e-culture: Travelers' Forum, Nashville2u, Westfest, The Texas Czechs
August 13, 2004


IN THIS ISSUE

- Travelers' Forum
- Film and Multimedia Events
- Globalization on PBS
- Texas Music Events
- Nashville2u in Houston
- Vìtáme Vás Na Westfest
- The Texas Czechs
- Missions of California
- Fall Travel



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Travelers' Forum

Travel Talk: A Travelers' Forum

The cultural exchange and educational value of travel will be explored during a lively informal program on Saturday, August 14 at the Montrose Branch of the Houston Public Library, 4100 Montrose Blvd at Colquitt. The event will survey many diverse cultural aspects of travel in Mexico, the Southwestern United States, as well as New York City, Washington DC, and the Southeastern states. The presentation will involve audience members in a productive workshop-oriented discussion. Presentations will feature the Colorado Plateau, Chiricahua Mountains, El Camino Real in New Mexico, the Texas Hill Country and more. The event is free and will offer a great opportunity to exchange travel ideas and advice, consider important issues throughout the region, and plan your own trips or get involved with ours. "Travel Talk" is a workshop for anyone who enjoys travel.

PROGRAM
-The Colorado Plateau - Wonders of Nature, Perils of Man
-The Chiricahua Mountains and Camp Dos Cabezas
-Copper Canyon and the Tarahumara Indians
-The Radical Commitment in Houston (Protests)
-The Whimsical Commitment in Houston (Art Cars)
-Building Little Saigon (Preview to 'The Traditional Commitment in Houston')
-Smithsonian Folklife Festival Latino Music Initiative, Nuestra Musica
-A New Mexico Cultural Survey
-El Dia de los Muertos
-Human Conditions on the U.S. Mexico Border

Saturday, August 14, 2004, 4:00pm
Eleanor K. Freed Montrose Branch of the Houston Public Library
4100 Montrose Blvd
Houston, Texas
Call 713- 521-3686, or email info@houstonculture.org for more information.

Upcoming meeting information and updates can be found at:
http://www.houstonculture.org/meeting

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Film and Multimedia Events

lakbay ng pagkaalam ("journey of consciousness")

Where is the only place in the Greater Houston area can you check out some independent Filipino films, hear some international multi-lingual poetry and hear some world beat bands in the month of August? HELIOS, that's where, 411 Westheimer at Taft. On Friday August 13, Helios will be hosting lakbay ng pagkaalam (lock-bye nung pawg-kah-ah-lumm) or "journey of consciousness" - a multimedia presentation exploring the Filipino cultural identity in the context of a global community of cultures, featuring short films and documentaries by Howie Severino, Rommel Eclarinal, Aimee Suzara, Oliver Eclarinal and Patrick Epino; poetry by Pola Anne Anicete, Jerome Vielman, Julio Marquina and Carlos Marquina; and the bands Atash from Austin, Kasama and kayumanggi Pinoy rock band.

Friday August 13, 2004, 8:00pm
Helios
411 Westheimer
Houston, Texas
http://www.heliosrising.org

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At the Aurora Picture Show

Mondays, August 16, 23, & 30, 9pm
Aurora at Dean's Credit Clothing [http://www.deanscreditclothing.com]
316 Main (downtown)
UNCOVERED: The Whole Truth about the Iraq War
Directed by Robert Greenwald
Part of the city-wide The Voting Machine [http://www.votingmachine.org] series

This controversial film takes you behind the walls of the US government, as CIA, Pentagon and Foreign Service experts speak out about the purported reasons for the war in Iraq. Among those interviewed are former Ambassador Joe Wilson, weapons inspectors Scott Ritter and David Albright, anti-terrorism expert Rand Beers, former CIA analyst Ray McGovern, former CIA operative Robert Baer and Washington editor of The Nation, David Corn.


Saturday, August 21, 8pm (Program 1)
Sunday, August 22, 3pm (Program 2)
ANN ARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ANNUAL TOUR [http://www.aafilmfest.org/tour.htm]
At Aurora Picture Show

Ann Arbor Film Festival is the oldest independent and experimental film festival in North America. The 42nd Tour presents 22 award winning and highlight titles selected by Festival Director Chrisstina Hamilton. Works by Rick Raxlen, Cheryl Park, Lori Hiris, Tony Gault, Jenny Bisch, Doug Vitarelli, Robert Todd, Bill Brown, Sergio Batiz, Bob Makara, Micaela O'Herlihy, Jeanne Liotta, Dominic Angerame, Tim Szetela, Alfonso Alvarez, Naoko Sasaki, Denise Kaufmann, Trevor Fife, Diane Cheklich, Anna Abrahams, Kerry A. Laitala, and Joel Shlemowitz.

