e-culture: Thundering Taiko Drums, Donna Morales' New Book, Gloria's Progress
September 30, 2004


IN THIS ISSUE

- Houston Grand Taiko Festival
- Events to Benefit India
- Gloria's Walk for Peace
- Donna Morales' New Book



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Taiko Drums, More World Music

October is a great month to get out and see live music at the Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park. The best way to get into the rhythm of attending the venue's great offerings is to start with the amazing demonstration of thundering Japanese drums, the Houston Grand Taiko Festival, Friday and Saturday evening for free. Polynesian music and dance will grace the stage on Saturday and Sunday at Clear Lake Park.


5th Annual Houston Grand Taiko Festival
Presented by Kaminari Taiko of Houston

With your unwavering support, Grand Taiko Fest has been recognized as one of the major concerts in Houston - attracting over 7,000 spectators. Our famous 5 ft. diameter Giant Drum is fitted with state of the art amplification system and transformed into the Most Powerful Taiko in the World. Please come to the concert and experience a sensation of electrifying chills that run up your spine and keep your body rocking to the vibrant taiko beats.

Friday and Saturday, October 1 and 2, 2004, 7:30 - 9:45pm
Miller Outdoor Theatre, Hermann Park
http://www.ilovetaiko.org/taikofestival.htm

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Third Annual Aloha Festival

Enjoy the taste of Polynesia all weekend long. Shop tropical and Polynesian crafts, eat and drink island style foods and Hawaiian shave ice.

Be part of the "Aloha Sprints" - On October 2nd, 2004, the Texas Outrigger Canoe Club will feature their second annual "Aloha Sprint" at Clear Lake Park. The event features teams racing multiple 400 yard sprint races on Mud Lake throughout the day. Sign up to race: http://www.tocc.org

Admission $ 3.00, Children 10 and under free
Saturday, October 2, 10:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday, October 3, 10:00 am - 4:00pm
Landolt Pavilion - Clear Lake Park
Nasa Road, Houston, Texas
http://www.alohafesttexas.com

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Voter registration party, speaker and concert

(Last chance if you or someone you know still needs to get registered to vote, deputies will be on hand to make this possible.)

8pm - guest speaker: state representative Garnett Coleman
8:45pm - sitar master SRINIVAS KOUMUNDURI and tabla master DAVID COURTNEY to perform classical Indian music. We have been looking forward to another visit from these gifted musicians and dear friends. Their performances during the 1990's were mesmerizing and uplifting. It will be an awesome privilege to hear their music at the Artery again.

$5-10 suggested donation
Saturday, October 2, 8:00pm
5401 Jackson at Prospect
in the Museum District
http://www.arteryhouston.org

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Hula Workshop

HCC Central Fine Arts is hosting a Hula Workshop on Saturday, October 9, from 8:30am to 2:30pm, in the dance studio at 3517 Austin.

Revered teachers, na kumu hula (master instructors) Ellen Gay Dela Rosa and Keith Awai, from the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii will be spending the day with us, providing instruction for both kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) hula chants and mele (songs).

The cost to attend the workshop, open to intermediate and advanced hula dancers, is $85 and includes workshop fees and an instructional packet. Recommended for dancers ages 12 and older, with some dance experience. Not recommended for beginners. For more information or to register for the workshop, visit the World Dance Institute web site at http://www.worlddanceinstitute.org, or contact Cynthia Cupach at cynthia.cupach@hccs.edu. The registration deadline is October 2.


For more event listings, please see:
http://www.houstonculture.org/events

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Events to Benefit India

Organizations in Austin and Houston will bring exceptional talent, including tabla master Zakir Hussain, to perform during benefit events for India development and social empowerment projects.


AMAN: Music for Peace
Presented by the Association for India's Development (AID), Austin chapter. AID is a registered UT student organization that supports development projects in the areas of health, education and environment in India.

AMAN: Music for Peace features L. Shankar, Gingger, Zakir Hussain, Sivamani, and Chris Opperman. The combination of Shankar and Gingger's haunting vocals and double violin has entranced audiences and critics alike all over the world. From performing vocals and double violins on Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ to performing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Shankar and Gingger have garnered world-wide recognition. Together with Zakir Hussain, a classical tabla virtuoso of the highest order, Sivamani, one of India's best known and most colorful percussionists, and Chris Opperman, a gifted pianist/composer, this concert promises to bring some of the most daring and technically intricate music to the stage.

Tickets: $20 (Students), $25, $35, $50, $100 (Donor)
Saturday, October 2, 2004, 5:00pm
Round Rock ISD Performing Arts Center
5800A McNeil Drive (near intersection of McNeil and Parmer)
Austin, TX 78729
For tickets call 512-472-8652 or email: concert@aidaustin.org
http://www.aidaustin.org/concert

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Draupadi, a Classical Dance Ballet by Hema Malini
Presented by the International Association for Human Values and 5H Women's Empowerment Project (WEP)

Hema Malini as Draupadi, one of the female leads of the Indian epic, 'Mahabharata': The rich and wide tapestry of the Mahabharata lends itself to myriad interpretations. The fascinating tales of intrigue, wicked machinations, internecine quarrels, exemplary conducts, fairness in dealings and ideals of righteousness make it a work of great beauty and a benchmark on human behavior at different levels.

Hema Malini is a prominent Indian film actress, classical dancer and member of Rajya Sabha (the Upper House of Parliament) in India.

Friday, October 8, 2004
University of Houston Cullen Performance Hall
http://www.5h.org

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Gloria's Walk for Peace

Our friend Gloria Martinez Alcozer is making great progress on her coast-to-coast 2,400-mile walk for peace. In Florida she experienced the helpfulness and giving attitude of people living in poverty as she crossed the Panhandle, and the devastation from hurricanes that have ravaged Florida in recent weeks. Blisters on her feet have forced Gloria to ride a bike during intervals on her pilgrimage. She is currently in Louisiana with around 1,500 miles to go.

Gloria's destination on her personal pilgrimage is San Diego, California. We expect her to walk through Houston in mid October when we will learn more about her personal reason for the journey.

If you would like to walk with Gloria on any stretch of her journey, please let us know. Gloria feels personally obligated to make this walk for peace and mourn the unnecessary loss of life around the world. Traveling with her will provide interesting conversation for you, motivation for her to keep going and needed safety as she sets out on her journey alone.

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Donna Morales' New Book

Donna Morales, along with her co-author John Schmal, has contributed great stories to our Hispanic Experience section and soon she will publish "The Dominguez Family: A Mexican-American Journey" with Heritage Books.

We received many compliments on the Hispanic Experience resources, including the stories of Donna Morales, from teachers around the U.S during this Hispanic Heritage Month. During an appearance on KPFT on Tuesday night, it was announced that Morales will be a panelist at the Edward James Olmos Book Festival, October 16 and 17, at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Read an excerpt from her book at:
http://www.houstonculture.org/hispanic/hero.html

View more materials in our Hispanic Experience section:
http://www.houstonculture.org/hispanic


Thank you for supporting diverse activities in Houston.

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M  a  r  k @houstonculture.org


Traditions of Mexico:
http://www.houstonculture.org/mexico

Latino Music Initiative:
http://www.houstonculture.org/musica

Texas-Mexico Border Issues:
Special Report coming soon!