivities — and the game is at the Toyota Center (of course). But the parties and music will definitely be in abundance.

Stuff I know of — Actually, I don’t know much of anything — visit this link for a lot of info on the festivities around town.

But, here is some of it:

Tonight — Friday, 2.17.06

Russell Simmons, Magic Johnson & Rev Run host the Black Hollywood Block Party downtown at Vision. Hush (I-10 out near Katy) hosts the Official Club Derrty KickOff Party with Nelly, Usher & St Lunatics.

Envy Magazine hosts their February issue release party at the House of Dereon (Tina & Beyonce Knowles’ fashion label) Media Center in Midtown. Doors open at 8 p.m., there’s open bar and food at 9 p.m. ($75 at door, but there are invitations floating around Montrose and Midtown). There will be a few performances and DJ sets, and I heard a rumor Justin Timberlake might be a guest DJ. I may be there — since I write for Envy‘s music section and all…

I’d estimate the big party of the night is at The Meridian, which hosts The LeBron James All-Star Weekend VIP Party, featuring a live performance by Keyshia Cole. $300 VIP/$100 general admission.

No, those are not misprints.

Houston’s newest venue, Warehouse Live, plays host to the MyCarOutlet.com 5th Annual All-Star Comedy Jam, which features P Diddy, Martin Lawrence, Charlie Murphy, Keyshia Cole, and D4L. Sponsored by HBO. I am sure it’s sold-out.

Of course, Meat Beat Manifesto and Dalek are at Engine Room, which is near the Toyota Center and will probably be lousy with traffic. But, it’s cheaper. So it The Damnations TX with King Coal at Rudyards. Both of these are not related to the NBA All-Star weekend, so feel free to go without valet parking and a suit on.

Saturday, 2.18.06

The Meridian continue the LeBron James All-Star Weekend, with The All-Star Mardi Gras, with performances by Young Jeezy and Aztec. $300 VIP/$100 general admission. Again, not a misprint.

Also, Warehouse Live hosts the Dirty South All-Star festivities, with Scarface, Slim Thug, Juvenile, Rick Ross, Tay Tha Don, and Dem Franchize Boyz. Tickets are a paltry $100 and $200.

A cheaper, non-NBA and celebrity-ridden party will be at The Proletariat with Sharks and Sailors, Woozyhelmet, and Record Hop. Another one is at Rudyards: The Linus Pauling Quarter, The Jonx, The Red and White, and The Power of Light & Darkness.

Hush hosts Three The Hard Way, with LeBron James (who can be in two places at once), Carmello Anthony & Dwayne Wade.

Sunday, 2.19.06

On Sunday, The Meridian hosts part three of the LeBron James All-Star Weekend, with the All-star Finale, featuring BET’s Melyssa Ford and a live performance by Trina. $150 VIP/$75 general admission.

At Hush, there’s Grillz, Wheelz & Kicks, with hosts Nelly, Jermaine Dupri, Ali & Gipp.

It’s good for Houston, bad for traffic. Try to get through it. Go have fun, but be careful — it’s going to be nuts. Remember the Super Bowl festivities?

Of course, this weekend leads us into next week when there are more great shows around town. The Warlocks with Flowers to Hide at The Proletariat on Thursday night, Flametrick Subs and The Hates at Continental Club on Friday, two CD release shows on Saturday: Arthur Yoria (with Tody Castillo & Millicent Friendly) at The Proletariat, and Southern Backtones (with Flowers to Hide and Slovak Republic). On Sunday, Smoking Popes play Walter’s On Washington. See you out and about…

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