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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FREE MUSIC! Even though Halloween is over, I have a special treat for you: follow me on Twitter and be eligible to win a cool kids' cd, making your holiday shopping that much easier! I'll choose a winner from all followers signed up TODAY. Be sure you know how to "direct message" since that's how you'll be notified that you’re a winner. And don't be afraid of Twitter -- I only tweet about cool events so you won't get random musings from me -- instead, you'll just get daily PICKS of fun times in Houston – only news you can use. I look forward to being stalked by you!

Now, GO FIND FUN!
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29-95 Coolness ATTRACTION: Tony Marron Park Family Fun All Over Elves at Main Street Theater About Gish Creative Recycling Fun Parent/Child Art Workshop
 
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Events for the Week of November 4, 2009


"Afternoon of the Elves" presented by Main Street Theater for Youth

ELVES HELP FIRE THE IMAGINATION.

Main Street Theater for Youth presents “Afternoon of the Elves,” based on the book by Janet Taylor Lisle and directed by Daria James. It’s onstage Saturday, November 7 and Saturday, November 14 at 1pm and 4pm and school matinees are available through November 13. The show is a haunting and moving story of a young girl who is forced to take on very grown-up responsibilities – and the world she creates to give herself an escape from reality. Sara-Kate Connolly, the loner with the tough girl attitude, introduces her popular classmate, Hillary, to her secret world: a tiny elf village created in Sara-Kate’s backyard. The girls’ friendship is challenged by other popular kids and even Hillary’s parents, but only grows stronger when Sara-Kate reveals the truth about her ailing mother. It’s a beautiful story about the wonder of imagination and the strength of friendship.

The show is recommended for third graders and up; children under the age of 3 (including sleeping babies) are not allowed in the theater. Tickets are $10 and $12.


Family Fun

FAMILY FUN AROUND TOWN.

Ok, it's one of those weeks where I just can't choose what else to pick for you since there's so much going on this weekend. I am throwing my hands up in the air and listing a bunch for you -- happy adventuring!


Reuse, Reduce, Recycle

RECYCLING IS FUN.

“Reuse. Reduce. Recycle.” We hear that a lot – but how many of us are actually doing that? My family has joined the effort by using the Westpark Recycling Center and by reusing all the paper we can. If you want to know more about the Houston/Galveston area’s recycling services, log onto www.recycleinfo.org and get the scoop. And here’s some cool recycled and organic products from local folks: www.elaineturner.com/molly; www.lalydia.com/aboutus.html; and www.samababy.com. Mary Margaret Hansen’s exhibition “Second Seating” features many recycled pieces for sale – stop by before it closes on 11/7.

To bring the recycling theme to life, I recommend that you check out Travesty Dance Group’s performance of “The Recycle Club”, a hip hybrid happening by Karen Stokes that includes a performance with video projections, special guest performers Farrell Dyde & Roberta Stokes, a visual art installation featuring three artists who use recycled clothing in their work, information about recycling in general, and a rocking after-party with a DJ, food & beverages and a swing dance lesson. There’s a preview this Friday, November 6 at 8pm and the final performance on Saturday, November 7, also at 8pm. Tickets to the preview are $15 and to the 11/7 performance are $35.


Tony Marron Park

THIS WEEK'S ATTRACTION...TONY MARRON PARK. For more attractions, go to www.gishcreative.com/attractions.htm.

Tony Marron Park is a 19-acre park located at 808 North York Street. It was underutilized and falling apart until 2004 when the Park People, a non-profit citizens’ organization dedicated to promoting the importance of parks and green space, spearheaded an effort to raise $2 million from the coffers of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department and Harris County Parks - Precinct 2. The project involved complete regrading of the site to take advantage of the site's location next to Buffalo Bayou, and construction of several amenities: an extensive trail system that ties into the City's Hike and Bike Trail, five soccer fields, a large pavilion, a plaza with spray features built into the paving, a large playground with age-appropriate play structures, and landscaping and reforestation. Tony Marron Park was reopened in 2005 –- take some time to check it out the next time you’re in Houston’s East End.


"I Can Fly!" Workshop

JOIN ME FOR SPECIAL ART TIME WITH YOUR CHILD ON NOVEMBER 7.

Join me for an “I Can Fly!” workshop on Saturday, November 7 from 2-4pm at Body Mind & Soul. My workshop provides a great opportunity to connect with your child (or children) in a unique way: by learning what they love and by creating a work of art together that you will take home. We'll come together for a quiet two hours to learn how to teach children to “fly” – to follow their heart and uncover their bliss. I'll give you a list of concrete ways to encourage your children’s passions which will be followed by an art activity specifically designed to reveal each person’s creativity and joy. During the workshop, there will be time for each child to talk about what makes their heart sing while the group listens. Sign up early, as class size will be limited.

Here's what one mom said about her afternoon with her children at this workshop: "My two kids and I got a chance to explore and re-live great memories by talking about and then expressing them in a collaborative manner on paper. We walked away proud of our art work and happy to have spent time creating both the art and the new memories!"

The workshop is $35 per parent/child pair (children 6-10 years old, please); if you have more than one child you will be bringing, please add $5/child. Each attendee will receive a $25 gift certificate from Hollywood Frame Gallery. REGISTRATION IN ADVANCE IS PREFERRED.

I look forward to seeing you!
29-95


29-95 IS NOW AFTER MY HEART.

Yep, 29-95 told me they were hosting an event at the Alabama Theatre that I worked with the city to get listed as a city landmark – and you know I was all over it! It’s next Monday evening, 6-8pm, and I’ll send out details via http://twitter.com/gishpicks the day of. What’s 29-95, you ask? It’s a website for Houstonians who are into going out, listening to live music, visiting bars, and finding cool events (warning: not all of the language is safe for work!). They host a weekly Monday happy hour at various local spots where they sponsor super cheap drinks. Stop by the Alabama next Monday and I’ll see you there.


For more about my marketing company, Gish Creative, and the services we offer, please click here. You are on this list because I thought this e-newsletter would be helpful to you or because you signed up for it. However, if you want off this list, click here and you're a goner. Please feel free to tell your friends to subscribe by clicking here.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 and children together), 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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