Admission to screenings $5 (an entertainment value)

Aurora Picture Show
800 Aurora Street
Houston, Texas 77009
713-868-2101

Thanks to Koy Severino for contributing to the events calendar.

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Globalization on PBS

Globalization's Impact on the Houston Job Market and Economy

Here's how to participate:
1. First, watch The Connection on Sunday, August 15 at 5 p.m. for the Big Chat on: Globalization's Impact on the Houston Job Market and Economy.

2. Then join the panelists in the Channel 8 studio to be part of the discussion on Thursday, August 19 at 6:30 p.m.

The evening will include a half-hour, moderated roundtable discussion on globalization followed by a 15-minute question and answer period from the audience. Then share your thoughts and voice your ideas when the League of Women Voters engages the audience in focused, small group discussions. This discussion will not be broadcast.

Panelists include:
Lesley Ramsey, Co-Director, The Texas Fair Trade Coalition
Richard Shaw, Secretary/Treasurer, Harris County AFL-CIO Council
John Beddow, Group Publisher, Houston Business Journal
Thomas DeGregori, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, University of Houston

To RSVP for the discussion portion:
http://www.houstonpbs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=con_by_the_people

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Texas Music Events

Upcoming at Haak Vineyards & Winery

Pet Rooster - Bluegrass band performs at Haak Vineyards & Winery
Sunday August 15, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
It is also the Winemaker's 65th birthday.

Texavia - Czech Band performs at Haak Vineyards & Winery

Sunday August 22, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Max Catering will be serving Cabbage Rolls.

Remember to bring your own lawn chairs.

Haak Vineyards & Winery
6310 Avenue T
Santa Fe, Texas 77510
409-925-1401
http://www.haakwine.com

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Make Mine Texas Music Fest
Indoor/Outdoor--Dance/Concert Music Festival

Tejano, Country, Polkas, Cumbias and Honky-Tonk! Texas music, in both English and Spanish gets the spirits high and the toes tapping. The place to be Saturday, August 21 is the Humble Rodeo Arena and Expo Center for the Make Mine Texas Music Fest. A Festival that understands Texas' traditions, its musical legacy and pride we feel being Texan or being Tex-Mex.

Texans work together, have fun together and give back together ­ "mano a mano." The Make Mine Texas Music Fest is designed with the philosophy that all Texans are bilingual and bi-cultural to some degree.

Featured entertainment includes: Deryl Dodd, Ruben Vela, Kevin Fowler, Grupo Siggno, Rigo and Dusk til Dawn, Marlissa Vela and Chango Jackson. Artists will perform from 1:00pm until 10:00pm. Come early, dance to the saucy and sassy beat of Tex-Mex cumbias and stay late and two-step to hot Texas Country honky-tonk.

In addition to the performers, there will be food, drink, a dance area, arts and craft vendors, pinatas (with prizes), and children's games. Register for Mariachi Karaoke dance contests for the Best Texas Two-Step and the Best Tex-Mex Cumbia.

Saturday, August 21, 2004, 11:00am - 10:00pm
Humble Rodeo Arena and Expo Center, 8233 Will Clayton Pkwy.
(One mile east of the Will Clayton Parkway exit on Hwy. 59 North - Houston Intercontinental Airport exit)
Humble, Texas 77338-5833

Admission: Advance: $5, Gate: $8
(Advance tickets can be purchased at Cactus Music & Video, located at Shepherd and Alabama ­ 713-526-7292)
Benefits: The Arrow Project, Pueblo Boxing Gym, La Rosa Family Services, Texas Music Project, Texas Music Office License Plate Program

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Nashville2u in Houston

Nashville2u, a Nashville-based entertainment company brings 'Music Row' talent to Houston, Texas for a one-day, educational conference for songwriters, artists and music enthusiasts on August 28th 8:30am ­ 9:00pm at the Crown Plaza Brookhollow Hotel, 290 just south of Beltway 8.

Nashville2u was founded to offer aspiring songwriters and artists across the U.S. an opportunity to learn about the Nashville music business through meeting successful Songwriters, A&R Executives, Major Record Labels, Publishers, Managers and Performing Rights Organizations directly from the Nashville music community.

