e-culture: Fiesta Guadalupana, Festivals of Lights, Calendar for Kids
December 8, 2005


IN THIS ISSUE

2006 Calendar for Kids
Fiesta Guadalupana
Festivals of Lights
Local Holiday Events
World Music Events
More Area Event Listings
Travel Adventures


We are presently in New Orleans preparing for a school reopening. We are also assessing the logistics for additional Houston volunteers to help with New Orleans recovery projects.

If you are interested in future projects, please contact me by email at mark@houstonculture.org.

We are sending an abbreviated newsletter this week, including timely event listings. Look for additional information next week.

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2006 Calendar for Kids

Start your year off with two great calendars featuring photographs taken by our Camp Dos Cabezas young scholars. One features beautiful landscapes and historic settings in southeast Arizona, and the other is perfect for kids, with all the things kids enjoy, like tall balancing rocks, reptiles, bugs and interesting flowers.

All of the photographs were taken by 10 - 12 year old children on their camp learning adventure. Camp Dos Cabezas provides at-risk children the experience of a lifetime to help them achieve success in their lives. Proceeds benefit camp activities.

The calendars are available on line at: http://www.lulu.com/houston

Puchase two and receive free shipping; just select 'super saver'.

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Fiesta Guadalupana

One of the most popular Mexican holidays is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, observed on December 12th each year. The Lady has been revered as the Queen of Mexico ever since appearing in Juan Diego's vision on the hill of Tepeyac in 1531. A traditional practice in Mexico City is to run messenger torches in her honor out to surrounding parishes. In 2001, New York's catholic leader Cardinal Edward Egan challenged his Mexican congregants to bring a torch all the way from Mexico City, across the border on its long journey to New York City. In 2002 they did.

Since that first run, the 3,000 mile torch relay has passed through Houston on its way to New York City. Independent producer Rachel Dornhelm brings us the voices of participants, organizers and celebrants who were involved in the torch's first journey to New York.

You can hear her sound collage in MP3 format by clicking this link:
http://www.houstonculture.org/guadalupe/guadalupana.mp3

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Guadalupe, Mother of All Mexico

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston will present the San Rafael film, "Guadalupe: Mother of All Mexico," on the eve of the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Sunday, December 11 at 2:00 and 4:00pm.

"Guadalupe, Mother of All Mexico" is part of the "Darkness into Light" series, which includes "Following the Spirit" and "Semana Santa, San Miguel."

Sunday, December 11 at 2:00 and 4:00pm
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Brown Auditorium
1001 Bissonnet
Houston, Texas 77005
713-639-7300
http://www.mfah.org

Learn more about San Rafael Films at:
http://www.sanrafaelfilms.com

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MECA Celebrates Fiesta Guadalupana

On December 12, 2005, MECA will celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe with Fiesta Guadalupana. Millions throughout Mexico, the United States, and other nations, gather on this day to honor "La Reina de Mexico." More than just a religious symbol, La Virgen de Guadalupe has become a cultural icon for millions around the world to pay homage.

MECA continues to observe this Latin America celebration with performances by Mariachi MECA as people gather outdoors at the Virgen statue (created by Paul Kittelson). A procession will follow into the auditorium where liturgical music and dance will be performed by MECA faculty and students. Performances include "ceremonial dances from the genre of concheros carry ancient beliefs of the people of Mexico. Many of nature's elements - wind, fire, and rain - are venerated in ritualistic dance. Adorned in trimmings of gold and flowing feathers, amid the burning incense, dancers use conch shells to call to an era long passed."

"Los matachines denotes a traditional religious dance and the dancers, musicians, and elders who participate in it. Most modern versions rely heavily on representations of the Virgin Mary and the Holy Cross."

Music and dance honoring La Virgen de Guadalupe will transcend all age and cultural barriers. The devotional songs and music celebrate culture, tradition, heritage, and history. Traditional music will be performed, including: Las Mananitas, Adios, Reina de Cielo, Buenos Dias Paloma Blanca, Desde el Cielo una Hermosa Manana, and Virgen Ranchera.

Hot chocolate and pan dulce will be served. A Virgen de Guadalupe art exhibit will be on display.

The event is free and open to the public.

Fiesta Guadalupana
Monday, December 12, 7:00pm
MECA
1900 Kane
Houston, Texas 77007
http://www.meca-houston.org

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Festivals of Lights

16th Annual Festival of the Bonfires

Lutcher, Louisiana celebrates its 16th annual bonfire festival, an event that preserves old Mississippi River traditions that are believed to be descended from early Cajun and German settlers. The event will take place at a new location this year - Lutcher Recreation Park, off of LA Hwy 3193, between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
http://www.festivalofthebonfires.org

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Holiday Trail of Lights

Communities throughout east Texas turn on the bright lights for the holiday season and offer many special events, including a spectacular Floating Christmas Parade on Lake Caddo on December 18.
http://www.holidaytrailoflights.com

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79th Annual Festival of Lights

Natchitoches, Louisiana, the "city of lights," celebrates the holiday season with parades, candlelight tours, fireworks and more than 300,000 lights on the historic Cane River.
http://www.christmasfestival.com

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Local Holiday Events

Thanks to Sarah Gish for providing the following holiday event listings:

Hermann Park features "Holiday Lights" nightly from 6-8pm.
http://www.hermannpark.org

The Houston Symphony Orchestra presents "A Very Merry Pops" this Friday, December 9 through Monday, December 12.
http://www.houstonsymphony.org

"Santa vs. The Snowman" at the Museum of Natural Science's IMAX Theatre on Friday, December 9 at 10am and Saturday, December 10 at 11am. The kids will love their special "Snow Flurry" this Saturday from noon-4pm with 40,000 pounds of snow to play in!
http://www.hmns.org

"A Fertle Holiday" at Radio Music Theatre this weekend (recommended for teens and above).
http://www.radiomusictheatre.com

"Holiday Wishes" by Express Children's Theatre at 446 Northwest Mall this Saturday, December 10 at 2pm.
http://www.expresstheatre.com

"A Renaissance Christmas Celebration" presented by Houston Early Music at Christ Church Cathedral this Sunday, December 11, 5pm.
http://www.houstonearlymusic.org

Upstage Theatre presents "Santa's Magic Timepiece" Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11 at 2pm, call 713-838-7191.

