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Fall Events in Houston

August 9, 2006

Contact Information:
Name: Lindsey Brown
Phone: 713-437-5275
Email: lbrown@ghcvb.org

This fall, enjoy a cornucopia of international festivals, premieres, performances and the best doggone fun anywhere.

For a complete listing of Houston events, log on to www.visithoustontexas.com/visitors/events.php.

SEPTEMBER
Children's Museum of Houston, Aug. 3-Nov. 5
With the guidance of a professional photographer, five Houstonians and five Hurricane Katrina evacuees have joined in the exhibit Campaign for Achievement – Houston Area Urban League to demonstrate the importance of perseverance and how it influences their actions. These 4th and 5th graders also accompany their photos with captions of prose and poetry to touch more on the subject of striving to do their best in the face of adversity (Aug. 3-Nov. 5). www.cmhouston.org.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Aug. 19-Jan. 21
This season, dog and cat lovers alike should be pleased with their breeds. For those interested in how a cat spends its nine lives, The Cat's Meow is for you (Aug. 19-Jan. 21). For every life a cat may enjoy, there’s a painting, drawing and photograph of a cat posing, prowling and purring. www.mfah.org.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Aug. 26-Jan. 7
Crafting a Collection celebrates the Museum’s contemporary craft collection, from American and Japanese ceramics to fiber furniture and metalwork (Aug. 26-Jan. 7). The Collection features pieces dating from the early 1950s to today and represents the diversity of the field, whether in media, through technical skills, by aesthetics or through geographical location. www.mfah.org.

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Through Sept. 24
Hurry over and see Kiki Smith: A Gathering, 1980-2005 before it ends to see what all the buzz is about. This first full-scale museum presentation by Kiki Smith highlights her work over the past 25 years, exploring the human condition, the body, mythology and spirituality through a diverse use of materials and methods from craftwork to contemporary multimedia installations (Through Sept. 24). www.camh.org.

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Through Oct. 1
Craft Houston 2006 is the fourth juried exhibition that showcases the best contemporary craft from Texan artists (Through Oct. 1). www.crafthouston.org.

Houston Astros, Through Oct. 1
Watch the buzz as the 2005 National League Champions, also known as the "Killer B's," finish another formidable season. Make sure to catch an Astros' game and see Houston's boys play ball. For baseball excitement all night long, stay at Inn at the Ballpark, Houston’s only baseball-themed hotel. www.astros.com.

Houston Dynamo, Through Oct. 14
Major League Soccer's latest edition, Houston Dynamo, has already stepped up to the field and is kicking the competition away. With veteran Coach Dominic Kinnear, 2005 MLS Coach of the Year, and an experienced roster of players – including players selected for the Team USA World Cup and 2006 MLS All-Star game – the team is just getting warmed up. www.houstondynamo.com.

Heritage Society, Through Oct. 22
A collection of antique clocks, once the cutting edge of technology, from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries can be viewed in It's All About Time (Through Oct. 22). This Heritage Society exhibit provides insight into the detail and intricacy of the mechanisms of the clock. See wooden movements, wagon spring powered, swing pendulums and everything in between. www.heritagesociety.org.

Houston Texans, Through Dec. 31
David Carr and Mario Williams join their new head coach, native Houstonian Gary Kubiak, as the Houston Texans play for their 5th NFL season. www.houstontexans.com.

The Jung Center, Sept. 2-29
In an effort to help individuals increase self-awareness through an understanding of analytic psychology, the Center is presenting Maud Lipscomb's Breathing Spaces where transferred images from periodicals and books narrate Lipscomb's search for personal meaning throughout life (Sept. 2-29). www.junghouston.org.

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Sept. 3
September begins with Bollywood Blast!, an entertaining showcase of vibrant and colorful Indian music and dance, against a backdrop of fascinating visuals from famous Bollywood films (Sept. 3). www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

San Jacinto Museum of History, Sept. 4
The San Jacinto Museum of History, with a newly renovated Observation Floor, and the Jesse H. Jones Theatre for Texas Studies and a gift shop, is a great place to discover the state's past. Families will also want to check out the reopening of the elevator to the Observation Floor of the San Jacinto Monument on Sept. 4. There will be a ceremony, family activities and kids get to ride the elevator for free! www.sanjacinto-museum.org.

Houston Ballet, Sept. 7-17
The Ballet begins its season with a world premiere of Simple Elegance (Sept. 7-17), where Stanton Welch brings three of the world's most influential choreographers to create three unforgettable, premiere works. www.houstonballet.org.

Main Street Theater, Sept 7-Oct.1
Offering a more varied and challenging selection of plays and musicals, Main Street Theater begins their season with an African-American seamstress who sews extraordinarily beautiful lingerie for wealthy patrons in Intimate Apparel (Sept. 7-Oct. 1). Watch the seamstress' process as she dreams of standing on her own as a businesswoman. www.mainstreettheater.com.

