FREEDOM OVER TEXAS WITH FIREWORKS PRESENTED BY SHELL
Fireworks will fly and tunes will fill the air at Houston’s star-spangled Fourth of July celebration, Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks
Presented by Shell at Eleanor Tinsley Park on July 4.
This year’s event, saluting Houston’s military heroes and honoring the 40th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo XI Lunar Landing, will feature the largest land-based fireworks show in
the nation, unbeatable entertainment and a lively outdoor festival.
All the excitement will begin at 4 p.m. with a top-notch selection of local and
regional music. Throughout the day, three stages will keep toes tapping with
music ranging from country western and rock
‘n’ roll to Latin, pop and oldies. Festival-goers will enjoy a variety of
activities throughout the site. Liberty Park will showcase displays of military
artifacts and vehicles including representation from all five military branches
and more. The branches and the Houston Police Department will also offer
recruiting opportunities on site. Guests will have the opportunity to get up
close and personal with the Shell-sponsored NASCAR, Kevin Harvick
’s car and the Tire Change Challenge. Children will stay entertained with free
rides, games, face painting, jugglers and more in the Fiesta All American Kids
Zone.
Texas-native Clay Walker will take the Freedom Stage at 8 p.m. to perform a
selection of his chart-topping hits. When the concert comes to a close at 9:30
p.m., eyes will turn skyward for a fireworks spectacular set to a selection of
America
’s favorite tunes, from patriotic songs to rock ‘n’ roll hits to classic bestsellers.
houston symphony’s jp morgan chase summer in the city series
The Houston Symphony’s JPMorgan Chase Summer in the City series of July concerts includes: Music of Star Trek & More Sci-Fi on July 9 at 7:30 p.m. Play the first few notes of the original Star Trek theme and fans immediately envision the starship U.S.S. Enterprise, zooming across space. Attendees dressed as their favorite characters can
participate in the symphony
’s costume contest.
Gamer symphony’s 09 with Video Games Live & Blizzard Live on July 18 at 2 p.m. The Houston Symphony, in partnership with
Tommy Tallarico, Jack Wall and Blizzard Entertainment, has expanded the Video
Games Live concert to an all-day celebration of the cutting-edge video game
music industry.
The Blue Planet Live! on July 24 at 7:30 p.m. When BBC/Discovery filmmakers dove into ocean depths
still foreign even to scientists to produce the celebrated documentary series
The Blue Planet, they chose George Fenton to create the musical score to match the mysterious
world they uncovered. Due to the graphic nature of some film sequences, this
concert is recommended for audience members 12 years of age and up.
The music of ABBA on July 25 at 7:30 p.m. When ABBA fans heard the tribute band
Arrival singing
Dancing Queen on Swedish national radio, they thought they were listening to the original
group. Arrival performs at Jones Hall with original ABBA drummer Roger Palm and
the Houston Symphony.
All JPMorgan Chase Summer in the City performances take place at Jones Hall for
the Performing Arts, 615 Louisiana Street.
To purchase tickets, call 713-224-7575 or go to www.houstonsymphony.org.
events at houston children’s museum,
during july
Upcoming events at the Houston Children’s Museum during the month of July include: Stars and Stripes Celebration on July
4. Join the drum line, hold your own U.S. flag and strut down Kidtropolis, USA,
to the courtyard. Enjoy many craft activities, singing the national anthem and
culminate the day with an explosion of soda geysers.
Camp FlowWorks will be held July 6-15 with a state-of-the-art exhibit that dives
into the forces and properties of water through currents, vortices and rapids
by exploring the fascinating concept of fluid dynamics. It
’s not only about playing with water, but about experimenting with it.
Transport yourself to the old days with sci-fi retro costumes and toys from way-back-when as part of Blast
From the Past WonderWeek from July 16-22. Making decorative crafts was a
popular activity during the
‘60s and ‘70s. Make a homemade magnet magnifying a classic retro design. Other activities
include making a pet rock and paper dolls.
Discover your inner agent with fun spy physical training activities during
Secret Agent WonderWeek set for July 23-29. Learn the skills of a secret agent
and build your skills with special challenges.
Explore the physics behind creating stuff during The Great Create from July
30-Aug. 5. Learn how simple machines, like the pulley, evolved into some of the
most complex structures today.
RAINFOREST PYRAMID now open
“We received our most significant hurricane damage in the Rainforest Pyramid,” said John Zendt, general manager of Moody Gardens. “It was a very difficult time for us. But we are very pleased to extend this
invitation to our guests to return to the Rainforest Pyramid.
”
The Rainforest Pyramid reopened as a botanical exhibit after suffering major
flood damage caused by Hurricane Ike last fall. This highly unique attraction
features an acre under glass with tropical plants from Africa, Asia and the
Americas along with colorful macaws, turtles, an anaconda and freshwater fish.
Guests will learn more about the practical use of rainforest plants in the
everyday life, including the edible plant collection featuring plants such as
chocolate, coconut, black pepper and coffee. As one the most complete
reproductions of the actual rainforest, the exhibit will stress the importance
of conservation.
Chill Out at the Museum of
Fine Arts, Houston
Summer fun happens every day with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s special hot weather schedule. Visitors of all ages can break from the heat and
create their own itinerary from a hefty list of activities for a personalized
day of fun.
Movie Matinees – New this summer. There’s something for everyone on the big screen of the museum’s unique theater. On the second Thursday of the month, enjoy a half-hour of
Looney Tunes shorts at 11 a.m. and feature films, including the
Sound of Music, at 2 p.m.
Family Fun – Every day is family day at the MFAH. To wander at your own pace, pick up an Art
Search card, a Family Guide or a Family Pack. Or join in one of the many
fun-filled scheduled activities, such as Creation Station, Family Tours and
Sketching in the Galleries.
Gallery Talks – Join a museum guide in the galleries for a focused talk on the permanent
collection or an exhibition. Through the process of close-up views and the
exchange of ideas, visitors make connections between different works, media,
time periods and cultures. Gallery Talks are offered in two lengths: 45 minutes
or 20 minutes and are always free with museum admission Tuesdays through
Saturdays all summer.
Artful Thursday Evenings – Explore the museum every third Thursday in July and August with a themed
lecture or performance. Each evening begins at 6:30 p.m.
Weekend Films – See something different this summer, brought to you by MFAH Films. The Hooray for Bollywood! festival is followed by new documentaries and restored
classics in July. Celebrate Italian Cinema in August, with films starring
Sophia Loren, Claudia Cardinale, and others.
Target Free First Sundays – The museum’s popular monthly free-for-all of kid-friendly activities that explore a new
topic of discovery the first Sunday of every month and it
’s free. Activities include Storytime Tours, Family Flicks and lots of fun from 1
p.m. to 5 p.m. topped off by lemonade and popcorn.
The Summer Exhibition line-up includes the brand new Arts of India Gallery and
highlights of pioneering Latin American Art Collection to the work of
locally-grown, nationally-known photographer Amy
Blakemore.
