February 26, 2007 [ CURRENT ]   [ ARCHIVE ] [houston institute] China Blue, Digital Story Workshops, Houston Black History, Local Events, and More February 26, 2007 IN THIS ISSUE -China Blue Houston Premiere -Women's History Month Films -Mardi Gras Indians on Radio -Black History Month Editorial -Digital Storytelling Workshops -Camp Dos Cabezas Benefit -Upcoming Houston Events -Educational Adventure Travel -About This Newsletter Houston Premiere of China Blue Saturday, March 3, 7:00pm Directed by Micha X. Peled, "China Blue" is a clandestinely shot, deep-access account of how the clothes we buy are actually made. Like no other film before, "China Blue" is a powerful and poignant journey into the harsh world of sweatshop workers. Following a pair of denim jeans from birth to sale, "China Blue" links the power of the U.S. consumer market to the daily lives of a Chinese factory owner and two teenaged female factory workers. Filmed both in the factory and in the workers' faraway village, this documentary provides a rare, human glimpse at China's rapid transformation into a free market society. US release 2006; 88mins. Saturday, March 3, 7:00pm Free and open to the public Houston Institute for Culture Havens Center 1827 W. Alabama Street Houston, Texas, 77098 Havens Center is located about 1/4 mile east of Shepherd on W. Alabama Street, on the south side of the street at 1827. Parking is available at St Stephens Episcopal Church (on the south side of the street near Woodhead and Alabama) or in the parking lot directly across the street from Havens Center (on the north side of Alabama). Additional parking is available at Woodhead and Sul Ross (walk through the breezeway from the St Stephens School to the St Stephens Church Parking; Havens is one door to the west.) For more information, please see: http://www.houstonculture.org/film ==================================== Houston Institute for Culture and the Havens Center present more topical film and discussion events for Women's History Month, including: Who's Counting: Marilyn Waring on Sex, Lies and Global Economics Saturday, March 10, 7:00pm Marilyn Waring is the foremost spokesperson for global feminist economics, and her ideas offer new avenues of approach for political action. With persistence and wit she has succeeded in drawing attention to the fact that GDP has no negative side to its accounts - such as damage to the environment - and completely ignores the unpaid work of women. "Why is the market economy all that counts?" Ms. Waring asks. In 1975, when she was just 22 years old, she was elected to the New Zealand parliament. She was re-elected three times and eventually brought down the government on the issue of making New Zealand a nuclear free zone. When she was chairperson of the Public Expenditures Committee, she perfected what she calls the "art of the dumb question." Ever since she has challenged the myths of economics, its elitist stance, and our tacit compliance with political agendas that masquerade as objective economic policy. Women of Latin America Series Saturday, March 24, 7:00pm Mexico: Rebellion of the Weeping Women This is the story of Mexican women who have fought, and continue to fight, for equality and women's rights. They are women looking for children kidnapped during political pogroms, journalists, writers, and political activists. Machismo and the resulting sexism, as well as Catholicism and its perpetuation of the myth of the Virgin Mary as the standard for feminine behavior, are discussed as social factors contributing to the continued subjugation of Mexican women. Ecuador: The Indigenous Woman Isolated in jungles, or crowded into large cities, Latin American Indians constitute the most exploited sector of society. This program traces the harsh life of indigenous women from several tribes, including the Otavalan, Puruha, and Quechua of Ecuador, from pre-Columbian times to the present. Topics discussed include rape as an ongoing practice; labor exploitation; the effects of acculturation; and racial and sexual discrimination. For more information and additional film screenings, please see: http://www.houstonculture.org/film ==================================== Congratulations to Literal, Latin American Voices The Council of Editors of Learned Journals awarded Literal "Best New Scholarly Journal 2006" [Learn more at: http://www.celj.org/news.php]. Literal is published by Houston Institute for Culture board member Rose Mary Salum. The current edition of the journal will be available at our office in the Havens Center during our March events. The current edition explores globalization and features an article by George Steiner, as well perspectives on the economic implications for Latin America to effects on cinematographic language. ____________________________________________________ Mardi Gras Indians on Radio Tune in KTRU, Rice University Radio, 91.7fm tonight (Monday, February 26) at 7:00pm for a special feature on the unique cultural phenomenon of New Orleans' Black Indians. Called the Mardi Gras Indians, the neighborhood tribes have defied many of the city's racist practices for well over a century