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!

REVELS HOUSTON IS WRAPPING UP THEIR SPECIAL SEASONAL PERFORMANCES THIS WEEKEND.

The Revels shows blend song, dance, and drama to demonstrate how cultures in all times are fed by the same great river of myth, story, and song. While each show is different, with new songs, new dances, and new plays, there are some Revels traditions that are part of each performance. One tradition is the incorporation of Morris dances and a Mummers play in the production. Another is to end the first act with the singing of, and dancing to, The Lord of the Dance. This involves both the members of the cast and the audience, who dance their way out of the theater.

The Houston group is one of twelve Revels companies throughout the United States; Revels Houston Inc. was incorporated as a non-profit in 1990. Remaining performances are Saturday, December 15 at 2:30 and 8pm and Sunday, December 16 at 2:30pm. Tickets are adults/$18-$30 and children 15 and younger are half price.

For more information, call 713.668.3303 or log onto www.revelshouston.org.

SANDRA ORGAN DANCE COMPANY IS PRESENTING "AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS" THIS WEEKEND.

Sandra Organ Dance Company, the 10-year old contemporary ballet ensemble founded by former Houston Ballet soloist Sandra Organ Solis, will present Gian-Carlo Menotti’s beloved “Amahl and the Night Visitors” in Hobby Center’s Zilkha Hall. “Amahl” is the tender story of a crippled shepherd boy and his mother who receive into their home three journeying wise men following a star. Transformation and magic ensue! Perhaps Menotti’s best-known work, "Amahl and the Night Visitors" was premiered by Hallmark Television in 1951, and has been a holiday family favorite for generations.

The 45-minute performance is sung in English with original choreography by James Sewell, incorporating American Sign Language (ASL) into the dancers’ movements. This season’s performances will be augmented by live orchestral music of Divisi Strings and local singers, under the direction of Jason Oby. The cast will include former Houston Ballet dancer Jessica Pohorilla as The Mother and Cassandra Schaffer in the role of Amahl, joined by Night Visitors Jairo Lastre, Richard Hubscher, and Jhon Stronks. Performances are December 15 and 16, 2 and 7:30pm.

Tickets are $12-$25 and there are group rates available for ten or more. For reservations, call 713.315.2525 or log onto www.uniquelyhouston.com.

THE RUSSIAN CULTURAL CENTER OUR TEXAS IS COLLABORATING WITH THE HOUSTON GRAND OPERA'S "SONG OF HOUSTON" PROJECT.

This weekend the Russian Cultural Center Our Texas is presenting a youth art exhibition opening and a Christmas party for children. On display will be selected drawings by young artists from different schools in Houston and there will be fun improvisational and musical games with the Russian "Father Frost" (a close relative of Santa Claus). Kids are invited to share their talent with a favorite song, dance, poem or any unique skill; those who share will get a very special gift from "Father Frost".

Russian Cultural Center Our Texas is a non-profit organization whose mission is to expand Russian cultural awareness in Texas. They organize events for the Texas Russian community as well as work to generate interest among all Texans. Russian Cultural Center Our Texas promotes talented Russian artists of different schools and styles and has organized several art exhibitions in Houston. The youth exhibition opening and Christmas party will be Saturday, December 15 at noon and the show will be on view until December 22. Russian Cultural Center Our Texas is located at 2337 Bissonet (near the Village) and is open weekdays 9am until 5pm and Saturdays, 11am until 3pm.

For more information, call 713.395.3301 or log onto www.ourtx.org.

ENROLLMENT IN THE ALLEY THEATRE "YOUNG PERFORMERS STUDIO" MAKES A GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT!

The Alley Theatre is offering a variety of workshops in spring 2008 for kids 7-18 years old. Workshops give students a dynamic introduction to theatre arts, foster their individual creativity, and build skills that reach beyond the stage. The spring workshop offerings are:

• Storytelling and Performance for ages 7-8
• Acting Lab for ages 9-12
• Acting Lab II for ages 13-18
• The Play's the Thing: Introducing Shakespeare for ages 9-12
• Shakespeare Intensive for ages 13-18

All workshops will take place at the Alley Theatre at 615 Texas Avenue on Saturdays from February 23 through May 10 (there will be no class on March 22). Classes are offered at 10am until 11:30am or 11:30am until 1:30pm.

For more information, call 713.315.5423 or log onto www.alleytheatre.org.

SHOP HOLLYWOOD FRAME GALLERY FOR YOUR PET LOVER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

Hollywood Frame Gallery is a full service custom picture framing business specializing in framing original movie poster art and is the exclusive Texas dealer of Jim Tweedy's "Friendly Doggies" and "Charlie the RedCat" original artwork. Just in time for the holidays, the shop is featuring "RedCat" T-shirts, kids' umbrellas, hat, mugs, and books. They also have prints from the "Friendly Doggies" series on sale as well as ready-made frames for photos and smaller artwork.

Hollywood Frame Gallery is located at 2427 Bissonnet. For more information, call 713.942.8885 or log onto www.hollywoodframegallery.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

© 2007 Sarah Gish

Designed by West of the World