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Downtown Houston will be transformed
into an African oasis for the Houston International Festival starting this
weekend. Music, art, crafts, food and people combine in the city’s center for an
annual bash that’s pure Houston fun.
Stretching across 16 acres of parks and streets
including City Hall, Bagby Street, and
Tranquility and Sam Houston Parks, this year’s
outdoor event will feature six international entertainment-themed zones
including WaMu Out of Africa, International,
Target Kids, Latin, Louisiana
and Jamaica presented by Jamaica Tourist
Board.
The
festivities get started with a free lunchtime concert on Friday, April 18 and
the event is in full swing on Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20 and the
following weekend as well.
With its Out of Africa: The Three Journeys theme, iFest truly brings something unique to downtown.
Upper Sam Houston Park will transform into one of the most
stunning wonders of the event and serves as the heart of the WaMu Out of Africa
Zone, which celebrates the cultures of Africa and African influence in the
Americas. A 22-foot-tall replica of the incredible Beta Ghiorgis stone-carved
church of Lalibela, carved into a mountain-like structure and pathway will allow
festival-goers to experience the magnificent structure and view a photography
exhibit and cultural information about Ethiopia.
The
WaMu Out of Africa Zone also will feature Ethiopian weaving and painting with
demonstrations by Ethiopian craftsmen. The Coffee Hut will allow visitors to
observe Ethiopian coffee demonstrations and sample Ethiopian coffee. Be sure to
check out the Gullah exhibit with interactive demonstrations of African and
African-American culture including drum circles and dancing.
Festival
hours are noon - 10 p.m. on Saturdays and noon – 8 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are
available at the gate for $15 and advance discount tickets can be purchased online and at Houston area
H-E-Bs.
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Downtown's pick {of the week}
 Tropioca, 914 Main, has made a name
for itself serving up some of the tastiest smoothies, bubble teas and coffees in
the city. Now they’ve extended their culinary talents with a delicious new menu
that includes fresh Asian specialties such as Vietnamese sandwiches, rice
plates, soups and dumplings. Tropioca can even help you cater your next lunch
meeting.
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Discovery Green 101
Thanks to everyone who made this past
weekend’s Discovery Green Family Day/Grand Opening so exciting
and successful. But this is only the beginning – we hope you will come back to
play time and time again! Since this is new to everyone, we thought we’d pass on
some basic park info and rules.
- Discovery Green is open every
day from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- You are welcome to bring
blankets, lawn chairs, food and coolers onto the park grounds – make sure you
do not have glass bottles or containers however.
- You cannot bring your own alcohol, beer or wine, but beer
and wine can be purchased at the Lake House
and enjoyed in the area outside the restaurant and on the amphitheater lawn
(during events)
- We love dogs, but please make
sure they are on a leash (and owner is holding the leash!) at all times other
than while in the dog run
- Remember your dog etiquette
and ALWAYS clean up after your pooch – if you haven’t brought your own
baggies, the park has them available in the dog runs
- No matter how tempting it is for those labs and
retrievers, dogs are not allowed to swim in Kinder Lake
- Parking is located all around the park, including a new
parking garage located under the park (entrance on Avenida de las
Americas
). The on-street meters are hourly and free after 6
p.m. Monday – Saturday and all day Sunday. Tip: if you are willing to walk a
few extra blocks, parking gets cheaper!
Visitors may call (713) 400-7336 or
visit online for more
information and program updates. See you at the park!
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Thursday
X
Dancing, 6 p.m
Downtown Green Market, 4-7:30 p.m.
Blues & More Happy Hour Concert, 6-8:30 p.m. - Battle of the Brass Bands
Friday
Fresh Fridays, 6 p.m.- The Scirocco Winds and a screening by SWAMP
Saturday
Yoga, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Jogging for Moms & Babies, 10 a.m.
Children's Writing Workshop, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Children's Discovery Series, 12 noon- Sound Walk
Sunday
Sundays in the Park, 1-3 p.m.- Two Star Symphony
Tuesday
Pilates, 6-7 p.m.
Wednesday
Zumba! Fitness, 6-7 p.m.
Houston Arts Alliance, 6:30 p.m.- Space City Gamelan
For more info, visit discoverygreen.com
or call 713-400-7336
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To the beat
 The Cotton Exchange Bar &
Lounge, 202 Travis, is now
the hot place to be on Wednesday nights. Caribbean drink specials mix with
Reggae, Dance Hall and Afro-Beat sounds for a weekly Reggae Groove party that
starts at 9 p.m.
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Just chill
 Head to Reserve 101, 1201 Caroline for
half-price signature martinis every weeknight from 4-7 p.m. Sit back, relax and
enjoy great sports action and tasty drinks from the coolest spot in
downtown.
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Go green
 Houston is greener than you think. See why by
taking part in a third in a series of tours of certified green buildings. The
free tour is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30 every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. – 2
p.m. at Horizon Wind Energy, 808 Travis. You can RSVP via email or by calling (713)
535-7508. For more tour details click here.
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Worthy Wortham
 Set your DVR before you head
out tonight if you want to catch one of downtown Houston’s icons on display.
The
Wortham Theater Center will be highlighted on Thursday, April 17 in a Moment of
Luxury, a new national PBS program dedicated
to interior design excellence. The show airs at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 8,
KUHT.
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We need you
 The City's official Fourth of July
celebration, Chevy's Freedom over Texas with Fireworks
presented by Shell, will bring thousands of people into the heart
of Houston for food, fun and fireworks. Event volunteers are needed to ensure a
great time for everyone. Assignments range from helping with admissions to
tending a booth. In return for their time, volunteers get world-class
entertainment, free parking, free admission, event shirts, prize drawings,
dinner, refreshments and a dazzling fireworks display.
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Comic turn
 Downtown is a comedy hub this week. Funny man
Brian Regan takes the stage at Verizon Wireless Theater on
Saturday, April 19.The improvisational comedy troupe Kids in the Hall will have
you laughing in your seat there on Tuesday, April 22.
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Live music
 Pepper’s infectious dance music will move you at
Warehouse Live on Saturday,
April 19. Alternative rockers Blind Melon play the Meridian on Sunday, April 20.
For a complete listing of everything that’s cool downtown, check out our Website.
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Brooding sounds
 The Houston Symphony, joined by
guest violinist Karen Gomyo, bring the force and magnificence of Saint-Saëns’
Organ Symphony to Jones Hall on Friday, April 18; Saturday,
April 19 and Sunday, April 20. And don’t miss Johnny Mathis when he performs for
one night only with the symphony on Wednesday, April 23 at Jones
Hall.
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On their toes
 It’s always a treat to see Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy Spring Performance. Your chance to see up
and coming dancers perform works created especially for them at the
Wortham Theater Center is Friday, April 18 and
Saturday, April 19.
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Beautiful words
 Former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Haas appears at
the Alley Theatre on Monday, April 21 as part of the Inprint Brown Reading Series. Hass is the author of five collections of poetry, including
Field Guide, Praise, Human Wishes, Sun Under Wood and his new collection,
Time and Materials: Poems 1997-2005, for which he won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book
Award.
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Sports action
 Sometimes there just nothing better than a beautiful spring
day, a cold beer and a baseball game. Why not make it happen this week at
Minute Maid Park?
The Houston Astros take on
Colorado on Friday, April 18; Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20. They
battle San Diego on Monday, April 21 and Tuesday, April
22.
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Week of
April 17 - 23, 2008
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