Welcome to this week's "Gish Picks", where I highlight family-oriented cultural events, products or services. Please note that I "highlight" these events, but I don't know if they are appropriate for your particular children, so choose wisely based on age, maturity and interests.

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Now, GO FIND FUN!

RIVER OAKS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (ROCO) PRESENTS THE SECOND CONCERT OF THEIR 2008 SEASON.

Following their tradition of presenting music in a unique, musician-oriented format, ROCO presents "Conductorless!" this Saturday, February 2 at 5pm at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church and Sunday, February 3, at 6:30pm at St. Philip Presbyterian Church. No, ROCO didn't lose a conductor, in fact, in the 19th century it was more common for an orchestra to perform without a conductor than with one! ROCO's conductorless concert reflects their mission of creating connections between the audience and the musicians onstage -- and this show will be particularly engaging without the added "layer" of a conductor.

Unlike most classical music events, families can bring kids along for "ROCO Rooters", a pioneering education program for children that runs during the full 90 minutes of each concert at the St. John the Divine location. Children 5-10 years old get fun, active music education and then are invited into the concert for one piece. All children may stay after the concert until 9:30pm for pizza and movies, allowing the parents to go out for post-concert entertainment. Tickets for the concerts are $20 and $25; "ROCO Rooters" is $20/first child and $15/additional children.

For more information, call 713.665.2700 or log onto www.rocohouston.org.

"PETER AND THE WOLF" STARTS THIS WEEK AND WILL BE ONSTAGE THROUGH MARCH 1.

A.D. Players Children's Theater presents "Peter and the Wolf" at the Rotunda Theatre Stage at St. Luke's United Methodist Church. There really is a big bad wolf, and Peter and his animal friends must find a way to capture him without being eaten!

Adapted from the well-known score by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev, this musical adventure sets hearts racing as Peter does his best to outwit the wolf and in the process learns the value of creative problem solving. Showtimes are Tuesdays at 7pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30am, Fridays at 9:30 and 11:30am, and Saturdays at 10:30am.

For more information, call 713.526.2721 or log onto www.adplayers.org.

"THE WIZARD OF OZ" IS COMING TO THE STAFFORD CENTRE THIS WEEKEND ONLY.

The Stafford Municipal School District (SMSD) Choirs, under the direction of Ladricca Price and in association with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc., are presenting the musical version of L. Frank Baum's timeless children's classic. There will be only three performances: Friday, February 1 at 7:30pm, Saturday, February 2 at 7pm, and Sunday, February 3 at 2pm. SMSD's unique position as a city-funded school district allows for a cast consisting of over 80 students from grades K-12. Tickets are available in advance and range from $5 to $30; there are discounted tickets for students.

For more information, call 281.261.9200 ext. 3197 or log onto www.staffordchoir.com.

CHILDREN AT RISK IS HOLDING A "CHILDREN'S SUMMIT" NEXT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 FROM 8AM UNTIL 11:30AM.

The status of children will be discussed, new data will be released, and Houston leaders will present how they are creating change. The summit will take place at the United Way Building at 50 Waugh Drive; the $30 registration fee includes breakfast and materials.

Children at Risk is a nonprofit organization that drives change for children through research, education and influencing public policy. It is the only nonprofit organization that is focused solely on the well being of the whole child, tracking those indicators through its publication “Growing Up in Houston” (which is now online) and by proactively driving change for children by educating Legislators on the importance of improving each of the key indicators outlined in "Growing Up in Houston".

For more information, call 713.869.7740 or log onto www.childrenatrisk.org.

REGISTER NOW AS AN EXHIBITOR AT THE "8TH ANNUAL AFTER-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP
FAIR".

The "8th Annual After-School Partnership Fair" is free and open to the public and showcases after-school vendors and funding opportunities on Friday, February 22 from 9am until 2pm at the Harris County Department of Education, 6300 Irvington Boulevard. Over 100 vendors provide samplings of after-school and enrichment products like art supplies and tutorial software along with enrichment activities such as karate, etiquette and fencing (we'll be there with information on our workshops and THE SUMMER BOOK!).

Each year the event attracts several hundred after-school providers, school principals and administrators, and nonprofit organizers. The fair also features workshops which explain request-for-proposals for over $1 million in after-school grant funds from the City of Houston After-School Achievement Program, the Cooperative for After-School Enrichment (CASE) Partnership Project and the CASE After-School Initiative. Vendors can register for only $100, which includes one table (18”x72”) and chair, a free listing in the Resource Guide and lunch for one person. The deadline to register as a vendor is this Friday, February 1.

For more information, call 713.696.1341 or log onto www.hcde-texas.org.

Sarah Gish
Gish Creative
1940-A Fountainview, PMB 116
Houston, Texas 77057
phone/fax: 713.532.1173

email: sarah@gishcreative.com
web: www.gishcreative.com
and: www.thesummerbook.com
and: www.saveourlandmarks.org

© 2008 Sarah Gish

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