e-culture: Yellowstone, The Color of Henna, Texas Music Guide, more
November 21, 2003

IN THIS ISSUE Yellowstone, New Orleans, Bryce, Brooklyn,... Events and Important Deadlines (Texas Music Guide)

We've traveled extensively in Mexico's Copper Canyon over the past few years. This evening we bid several friends farewell and safe travels as they set out on an enlightening journey where they will discover what life is like in the dramatic Sierra Madre for one of Mexico's largest indigenous populations, the Tarahumara.

As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving this week, it is important that we explore the issues facing many indigenous and increasingly migratory people in our land. In our upcoming newsletter, just in time for Thanksgiving, we will consider the work of the Hope (Arkansas) Migrant Farm Labor Center, the Sierra Madre Alliance, and the recent Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride. In the near future we will organize our own efforts to inform people about the conditions of indigenous people in a rapidly globalizing and shortsighted world. Knowledge of history is critical to helping people find social consciousness.

If you are interested in Copper Canyon, the place where our current group of adventurers will spend a week among the Tarahumara, or if you would like to know more about the quaint origins of our dedication to travel, please see the Canyon Journal:
http://www.houstonculture.org/canyon/journal2.html


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Yellowstone, New Orleans, Bryce, Brooklyn,...

What do these have in common? They are just a few of our great fun and educational destinations.

Christmas in Santa Fe, December 22 - 26, 2003, and
Winter Travel in Yellowstone, December 26 - January 6, 2004

Native people named Yellowstone "Mi tsi a da zi" (Yellow Rock River) for the place today called the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This shallow "hot spot" in the Earth's crust erupted more than two million years ago in a volcano 2,400 times more powerful than Mount St. Helens. Evidence suggests that Native people inhabited this land carved by volcanoes and glaciers for the past 11,000 years. In this snow-covered winterscape, steam rises from geothermal springs and bison rest by hot geysers. Multitudes of colors radiate from Grand Prismatic Springs and deep aqua-blue and green cavernous pools by the largest natural highland lake in the United States. It was said to be America's great gift to the world -- the first public National Park in the world that was to inspire nations to preserve glorious lands.

Today, Yellowstone is a land of bitter conflict between Native and environmental groups that seek to preserve this truly unique land, and recreational users and mining companies that threaten its very delicate ecology.

We will set out on Part 1 of this adventure by spending Christmas in Santa Fe before passing through the Rocky Mountains on our way to Yellowstone. In Santa Fe we will visit Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument and traditional dances at area pueblos. We will also tour Santa Fe museums, including a visit to the Museum of International Folk Art which will be hosting "The Color of Henna: Textiles from the Southern Anti-Atlas Mountains of Morocco."


MLK Civil Rights Tour, January 16 - 19, 2004

We will attend Martin Luther King Day activities at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. The museum is housed in the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. King was assassinated in 1968.

In addition to important Civil Rights history, we will experience many aspects of Delta culture, including great Southern food -- catfish with peach salsa, butter beans, tamales (even a Texan can like), candied yams, baked apples, banana pudding.... We'll drop in on the Blues City Cafe on Beale Street, B.B. King's place and the Ajax Dinner in Oxford, Mississippi. Plan to start dieting weeks before this tasty adventure.


Multicultural New Orleans, March 12 (5pm) - 21 (late), 2004

When Mardi Gras ends and the tourists go home, the locals begin to celebrate. March is a time when people in south Louisiana look past the debauchery and spectacle of Bourbon Street, to celebrate their heritage with a little more emphasis on diverse cultural traditions. Houma Indians host a Powwow. The Irish in the historic Channel District throw parades and parties. Many Italians honor St. Joseph. There's a fiesta at the Los Islenos Cultural Center. Mardi Gras Indians gather on Super Sunday.... The list goes on. March is a great time to experience New Orleans.


The Canyonlands Adventure, July 2 (5pm) - 11, 2004

The surreal landscape of the Colorado Plateau is the perfect setting for an inspirational photography workshop. We will venture into deep slot canyons, hike among the tall spires of Bryce Canyon and navigate the blue waters of Lake Powell. The Wall Street Journal featured our classes and workshops because of our approach to cultural and social documentary, bringing us tremendous nationwide exposure, though we can only offer these kinds of opportunities on a limited basis. Be sure to get on board for this great life experience.


More Educational Adventures...

The West Indian Parade and Carnival in Brooklyn, New York... The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival in Hot Springs, Arkansas... The Kentuck Festival of the Arts in Northport, Alabama... The Zwoelle Tamale Festival in Zwoelle, Louisiana.... These great educational trips and many more are on line at:
http://www.houstonculture.org/travel

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Events and Important Deadlines

2004 TEXAS MUSIC INDUSTRY DIRECTORY APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED

The Texas Music Office is accepting applications for listings in the 2004 edition of the Texas Music Industry Directory (TMID). A listing in the TMID is an excellent promotional tool for Texans who run a music-related business or who are in a band.

The TMID is a comprehensive sourcebook listing more than 14,000 Texas music businesses, musical acts and annual events. It is considered the "business white pages" for the state's thriving music industry and is cross-referenced by 96 categories of music business. The 2003 edition was 448 pages.

The Texas Music Office, a program in the Office of the Governor, was created in January 1990 to serve as the information clearinghouse and promotion office for the Texas music industry.

To request an application, call 512-463-6666, fax 512-463-4114, e-mail music@governor.state.tx.us, or write: P.O. Box 13246, Austin, TX 78711.

Also visit: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/music

Applications are also available online at:
http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/music/directory/applications.htm

The deadline for submitting applications is December 7, 2003.

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MOCAH'S FIRST ANNUAL ARTWARES SALE
Sunday, December 14, 10:00am - 4:00pm
To participate as an artist/vendor, please see:
http://www.mocah.org

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CULTURE DAY II
The International Student Organization of Montgomery College is hosting its Culture Day II Festival on Saturday, November 22nd, from 9:00am - 4:00pm. To learn more, visit:
http://culture_day.tripod.com

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ECHOES IN BLUE, An Exhibition of Contemporary Iranian Paintings Co-Sponsored by Department of Art History, Rice University and the Society of Iranian-American Women for Education

November 21st
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
William Towers Gallery 2800 Post Oak Boulevard Houston, Texas
No charge
713-526-6461

ECHOES IN BLUE is an exhibition of Iranian paintings displayed to introduce the American public to the work of contemporary Iranian artists. A touring exhibition, ECHOES IN BLUE portrays a cross-section of Iranian artists - including six women. The collection provides a vibrant view of the current art scene within the boundaries of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Exhibition will be on view from November 21st through December 31st between the hours of 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

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SEE SAHIRA LIVE
Sahira performs Middle Eastern dance with a live band at Alexander the Great Greek restaurant November 22nd and 28th at 8:30pm.
http://www.sahira.cc



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