Gish Picks: Week of October 17, 2007


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. I know many of you go to events based on GISH PICKS recommendations; PLEASE remember to tell the organization that you are there because of us. Word-of-mouth like yours helps our business to grow. In the same spirit, please also feel free to share GISH PICKS with friends and families. Do you have something you would like to advertise on Gish Picks? Advertisers can promote family-friendly events, products or services to Houstonians all over the city and the surrounding area who are active parents, involved citizens and great shoppers. We love doing this community service and want to keep it free for our readers but in order to justify the hours spent researching, writing and designing this newsletter, we need advertising support. If you'd like to learn more, please click below. Now, GO FIND FUN!

ENCOURAGE TEENS TO READ DURING "TEEN READ WEEK" OCTOBER 14-20.

Houston teens are invited to participate in a variety of "Teen Read Week" celebrations at many area library systems, including Houston Public Libraries, Harris County Libraries, and Fort Bend County Libraries. This program joins thousands of other libraries, schools and bookstores across the country who are encouraging teens to celebrate this year’s theme, "LOL @ Your Library®." This year’s theme encourages teens to read humorous books and graphic novels just 'for the fun of it'.

Events such as poetry slams, comic book workshops, live entertainment and teen movies are planned at many libraries; for more information check these websites: Fort Bend County Library (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us/youth/index.html), Houston Public Library (www.houstonlibrary.org/about/news/20071001_teens.html), and Harris County Library (www.hcpl.net/teens/books_zines/teenreadweek2007.php).

A.D. PLAYERS CHILDREN'S THEATER PRESENTS "THE GREAT CROSS-COUNTRY RACE".

The race is on! In this exciting retelling of "The Tortoise and the Hare" fable, adapted by Alan Broadhurst, newcomer Mr. Sloe challenges the cocky, boastful Mr. Fleet to a cross-country race. Which animal will prove victorious? The audience will participate rowdily by cheering their favorite on to the finish line and will learn if 'slow and steady' really does win the race. "The Great Cross-Country Race" ends this weekend, with performances tomorrow (Thursday) at 10:30am, Friday at 9:30 and 11:30am, and Saturday at 10:30am. The show is presented on the Rotunda Theater stage at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer at Edloe.

For more information, call 713.526.2721 or log onto www.adplayers.org.

JOURNEY TO THE EAST WITH "SPLENDID CHINA".

Grab your passport and pack a cooler for Dance of Asian America’s "Splendid China: Journey to the East", premiering this weekend at Miller Outdoor Theater. Chinese history will come to life in this cultural tour of China as viewers experience dances by Dance of Asian America with guest artists from Shanghai.

The tour features Artistic Director Janie Yao’s fresh take on Chinese dance which is a blend of modern movement and classical Chinese ballet. Staying true to the love of color and drama present in Chinese theatre, this dance will include elaborate costumes and a mix of contemporary and traditional Chinese music. Joining the Dance of Asian America company are seven guest artists from China’s Shanghai Dance Company. Their pieces present engaging stories from China’s history such as the story of Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army springing into action. The free performances are at 8pm on Friday and Saturday.

For more information, call 832.630.5048 or log onto www.danceaa.org.

LET STUBDOG EVENTS HELP YOU FIND THE COOLEST PROGRAMS AND BEST DISCOUNTS IN TOWN.

Being the planner friend is a thankless job. Especially this time of year. Holiday party? You made it happen. Secret Santa? You planned the hat drawing. The decorative lights? All you. And there never seems to be a "Thank-you, oh amazingly-competent-and-fun Planner-Claus." Like, ever. Where's the love?

Worry no more: StubDog Events is like a totally connected personal assistant who picks the coolest events, scores tickets, and offers discounts -- all for FREE! StubDog's got something for everyone, eight days a week. Feeling classy? Dress up for Dominic Walsh Dance Theater's "Sleeping Beauty" at the Wortham Center. Wanna laugh? Giggle to ComedySportz or Laff Spot. Need to entertain the kids? Take them to A.D. Players or Company OnStage's children's theatre this holiday season. If you're feeling lazy, consider the StubDog weekly newsletter your personal cheat sheet to the week's coolest events. All events on StubDog are close to an incredible 50% off the full price -- plus you can also posse-up with groovy online invitations.

To view all event tickets or to sign up for their newsletter, log onto www.stubdog.com.

PARLEZ VOUS FRANÇAIS?

Kids and adults can master the fine art of French at the Alliance Française which is kicking off its next seven-week cycle of classes running from October 29 through December 13. There are Saturday classes for kids ages 4-15 who are immersed in the French language, allowing them to learn in a natural way, through visual, kinetic and auditive experience. Classes meet Saturday mornings at 9:30 or at 11:15am. Tuition is $175 for each session. There are also classes for adults on all levels, on-site internet programs and private lessons.

The Alliance Française hosts a variety of events, including monthly film screenings (the next one is Monday, October 29 at 6pm) and this Saturday (October 20), they are hosting a fundraiser for Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue with a buffet dinner, music and door prizes. Alliance Française is located at 427 Lovett Boulevard in Montrose.

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

GET GREEN WITH THE TEXAS BIONEERS.

The Texas Bioneers Conference that is organized annually by the Blackwood Educational Land Institute is coming to Houston this weekend starting Friday, October 19 and ending Sunday, October 21. This event is part of a larger conference held annually in San Rafael, California that has acted as a dynamic, leading edge forum to highlight brilliant scientific and social innovators focused on practical and visionary solutions for restoring the Earth's imperiled ecosystems and healing our human communities. I hope you will be able to join us for some of the talks and events. In particular, please note that I will be speaking on “Everyday Activism” this Friday, October 19 at 12:30pm at Emerson Unitarian Church (1900 Bering near Westheimer). I would love to see you there!

For more information, call 713.768.3422 or log onto www.blackwoodland.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 parenting (www.freewebs.com/glowfished), marketing, historic preservation, activism, and passion-finding. 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”.


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 © 2007 Sarah Gish Designed by West of the World