Assignment: Houston

Weekend Planner 03/06 - 03/07/2010

Lots of different things going on this weekend.  Get out and enjoy the coming of spring.  And if none of these sound intriguing then head out to a park for this month's assignment.

Azalea Trail - The azaleas may be a little reluctant thanks to Houston's crazy winter, but other flowers are in bloom and it is going to be a beautiful weekend to see some beautiful homes and gardens. Saturday and Sunday. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. $

Texas Independence Day Celebration - Head up the road to Conroe for some good food, good music, a chili cook-off and a celebration of Texas Independence. Saturday and Sunday.  Hours vary.

Peace Festival - This festival billed as a "day of celebration and networking with local and national organizations working to improve our community" is being held at the Live Oak Friends Meeting place.  Music and dance performances throughout the day as well some vendors and artists.  Saturday.  1-8 p.m. Free.

Galveston Art Walk - For over twenty years, the Galveston Arts Center has produced ArtWalk on Saturday nights in the heart of the historic district. Not a street festival, ArtWalk takes place in existing commercial galleries, non-profit arts spaces and other display areas such as restaurants and retail stores. Each exhibits art and welcomes viewers with open doors, later hours and refreshments. Saturday. 6-9 p.m. Free.

Orange Show Opening Party - Celebrate the re-opening of the Orange Show after it's winter hibernation and restoration.  There will be music, dance, trophy making for the kids, St. Arnold's beer for the adults and food collection for the Houston Food Bank for the good of humanity.  Saturday.  1-4 p.m. Free.

Heights First Saturday - You know the drill.  Food, fun, art and shopping in the lovely Heights area of Houston.  Saturday. Free.

Azalea Trail 2010

If you like flowers, looking at flowers, photographing flowers, or peeking inside lovely homes then this weekend we have the perfect event for you.  The 75th River Oaks Azalea Trail. Photos are usually not allowed inside the houses or buildings, but the showcase of most of these places is the grounds and gardens and photos are generally allowed there.  The Azalea Trail runs all weekend and you can buy an entry to all locations for $20 or buy a single entry at any of the seven locations for $5.  

Just a heads up.  Parking is sometimes a challenge.  You will sometimes have to park a few blocks away, but it is worth it and four of the houses are grouped together this year.  

Website: River Oaks Garden Club: The Azalea Trail

  

  

Weekend Planner 02/05 - 02/07

Mardi Gras Galveston - Galveston stretches out the Mardi Gras activities over several weekends and on the schedule this weekend is the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Parade, the Galveston County Firefighters Firetruck Parade, and the Krewe of Grambinus Parade.  Also a fun run/walk and a few more parties and even a ball. The party is on in Galveston.

Bellville Market Days - Vendors set up around the historic courthouse square to sell arts, crafts, collectibles,jewelry and antiques. Also food and live entertainment.

Cultural Kite Festival - Sugar Land hopes to begin a new tradition with their first annual Cultural Kite Festival.  Kites of all shapes and sizes will fly above Sugar Land Memorial Park.

Weekend Planner 12.10.09 - 12.12.09

Remember this month's assignment is Holidays in Houston and everything happening this weekend is eligible.  Get out with your camera this weekend and get into the holiday spirit!

Mayor's Holiday Celebration - The official holiday kick off party for the city of Houston rescheduled from last Friday.  Music, lights, fireworks and the lighting of the tree.  Today.  Free.

Heritage Society Candlelight Tour - Sam Houston Park is transported back in time with the 47th annual Candlelight Tour.  Historic homes are decorated to represent different eras of Houston's past.  Pathways are lit by candles and there will be carolers, storytellers and crafts. Friday and Saturday. $

Campfire Christmas at George Ranch - Experience the beauty of the holidays with guided tours of the 1830s Jones Stock Farm and the 1860s Ryon Prairie Home decorated in the spirit of the season. Mingle with Civil War soldiers at the Ryon home and enjoy the taste of years gone by as Chef Nick Castelberg cooks up a delicious historic food selection at both sites. Wrap up the evening's festivities with singing and story-telling around the Oak Grove campfire with the George Ranch cowboys. Friday and Saturday. $

Christmas Boat Parade - The parade features more than 100 brightly decorated power and sailboats that will traverse the Clear Lake channel from the South Shore Harbour Marina and the Nassau Bay Lagoon to Galveston Bay. Saturday. Free.

Lights in the Heights - The Woodland Heights neighborhood is one of the oldest and most historic in Houston and sponsors the annual "Lights in the Heights" celebration each December. Fourteen blocks of two parallel streets are lit by luminaria and closed to motor vehicles. The celebration features hot beverages, live music, carriage rides, and of course christmas lights. Saturday. Free.