by making elaborate costumes, parading and paying homage to the Native Americans. The little known tradition is endangered following Hurricane Katrina and the death of the chief of chiefs, Allison "Tootie" Montana. Houston Institute for Culture regularly travels throughout the region to places like New Orleans to participate in and conduct research on the dynamic traditions of the south central United States and Mexico. Following the devastating hurricanes as well as the deteriorating conditions on the US-Mexico border, we have taken part in many service projects. We invite others to join us. These efforts require long range planning, so volunteers must be a stable part of the organizations activities to attend the research and service projects. Please contact us to attend volunteer meetings. In mid March we will travel to New Orleans to view Spring traditions, including St Patrick's Day Parades, St Joseph's Altars, Mardi Gras Indian gatherings, as well as the state of New Orleans' recovery efforts. ____________________________________________________ Black History Month Editorial Houston Must Honor Historic Black District By Timothy O'Brien, Opinion Columnist Each February, our nation celebrates Black History Month. Every American can help respect and honor African Americans, but first we have to realize that there is more to Black history than W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and a handful of others who have been studied and honored. Before long, when we celebrate Black History Month, we won't be able to touch or see any Black history in Houston. Houstonians should be aware of the people, places and events that make up Black history in our city. The most historic place for Houston Black history is directly adjacent to the west side of the central business district. After gaining their freedom, many freed slaves settled on the mosquito-infested swampland south of Buffalo Bayou. The area became known as Freedmen's Town and developed into the most important predominantly Black neighborhood in the city. The Gregory Institute opened in Freedmen's Town in 1870. The state Legislature established Gregory as the first Black public school in Texas. Colored High was located at the corner of West Dallas and Frederick streets in 1892. A White missionary founded Antioch Missionary Baptist Church at the corner of Rusk and Bagby streets in 1868. The Rev. Jack Yates became its pastor in 1868 and by 1879 it moved to Robin Street (now called Clay Street), where it still stands. The space Antioch occupied was the first land owned by Blacks in Houston. The Union Hospital, the first Black hospital in Houston, opened on Andrews Street in 1910. Houston became the only city in the South to have a library for Blacks when the Colored Carnegie Library opened in Freedmen's Town in 1913. The area became home to Black doctors, lawyers and other professionals. In 1985, a section of Freedmen's Town Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places largely thanks to the efforts of Gladys Marie House, a descendant of freed slaves and a Freedmen's Town resident. The petition said more than 580 structures make up the district, making it the largest intact community founded by freed slaves in the United States. Now, more than 20 years after it gained national recognition, Freedmen's Town is mostly gone. The once proud neighborhood and its residents are the victims of City Hall. Fewer than 30 historic houses and six churches remain. The brick-laden Andrews Street is the other final historic remnant. Because the city would not pave the streets of Freedmen's Town, freed slaves made bricks and paved it themselves. The origins of the brick patterns have been traced back to Africa. The bricks that line Andrews Street are scheduled to be destroyed. Money has been dedicated to upgrading sewer and water lines on the street, the Houston Chronicle reported. Instead of running the lines under the easements of adjacent properties, taxpayer's money will be used to rip the bricks up and put the lines under Andrews Street, destroying its historic integrity. We should all work to stop city officials from putting the final nail in Freedmen's Town coffin. Have friends, teachers and classmates help. Contact the Yates Museum in Freedmen's Town and assist in its efforts to stop the destruction of historic Andrews Street -- then all Houstonians will have something to celebrate next February. O'Brien, a Ph.D. candidate in history, can be reached at tjobrien@uh.edu. ____________________________________________________ Digital Storytelling Workshops Houston Institute for Culture offers classes and workshops on various components of documentary and digital storytelling. Our current schedule is new at the Havens Center on West Alabama Street. Please make a note of that as the courses have previously been offered in the Rice Village. The upcoming schedule includes: Introduction to Photography and Lighting Saturday, March 3 and Saturday, March 10 (4-6pm) $45; Class meets two consecutive Saturdays, covers use of camera and functions, light meter, exposure and light concepts, and introduction to lighting