This hands-on conference includes pertinent learning tools that will educate the attendee so that he/she will be equipped to understand the Nashville music business. For $150.00 participants learn the ins and outs of Nashville's 'Music Row'. "We pride ourselves in the quality of people we are able to invite to our conferences as panelists and take every measure to make this unique gathering informative and enjoyable for all," said Stephen Allen Davis, co-founder.

Conference attendees may submit a song to Nashville2u by August 10th, 2004 and be entered into the Nashville2u Song Contest. Your song will be reviewed by the Nashville2u staff and the winner will get his or her song demo'd in Nashville. Visit www.nashville2u.com for more information.

Nationally known songwriters such as Stephen Allen Davis [www.stephenallendavis.com] and Karen Taylor-Good [www.karentaylorgood.com] will perform 'in-the-round'. Newly signed Texas artist Fidel Hernandez [www.fidelhernandez.net] will perform at the event. Door charge for non-attendees will be $15.00.

A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Musicians Benevolent Society of Houston, a tax-exempt, 501c3 Texas corporation that provides professional musicians with up to $1,000 in temporary financial assistance for medical emergencies.

MBS has made gifts in the blues, classical, jazz, Latin, rock and Texas music communities in the greater Houston area. Assistance through June 2004 totals $53,500 impacting 156 musicians and their families. Common forms of assistance include mortgage or rent payments, utility bills, medical insurance deductibles, non-covered medical expenses, special health needs and medical equipment rentals, prescription medicines, doctorsą bills, end-of-life care and funeral expenses.

For information about Musicians Benevolent Society of Houston, contact Steve Sucher, 713-221-8288.

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Vìtáme Vás Na Westfest

Westfest in the central Texas town of West, Texas has been going on for 29 years and the popular Texas polka band Brave Combo will return for their 25th year in 2004. The Saturday and Sunday event, which takes place every Labor day weekend, will kick off Saturday, September 4 at 10:00am, with a parade in downtown West.

In addition to Brave Combo, Vrazels Polka Band, Jodie Mikola Orchestra, Vanek Czech Band, and many more will be performing on the main stage. German, Czech, Moravian, and Polish dancers will be performing in the Cultural Amphitheater along with Mexican and Norwegian traditional dancers.

There will be a genealogy booth with passenger lists of Czech immigrants who relocated to Texas, as well as kolache baking contests, Karaoke, Cowboy singing and poetry, Polka Mass, and horseshoe pitching. For only $6.00, this small town affair north of Waco on Interstate 35 is a great weekend getaway.

Learn more about Westfest:
http://www.westfest.com

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The Texas Czechs

On Labor Day Weekend, Westfest signals the beginning of a season full of Czech festivals celebrating the things Czechs made popular in their Texas home - polka music, kolaches, and much more. Sheena Oomen explores how the Czechs established themselves in Texas:
http://www.houstonculture.org/cr/czechs.html

Experience polka time in South Texas:
http://www.houstonculture.org/cr/polka.html

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Missions of California

As capitols of New Spain and Spanish missions were settled decades and sometimes well over a century before the American Revolution, Spanish and Indian history and geography is critical to understanding American history. Michelle Ong offers an account of the Spanish exploration and settlement of missions in California:
http://www.houstonculture.org/spanish/california.html

Listings of California missions and their locations can be found at:
http://www.houstonculture.org/terra/missions.html


Cabeza de Vaca's Relación and other valuable resources are found in our La Frontera Vieja section:
http://www.houstonculture.org/spanish

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Fall Travel

We are planning several weekend trips in the Fall, as well as longer adventures for Thanksgiving week and the winter holidays.

Zwolle Tamale Festival, Zwolle, Louisiana, October 8 - 10, 2004
This Louisiana Project adventure will explore Spanish, Creole and Native American heritage in western Louisiana.

Kentuck Festival of the Arts, Northport, Alabama, October 15 - 17 (may return on 18), 2004
Including: Visionary Art and Architecture Sites.

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, Hot Springs, Arkansas, October 22 - 24, 2004


More educational adventures will be posted here:
http://www.houstonculture.org/travel


Let us know if you would like to join us or even get involved in the planning. A good place to start is the Travelers' Forum on Saturday, August 14, or at any upcoming meeting: http://www.houstonculture.org/meeting



Thank you for supporting diverse activities in Houston.

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M  a  r  k @houstonculture.org


Cultural and Community Organization Listings:
http://www.houstonculture.org/listings

2003 Report to Friends and Volunteers:
http://www.houstonculture.org/report

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