GISH PICKS!


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!

Click here for more information about The Summer Book 2009
Little Women CKC StART Spring Break at Discover Gymnastics ARTreach Open House Explore Alley Theatre About Gish Creative
 
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Events for the Week of March 4, 2009
"I, Barbara Jordan" presented by the Alley Theatre


GET BEHIND-THE-SCENES WITH THE ALLEY THEATRE.

This Saturday, March 7, from 11am-3pm, the Alley Theatre is opening their doors for families to explore during their “Afternoon of Family, Fun and Theatre”.
Families can see a performance of “I, Barbara Jordan”, tour the Alley’s classroom space, and meet some of the spring and summer Young Performers Studio (YPS) teachers. Hands-on activities for the kids, balloons, and refreshments will be available. Starting at noon, life size puppets, face painting, and theatre games specifically designed for students ages 10 and up will be the focus of this fun-filled day. During the event, registrations will be accepted for spring and summer YPS classes. Alley Theatre's new touring show “I, Barbara Jordan” celebrates the remarkable life and career of the eminent Texas orator, legislator, and teacher. Tracing Barbara Jordan's journey from her childhood in Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood through her election to the United States Congress, “I, Barbara Jordan” introduces students to a legendary Texas politician who was a model for the power of perseverance. The play was written by Celeste Bedford-Walker and directed by Eileen J. Morris and was commissioned by the Alley Theatre. The schedule is:

11am-noon, “I, Barbara Jordan” performance on the Neuhaus Stage

noon-2pm: Refreshments and activities in Neuhaus lobby

12:45pm–1:30pm: Theatre Games on the Neuhaus Stage

2-3pm: “I, Barbara Jordan” performance on the Neuhaus Stage

This event is recommended for ages 10 and up.


Katy Heritage Society Event

ENJOY THE ARTS IN KATY THIS WEEKEND.

ARTreach and the Katy Heritage Society have formed a creative partnership to promote the cultural arts in Katy with a Katy Heritage Arts and Crafts Center in the Stockdick House at Katy Heritage Park. The Katy Heritage Arts and Crafts Center will be open the first Saturday of every month (thus this Saturday, March 7) and will sell a range of unique items created by craftsmen and fine artists in the community. ARTreach is selecting local work that represents a historical array of functional art items such as wheel thrown pottery, milk pitchers, flour bowls, drinking cups and decanters by Marissa Vitola and Sony Hartley, custom 1830’s dinnerware by Stacy Baer, handmade soaps by Michelle Hurd, and hand-knitted cotton and wool scarves, jackets and mittens by artist Maxine Rothman. The Katy Heritage Arts Center will host monthly demonstrations, display fine art and sell creative gifts with sales benefiting ARTreach Programs and Katy Heritage Society Outreach. The ARTreach/Katy Heritage Society partnership combines the KHS mission to protect and preserve the historic resources of the Katy area with the vision of ARTreach to unite and empower communities to succeed through cultural awareness and the arts.


APPLAUSE THEATRE PRESENTS "LITTLE WOMEN".

Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott of the same name, this show follows the adventures inspired by the author's own family experiences. "Little Women" follows the adventures of Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March as they grow up in Civil War America. The beloved story of the March sisters deals with issues as relevant today as when they were written. This wonderful narrative has been brought to life as an exhilarating new musical filled with glorious music, dancing and heart. This powerful score soars with the sounds of personal discovery, heartache and hope -- the sounds of a young America finding its voice. The show will be onstage this Friday, March 6 at 7:30pm; Saturday, March 7 at 2pm and 7:30pm and Sunday, March 8 at 2pm. Applause Theatre is located at 6608 FM 1960 West, Suite E.

"Little Women" presented by Applause Theatre


CKC StART Street & Urban Arts

ADD AN ARTISTIC FLAIR TO YOUR LIFE AND EVENTS!

CKC StART Street & Urban Arts is a Houston-based organization whose mission is to promote street, urban and alternative forms of art as a positive and creative force in the community. They embrace city art scenes and work with local artists to raise awareness and appreciation of urban art while also providing community outreach and education through professional development programs, classes and activities led by successful local urban artists. CKC StART workshop participants have the opportunity to enter an annual student art exhibition, the 2008-2009 "CKC StART Annual Student Exhibition", which will be hosted by Aerosol Warfare Gallery & Boutique at 2110 Jefferson, Suite 113 on Saturday, March 28 from 5pm-9pm.

In addition to positive influence, CKC StART provides urban art-themed event services, creative design, decor and activities for tradeshows, productions and other events.


Discover Gymnastics

SIGN UP FOR DISCOVER GYMNASTICS SPRING BREAK CAMPS NOW!

Discover Gymnastics is offering several options for day campers over Spring Break from March 16-20. Their full day camps are from 8am-5pm, their half day camps are either 8am-12:30pm or 12:30-5pm, and they offer early drop off at 7:30am and late pick up at 6pm for only $5 extra each way. Kids can come to the camps for anywhere from just half a day to five full day camps. Camp prices are different for members and non-members (which is a good incentive to join!) and start at $68/full day and $53/half day for non-members. NOTE: Each child must be registered in advance. Discover Gymnastics is known for bringing out the best in each child, no matter the level. They offer state of the art facilities, qualified coaches, a low teacher/student ratio, and a clean and fun environment.


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My goal is to serve as an information resource for Houston parents through my various endeavors, including:

  • GISH PICKS, which is online (www.thesummerbook.com/gishpicks_archive.html) and in the Houston Community Newspaper group (www.hcnonline.com);

  • THE SUMMER BOOK®: A GUIDE TO HOUSTON DAY CAMPS AND CLASSES FOR KIDS AND TEENS (www.thesummerbook.com) which comes out annually on March 1 and is sold at bookstores all over Houston, including Barnes and Noble and Borders; and

  • SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS, PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS, AND ART PROGRAMS that cover topics such as summertime fun, passion-finding (for adults, children, and parents helping their children), marketing, historic preservation, art classes, and activism. All of these services can be tailored for any audience and budget.

The purpose of GISH PICKS is to help parents become aware of all the fun things they can do with their children in Houston and the surrounding area, so HAPPY TRAVELS! Please do give me feedback and ideas, as you are out there in the trenches also looking for interesting things for your family and I want to hear what you find. If you are having trouble getting to a website listed here, try hitting the “Ctrl” button and left-clicking on the web address, which should make it “live”.

visit thesummerbook.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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