equipment. ==================================== Intermediate Photographic Lighting Saturday, March 24 and Saturday, March 31 (4-6pm) $55; Class meets two consecutive Saturdays, covers intermediate photography applications, use of lighting equipment and advanced lighting concepts. ==================================== Introduction to Digital Storytelling Saturday, April 14 (4-5:30pm) Saturday, April 21 (4-5:30pm) $25; Class meets on one Saturday, covers the elements of digital storytelling, production and software. Note: This intro class is preferable for people with access to computers with Windows XP operating systems. Other component classes to be offered include: Audio Recording (Digital Story Component Workshop) Digital Image Production Digital Publishing and Printing Video and Audio Recording Cultural and Social Documentary Introduction to Genealogy And More Registration and Information REGISTRATION FORM http://www.houstonculture.org/class/Registration_Form2.pdf Email: info@houstonculture.org Phone: 713-521-FOTO (713-521-3686) http://www.houstonculture.org/class ==================================== Berkeley Center for Digital Storytelling Offers Texas Workshop Joe Lambert, Author of Digital Storytelling-Capturing Lives, Creating Community, will present a three day workshop in Austin, Texas. Digital Storytelling Workshop Monday-Wednesday, March 19-21, 2007 9:00am - 5:00pm Communication Area, North Office Building A University of Texas Austin, Texas http://www.utexas.edu/maps/main/buildings/noa.html Price: $ 495 USD Individual project To register: email workshop@storycenter.org Or go to www.storycenter.org/workshops DIGITAL STORYTELLING WORKSHOP In 1993, Joe Lambert and his collaborators developed a unique workshop environment that assists people in creating video stories from their family photos and home video. It is based on a philosophy of emphasizing fundamental elements of good storymaking combined with a demystification of multimedia technology and tools. We have helped over 10,000 people to mine powerful and effective tales from the pictures of their lives, or the lives of their loved ones. The stories have covered every conceivable topic: tales of survival and achievement; corporate brand stories, travel adventures; love stories, health and healing; oral histories about cultures, historic periods, and work experiences; and memorials to loved ones. The class is a great introduction for the multimedia novice or the professional to working with digital imaging and digital video software. The workshops include hands-on instruction to Adobe Photoshop and Final Cut Express and script/storyboard development. The CDS teaching staff will give each student specific assistance on their projects, including design, scripting, and other issues regarding the specific use of their digital story. Students will complete a 3 minute piece which will be output to disk and mailed following the workshop. COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. To provide students with an introduction to the tools of desktop video in a production context. 2. To introduce storytelling methodology (point of view, emotional content, dramatic action) into a dialogue about new media content. 3. Assist students in completing a project. ____________________________________________________ Camp Dos Cabezas Benefit Please save the date, Sunday, April 15, for an exceptional occasion to enjoy music, literature, art and film, while supporting two excellent programs aimed at building greater opportunities for children of Mexican-American and Central-American descent to complete their college educations. The program will benefit the University of Houston student organization MEChA [http://www.mechadeuh.com/aboutus.html] and the Houston Institute for Culture's Camp Dos Cabezas. The educational adventure camp, which takes place in the dynamic Chiricahua Mountains of southeast Arizona, provides deserving Houston children the experience of a lifetime to help them achieve success in their lives. If you would like to support the camp or volunteer to work with the Camp Dos Cabezas young scholars, please contact Houston Institute for Culture at 713-521-3686. ____________________________________________________ Upcoming Houston Events For more events, as well as ongoing and weekly events, please see the calendar on line: http://www.houstonculture.org/calendar Organizer Speaks on Autonomy, Zapatismo and Alternative Economy Tuesday, February 27, 7:00pm Women, globalization, NAFTA, economics and indigenous struggles for autonomy converge in topic at the inaugural 2007 Women of the World lecture series. Rosario Aguilar Arguello, an active member of The Other Campaign in Chiapas and a student of social anthropology at the Universidad Autonoma de Chiapas, will speak on "Women Constructing Autonomy: Zapatismo, the Other Campaign, and Alternative Economy" during her visit to Houston. Ms. Arguello has participated in student groups in Chiapas, Bolivia, and Guatemala which aim to create solidarity networks and spaces of analysis of the Zapatista struggle. The Other Campaign was born out of the Sixth Declaration of the Lacandon Jungle, a