East End X-Mas at the Orange Show - The annual holiday fiesta is full of “East End” flavor, from Mariachi music and tamale tastings to classic lowriders collecting toys for local kids. Please bring a new unwrapped toy to be donated. It’s the last blast of the year before The Orange Show closes for winter. Saturday. Free.

Weekend Planner 12.03.09 - 12.06.09

Holiday in the Park Festival & Parade - League City will have festivities all weekend including a carnival, movie in the park, children's parade, tree lighting ceremony and grand lighted parade.  Most of the activities take place on Saturday.  Thursday - Saturday.  Free.

Mayor's Holiday Celebration - The official holiday kick off party for the city of Houston.  Music, lights, fireworks and the lighting of the tree.  Friday.  Free.

Heights Mistletoe Madness - Heights residents, businesses, artists, musicians and organizations come together to celebrate the season. Stroll the streets, tour the Victorian homes. Hear live music, visit the art galleries, eat lunch in one of the restaurants and shop at the arts market. Saturday.  

Dickens on the Strand - Dickens on The Strand takes visitors back to the 19th Century. Hundreds of costumed vendors and performers will take over Galveston's Strand National Historic Landmark District with parades, entertainment on the festival’s stages, strolling carolers and street musicians.  There will also be food and crafts available for purchase. Saturday and Sunday. $12

Weekend Planner 11/13 - 11/15/09

Another pretty weekend to be out and about with your camera.

Houston Peruvian Festival
Texas Renaissance Festival
Moody Garden's Festival of Lights
Westheimer Block Party
20th Annual Texas Championship Pow Wow
Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market
Jesse H. Jones Park Pioneer Day
 

Looking forward to seeing everyone this Sunday at the HMNS Meet-Up.
 
 

Weekend Planner 10/30 - 11/01/09

What to do, what to do this weekend.  Here are some places that will have interesting photo opportunities.

Texas Renaissance Festival 

Wings Over Houston

Urban Harvest Farmer's Market Fall Festival

Discovery Green's Scream on the Green

MECA - Day of the Dead Festival

BikeHouston Moonlight Bicycle Ramble

Weekend Planner 10/22-10/25/09

Lots and lots and lots to do this weekend.  Once today's rain clears out it is going to be clear and cool.

Thursday:
October Artful Thursday Artist Talk: Photographer Bohnchang Koo

Saturday Only
Music Fest by the Bay 
Astronomy Day at the George Observatory
(Hey, that's in Brazos Bend and would fit this month's assignment!)
Community Green Fest 

Sunday Only
Fresh Arts: Fresh Fest 
Puerto Rican & Cuban Festival

Saturday & Sunday
Texas Renaissance Festival
Texian Market Days at the George Ranch 
Pet Fest Old Town Spring

Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Sugarland Mediterranean Festival
Ballunar Festival

Weekend Planner 10/16 - 10/18/09

It's Festival Season!

Festival Roundup
Festa Italiana
Immersed in Ink Tatto & Arts Festival
Brazoria County Fair
Texas Renaissance Festival
South Shore Dockside Food & Wine Festival
Dragon Boat Regatta
Space City Cruisers
Artoberfest
A Night at Market Square
International Festival of Fort Bend
International Quilt Festival

Weekend Planner 10/9 - 10/11/09

Houstonist Photo Exhibit Reception - Come out tonight to celebrate Houston, all the wonderful things about it and it's wonderful photographers.  Tonight is the opening reception for the Houstonist Photo Show 600 sq mi: Hidden.  Friday. 7-10 p.m. Free.

Festival Roundup:
Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival
Bayou City Arts Festival
Texas Rennaisance Festival
Turkishfest
Fall Back Festival
Firefest
Bayou City Shrimp Festival

Splendid China - Chinese culture comes to life when the Shanghai Dance Company takes the stage at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Splendid China IV on October 9 & 10, 2009.  The company’s highly anticipated Houston debut features all-new dazzling and acrobatic choreography performed by China’s top dancers.

Cool Globes - Coming to Houston this fall, the Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet exhibit will display 50 artistically decorated, super-sized globes that depict simple solutions to global warming and educate individuals and companies about how they can partake in making their city and homes a greener place to live. The free, outdoor public art exhibit opens October 9, 2009 at Houston’s Discovery Green.

GHPA Walking Tour - Explore one of Houston’s earliest industrial districts and a center of urban revitalization efforts during GHPA’s guided architectural walking tour of the Warehouse District. Originally a residential neighborhood, the Warehouse District was transformed into an industrial area becaus Trained volunteers will lead the 90-minute tour starting at the Willow Street Pump Station, 811 N. San Jacinto.   Tickets are $10 per person ($7 for GHPA members and students with valid ID). Children 11 years old and under are admitted free. Tickets go on sale at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, October 11, at the Willow Street Pump Station, 811 N. San Jacinto at Steam Mill Street. Reservations are not required.