Culturally refreshed...

Weekends here in Houston are just something to behold.  As I am sure there are in Chicago, Los Angeles, or (gulp) New York activities are plentiful on the weekends.  BUT, I would challenge them to a certain distinction.  I would challenge them to the number of times that the "big guns" of the cultural landscape come out and give fantastic performances for the public... and oh yeah... for free.

Saturday started off wonderfully with the Bayou City Art Fair.  This HUGE art fair brings artists from all over the country to display pieces from almost every medium.  The spring version is held at Memorial Park and the fall version is held downtown.  There is nothing quite like walking around for three hours enjoying some fantastic creations.

Then in the evening hearing the wonderful musicianship of the Houston Symphony at Miller Outdoor Auditorium.  It was the annual Lunada concert celebrating Latin American composers.  The music just floated wonderfully and allowed a person to just drift away.  Hokey..?  Sure.  But that is about the best way I can describe it.  This was the Symphony's fourth (at least) free concert of the year for the public.  When you combine that with the Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, and the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company all giving free performances at Miller...

Well, it just doesn't get much better than that.

Boots on The Bard

I would fit right in for "Antony & Cleopatra"

William Shakespeare is alive and well in Houston, Texas believe it or not.  Over the next week at Miller Outdoor Theater is the annual Shakespeare festival in conjunction with the University of Houston (I am now legally bound to say "Go Coogs!").  The repertory is presenting "Antony and Cleopatra" and "As You Like It" starting on the 2nd through the 11th of August.

I have heard people say that they are not going because of the heat, but I am here to tell you (and them if they are reading this...) that at 8:30 at night, when the show starts, it is quite pleasant.  There is a wonderful breeze that blows across Hermann Park at that time.   Plus, if you sit in the seated area there are a number of HUGE ceiling fans going that make for a nice, relaxing evening.

It is one of the most wonderful things about this city.  In the midst of one of the rather more (ahem) conservative states in the union is the fourth largest city in the United States that hosts events such as this.  There are a plethora of artistic events that range from the rather bizarre to hosting The Bard in cowboy boots.  Gotta love it...

Theatre, the Zoo, and a walk...

I went out for a walk around Hermann Park on Sunday.  Saw my boss at the zoo with her daughter, and got to talk theatre with a volunteer costumer from some place called the Woodlands (evidently it is a suburb).  It was a beautiful 75 degrees and life is good.

The Museum district here in Houston is really a wonderful area.  I love the idea that all of the major museums are in one area of the city and it is even better that Hermann Park is right there.  A museum (in my mind) is all about discovery and exploration.  Whether it be art, history, animals, medical devices (at the museum of medical something or other), we all visit these places to discover or awaken a part of ourselves.  What better time than this to go for a walk..?

Now I will admit to being a bit disappointed at the size of the Houston Zoo.  For a city this size, I was expecting some thing much bigger.  I grew up going to the St. Louis Zoo so my expectations may be a bit unfair.  Having said that, the Houston Zoo is a beautiful place.  The layout and design of the place is really nice and relaxing.  The highlight of the visit (aside from the company), was the orangutan that had a small blanket covering his head that made him look like Yenta from "Fiddle on the Roof".  I love animals...

Later I got shorn at a Sports Clips...you know, every six months whether I need it or not... then fell asleep watching the Super Bowl.  A great weekend.