"Fiesta Guadalupana" is being celebrated Monday, December 12 at MECA at 7pm. (See Fiesta Guadalupana above.)
http://www.meca-houston.org


Be sure to confirm all event information with the organizers.

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World Music Events

The World Music Collective, which produces KPFT's Music Beyond Borders, will work in cooperation with Houston Institute for Culture to provide world music calendar listings to a wide audience.

The calendar is recorded weekly by David and Chandrakantha Courtney and aired on KPFT. The listings will appear on the calendar at houstonculture.org/calendar, and will be heard weekly on KTRU's World Music Show and Navrang Indian Music Show as well.

Submit calendar listings to: calendar@houstonculture.org

Please contact us if you would like to edit the calendar listings and find more opportunities to syndicate the calendar for more radio audiences in Houston.

KPFT's Music Beyond Borders can be heard Monday through Thursday from 1 - 2pm at 90.1fm. KTRU's World Music Show is on air weekly on Monday evenings from 7 - 9pm on 91.7fm. These programs offer great opportunities to experience the music on the world's diverse people.

Upcoming Events:

Fiesta Guadalupana
Monday, December 12, 7:00pm
MECA
1900 Kane
Houston, Texas 77007
713-802-9370
http://www.meca-houston.org

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Celtic Music Open-Mic Night
Wednesday, December 14, 8:00pm
McGonigel's Mucky Duck
2425 Norfolk
713-528-5999

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Reggae artist Assassin
Wednesday, December 14
Kenny's Sport Bar
713-995-5200

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Mariachi Recital
Thursday, December 15, 7:30pm
MECA
1900 Kane
Houston, Texas 77007
713-802-9370
http://www.meca-houston.org

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Celtic Music Open-Mic Night
Wednesday, December 21, 8:00pm
McGonigel's Mucky Duck
2425 Norfolk
713-528-5999

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Celtic Music Open-Mic Night
Wednesday, December 28, 8:00pm
McGonigel's Mucky Duck
2425 Norfolk
713-528-5999

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Celtic Music Open-Mic Night
Wednesday, January 4, 8:00pm
McGonigel's Mucky Duck
2425 Norfolk
713-528-5999

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More Area Event Listings

43rd Annual Heritage Society Candlelight Tour
Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10, 6:30-9:30pm

The Candlelight Tour showcases seven of Houston's oldest and most beautiful historic structures trimmed to perfection in traditional 19th century decor.

Sam Houston Park sits aglow in the heart of downtown Houston, its pathways and green space illuminated by the flicker of thousands of tiny candles carefully set out specifically for the event. As visitors tour the park, they will find that each of the structures offer a different variety of family-friendly entertainment including everything from storytellers to local children's choirs.

Old and young alike will marvel as they step into Houston's past and experience a historic holiday like no other. Tickets are $10 for adults 21 and older, $5 for students 12-21 years and seniors 65+ years, and FREE for children under 12 accompanied by a paying adult. The Candlelight Tour takes place Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10 from 6:30-9:30pm.

Additionally, the Heritage Museum features "In the Nick of Time: A Look at the Beloved Holiday Icon", an exhibit depicting a variety of representations of Santa Claus. Adults and children alike will delight in this whimsical display including a wonderful history lesson on the origins of the character we know today as Jolly Old Saint Nick.

The museum is always free and is open from 10am-4pm Tuesday through Saturday and from 1-4pm on Sundays; the exhibition will be on through December 31. Parking is available at the parking garage located at 1100 Smith Street and at the Standard Parking Lot at the corner of Allen Parkway and Bagby Street. For more information, call 713-655-1912.

http://www.heritagesociety.org

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Twelve Moments: A Year of Meditation at the Rothko Chapel
December 13, 12:00pm

This month's meditation will take place on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm. This month's meditation will focus on the Jewish religion and will be led by Bobbie Osadchey.

Admission is complimentary. All are invited to attend. This series is co-sponsored by the Jung Center of Houston, Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, and Ligmincha Texas.

The Rothko Chapel
1409 Sul Ross Street
Houston, TX 77006
713-524-9839
http://www.rothkochapel.org

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Stay tuned to the calendar for more upcoming events.
http://www.houstonculture.org/events

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Upcoming Educational Adventures

2005-06 Travel Series Schedule, continued

Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Friday, June 30 - Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Wednesday, July 5 - Monday, July 10, 2006
Washington, DC

The Land of Enchantment
Saturday, August 5 - Sunday, August 13, 2006
Gallup, New Mexico

El dia de los muertos (The Day of the Dead)
Monday, October 30 - Sunday, November 5, 2005
Taxco, Mexico

Call 713-521-3686, or email info@houstonculture.org to learn more.

http://www.houstonculture.org/travel



Thank you for supporting great educational and cultural activities.

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M  a  r  k @houstonculture.org



Houston Institute for Culture
5555 Morningside #204
Houston, Texas 77005

http://www.houstonculture.org