e-culture: Moonlight Ramble, Czhilispiel, Dia de los Muertos
October 26, 2001


IN THIS ISSUE
The Moonlight Ramble
Wine Star Party
Pinoy Rock Success
Good News, the Guide...
Southern Utah, No Snow
Regional Traditions
Volunteer and Vote



If you listen to late-night talk radio, you've surely noticed that the level of paranoia is higher than usual and the science-fiction rhetoric is sounding strangely real. Never before have city folks had more reason to believe the Hopi prophecies. The flippant attitude of the reclusive backwoodsman seems somehow appealing in the thick AM static.

Safe, sealed environments in the Jetsons-like future are all the rage with UFO chasers and those with phobic tendencies. Bleak visions of what's ahead, related by talk show hosts, military analysts and conspiracy theorists, predict life with eradicated mail and clothing, limited personal contact, purified air domes in space and sterile zones in contaminated wastelands. But, I wonder, will there be folkloric dancing, or just satellite tv, in space?

Will we feel the energy of the Junkanoo and hear the big booming Soca trucks on our laptop computers? Is Bo Dollis going to appear on a stage with saw dust, Indian costume feathers and Mardi Gras beads floating in zero gravity? Will Huseyin and Gunay Turkmenler be beamed into space from the VLA on the Plains of San Augustin so we can listen to hand-made music played by talented archaic musicians as we transport from eradication station to oxygen-rich sleep pods?

I'm not really concerned that the future will be maintenance free (to barrow a line), or that telemarketers will cease to call, or that the Internet will kill the radio star, or that any other hoaxes will come true.

I am afraid that the obscured hob of terrorism and bioterrorism, and the media response, will create hysteria and paranoia that will affect our quality of life. It has already happened all over this country. Locally, the Turkish Festival, in its 11th year, was recently cancelled due to organizers' concerns about potential trouble and reduced public support. Events like this should garner stronger public support, as we have entered a time when cultural literacy is most important.

In the same way that you, as a consumer, can help small businesses thrive, as a citizen and patron you can support educational events and help maintain cultural traditions through your attendance and interest.

Though I work full time, teach, volunteer for KTRU and for our little organization, and support neighborhood restaurants with conviction, I make time for the many great experiences our World offers. I always will, until the rocket takes me to Pluto, where I will surely find Shonen Knife (*postscript). Promoting community involvement in cultural activities is the most important part of our work, and since September 11, your participation is more valuable than ever before.


PS: As you can tell, I follow too much international pop music. Stay tuned to our web site for a great article on Shonen Knife, the Japanese pop band that exports American culture to America.



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The Moonlight Ramble

Among the many unique events in H-town is the Moonlight Ramble, now in its 29th year. The two hour bike ride draws an eclectic social crowd and is described as a "rolling party." This year the event will begin at its traditional start time, 2:00am, on the weekend nearest the full moon, which is October 28. Keep in mind, that's extremely late on Saturday night, or early on Sunday morning, however you look at it.

More on the Houston Moonlight Ramble:
http//bikehouston.org/ramble


Check the calendar often, as we will be listing more events soon. Please remember to attend and support these valuable activities.

You can find more details about the currently listed events at http://www.houstonculture.org/events

Dia de los Muertos Exhibit
October 20 - November 17, 2001, MORE

Dance Theater of Harlem, October 26, 2001, 8:00pm, MORE

Jewish Book Fair, October 26, 2001 to Nov. 11, 2001, MORE

Jose Toirac art exhibit opens, October 26, 2001, MORE

Folk Magic Tour
Class October 26, 2001 7:00pm, Tour October 27, 2001 Noon to 5:00pm, MORE

Los Super Tejanos, October 26, 2001, 8:00pm, MORE

Gumbo Festival, October 26, 2001, MORE

Houston Zoo's Creepy Crawly Night Prowl, October 26, 2001, MORE

Offbeat Houston Tour, October 27, 2001, MORE

28th Annual British Bazaar, October 27, 2001, MORE

Forward Jazz Concert, October 28, 2001, 5:00pm - 7:00pm, MORE

Fidelis String Quartet, October 30, 2001, 8pm, MORE

P.D.Q. Bach and Friends, October 31, 2001, 8pm, MORE

Arnold Newman, Wednesday, November 7, 6:00 - 8:00pm, MORE

Astronomy Party-Wine Star Party, November 10, 6:00pm, MORE

Southern Utah From A - Z, Monday, November 12, 2001, 7:00pm, MORE

Latino National Conversation, Nov 13, 2001, 7:00pm, MORE


Please find more details about these events at www.houstonculture.org/events


Send cultural and community calendar items for us to include on our web site and in our e-culture newsletter, and for us to provide to KTRU listeners, to info@houstonculture.org.

