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!

CHECK OUT THE OPERA CHORUS IN THEIR VERY OWN SHOW.

Forget “A Chorus Line”! The Houston Grand Opera has their very own critically-acclaimed chorus. The HGO Chorus will take center stage in "Chorus!", an operatic journey that is a dynamic and colorful production featuring Houston's finest singers performing some of the most heart-stopping choruses of all time, from Puccini's Madame Butterfly, Bizet's Carmen, Verdi's Macbeth and more. "Chorus!" is onstage at the Wortham Center with shows February 7, 11, and 13 at 7:30pm.

SINGING, SINGING, EVERYWHERE.

This Sunday, February 8 at 4pm, the Bay Area Chorus takes you on a musical journey around the world with song leader Nick Page as he skillfully orchestrates participation in performing music of many styles, cultures and languages. Whether conducting the participating choirs or getting the whole crowd involved, Nick’s engaging personality will ignite everyone’s enthusiasm for joyful, expressive singing during this family-friendly event. As an added treat, the Bay Area Youth Singers will join the Bay Area Chorus and the Bay Area Chorus Chamber Singers. “Spotlight on Singing” takes place at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Nassau Bay. One of Houston’s oldest non-profit groups, the Bay Area Chorus has brought heartfelt performances to Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast since 1965. More than sixty singers comprise the all-volunteer chorus, each bringing unique interests, ethnic backgrounds and cultural experiences to the group.

Tickets are $7/advance; $10/adults at the door and $8/students and seniors at the door.

DIGITAL ARTWORK AT THE HOUSTON INSITUTE OF CULTURE.

Houston Institute for Culture presents "Digital Art & Digital Storytelling" through February 16 by HISD students from Raul Yzaguirre School for Success (digital art) and from Deady, Lanier and Southmore middle schools (digital storytelling). This exhibition explores digital art, the fastest growing form of media among teens -- and the one to which they can best relate. Houston Institute for Culture presents and co-sponsors meaningful events in their location at 708-B Telephone Road. As an important part of their mission, Houston Institute for Culture shares resources and enables the valuable activities of other organizations. Their goal is to work to increase the potential for communities to determine their own quality of life and lessen detrimental impacts on others in the world. Houston Institute for Culture works to improve public responsiveness and implement proactive practices in marginalized communities. Their community initiatives collaborate extensively with our other areas of work, particularly Media Arts and Youth Programs.

Gallery hours are Wednesdays-Saturdays, 4-8pm and Sundays, 3-6pm.

SMART, SAVVY MOMS DISCUSS SOCIAL MEDIA AT HOUSTON'S "MOM 2.0 SUMMIT" FEBRUARY 19-21.

Women. Moms. Marketers. Houston is about to be hit with a wave of awesome gals (along with a Guy and Mr. Mann!) coming together at the Four Seasons for the Mom 2.0 Summit on February, 19-21, 2009. The Mom 2.0 Summit is a meeting place for moms, marketers, bloggers, mompreneurs and smart savvy women to get to know one another, swap ideas, and meet some great peeps. A place to connect, converse, and build relationships. This year's Summit discussions will focus on social media, marketing, networks, and brand building. We will explore what those relationships mean and how we all contribute to social media. Are you curious what this whole Social Media thing is about? Well, so are we! Curious how it can help you streamline, share, enhance or make your life better? Us, too! Or, do you just love a great party with other amazing women? Um, yes please! Well, we've gotcha covered! We've put together an amazing group of women (and a few lucky guys) to gather in Houston to discuss all of these topics and much, much more. We'll also feature a two day expo aimed at giving you the best of services and products for women, and of course...the parties! How could we forget the parties?! We hope to see you at the Summit in February! For inquiries please contact monica@mom2summit.com.

Special for Gish Picks Readers! The Mom 2.0 Summit will be offering 10% off all ticket types, be it the full conference registration, or the "light version" of Networking (aka: parties!) and Expo ticket. Just enter the code GISH when registering.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW TO HELP THE ARTS ALLIANCE CENTER OF CLEAR LAKE RECOVER FROM IKE.

"An Evening with Elayne Boosler" is set for Sunday, February 22 and tickets are available now. Co-hosted by Larry Dierker, former pitcher and manager of the Houston Astros, and Dayna Steele, speaker, author, and former rock and roll DJ, the event will be held at Space Center Houston in the IMAX Theater, seating over 500 people and will include a live auction. Elayne, known for her feisty and thoughtful political material, performed for President Clinton and Congress as the single act chosen to entertain at the White House Press Correspondents dinner in Washington, and again performed for the president and lawmakers at the Ford’s Theater Gala. A staunch baseball fan, Boosler has had the pleasure of singing the pre-game national anthem several times for the Dodgers, the Mets, and the St. Louis Cardinals, and has thrown out the first pitch for Texas, Cleveland, Seattle, and Tampa. When CBS initially acquired the World Series, it was Boosler whom they chose to perform a comedy about sports all week between the end of the evening news and the beginning of the game.

General Admission tickets are $50 per person and there are a limited number of premier tickets available for $150 that will include a seated dinner with our co-hosts Larry Dierker and Dayna Steele, premier seating in the IMAX Theater, and a meet and greet with Elayne Boosler following the show. Dress for the show is snappy casual.

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

© 2009 Sarah Gish

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