manifesto issued in 2005, declaring Zapatismo principles and vision for Mexico and the world. The Campaign is an effort to form a united opposition to Mexico's "neoliberal capitalism," which promotes commercial interest over the interests of the Mexican people and the privatization of public resources. Since the Zapatista uprising began on Jan. 1, 1994, the Mexican military and paramilitaries have waged a counter insurgency war against Zapatismo and supporter communities. Thirteen years after the uprising, the human rights abuses continue, affixing to the 500 years of cultural genocide against the indigenous communities of southern Mexico. Dr. Debra D. Andrist is the Cullen Professor of Spanish and chair of the Modern & Classical Languages at the University of St. Thomas. After Dr. Andrist's return from a 2004 Fulbright-Hays Fellowship in Morocco, she initiated the annual lecture series "Women of the World" to highlight the accomplishments of women from around the world. University of St Thomas Jones Hall 3910 Yoakum Free and open to the public. For more information contact Dr. Andrist at 713-525-3122 or andrist@stthom.edu. ==================================== Houston's First Annual Mexican American Mini-Book Fair in honor of Hecho en Tejas, edited by Dagoberto Gilb Presented by Nuestra Palabra: Latino Writers Having Their Say and the Houston Community College Title V Program Thursday, March 1, 6:30pm - 8:30pm Over a dozen authors, ranging from established voices, like Dagoberto Gilb, to new voices, such as Houston 's own Tonzi, to musicians Conjunto Aztlan will introduce the book HECHO EN TEJAS to the public. Additional Houston authors include Tony Diaz, and Evangelina Vigil-Pinon. This is the most authentic anthology of Mexican American voices from Texas every compiled. It is the most thorough, including early writings, established writings, and never before published works important to Texas. The book is in English, Spanish, and Spanglish. Authors will visit Houston schools during the day, and events are scheduled throughout Texas. 10% of purchases made March 3 at Barnes and Noble with an NP voucher will be donated to Nuestra Palabra. Barnes and Noble Book Fair 7626 Westheimer Houston, Texas 77063 ==================================== Coming to Houston Tuesday, March 13 - Sunday, May 27 The Heritage Society will explore how and why people made the journey to Houston through the Coming to Houston museum exhibit. Since 1836, when the Allen brothers founded the city, Houston has continually grown as a result of migration. One of the most critical forces drawing people to Houston has been the thriving economy. With the development of the ship channel, the booming oil business and an ever expanding medical center, Houston's economy continued to grow through the 20th century. Whether people came for jobs, or just to make a fresh start, it is clear that they were drawn to Houston in search of a better life. Initially, many found it difficult to embrace the growing diversity of the city, but at the turn of the 21st century, Houston had truly become home for many different racial, ethnic and national groups. Coming to Houston is the result of a collaborative effort with the University of Houston's Houston Review of History and Culture. Museum hours: Tuesday thru Saturday, 10am to 4pm and Sunday, 1 to 4pm The Heritage Society 1100 Bagby in downtown Houston www.heritagesociety.org Parking: Visitors should park in the paved lot directly behind the historic Kellum-Noble House; Enter the lot via Allen Parkway inbound. Admission to the museum gallery is free. ______________________________________ Cultural Film Events Letters for the Other Side (Austin filmmaker Heather Courtney will be in attendance.) Presented by RealFilms Monday, February 26, 7:00pm From the director of Los Trabajadores (The Workers), a documentary about immigrant workers in Austin, comes another documentary examining illegal immigration. Letters for the Other Side interweaves video letters carried across the U.S./Mexico border with the intimate stories of women left behind in post-NAFTA Mexico. A Mexican woman whose husband died near Houston along with 18 others in the worst immigrant smuggling case in U.S. history asks, "How many more deaths does it take for the U.S. government to do something." By focusing on a side of the immigration story rarely told by the media or touched upon in our national debate, the film paints a complex portrait of families torn apart by economics, communities dying at the hands of globalization, and governments incapable or unwilling to do anything about it. MFAH Brown Auditorium Free ==================================== Granito de Arena For over 20 years, global economic forces have been dismantling public education in Mexico, but always in the constant shadow of popular resistance... Granito de Arena is the story of that resistance -the story of hundreds of thousands of public schoolteachers whose grassroots, non-violent movement took Mexico by surprise, and who have endured brutal repression in their 25-year struggle for social and economic justice in Mexico's public schools. A sixty-minute