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Wine Star Party

The Astronomy Party, or Wine Star Party, will be held at Haak Vineyards and Winery on November 10, at 6:00pm. Please come by for a tour of the winery and bring a candle so you can find your way around the vineyard in the dark. Telescopes will be set up by an area astronomy group and you will likely see interesting things out there in the darkness. The moon should offer no competition for star gazers.

For more information, please contact Sahn@houstonculture.org so we can arrange a time to meet, for carpools if necessary, and organize a tour in the mid afternoon.

More on Haak Vineyards and Winery:
http://www.haakwine.com

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Pinoy Rock Success

Congratulations to Koy on the success of the first Pinoy Rock showcase in Houston, which occurred at the 22nd annual Asian American Festival. Lets hope you were all there and that there will be more Pinoy Rock in Houston. I wasn't quite sure what to expect of the musical lineup. I've seen Koy's group, kayumanggi, and Austin's East Babylon Symphony, but I could have never predicted what Joey Ayala and Bobby Banduria brought to us.

Watching Joey Ayala was somewhat like the experience of seeing the great Chilean poet and singer, Victor Jara, must have been. He had a bit of contemporariness that resembled Billy Bragg. Ayala, from Davao City, Philippines plays acoustic and electric guitar, as well as traditional instruments from the Philippines, and is meticulous about his social and political lyrics. He sang in Tagalog, with an infusion of Spanish and English, that represents the colonial history and diverse culture of the Philippines.

More on Joey Ayala:
http://www.pusod.org

Bobby Banduria was a different situation all together. Like much of the San Francisco world music scene, nothing is predictable. Though I'm just learning of his music and talented band, to me he ranks among other West Coast greats, The Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra and Lights in a Fat City. Amazing talent aside, Banduria was purely entertaining on stage and whimsical, appearing like the Filipino Elvis with sideburns and swaggering like Joe Strummer. Banduria had a sometimes subtle and sometimes obvious humor that was easily likeable. He plays a banduria as if it were a lead guitar and then transforms it to make it an instrument hidden in a symphony. From wacky pop to gypsy and jazz and college rock, I like everything I heard. I even like the sound on the CD, Shiny Silver Jeepney (with "Pandanggo ni Bobby" and "Burn"), but I like the live sound best. It's probably not documented, but parts of the performance with Joey Ayala and Bobby Banduria's group performing together, particularly featuring the violinist (her name being G), were phenomenal and most memorable.

More on Bobby Banduria:
http://bobbybanduria.iuma.com

All the groups were great in their fields of music. What can you say about Phuz touring with Sade and how far they've come since they started out in the local college scene? The Malaya Music and Dance Collective was easily the most distinctive performance, combining Indonesian dance with Aboriginal didjeridu and Brazilian Capoeira. Even more than Ayala and Banduria, you had to see this performance to appreciate it.

Next time East Babylon Symphony and kayumanggi play around town, be sure to be there, and ask Koy when the West Coast Filipino sound will come back to Houston. I'm making my request for Bobby Banduria at the next KTRU Outdoor Show.

Previous interview with Koy Severino:
http://www.houstonculture.org/world/kayumanggi.html

Short bios of the bands:
http://www.houstonculture.org/world/pinoyaaf2001.html

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Good News, the Guide...

