Houston Lifestyles & Homes magazine Mar 2009: Houston Area Events and Happenings

beginning march 18
pin oak charity horse show

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, the country’s oldest and most prestigious horse competition, will celebrate its 64th year with its show at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy from March 18-29. BBVA Compass will return as the lead sponsor.

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is held over a two-week period and features a wide array of equestrian talent featuring hunters and jumpers, American Saddlebreds, Andalusians, Welsh ponies, and new for 2009, Dressage and the United Mountain Horse breed.

No tickets are required Tuesdays-Saturdays. Tickets are required for both Saturday, March 21 and Saturday, March 28, at 6 p.m. General admission tickets are $10 for adults; children 12 and under are free. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the Gala dining experience.

For a complete show schedule, go to www.pinoak.org or call Wendy Cook at 713-621-6290.

Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park welcomes featured artist
Larry Stephenson, creator of the whimsical painting,
A Day at the Airport.

beginning march 27
Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park: Houston’s Spring Art Awakening

Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park is Houston’s spring art awakening each March. Set for Friday, March 27, through Sunday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the award-winning juried art event is the only festival to take place in Memorial Park, the city ’s premiere public park enclave. Kick off Bayou City Art Fevistal with the first-ever Legacy at Memorial First Look Friday when art lovers will get a jump-start on this art festival. Stroll the 1.1-mile trail of this art colony, enjoying the original artwork, music, CORE performance Company dance, food and wine cafes and interactive art for children in the CapitalOne Bank Creative Zone.

Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park welcomes more than 300 visual and performing artists from around the corner and around the world, including featured artist Larry Stephenson, creator of the whimsical painting, A Day at the Airport. The artists’ works represent 19 media formats.

Recently ranked the No. 3 art festival in the country by the readers of AmericanStyle Magazine, Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park received two 2008 International Festivals & Events Association Gold Pinnacle Awards and was named “Best Festival in Houston” by the 2008 Houston Press Best of Houston magazine.

Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park showcases clay, drawing/pastel, fiber/textiles, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor and wood creations.

Admission is $10 for adults and free for children 12 and under.

There is no public parking in Memorial Park. The Festival provides free shuttle service 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to and from Memorial Park on Friday from Northwest Mall on Hwy. 290; and Saturday and Sunday from Northwest Mall and Downtown: Memorial Drive at Rusk, Rusk at Smith and Smith at Capitol.

For schedules and further information, check www.bayoucityartfestival.com or call 713-521-0133.

race for grace, march 28

Grace School will host the Race for Grace 5K on March 28 at 8 a.m. at Royal Oaks Country Club in West Houston.

The certified race route will be within the beautiful Royal Oaks community. Many area corporations are expected to participate in this event. There will also be a 1K race for families and children.

Volunteers and sponsorships are still needed at all levels. To volunteer, call 713-267-5027 or contact Tim Wardlow at 713-516-1796 about sponsorship opportunities.

All proceeds will benefit the scholarship programs of Grace School. Visit the Grace School Web site at www.graceschool.org to register.

Eroica trio concert and master class, march 31, april 1

The Houston Friends of Music and The Shepherd School of Music present a concert by the Eroica Trio on March 31 at 8 p.m. in the Stude Concert Hall at Rice University.

The most sought-after trio in the world, the Grammy nominated Eroica Trio thrills audiences with their flawless technical virtuosity, irresistible enthusiasm and sheer elegance.

Tickets range in price from $19-$67 with discounts to seniors 65+ and full-time students with ID. To purchase advance tickets, call 713-348-5400 or go to www.HoustonFriendsofMusic.org. Tickets will be available on the evening of the performance at 7 p.m. at the Box Office.

The Eroica Trio’s Master Class will be held on April 1 from 12:15 p.m.-1:45 p.m. at Rice University ’s Shepard School of Music in the Duncan Recital Hall. There is no charge for admission.

For more information, go to www.houstonfriendsof music.org or call 713-348-5400.