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!

WILL THE HERO SQUAD WIN?

The A. D. Players Children's Theater presents the Texas premiere of “The Hero Squad vs. The Princess Snatchers”. As with all their children's shows, this production uses action and adventure to teach values and acceptance. After stumbling onto a supervillain's nefarious plan to rule the world, the Hero Squad learns that you can't judge people by their appearance. Get online and kids can see the “Hero Squad” team (3-D, Lindy, The Iron Lung, and Slapshot) or the “Princess Snatchers” team (Good Knight John-Boy and Nikolai Oshgoshbgoshnikov) – and they can even create their own coloring book with these characters and have them autographed at the show. This Friday, February 13, A.D. Players is honoring real heroes by dedicating the night to the Houston Fire Department and the Houston Police Department. The show runs through February 27 and performances take place inside St. Luke's United Methodist Church at 3471 Westheimer. Showtimes are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30am; Fridays at 9:30am, 11:30am and 7pm; and Saturdays at 10:30am and 1pm.

Tickets are $11/each.

FAMILIES HAVE FUN TOGETHER.

Houston's very own Third Coast Comedy tickles your funny bone this Friday, February 13 at 7:30pm with a special edition of “Friday Family Improv!” Their shows take place at 2317 W. 34th Street and feature entertainment for the whole family in a smoke-free environment. With a similar format to "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" with Drew Carey, their in-house improv experts delight and entertain everyone with old-fashioned, clean family fun at its best. Each week different audience members are invited onstage to participate with the Improv Troupe. Young and old alike love the free-form style of comedy and entertainment. Third Coast Comedy was founded by Dave and Donna Howell-DePew, who have taken their over 40 years of corporate experience and combined it with their performing arts skills to bring improv to the community. Third Coast prides itself in being family-oriented and offering productions that are fun for young children, grandmothers, and everyone in between! Their theatre also serves as a great venue for other performers’ productions, parties, and corporate events.

Tickets are $10/adults and $5/children and students.

SHARE THE LOVE WHEN YOU BUY ONE/GET ONE ADMISSION AT BAYOU BEND.

Bayou Bend invites valentines of all ages and stages to enjoy the special romance of the estate and its gardens in bloom this Valentine’s Day weekend. A special stop on the tour is the Belter Parlor in the home of Esther Howland, staged as it would have appeared when creating valentines involved a high-level of creativity and craftiness. Mrs. Howland was one of the pioneers of commercial valentines who eventually went into business in her own home, working with several friends. The room on view shows the workroom on February 14, 1849, at the end of a long day. Also on view will be a few rare early valentines in Philadelphia Hall just outside the parlor.

This Sunday, February 15, the estate is celebrating the Bayou Bend Family Day "Glorious Gardens". Visitors will be privy to an amazing day of fun and entertainment including activities, demonstrations, and performances throughout the home and gardens. Tours of the first floor of the house are hosted by volunteers of the Houston Junior Woman's Club, while giveaways and promotions are offered through their media sponsor, KUHF 88.7FM, as well as the MFAH. This year Bayou Bend celebrates the 40th anniversary of "Family Day" with a season of themes that pay tribute to the spirit and history of family fun at Bayou Bend.

MUSIC FOR ALL AGES.

E.M. Vanover Piano & Performing Arts Studio is opening a new location in West University. They offer private piano, violin, voice, and guitar lessons to all ages. Along with private lessons, the studio offers group classes geared for younger children that teach the basics of musicianship through explorative games and hands-on activities. With topics such as “Music Around the World” and “Meet the Composers”, these classes are the perfect activity for a group of friends to learn beginning vocal training and music theory. The studio is located at 2419 Sunset Boulevard near Rice University.

Please call or email for availability and pricing: 832.264.0359 or elizabeth@vanoverpianostudio.com.

TODDLER FUN AT THE HOUSTON ZOO.

Enjoy fun and learning with your toddler at the Houston Zoo in their "Natural Beginnings" program! Kids will learn about animals through hands-on experiences with animal artifacts and interactive learning stations including crafts, activities, puppets, and more. And they'll get to visit animals at their exhibits and sometimes the animals will visit them! This spring you can find a bird’s ears in "Feathers, Feet, and Faces"; strut your stuff in "Movin’ and Groovin’", or take an alphabet safari in "Do You Know Your Z-O-Os". Classes are for a parent and child ages 2½-5 on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10-11am. For more information and to sign up, visit www.houstonzoo.org/individuals.

TUTS HOSTS A STUDENT MATINEE IN APRIL.

School groups are invited to a student matinee of "Les Misérables" on Wednesday, April 1 at 10am in the Hobby Center. One of the world's best-loved musicals, "Les Misérables" makes a triumphant return to Houston! The story follows the life of the fugitive Jean Valjean, his foster daughter Cossett, and his relentless pursuer Javert, against the backdrop of the French Revolution. This winner of nine Tony Awards, filled with soaring ballads and iconic moments, leaves audiences cheering in the aisles!

This full-length performance is one that your middle and high school students should not miss! Call 713.558.8888 or email groupsales@tuts.com today! Tickets are $9.75 per student to this performance. And each group will receive 1 free ticket for every 20 tickets purchased. There is also a study guide available online.

Can't join TUTS for this Student matinee? Bring your family to see this amazing performance March 24-April 5 at the Hobby Center. Tickets start at $32. Call 713.558.TUTS (8887) or visit www.TUTS.com.

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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