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e-culture: Gloria Jones Wants You to be Happy, More Holiday Events
December 12, 2003
"I'm not worried about the light bill. I'm just worried about you being happy," says Gloria Jones, a 55-year-old Grandmother and scrub-board player in local Zydeco band.
In front of her house at 3819 Daphne, we talked with Gloria Jones about her mission to light up her Scott Terrace neighborhood and make people happy. A pleasing mix of Nat King Cole and Zydeco Christmas songs played in the background, as Gloria Jones waived at all passers-by and wished them "Merry Christmas." 4,800 lights that wrapped around her Cadillac glowed from the carport and dozens of sightseers toured the fantastically lighted streets of Scott Terrace, all stopping in awe of the hundreds of decorations that filled her yard.
For Gloria Jones, her fans always came first, and her cat, Mr. Timothy, occasionally demanded that the interview be stopped, but through it all, we recorded her simple philosophy of spreading joy to the people.
Find out why the best thing you might do during this holiday season is to stop by 3819 Daphne, just off of Scott Street, and visit Gloria Jones.
http://www.houstonculture.org/gloria
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Holiday Gifts that Support the Arts
Are you looking for great gifts for the holidays that help support the arts? Come to the First Annual MOCAH Artwares Sale on Sunday, December 14, 10:00am - 4:00pm at David Adickes warehouse studio, home of the giant president's heads, 2500 Summer Street. Here you will find one of a kind handmade jewelry, purses, masks, paintings, prints, pottery, and more. There will be art workshops, pinata demonstrations, music by the Free Radicals, and who knows what else?
Visit the Museum of Cultural Arts, Houston at:
http://www.mocah.org
And, please don't forget that we have a few suggestions for cultural gifts that support peace and diversity in our on-line guide. If you haven't thought of memberships, park passes or educational subscriptions as gifts, or if you would like to give a music CD that's unexpected or an international film on DVD, check this list once or twice as you are giving this holiday season:
http://www.houstonculture.org/main/gifts2003.html
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Multicultural Festivals of Lights
Filipino Christmas Lantern Festival
Sponsored by Filipino American Council of South Texas (FACOST)
The highlight for the first Filipino Christmas Lantern Festival will be the lighting of the giant Philipinne lantern 14 feet tall with 600 light bulbs (the lanterns on display this evening are all made in Houston by Filipino craftsmen). It will be an evening of lights, songs, dance and food!
Saturday, December 13th, 2003
Herman Square (Reflection Pool) in front of the Houston City Hall
6:00pm
No Charge
713-669-2998
SAN ANTONIO
Fiesta de las Luminarias
Brightly colored lights stream down from majestic trees along the San Antonio Riverwalk throughout December.
NEW MEXICO
Funky Khanike Freylekh (Hanukah festival)
A FUNdraising event that features: Dancing to live Klezmer music with an 18-piece Klezmer Band; fun & easy Yiddish line dances lead by RIKUD dance troupe. Also featuring: Marc Wunder, puppeteer and Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, storyteller.
Directions: North of I-40 on Rio Grande Blvd. between Candelaria and Griegos on east side of street.
3606 Rio Grande NW
Cost: $5 general, $2 seniors, $1 kids
For more information, (505) 343-8227 or (505) 243-6276
http://www.nahalatshalom.org
Luminarias & Caroling on the Plaza
Christmas Eve, December 24th
La Mesilla, NM (south of Las Cruces on the old Camino Real)
http://www.oldmesilla.org
LOUISIANA
Festival of the Bonfires
Celebrate the Festival of the Bonfires along the Mississippi River this weekend in Lutcher, Louisiana. Bonfires are a Christmas Eve tradition and can also be seen around Lutcher and Gramercy on December 24.
14th Annual Festival of the Bonfires
December 12 - 14, 2003
Knights of Columbus Fairgrounds
Highway 641 (Main Street)
Lutcher, Louisiana
http://www.festivalofthebonfires.org
La Fete des Lumieres
The historic French capitol of Natchitoches, Louisiana celebrates the 77th Annual Natchitoches Festival of Lights along Cane River with fireworks every Saturday in December and many more activities in the downtown historic district through January 6, 2004.
(800) 259-1714
http://www.christmasfestival.com
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SHAPE Center Kwanzaa Celebration
Kwanzaa Celebration
Sponsored by S.H.A.P.E. Community Center and includes children's Kwanzaa activities, marketplace, opening ceremony, entertainment, and fellowship for the Houston community. Begins December 26, 2003
http://www.shape.org
Learn more about the tradition of Kwanzaa:
http://www.houstonculture.org/cr/kwan.html
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Fiesta Guadalupana at MECA
On Friday, December 12, 2003, MECA will celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe with Fiesta Guadalupana. The Virgin de Guadalupe is fondly thought of as the Roman Catholic patroness of the Americas. The historical basis of this holiday is the belief that in 1531, on Tepeyac hill, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a poor Native Mexican. Her shrine in Mexico City is the second most-visited Catholic Church in the world with approximately 10 million visitors a year. Pope John Paul II visited Our Lady of Guadalupe three times, most recently in 2002, for the canonization of Juan Diego, who convinced the bishop to build a Marian shrine on Tepeyac.
MECA will celebrate this Latin American holiday with song and dance. Mariachi MECA will lead participants in a procession around the Old Sixth Ward while singing Las Mananitas. The procession will conclude at MECA's statue of the Virgin de Guadalupe, where MECA's Ballet Folklorico students will perform a traditional Aztec dance, Sun God's Adoration. Mariachi MECA will perform liturgical music, as a student representing Juan Diego lays flowers before the statue of Our Lady. Hot chocolate, pan dulce, and other refreshments will be available for purchase.
Friday, December 12, 7:00pm
MECA
1900 Kane
Houston, Texas
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Exhibitions Ending Soon
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
"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 through December 31, from 8:30am to 5:30pm.
Receptions on 12th and 19th, 6:00pm to 9:00pm
William Towers Gallery, 2800 Post Oak Boulevard, Houston, Texas
Free admission
713-526-6461
Molas: Quilted Treasures of the Kuna Indians
Today, the art and craft of mola-making continues as a vibrant, evolving art form that is a window into the Kuna culture. This exhibition will feature selections from the Museumıs extensive collection of molas.
Sep. 27, 2003 through Jan. 4, 2004
Houston Museum of Natural Science
One Hermann Circle Drive
Houston, Texas
(713) 639-IMAX
http://www.hmns.org
Get more event information on line:
http://www.houstonculture.org/events
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Vote for Community Radio
KPFT Listener-sponsors: Be sure to see the website, www.kpft.org, to find out about candidate forums and to learn the procedures for voting in the first democratic process for determining the management of an important community radio station.
The holidays are a great time to learn about diverse cultures and introduce others to new interests. Give gifts that inspire peace and cultural education.
Thank you for supporting our efforts.
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M a r k @houstonculture.org
Cultural and community organization listings:
http://www.houstonculture.org/listings
Tune in the World Music Show on KTRU:
http://www.houstonculture.org/world
Cultural and educational adventures:
http://www.houstonculture.org/travel
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