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Sept. 8
There will be plenty of soul on sight and on foot as Exclamation Dance Company takes the stage, twisting and turning to the music of the greatest soul and R&B artists in Soul Sessions (Sept. 8). www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Houston Zoo, Sept. 9
Zoo guests looking for a party can sing "Happy Birthday" to Kelly the Orangutan on Sept. 9. They sign her birthday card, enjoy Keeper chats and eat birthday cookies too. www.houstonzoo.org.

Blaffer Gallery, Sept 9-Nov. 11
For art lovers looking for a more intimate setting, Blaffer Gallery at the University of Houston presents A Fiction of Authenticity: Contemporary Africa Abroad by a group of the most prominent African Africa Diaspora artists working in Europe and the U.S. (Sept. 9-Nov. 11). Through paintings, photography, sculpture, installation, video and performance, these African artists, who chose to practice their art abroad, will address the question of their African identities and the criteria surrounding the idea of authenticity. www.blaffergallery.org.

Houston Museum of Natural Science, Sept 9-Jan. 28
As autumn nears, birds begin to migrate and plants begin to change, Rex Brasher's Birds and Plants of North America heads to the Museum District exhibiting a collection of paintings by artist and naturalist Rex Brasher (Sept. 9-Jan. 28). www.hmns.org.

Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, Sept. 10
Join the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art along their exciting Eyeopener Tour on Sept. 10 for Hallelujah Heights & Beyond. Join local artists for a tour of the city's most unique and diverse historic Houston Heights homes and be inspired to create a home you can truly call your own. The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art has become Houston’s hub of folk art activity. www.orangeshow.org.

Heritage Society, Sept. 10
Travel to THS Connally Plaza for Passport Through Time at The Heritage Family Day and meet Zerviah Noble, Emma Richardson Cherry, and Odelia Staiti, previous owners of three of our structures, and learn firsthand how they lived. Each child will receive a passport to use on their travels. (Sept. 10). www.heritagesociety.org.

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Sept. 10-Oct. 15
Sundays are about to get interesting this fall as an eclectic mix of musical genres take center stage during the KPFT 90.1 Concert Series. Houston's cultural diversity will blend together as music from Celtic/Irish and World Music to Blues and Latino Bands are brought together, each highlighted on different Sundays. (Sept. 10-Oct. 15). www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Sept. 15-Nov. 26
Viewers can become engaged in a series of photographs by Houston-based artist Demetrius Oliver in Perspectives 153: Demetrius Oliver. His first solo museum exhibition delves heavily into meaning and context with his body of works to animate literary texts by Mark Twain, Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman (Sept. 15-Nov. 26). www.camh.org.

Houston Symphony, Sept. 14-17
Symphony Conductor Hans Graf begins the Classical Season with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in memory of 9/11 and a testament of transcendent humanity (Sept. 14-17). www.houstonsymphony.org.

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Sept. 15
Hear the cry for independence and celebrate Mexican heritage and culture at Festival de Independencia El Grito, a spectacle of music and dance (Sept. 15). www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Holocaust Museum Houston, Sept. 15-Feb. 18
Rwanda, a small country that was witness to one of the most horrible events in history, was victim to genocide in 1994 where a million people died in 100 days, resulting in 2 million displaced persons and 2 million refugees. The results of a four-week photographic workshop where children ages eight to 18 were given disposable cameras to photograph themselves and their community, will be on display in the exhibit Through the Eyes of Children: The Rwanda Project, on view Sept. 15 through Feb. 18. www.hmh.org.

Museum District Day, Sept. 16
All of the organizations in the Museum District have fantastic fall offerings beginning with Museum District Day on Sept. 16. All visitors should take advantage of a free day as all participating museums waive their admission fees and take the free shuttle bus to explore favorite museums and discover new ones! This is also a great time to take a stroll through one of Houston’s most beautiful neighborhoods. www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org.

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Sept. 16
To explore the influence of African music and dance along the path of the slave trade, you won’t want to miss the Second Annual Tapestry of World Dance (Sept. 16). www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Fiestas Patrias, Sept. 16
Celebrate Fiestas Patrias with one of the largest and most colorful community-sponsored parades in the Southwest. Colorfully clad dancers from area ballet folklorico troupes spin down the streets and perform to festive Mexican music during this downtown parade (Sept. 16). For more information, call 713-926-2636.

Houston Hot Sauce Festival, Sept. 16-17
There will be pirates, fiery products and scalliwags at the 7th Annual Houston Hot Sauce Festival, held at the Houston Farm and Ranch Club and featuring a treasure trove of award-winning hot sauce, salsa, chipotle, jams, spices, marinades, chips, dips and other fiery food (Sept. 16-17). In honor of "Talk Like a Pirate Day," live entertainment will swagger into town. There will be free kids activities, an amateur salsa competition, contests, prizes, arts and crafts and more. Proceeds benefit the Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research. www.houstonhotsauce.com.

