e-culture: Eight Days Without an Alligator-related Accident
January 20, 2002


IN THIS ISSUE

PAGE ONE The First Thing About Texas Seven Cities of Gold We Rate the States Holiday Extra, Carry That Weight A Tale of Two Parades The Year of the Horse From Navajoland to Sunsplash Top Film, Top Audio Honors

PAGE TWO Introduction to Photography Houston People and More When Willie Talks... Where Do We Go From Here? Electronic Mail Bag Sights and Sounds For Members Only Indians, Are You Ready?

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


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Introduction to Photography

Photography is an extremely important means of communication. Unfortunately, many people with the desire to document cultural and social topics, or even cover personal interests, do not have the ability to work competently with cameras and lighting. Our short classes are arranged to help artists understand approaches to photography and video not usually considered in collegiate photography programs. If you think the reasons you make photographs are important, you will most certainly benefit from our upcoming six-week course. The class begins on January 26.

General information about the upcoming class:
http://www.houstonculture.org/class/class1.html

See the Current Syllabus:
http://www.houstonculture.org/class/class1syl6wk.html


You will surely find this work by Bill Steber inspiring. He is a Nashville photographer who is documenting Blues culture in Mississippi. If you have not seen the exhibit before, follow this link:
http://www.houstonculture.org/artist/steber.html

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Houston People and More

We want to introduce you to some interesting Houstonians.

Meet Sarah Cortez, a poet and Houston cop, with her clothes off?
http://www.houstonculture.org/people/cortez.html

If you love wine, or pictures of horses as much as I do, you'll love this feature on Raymond Haak and his Galveston County vineyards and winery.
http://www.houstonculture.org/intersection

Please contact Mark@houstonculture.org if you would like to help produce our Intersection magazine or Houston People section.

We will post more Houston People soon:
http://www.houstonculture.org/people

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When Willie Talks...

So what if he wants to be mayor of his own town so he can write his own marijuana laws. In his carefree understated way, Willie Nelson raises some interesting questions. Even if you don't agree with him, you've gotta love him. He's like a little kitten with his mind made up.

From an interview with Willie Nelson, published in the February 2002 issue of Men's Journal:

"I try not to bring the negative outside stuff into my shows, but I have made a couple of changes recently. For one thing, I sing "America the Beautiful". I think we ought to make that our National Anthem. It's not about war; there's no bombs bursting in air, no rockets' red glare. It's about the land, amber waves of grain. That sounds good to me."

-- Willie Nelson

Those interested in independent radio issues will like this profound message culled from Frank Zappa's Kill Ugly Radio dialogue:
http://www.houstonculture.org/hifc/quote8.html

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Where Do We Go From Here?

We had a great time traveling to Caddo Lake, holiday events in rural Acadiana and the Cane River in December. We unfortunately have had to postpone our Freedom Highway trip, originally scheduled for this MLK weekend. The good news is, it will take place sometime in March or April, along with several other trips listed below.

We organize these trips somewhat informally, juggling schedules as best we can. If you would like to go on any of these short excursions to experience local culture and history, contact Mark@houstonculture.org.

The Big Thicket National Preserve -- Dense woodlands northeast of Houston protect the first national preserve, which now features an informative visitor center.

Lost Azalea Canyon -- Where the non-hybrid azalea species hide in the Piney Woods.

The Freedom Highway -- Travel through poignant Civil Rights history across our neighboring Gulf Coast states.

San Antonio Missions -- The roots of Texas history and the center of activity for many unique cultures.

A Day in Old Humble -- A small Texas town with real cafes, a historical museum and plentiful antiques, just off the freeway north of Houston.

The Big Birds of the Texas Coast -- The winter nesting home of the Whooping Crane.

Caddo Lake, Uncertain, TX -- In East Texas lies a mysterious cypress-forested environment with rich history.

Rural Acadiana -- There's a celebration every weekend in Mamou, Eunice and Scott, Louisiana.

