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e-culture: Summer Adventures, Camps, Cesar Chavez, Important Forums, more
March 30, 2004
It's time to plan a great educational adventure for the summer.
Next week our group leaves for an extended weekend in New Mexico, where they will tour Museum of New Mexico units in Santa Fe and walk with pilgrims to the historic Santuario de Chimayo. On Good Friday, as they have done for nearly two hundred years, thousands of pilgrims will come to the tiny shrine in the foothills below the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. You can read my account of last year's adventure at:
http://www.houstonculture.org/hispanic/chimayo.html
We have more great trips planned for the summer, including a week in the Canyonlands of southern Utah. We will spend long summer days in early July hiking in Zion National Park, photographing slot canyons near Page, Arizona and boating to remote destinations in Lake Powell. We will explore the history of Utes and Mormons, and the routes of Spanish surveyors, and study the environmental history of Glenn Canyon. Like John Wesley Powell, we will visit sites rarely seen by humans, but with a modern lifeline to the outside world from our base near the Dangling Rope Marina.
We will go on an adventure that is quite literally the opposite of Edward Abbey's "Desert Solitaire" -- a late August urban adventure in New York City. We will visit cultural museums, immigrant communities, Ellis Island, and enjoy a day of revelry at the West Indian Parade and Carnival in Brooklyn. We will visit lower Manhattan to witness the nation's political process in action during activities outside the GOP Convention.
If there is additional interest in New Mexico, we will add a visit to 312th Annual Fiesta de San Lorenzo, Zuni Arts and Cultural Expo, and Gallup Inter-tribal Ceremonial in August. During last summer, this series of annual cultural events proved to be one of our best and most surprising educational opportunities.
Watch this page for more summer and fall adventures as they are announced:
http://www.houstonculture.org/travel
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The Summer Book for Summer Camps
Fun and educational activities are necessary for a child's social development. Finding the right summer camp is often difficult due to the diversity of needs of families and children. But now help finding great summer camps and activities for your children is at your fingertips.
Weather Camps. Chess Camps. Fencing Camps. Music Camps. Reading Camps. Nature Camps. Free Camps. They are all here this summer in Houston and they are all listed in THE SUMMER BOOK 2004, an annual directory of Houston day camps and classes for children 5-12 years old. New this year is a website devoted to the book (www.thesummerbook.com), a kids art contest and survey, and several new camps and organizations with classes. The guide includes over 200 camps and classes, organized alphabetically, by category and by dates. The camps include all variety of ethnicities, economic levels, and subjects. Parents no longer have to miss out on summer fun or feel stress making summer plans for their children.
THE SUMMER BOOK 2004 ($9.95) is currently available. For a complete list of retailers or for more information, visit www.thesummerbook.com.
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Cesar Chavez Parade on Saturday
The Tejano Association for Historical Preservation presents a parade in honor of Cesar Chavez.
Saturday, April 3, 9:00am
Cesar Chavez Blvd. (formerly 75th) and Capitol
Directions: On I-45 South (south of downtown), exit on Wayside; Go north to Harrisburg Blvd; Take Harrisburg Blvd. approximately six blocks east of Wayside Dr. to Cesar Chavez Blvd.
Cesar Chavez was a champion of civil rights for migrant laborers in the United States. In 1962, he began to organize farm workers and later established the union of United Farm Workers.
During the Great Depression, Chavez attended more than 30 elementary schools, as his family sought back-breaking work in the fields of the southwestern United States. After following his family's footsteps into the fields through the Dust Bowl, Chavez employed the nonviolent tactics of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. to fight for social change and improved living conditions for the migrant families.
Using the slogan, "Boycott Grapes," Chavez effectively mobilized 17 million American households to support the cause of the workers by boycotting California grapes and wines, as well as lettuce harvested by the migrant workers. Cesar Chavez is one of the most important and recognized figures in American cultural history today.
For more information:
http://www.tejanoahp.org
Learn about events in the life of Cesar Chavez:
http://www.houstonculture.org/hispanic/chavez.html
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Informative Upcoming Events
"Pakistan: A Bridge between the Past and the Future," with Fakir Syed Aijazuddin
Presented by Asia Society Texas
Pakistan presents one of the most complex and difficult challenges facing U.S. diplomacy. Its political instability, entrenched Islamist extremism, economic and social weaknesses, and dangerous hostility toward India have cast dark shadows over this nuclear armed nation." New Priorities in South Asia: U.S. Policy Toward India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Chairmen's Report of an Independent Task Force, cosponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations and the Asia Society.