Fall Kid's Festival, Sept. 16-17
Kemah is bringing two fun-filled days of activities to the Fall Kid's Festival where face paining, hands on education and crafts, magic shows, live music, Mad Scientist, Buffalo Bills Wild West Show, petting zoo and much more are found (Sept. 16-17). www.kemah.net.

Broadway in Houston, Sept. 19-Oct. 1
Follow two con artist in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in this delightfully shameless comedy as the two men end up with more than they bargained for (Sept. 19-Oct. 1). www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.

Rothko Chapel, Sept. 20
Or make a stop at the Rothko Chapel, an intimate meditative environment for people of every belief, inspired by the paintings of American abstract expressionist Mark Rothko. On Sept. 20, as part of its Meditation Series, all are invited to participate in Native American meditation to join the heart beat of the drum for invoking healing, inner peace and creating stronger bonds with Mother Earth and each other. If you're looking to interact with people representing the many varieties of spirituality and religious traditions in our city, visit the Chapel’s Magdalen Community Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. www.rothkochapel.org.

Heritage Society, Sept. 21
Enjoy lunch while listening to Bob Fretz inform you on the preservation and restoration of the former Byrd's Department Store into the Byrd's Lofts (Sept. 21). www.heritagesociety.org.

Opera in the Heights, Sept. 21-23 & 28-30
One of Verdi's biggest successes, Rigoletto, is features tenderly exquisite music, lyricism and Verdi's genius that aide an all-star roster of young artists in bringing to life Rigoletto’s tragic jester, the philandering antihero, the guileless heroine and evil assassin (Sept. 21-23 and 28-30). www.operaintheheights.org.

Houston Ballet, Sept. 21-Oct. 1
The Ballet steps away from the classics and into a hauntingly beautiful blockbuster production of Dracula this season where Ben Stevenson’s choreography mesmerizes the audience into a world where vampire brides fly through the air and Dracula himself searches for his future bride in an awesome 30-foot cape (Sept. 21-Oct. 1). www.houstonballet.org.

Talento Bilingüe de Houston, Sept. 21-30
Founded in 1977, Talento Bilingüe de Houston (TBH) has evolved into a Latino cultural arts center offering programs such as mariachi, ballet folklorico, video and film production, professional theater, art exhibitions and photography. This fall, TBH presents Anhelos/Yearnings (Sept. 21-30), where Houston poet Claudia Pena explores her Columbian heritage in this one-woman show and her yearnings for home. www.tbhcenter.com.

Rice University Art Gallery, Sept 21-Oct. 29
Another great Houston venue for art enthusiasts can be found at Rice University Art Gallery, the only university museum in the country dedicated to installation art. In their new site-specific installation, acclaimed Los Angeles design team Benjamin Ball and Gaston Nogues use 4,000 sheets of precision-cut cardboard to create an inhabitable, rolling landscape that extends from floor to ceiling (Sept. 21-Oct. 29). www.ricegallery.org.

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Sept. 22-23
Texas' most engaging and dynamic choreographers and dancers will be gracing the Miller stage for the 12th Annual Weekend of Contemporary Dance and see a sampler program that showcases a range of choreographic styles, sound collage, video projection and recorded music (Sept. 22-23). www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Main Street Youth Theater, Sept 22-Oct. 21
The Main Street Youth Theater presents the classic bubbly, slapstick musical Pippi Longstocking to tell the tale of the irrefutably delightful girl who lives alone with her monkey, dances with burglars and attempts to learn her "plutifications" table at school (Sept. 22-Oct. 21). www.mainstreettheater.com.

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Sept. 27
For an interactive blast of energy from the last century, students and audiences alike will be inspired to jump on stage and dance with the performers to Charleston music from the 20s, Swing from the 40s, Disco from the 70s and Hip Hop of today. Danceology 101 is a chance to talk directly to the performers and learn about the history of dance through the decades (Sept. 27 and Oct. 19). www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Children's Museum of Houston, Opening Sept. 28
Visitors will travel through Cyberspace with the CyberSquad during the world premiere of Cyberchase – The Chase is On! where kids use math and brain power to foil the dastardly Hacker and learn to approach math with an investigative, positive attitude (Opening Sept. 28). www.cmhouston.org.

The Ensemble Theatre, Sept. 28-Oct. 22
Go old school this fall with the production of Get Ready. Get an inside look into all the frustration and anxiety of a singing group that pulls apart and back together for their big comeback show (Sept. 28-Oct. 22). www.ensemblehouston.com.

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Sept. 29
The Houston Symphony is presenting Mendelssohn's Scottish Odyssey and using traditional orchestra pieces, doubled winds, timpani and strings to achieve richness and musical complexities (Sept. 29). www.woodlandscenter.org.

