"HANSEL AND GRETEL" COMING TO KATY THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

The Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center (KVPAC) is presenting two shows of "Hansel and Gretel" this Friday, July 25 at 6 and 7:30pm. The show is part of their free "Arts for All" program and advance reservations are required, as seating is limited.

"Hansel and Gretel" is the classic tale by the Grimm Brothers of two children who are lost in the forest and encounter an evil witch who wants to eat them as part of her smorgasbord of children she fattens up and eats. Through clever tricks, the children escape to the comfort of their home. This story was recently interpreted by the Houston Grand Opera.

For more information or to make advance reservations, call 281.829.2787 or log onto www.kvpac.org.

"RED BULL ART OF CAN" CLOSES THIS FRIDAY.

I admit it's a strange and maybe uncomfortable mix of marketing and art -- but I took my eight year-old to see "Red Bull Art of Can" at the Galleria this week and it was a big hit for both of us! We are going back once more, bringing a sketchpad and camera, which I highly recommend.

The ingenuity of the 47 artists represented in this show is undeniable. The artists are mostly Houston-based and represent all walks of life, including classically trained artists and fashion designers to medical professionals and high school students. The art is made of recycled materials, naturally, that are predominately Red Bull cans. You'll see a cowboy boot and Houston Texans helmet, as well as flying angels, a movie projector, a huge bull, a robot, and much, much more.

Judges for this exhibition included Catherine Anspon, Rachel Cook, Carolyn Farb, Wayne Gilbert, Jonathon Glus, Apama Mackey, Lester Marks, and Angelbert Metoyer. This is its only stop for 2008.

For more information, call 281.382.3336 or log onto www.redbullartofcan.com.

VIRTUOSI OF HOUSTON ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR ITS 2008-2009 SEASON.

Talented young musicians ages 11-18 are invited to audition Friday, September 5 from 4-8pm and Saturday, September 6 from 9am-5pm at the company's Memorial City Mall Studio. Rehearsals take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Virtuosi's Studio. There will be a Concerto Competition on February 7, 2009 and three concerts: December 7, 2008; April 4 and May 9, 2009. This season Virtuosi will be performing a side-by-side concert in Jones Hall with the Houston Symphony. Tuition assistance is available.

Virtuosi was formed in 1996 to increase education and performance opportunities leading to a music profession for Houston’s exceptionally gifted middle to high school age musicians and to bring an expanded repertoire of chamber works to Houston audiences. The chamber group is smaller (55) than a typical symphony orchestra, allowing these exceptional musicians to experience increased confidence, leadership, responsibility and skill through individual attention from two world-class conductors.

For an application or more information, call 713.807.0888 or log onto www.virtuosiofhouston.org.

CHECK OUT THE HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR SPECIAL SERVICES.

This summer, the Library launched its new computer-training lab, HPL Mobile Express. This “lab on wheels” is a first for HPL and a new concept in the delivery of library services, bringing access to technology and programs to high-need neighborhoods. Services provided include literacy programs, workforce development training, computer training, and access to technology. HPL Mobile Express is equipped with 13 desktop computers, seven laptops, and a large-screen television for instruction and literacy programs. The lab will expand the library’s services outside of the physical buildings, providing access to much-needed workshops and resources to areas with low to moderate income. HPL Mobile Express is expected to begin offering classes mid-Summer.

And you can find at-home foreign language instruction (provided by the company Rosetta Stone through HPL) for all children and adult library cardholders. Click on the link above and plug in your user name and library card number. Amazingly, you not only learn Spanish, but also Chinese (Mandarin), Vietnamese, Greek, Farsi, Italian, Hebrew, Korean, and many others!

For more information, call 832.393.1313 or log onto www.houstonlibrary.org.

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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 print through 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”.