Great news for class members, photo workshop participants and fellow travelers! The Field Guide has been updated and is now on line.

http://www.houstonculture.org/fieldguide

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Southern Utah, No Snow

Our southern Utah experience so far lacks snow. We plan to fix the problem this winter. If you've ever seen a picture of Bryce Canyon after a fresh snowfall, then you know why we are so eager to go to this miraculous land in winter. We will surely start with a Christmas Eve adventure on the plaza, with hot chocolate and cider and luminarias in Santa Fe followed by traditional Pueblo dances and Burritos Christmas (with red and green chiles). But, after one night of studying the Weather Channel in our cozy motel, we will set out for the grandest land there is, the canyonlands of southern Utah.

We will give you a preview on November 12. Join us for a presentation at REI if you love hiking, boating, photography, geology, history, religion, culture, or any combination of those things.


Southern Utah, From A-Z
From Arches to Zion, we will explore the canyonlands of southern Utah. We will present day hikes for every level of ability, from the easy path to Delicate Arch through the narrows of the Fiery Furnace and up sheer canyon walls to Angels Landing. In any season, the dramatic scenery and fascinating history of southern Utah offers something for everyone.

The slide presentation will take place on Monday, November 12, 2001 at 7:00pm. REI is located at 7951 Katy Freeway. Call 713-688-3500 for more information.

See the complete schedule of in-store events:
http://www.rei.com/storelocator/houston

We have photographs available and you may link them to emails and electronic newsletters.
Promotional Image 1, Promotional Image 2


The Land of Enchantment
What makes southwest art and culture so colorful and alluring for travelers? The answer lies in the four territorial periods of New Mexico's rich history. This slide and audio presentation will help you understand the "Land of Enchantment" and know what to look for as you travel its historic roads -- the Camino Real, Zuni Trail, Santa Fe Trail and Route 66.

We have created this new presentation to compliment our tour of New Mexico's historic places, as well as to emphasize cultural aspects in New Mexico educational topics. Contact mark@cultural-crossroads.com if you are interested in attending this program. We will schedule according to demand. One is currently scheduled in January. More details to follow.

Promotional Image

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Regional Traditions

Czhilispiel is the World's largest tented Biergarten hosting the second largest Chili Cookoff in Texas. I didn't make that up. I plagiarized it right from the Flatonia Chamber of Commerce.

Czhilispiel starts today, Friday, October 26, and continues through the weekend, in beautiful Fla-a-atonia, TX. It's right down the road a ways on I-10 going toward San Antone. You should be fixin' to get in your car and leave right now.

www.flatonia-tx.com/czhilispiel.htm


El Dia de los Muertos
November 1 and 2 are All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, when we celebrate life by remembering loved ones and ancestors, as well as our influential folk heroes, who have passed away. In Mexico and the southwestern United States, preparations for this important celebration include memorializing loved ones' favorite things, evoking images of the past, decorating cemeteries and creating altars and ofrendas. Read more about the featured tradition, El Dia de los Muertos.

http://www.houstonculture.org/cr/diade.html

Dia de los Muertos Exhibit
October 20 - Nov. 17, 2001
Lawndale Art Center
4912 Main Street
Houston, TX 77006
713-528-5858

Related Interest:

Folk Magic Tour
Discover folk magic as practiced by Mexican and Central American shamans, in a classroom session, then a tour of five shops.
Class October 26, 2001, 7:00pm
Tour October 27, 2001, Noon to 5:00pm
Leisure Learning class
www.llu.com
713-529-4414

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Volunteer and Vote

KTRU is participating in Project Pumpkin, fun and educational activities for elementary school children on Saturday, October 27th. Call me quickly, 713-521-3686, if you want to volunteer.

We have many special volunteer opportunities and on-going projects. We would like your ideas and participation. Contact Sahn@houstonculture.org.

See the list of needed volunteers posted in our on-line office.
http://www.houstonculture.org/office

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Here are a few reminders:

Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour before you go to sleep on Saturday, October 27.

Don't forget to read the ballot and vote on Tuesday, November 6.

Send us items for our next e-culture email, which will arrive November 9.


I'll see you at the Czhilispiel.
Mark

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M A R K   L A C Y / mark@cultural-crossroads.com


Houston Institute for Culture
http://www.houstonculture.org

World Music on KTRU
http://www.houstonculture.org/world

Read Cabeza de Vaca On Line
http://www.houstonculture.org/spanish

Our Educational Youth Camp
http://www.houstonculture.org/camp