Cane River National Historic Park -- A beautiful landscape with fascinating history, capitols, plantations, authors and more.
http://www.houstonculture.org/terra/king.html

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Electronic Mail Bag

Maybe we should call it an electronic hornets nest! Mark stirred it up in December with some comments on the Holiday Bowl Games and some interesting cultural-consumer considerations. We will post some of the comments as soon as we can sort through them. (It may take a day or two)

See "Election Guide":
http://www.houstonculture.org/archive/e011212b.html#vote

See "Winning and Losing":
http://www.houstonculture.org/archive/e011212b.html#games

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Sights and Sounds

With the antenna on Mark's car broken and several of us without TVs, we aren't too susceptible to commercial trends, and possibly better off for it. We actually read the articles and we support interesting diverse music. In case you're interested, here are the books we are reading and the recordings we are listening to.

WHAT WE ARE READING

Brian:
Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey: A Journey to Music's Heart and Soul by Bill Wyman (DK Publishing)
In Our Own Image: Treasured African-American Traditions by Patrik Henry Bass and Karen Pugh (Running Press)
One Time One Place: Mississippi in the Depression (A Snapshot Album) by Eudora Welty (University Press of Mississippi)
(Ed. note: Me thinks someone had a good Christmas! These are great recommendations for the MLK commemoration and the upcoming Black History Month.)

Janni:
The Black Cowboys (African-American Achievers) by Gina De Angelis (Chelsea House Publishing)
Fifty Black Women Who Changed America by Amy Alexandra (Citadel Press)
(Fifty Black Women... includes Phillis Weatley, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Odetta, Bessie Smith, Angela Davis and Alice Walker.)
Don't Be Afraid Gringo: A Honduran Woman Speaks From the Heart by Elvia Alvarado, translated by Medea Benjamin (Thanks Mark!)

Mark:
The Forgotten People: Cane River's Creoles of Color by Gary B. Mills (Louisiana State University Press)
William Henry Jackson: Framing the Frontier by Douglas Waitley (Mountain Press Publishing Company)
Glen Canyon: An Archaeological Summary by Jesse D. Jennings (University of Utah Press)
Cultural Survival Quarterly
See more recommended periodicals:
http://www.houstonculture.org/hifc/regmags.html

Trentton:
Southern Cultures literary journal
Louisiana Literature Press literary journal
Gulf Coast literary journal
Granta literary journal

WHAT WE ARE LISTENING TO

Brian:
Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey: A Journey to Music's Heart and Soul by Various Artists (Document Records)

Janni:
Band of Gypsies by Taraf de Haidouks (Atlantic)
Band of Gypsies by Taraf de Haidouks (Atlantic)
Band of Gypsies by Taraf de Haidouks (Atlantic)
Miscellaneous

Mark:
Ludo Luda (Fools Fancy) by Csokolom (Arhoolie)
Klez, Kez, Goy Mit Fez by Yid Vicious (Uvulittle Records)
Johnnie Billy Goat by Boozoo Chavis (Rounder)
We Love Em Tonight (Live at Tipitinas) by Galactic (Volcano Records)

Trentton:
The Blue Trees by Gorky's Zygotic Mynci (Beggars Banquet)
A Different Kind of Tension by Buzzcocks (rl?)
Rock Steady by No Doubt, (probably released on a terrible big money-grubbing record label)

http://www.houstonculture.org/hifc/honors.html

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For Members Only

It costs nothing to join, but you have to be a volunteer to get these benefits. We frequently have tickets to international films and we offer our trips "at cost" for volunteers. On occasion we are able to offer discounts to our classes. Contact Mark@houstonculture.org if you would like to volunteer.

This Overview of Programs and Resources will help you learn more about what we do:
http://www.houstonculture.org/office/overview.html

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Indians, Are You Ready?

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!, Let the Good Times Roll!

We will be back on February 5 (just in time for Mardi Gras) with some timely features:
Louisiana Music Series on KTRU's Americana Show
Go to the Mardi Gras, some recommended songs
Mardi Gras in Rural Acadiana
What is Lundi Gras?
Carnaval in Veracruz, Mexico
Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday Showdown

Also, we will preview the Houston International FotoFest, Chinese New Year and George "Washington's Birthday Celebration and Jalapeño Festival" (a Laredo tradition for nearly 100 years).



RETURN TO PAGE ONE


We'll see you at the Mardi Gras!

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J  a  n  n  i @houstonculture.org


Send cultural and community event listings, and general inquiries:
info@houstonculture.org

Send organization name and mission to be included in our resource listings:
listings@houstonculture.org

Send comments about the current newsletter:
janni@houstonculture.org

Volunteer to edit or contribute to future newsletters:
mark@houstonculture.org