Mr. Aijazuddin is the International Councillor of the Asia Society. Since 1994, He has been the Honorary British Consul for the United Kingdom at Lahore, in recognition of which he was awarded the OBE in 1997. He also serves as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Lahore Museum, and the Country Representative for Asia House, London.
Fakir Aijazuddin established the Lahore School of Accountancy in Lahore, where he conducts training courses for the banking sector. As Adjunct Faculty at the Lahore University of Management Sciences, he has taught MBA courses in Financial Accounting and in Management Communications. He has served in senior managerial positions in both the private and public sectors in Pakistan and in Abu Dhabi (U.A.E.). His experience covers the automotive, fertilizer, oil and gas, insurance and investment banking sectors.
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
6:00pm Reception; 6:30pm Program
The Westin Galleria Hotel - West Alabama Room (5060 W. Alabama)
The charge is $10 for Asia Society; $15 for nonmembers. This program is supported by the United Nations Association, Houston Chapter and through the generous support of ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil; this program is free for students and educators. Cancellations must be received by March 29th for refund.
For details call Asia Society at 713-439-0051
Email: txcenter@asiasoc.org
For more information: www.asiasociety.org/tx
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Bill Fletcher: Haiti and U.S. Foreign Policy after 9/11
Bill Fletcher, writer, organizer, and Chief Executive Officer and President of TransAfrica Forum, will speak live at the historic El Dorado Ballroom. The former Education Director and Assistant to the President of the AFL-CIO, Mr. Fletcher is a foremost authority on the current foreign-relations crisis in Haiti, and will be talking on Haiti and U.S. Foreign Policy after 9/11.
Thursday, April 1, 2004
El Dorado Ballroom, 2310 Elgin at Dowling, 7:30pm
The event is hosted by People for Progressive Radio and benefits KPFT, Pacifica Radio. A $5-10 donation is requested; contact (713) 526-4000.
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Ronnie Chan, "Political Development In Hong Kong & Its Implications On Chinese Mainland"
Hong Kong's economy is experiencing a sharp rebound. Hear Mr. Chan discuss the relationship that lies between Hong Kong and China. Mr. Ronnie C. Chan is Chairman of Hang Lung Group Limited and Hang Lung Properties Limited. Both are publicly listed companies in Hong Kong with property developments and investment in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Mr. Chan is a Vice Chairman of the Asia Society and Chairman of its Hong Kong Center, Chairman of the Executive Committees of the Better Hong Kong Foundation and the One Country Two Systems Research Institute, Convenor of the Hong Kong Development Forum.
Thursday, April 1, 2004 6:00 - 8:00pm
Four Seasons Hotel, 1300 Lamar, Houston
713-439-0051
Email: txcenter@asiasoc.org
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S. Frederick Starr, "The Silk Road: What's Important About It Besides Oil?"
Co-Sponsored by His Highness Prince Aga Khan Shia Imani Ismaili Council for the Southwestern United States, Asia Society Texas, and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
The term "the Silk Road" refers to the vast network of caravan trails that once linked India, China, Europe, and the Middle East. Join Dr. Frederick Starr as he explores the questions: What did the people of the region transected by these trails create in the past? Is oil wealth their prospect for the future? What other areas of potential achievement and danger lie ahead for the Silk Road in the 21st century? Dr. Starr is Chairman, Central Asia Caucasus Institute, Johns Hopkins.
April 4, 2004, 2:00 - 3:00pm
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Brown Auditorium Theater, 1001 Bissonnet, Houston
Admission is open to the public and free with general museum admission.
Admission is free for Asia Society and MFAH members.
713-639-7300
http://www.mfah.org
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Li Cunxin, "Mao's Last Dancer"
Li is an expert storyteller, and his memoir makes for a fascinating read. This book has wide appeal, for it concerns not only a dancer's coming of age in a turbulent time but also individual strength, self-discovery, and the triumph of the human spirit." - Library Journal (starred review). This book is the rich and inspiring story of Li Cunxin's remarkable life of courage, faith, and perseverance. Li Cunxin was the lead dancer with The Houston Ballet, he currently lives in Australia with his wife and their three children. After dancing there with the Australian Ballet, he now works in finance.