documentary, Granito de Arena places the Mexican teachers' struggle in a global context, clearly spelling out the relationship between economic globalization and the worldwide public education crisis. Thursday, March 8, 7:00pm Rice Cinema http://www.houston.indymedia.org ______________________________________ Music and Performance Events The Incredible Hariharan Friday, March 2, 8:00pm There is only one singer who is the darling of both bollywood and classical patrons, only one singer who the north and south Indian audiences equally adore, and only one singer who renders Ghazals with authentic Urdu diction and Carnatic with native accent. IAA is proud to open its 2007 season with Padamshree Hariharan accompanied by female singer Chandrayee and a full orchestra. Wortham Center 281-648-0422 ==================================== Ghanan Freedom Festival Saturday, March 3, 11:00am to 7:00pm Honoring the independence of the African nation of Ghana Marrion Community Park 11101 South Gesner (just opposite Makola) ==================================== Flamenco Fiesta Saturday, March 3, 8:00-10:00pm Enjoy the beauty of the Cante (Song), music and dance of Spain in a casual atmosphere at Del Espadin Flamenco & Spanish Dance Academy Featured singers for the evening include La Cantaora of Del Espadin Baile Espanol, Irma Laucirica, and Starlight Beats and Breaks recording artist and native Houstonian, Karina Nistal! Other special guest artists include La Tempestad y Del Espadin Baile Espanol accompanied by guitarist, Jeremy Garcia of Garcia y Reyna, performing Flamenco; & Soraya, performing belly dance. Light refreshments will be served. $8 admission at the door for adults; $6 for children 11 and under. For more information, call 713-705-8701, or email la.tempestad.baila@gmail.com. ==================================== The Vintage Years: Movie Posters from the Early Years of Black Cinema Through Sunday, March 4, 2007 The Heritage Society, along with The Separate Cinema Archive, will display African American vintage movie posters from January 16, 2007 through March 4, 2007. The Separate Cinema Archive's primary mission is to share with present and future generations the rich cultural legacy of the Black experience in film. Also, central to their mission, is to promote the appreciation and enjoyment of Black film posters as a visual art form. The exhibition at The Heritage Society will feature a collection of vintage movie posters that highlight performers such as Lena Horne and Billie Holliday, and films like Porgy and Bess. In conjunction with The Vintage Years exhibition, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston will be screening Imitation of Life, Stormy Weather and Carmen Jones in a film series during the month of February. The Heritage Society 1100 Bagby (downtown Houston) Admission to the museum gallery is free. Museum hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm, and Sunday, 1:00pm to 4:00pm. For more events, as well as ongoing and weekly events, please see the calendar on line: http://www.houstonculture.org/calendar ____________________________________________________ Educational Adventure Travel The 2007 Schedule of Houston Institute for Culture Educational Adventures: New Mexico - Pilgrimage to Chimayo April 5 - 9; $340 (5 days) The Land of Enchantment, Santa Fe, Espanola and annual pilgrimage to Chimayo, New Mexico, and more Registration deadline: March 9 Option to fly to Albuquerque (cost not included). ==================================== Louisiana - The Cane River Creole June 8 - 10; $175 (3 days) Natchitoches, Louisiana, Melrose Plantation Arts and Crafts Festival, Kate Chopin House/Bayou Folk Museum, and more Registration deadline: May 11 ==================================== Washington DC - Smithsonian Folklife Festival July 2 - 8; $490 (7 days) Festival features Mekong River: Connecting Cultures and Northern Ireland, Smithsonian Institution, Museum of the American Indian, Library of Congress, and more Registration deadline: May 18 Air fare not included. Learn more at: http://www.houstonculture.org/travel ____________________________________________________ About this Email Newsletter The Houston Institute newsletter is provided about nine times per year to community members who have requested it, as well as Houston Institute for Culture volunteers and collaborators on beneficial programs. The newsletter features Houston Institute for Culture events and activities, as well as community and cultural activities throughout the region. We attempt to highlight events and organizations that resemble the educational mission of Houston Institute for Culture, as well as promote diverse interests. If you would like to be added to the list. please send an email to info@houstonculture.org. To be removed from the list, please reply or send a message saying "remove" or "unsubscribe". Thank you for supporting educational events. ____________________________________________________ M  a  r  k @houstonculture.org Houston Institute for Culture Havens Center 1827 W. Alabama Street Houston, Texas 77098 HOUSTON INSTITUTE FOR CULTURE    SEARCH    info@houstonculture.org