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!

AHOY, MATEYS.

Kids love pirates so I highly recommend the colorful and dramatic “The Pirates of Penzance” presented by the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston and ending its run this weekend. This classic English comic opera is a great way to introduce kids to that art form since it’s full of swords and bravado and a crew of boisterous actors led by annual special guest and internationally-acclaimed British actor Alistair Donkin (the production's stage director who stars as the Major-General). This year’s production also features Dr. Brian Runnels, Dean of Fine Arts at Houston Baptist University, as the Society’s Music Director. The clever pens of W.S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan inked this tale of unrequited love between Frederic, a young matey who, having completed his 21st year, is released from his apprenticeship to a band of tenderhearted pirates. He meets Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley and the two fall instantly in love. Frederic finds out, however, that he was born on February 29, so technically he only has a birthday each leap year. His apprenticeship indentures state that he remains apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday which means he must serve for another 63 years! Ah, the trials of pirate love! By the way, “International Talk Like a Pirate Day” is coming up September 19, so this is a perfect way to get ready.

“The Pirates of Penzance” is onstage July 24, 25, and 26 – Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2:30pm. Tickets start at $25 and group rates are available.

HOP ON THE STAGE WITH "ALICE IN WONDERLAND."

InterActive Theater comes to Memorial City Mall (specifically the Sun and Ski Sports store) this weekend – July 23, 24, and 25 at 11am and 1pm – with “Alice in Wonderland”. If you want to see them in action before heading out the door, check out their online video of the production.

InterActive Theater Company is a forum for artistic collaboration, a vital educational resource for metropolitan schools, and a site of multicultural programming for our international city. Every play includes their signature “interactive” style in which they literally pull audience members onstage to participate. And all of their performances have complimentary lesson plans, TAKS worksheets, and follow-up activities – making their shows a popular stop for school groups and homeschoolers. My son enjoyed an InterActive Theater show for his third birthday party – and being onstage while actors were singing “Happy Birthday” was quite a treat!

Tickets are $5/each.

CIRCUS STUNTS MEET DANCE MOVES WITH SOL Y LUNA.

Sol y Luna Dance Company (“Sun and Moon”) presents “Rêver” this Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25 at 7pm. This family-friendly show is reminiscent of circuses with its clowning artists and trapeze artists. There will be performances by Sol y Luna founder Reyie Delgado (clowning arts and modern dance), Erica Halligan and Luis Avila (salsa), Chloe Nasser (trapeze), Ben Kirsch (acrobatics/weight sharing), and Juanito Jimenez (hip hop clowning arts).

Sol y Luna is a unity of artists from different backgrounds and talents who focus on dance and circus arts while performing feats that defy gravity and human physicality. Their goal is to leave audiences with their mouths wide open after experiencing their unique combination of dance, martial arts, circus acts, and athletic entertainment.

Tickets are $10/advance or $15/door.

THIS WEEK'S ATTRACTION...KEGG'S CHOCOLATE FACTORY. For more attractions, go to www.gishcreative.com/attractions.htm.

A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR HELPS THE SUMMER BLUES.

If you’ve got a hankering for sugar, it’s time you and the kids take a tour of the local Kegg’s Chocolate Factory located at 8168A Westpark Drive. You’ll need to call first to check on good times to visit and to set up a tour guide, but it’s worth it! The Kegg family’s history began with the idea of dressing up the famous Texas pecan with chocolate. In 1946, the Kegg family set up a candy kitchen and shop, introducing generations of Houstonians to their delightful pecan crisp. The Kegg family recipe creates a pecan crisp that’s not brittle—with less crunch and less sugar because of the pecans’ natural sweetness. Kegg’s also became well known for its nut melt-aways, hand-rolled creams and many other hand-made goodies. (And just so you’ll know: they ship anywhere, but chocolate shipments are based on Houston's heat). Yum!

REMEMBERING THE WOODWAY SQUARE FIRE.

The Houston Fire Museum is hosting a luncheon at the Palm Restaurant on Friday, July 31 at 12:30pm to remember the 30th Anniversary of the Woodway Square Conflagration. The Palm Restaurant is located at 6100 Westheimer at Greenridge. That date is the anniversary of the worst conflagration in modern Houston history, the infamous Woodway Square Apartments fire. Two former fire chiefs will be on hand to recount the events of that day. V. E. Rogers was Fire Chief on the day of the fire, and Robert Clayton was the Deputy Chief who took command after the second alarm.

The cost of the luncheon event is $40 for museum members and $45 for non-members. All net proceeds directly benefit the museum. Seating is limited to the first 50 registrants. Log on to the Museum's website for full details of the event and a registration form. Deadline for registration is July 24.

The Fire Museum also hosts birthday parties for kids – my son had his there and it was great fun for the kids to see all the fire engines and learn about fire safety. Apama Mackey Gallery and the Museum have teamed up together for a new exhibition at the Museum, “The Paramilitary Show” which will be on view through September 19. I don’t know if it’s appropriate for kids, so check in advance if you’re concerned.

The Museum is located at 2403 Milam Street. Admission is $3/adults and $2/kids, seniors and students and free for members. The Museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10am-4pm and you can park on Milam Street.

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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