Wednesday, April 7, 6:00 - 8:00pm
The Westin Galleria, 5060 W. Alabama, Houston, Texas
$10 members; $15 nonmembers; free for students & teachers with ID
713-439-0051
Email: txcenter@asiasoc.org
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Chinese, Hong Kong and Taiwanese Dancers in City Contemporary Dance Company of Hong Kong Sponsored by Dance Salad Festival
April 8th - April 10th 7:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Texas Wortham Center, Cullen Theatre, Houston, Texas
Asia Society members receive a 12% discount
713-629-3700
http://www.dancesalad.org
The 12th season of Houston's premier international dance festival, Dance Salad, promises more world-class performers from the far corners of the globe. Legendary dancer/choreographer, Xing Liang, will perform his beautiful original work I Want to Fly. Trained at the Beijing Dance Academy, Liang is a crown jewel in the Chinese and Hong Kong dance community and a returning favorite at Dance Salad Festival. Japanese choreographer Jo Kanamori who presently has his own company in Japan, will present a work entitled Under the Marron Tree danced by Rei Watanabe.
Asia Society members receive 12% discount on tickets, see www.ticketmaster.com and use the password "Asia." Mature audience only.
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Emma Bunker, "The Distinctive Khmer Buddha: From Sacred Simplicity to Jeweled Royalty"
Co-Sponsored by Asia Society Texas and Museum of Fine Arts Houston
The MFAH recently acquired an 8th century bronze Standing Buddha from Thailand that beautifully expresses the sacred simplicity characteristic of the finest early Buddha images created in mainland Southeast Asia. The museum's Standing Buddha was probably cast in northeast Thailand, a region rich in metals that was part of the great Khmer Empire centered in Cambodia. For three hundred years, Buddhist and Hindu beliefs were popular among the Khmer. By the twelfth century, however, Buddhism became the state religion and images of the Buddha developed into richly jeweled images that emulated the appearance of the Khmer ruler in all his glory. Emma C. Bunker, Research Consultant on Asian art at The Denver Art Museum, discusses the distinctive evolution of the Khmer Buddha.
April 17th, 5:00 - 7:00pm
Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Brown Auditorium, 1001 Bissonnet
Admission is open to the public and free with general museum admission.
Admission is free for Asia Society and MFAH members.
713-439-0051
http://www.mfah.org
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The Spring Festival Season Begins
Mark these festival dates on your calendar:
Houston International Festival - April 17,18, 24 and 25, 2004
http://www.ifest.org
Festival International de Louisiane, Lafayette, LA - April 21 - 25, 2004 http://www.festivalinternational.com
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival - April 23 - May 2, 2004
http://www.nojazzfest.com
Fiesta San Antonio - April 16 - 25, 2004
http://www.fiesta-sa.org
These festivals are important for the preservation of cultural arts. There are many more coming up, including the Japan Festival and Basant Bahar. Stay tuned!
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Global Forum on Water
April 1-4, 2004. Free and open to the public. Registration required.
The public forum brings together science, technology, public policy, urban design, ethics, philosophy and art. The purpose of the Global Forum is to present new information and thinking about Water as well as the state of Water in the world, and projections for the future. The goal of the forum is to provoke new ways of looking at the relationship of human society and Water - and what Water itself needs to perform and sustain its life-giving functions on earth.
The Global Forum is bringing together leading U.S. and International scientists, policymakers, activists, religious leaders, and creative thinkers. The Forum is co-sponsored by FotoFest and inter-disciplinary research centers at Rice University - Environmental and Energy Systems Institute and Shell Center for Sustainability, and the Center for the Study of Environment and Society.
More information:
http://www.fotofest.org/ff2004/forum.asp
http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~eesi/scs/TexasWater.htm
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In Our April e-culture Newsletter
On This Day in Our Cultural History
More on the "Impact of Globalization"
Become an Important Volunteer
And More
Thank you for supporting Houston Institute for Culture.
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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
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