WHAT'S YOUR PICK THIS WEEKEND?

I dare you to change the world today. All you have to do is look people in the eye and greet them by name. Try doing that all day long and your mood will lift and you’ll feel more connected and alive. There’s actually a great deal that happens both in our bodies and in our spirits when we connect in that very simple way. And from a medical standpoint, it’s actually very important: check out this fascinating article about an “activation phenomena” that happens when an emergency room team does introductions prior to operations. Naming each other and sharing our stories is part of what makes us grow into the people we’re supposed to be. And as we share that skill with our kids, they’ll find their purpose too!

Why am I writing about all this? A couple of reasons – one is that I teach regular workshops and present talks about finding your passion (coming up soon -- What's Your Purpose? at Body Mind & Soul on May 19, 3-5pm and a new lunch series called “Gabbing with Gish” at the Central Library starting May 3 with the talk “State Your Mission: Creating Personal Mission Statements.” More on those later…). I’m also bringing up the topic of easy ways to connect to people because of the controversy over feeding the homeless downtown (missed it? Click here for more information). There are excellent arguments for both sides but I am in favor of re-visiting the ordinance so that we can seriously address the issue of homelessness in our city; please join me in signing a petition supporting that if you wish. And aside from the politics of this issue, I wanted to share with you a simple idea for dealing with the homeless as you are shuttling your kids around Houston. Carry a handful of small water bottles and crackers (or some other snack you can store in your car) and hand them out when you see folks approach your car. I label mine “You are loved.” and give them to the person after which I get their name and shake their hand. I also introduce them to my kids or whoever else is in the car with me. It costs little and often will make that person’s day – someone whom people usually won’t even look at. I hope you’ll give this idea a chance – maybe we can start a revolution by connecting with ALL KINDS of people!

This is a busy weekend of community festivals and new beginnings (I can’t wait to check out the new Asia Society Texas Center!) so hopefully the weather will hold and we can all GO.FIND.FUN!

PUPPETRY FOR KIDDOS.

“If you don’t bring your own imagination to the show, the puppets stay dead,” says Bobbindoctrin Puppet Theatre’s website, which is awesome since kids have PLENTY of creativity! Bobbindoctrin is presenting their Eighth Annual Puppet Slam, “Puppetsploitation,” this weekend – a wild variety of short staged and filmed puppet works for the discriminating grown-up. Those crazy puppeteers know many of us have kids who also want to enjoy the finer puppets in life, so they’ve created a special “Fambly Slam Day” this Sunday, April 14 at 2pm with the fabulous entry fee of “pay what you will”!
Children are welcome, nay encouraged, to come to this show because it is a zone free of sexuality, harsh language and excessive violence. Please note, however, many mature themes remain, because, in their words “We tone it down but do not dumb it down. We think most kids will appreciate the journey.” It’s probably best for kids 10+.

Bobbindoctrin Puppet Theatre has been producing original puppet works for the benefit of the Houston community since 1995. Bobbindoctrin provides experimental adult puppet performances with low admission prices and gives actors, directors, playwrights, musicians, sculptors, dancers and engineers a much-needed and unique venue for their art while encouraging theatregoers from all economic strata to attend. Bobbindoctrin has a history of introducing audiences to new forms of stagecraft using puppet techniques rarely touched upon by conventional theatre groups. Bobbindoctrin incorporates a mix of shadow, rod, hand, string and tabletop puppetry, as well as masks, in any given show.

The family show takes place at the Midtown Arts Center, 3414 La Branch Street in downtown Houston.

OPEN HOUSES AND LOTSA OTHER HAPPENINGS.

I was overwhelmed this week with the amount of events I’ve learned about so instead of carefully picking through them like I usually do, I’m taking the lazy way out and listing them for you here so you can pick your own (kind of like “Pick Your Own Produce” right?!). I hope you’ll get to enjoy at least one of these very cool events:

• April 12-15, Grand Opening of Asia Society Texas Center headquarters
• April 12-14, Rice University Centennial Celebration Open House
• April 12-14, Feather Fest in Galveston
• April 13-14, The Grand Kids Festival in Galveston
• April 14-15, Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
• April 14, Tomball Area Health Expo
• April 14, Teen Book Festival

PARLEZ FRANÇAIS AT THE ALLIANCE.

The Alliance Française (French Alliance) is starting up a new series of French classes for children this Saturday, April 14. 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, which ends June 2. 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.

HAIR THAT WILL TURN HEADS!

Melissa Noble is my hair stylist and truly gives me the best haircuts I’ve ever had. I know many of you like off-the-beaten-path discoveries and I assure you, Melissa is one of those. She’s a multi-faceted and passionate independent hairstylist who has built a reputation and client base in the cultural community by sculpting each person’s hair to its natural movement as well as adding longevity with the shape and cut.

She truly understands wavy, frizzy, complicated hair and can easily work with ANY kind of hair. Her specialty is her attention to the detail of precision cutting and “carving” each hairstyle while being sensitive to her client’s lifestyle needs as well as working with color. She is always accountable and service oriented. I promise you’ll not only get full attention from her without all the noise or attitude of a large shop but you’ll also get great conversation as Melissa is actively involved in many local arts nonprofits, including KPFT-FM, DiverseWorks, and Project Row Houses.

Melissa operates in a quiet, serene, art-filled studio that overlooks a garden in the Montrose area where she was raised. For appointments, contact her at 713.520.5878 or melissaenoble@gmail.com.

Sarah Gish
Gish Creative
1940-A Fountainview, PMB 116
Houston, Texas 77057
phone/fax: 713.482.7065

GISH AT THE MOVIES
GISH PICKS: A GUIDE TO CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES
THE SUMMER BOOK: A GUIDE TO HOUSTON DAY CAMPS AND CLASSES FOR KIDS AND TEENS
HOUSTON: OUR ROOTS ARE STRONG

© 2012 Sarah Gish

Designed by West of the World