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!

DA CAMERA AND THE MENIL COLLECTION PRESENT "STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN!" THIS WEEKEND.

"Stop, Look and Listen!" at a free family concert this Saturday, February 23, at 3pm, 3:30pm and 4pm. The concert will take place on the campus of The Menil Collection, so families can combine a visit to the museum (where admission is always free) with an interactive and informative concert.

February’s concert features the Houston Chamber Choir Quartet performing inside The Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum at 4011 Yupon. Their program, “Music of Elizabethan England and Renaissance Italy,” includes works by Thomas Morely, John Wilbye, Orlando di Lasso and Giovanni Gastoldi. The Quartet’s members are Penelope Kershaw, soprano; Gerrod Pagenkopf, alto; Jeffrey Ragsdale, tenor and Eduardo Tercero, bass. There is limited seating and attendance, so get there early! The program is recommended for children ages 10 and up.

The “Stop, Look and Listen!” series continues with jazz, blues and spirituals performed by the Sam Dinkins III Sextet on Saturday, April 19; and Strike 3 Percussion on Saturday, May 10. Part of Da Camera’s “Beyond the Concert Hall” program of educational events, “Stop, Look and Listen!” is free and open to the public and is sponsored by Target Stores.

The Menil Collection is located at 1515 Sul Ross, with free parking in the lot on West Alabama between Mandell and Mulberry.

For more information, call 713.524.5050 or log onto www.dacamera.com.

THE VELVETEEN RABBIT IS COMING TO TOWN THURSDAY FOR ONE DAY AND TWO SHOWS ONLY!

I generally like to include PICKS for the weekend, but since I love the story of "The Velveteen Rabbit," I just couldn't help myself on this one. “The Velveteen Rabbit” is being presented by the Grand 1894 Opera House and the Enchantment Theatre Company tomorrow, Thursday February 21, at 10am and noon.

Based on the beloved classic of the same name by Margery Williams, “The Velveteen Rabbit” is the story of a young boy’s love for his rabbit and his yearning for it to become real. The show has been adapted by Jennifer Blatchley Smith, Landis Smith, and Leslie Reidel and features an original musical score, extraordinary puppets, and masks and magic -- all of which bring to life this charming tale of love and devotion, creating an unforgettable theatrical experience for the whole family. There's a downloadable study guide and the show is recommended for grades Kindergarten and up.

For more information, call 800.821.1894 or log onto www.thegrand.com/VelveteenRabbit.asp.

PARLEZ FRANÇAIS AT THE ALLIANCE.

The Alliance Française is starting up a new series of French classes for children this Saturday, February 23. Their children’s program immerses children ages 4-15 in the French language, allowing them to learn in a natural way, through visual, kinetic and auditive experience. Classes meet in seven-week sessions on Saturday mornings at either 9:30am or 11:15am. Tuition is $175 for the seven-week session. Registration must be in advance or a $25 late fee will be assessed and there is a one-time registration fee of $15 for children. You may register by phone anytime using a credit card.

For more information, call 713.526.1121 or log onto www.afdehou.org.

JOIN THE HARVEST SCHOOL ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, FOR THEIR “SPRING OPEN HOUSE” WITH DIANE WALTERS.

Next Monday, February 25, from 6 until 8:30pm, The Harvest Developing Waldorf School of the Woodlands is hosting a "Spring Open House" featuring a special presentation at 7pm by Diane Walters. Walters is an expert educator who hails from Nelson, British Columbia, Canada and has ushered two classes of children from first through eighth grades during her career as a Waldorf School teacher. She now dedicates her time as a consultant and mentoring teachers of middle school students, who are her passion.

While adolescents can feel empowered, they can leave parents feeling a little frustrated and helpless when the students become either unmanageable or apathetic. During her presentation, Walters will begin with Kindergarten and move through the high school years from a Waldorf perspective. She plans to discuss the inner life of children, specifically the early adolescent, to help parents and teachers to understand these turbulent years, and to provide some tips for parents to use "over the dinner table" with their kids.

This "Spring Open House" is open to parents of enrolled children -- or those who are considering The Harvest Developing Waldorf School. There will be light refreshments, an overview of Pre-K to 6th Grade program, a facility tour, observation of classes, and time for a question-and-answer session. At 7pm, Ms. Walters will present "Illuminating the Mysterious Methods of Waldorf Teachers".

The Harvest School is also hosting "Spring Visitor Mornings" on Wednesday, March 26 and Wednesday, April 30 at 9:30am. These special mornings allow visitors to see classrooms first-hand and to learn more about the philosophy of the school.

For more information, call 281.298.8632 or log onto www.woodlandswaldorf.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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