Houston Grand Taiko Festival, Sept. 29-30
The 10th Annual Houston Grand Taiko Festival is back at Miller Outdoor Festival to celebrate this popular Japanese art form, combining traditional and contemporary Taiko drumming with classical Japanese dance (Sept. 29-30). www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Space Center Houston, Sept. 30-Jan. 1
Experience some strange things at Space Center Houston where a close encounter with the amazing world of modern materials is found in the all new Strange Matter exhibit (Sept. 30-Jan. 1). From fluids that morph and metals with memories to microscopic machines, more than a dozen hands-on technologies and interactive experiences show visitors how material scientist are changing the world, one atom at a time. www.spacecenter.org.

Texas Renaissance Festival, Sept. 30-Nov. 19
Escape from the hectic pace of the 21st century and experience the 16th century at the 32nd annual Texas Renaissance Festival. The 50-acre complex has 21 stages hosting 200 performances daily, including jousting tournaments. Costumed knights, knaves and maidens mix with royalty and more on weekends between Sept. 30 and Nov. 19. Royal fireworks culminate each evening. www.texrenfest.com.

Buffalo Bayou, Sept. 30
See Houston from a whole new angle with bayou canoe tours. Buffalo Bayou Partnership is offering several waterway getaways. On Sept. 30, canoeists will study preservation and conservation with an experienced guide during the Introduction to Ecology, Earth Sciences trip. Singles can experience the Bayou in a more relaxing experience during Singles Canoeing 101 on Nov. 10 and learn the basics of canoeing with others before stopping to picnic along the Buffalo Bayou. www.buffalobayou.org.

OCTOBER
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Oct. 1-Jan. 1
Man’s best friend can be seen in an array of poses in Best in Show: The Dog in Art from the Renaissance to Today (Oct. 1-Jan. 1). Exploring the use of the dog in imagery, from sculptures to pictures, has illustrated major cultural and social concerns in Western culture. Best in Show puts the dog in the lead as it follows five centuries of dog art at its best. www.mfah.org.

Kemah Boardwalk, Oct. 1-31
For spooky fun daily, head on over to Kemah's Haunted House at Boo on the Boardwalk where pumpkin decorating, the great pumpkin weight guessing contest, magic shows, and spooktacular musical entertainment are found (Oct. 1-31). www.kemah.net.

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Oct. 2-6
Join Opera for Young Audiences: Babes in Toyland for this stage adaptation as adventures ensue for Mother Goose and the other residents (Oct. 2-6). www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Houston Symphony, Oct. 5
The Symphony's American Expressions series begins with country music superstar Randy Travis on Oct. 5. www.houstonsymphony.org.

Festival Chicano, Oct. 5-7
Festival Chicano marks its 27th anniversary by showcasing the outstanding musical artists from the U.S. and Mexico – from outstanding Chicano musicians to big band and mariachi to Tejano (Oct. 5-7). The free event, held at Miller Outdoor Theatre, includes food and cultural exhibits. www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Original Greek Festival, Oct. 5-8
OPA! Be Greek for a day and join the Original Greek Festival, now celebrating its 40th year with tasty dishes and traditional dances to showcase its Greek heritage and faith at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral (Oct. 5-8). www.greekfestival.org.

Houston Symphony, Oct. 6-8
Share an evening with Burt Bacharach, a man who's witnessed 48 of his songs reach the Top 10, with nine of them reaching No. 1 (Oct. 6-8). www.houstonsymphony.org.

Alley Theatre, Oct. 6-Nov. 5
A battle between the sexes is being revisited by one of Shakespeare's freshest comedies Much Ado About Nothing (Oct. 6-Nov. 5). www.alleytheatre.org.

Holocaust Museum Houston, Oct. 6-Jan. 8
American-born college professor Murray Zimiles captures the emotional experience of the Holocaust through printmaking, paintings and mixed media which will be on display in a 25-page book display Book of Fire (Oct. 6-Jan. 8). www.hmh.org.

The Menil Collection, Oct. 6-Jan. 28
Considered to have one of the most important privately assembled collections of the 20th century, The Menil Collection is showcasing a leading figure in the European modernist movement. Later receiving unparalleled acclaim in the U.S., German-born Paul Klee's works will be on display in Klee and America to explore why he received such a warm reception from Americans during the 1930s and '40s (Oct. 6-Jan. 28). While American collectors were demanding Klee, he was being targeted by Hitler for creating "Degenerate Art." Come and see how Klee's work became fully pronounced during Hitler's reign. www.menil.org.

Da Camera of Houston, Oct. 7
An evening of epic piano quintets celebrating chamber music is found in Brandenburg and Brahms, where two of Bach's beloved concertos and Brahms epic quintet celebrates chamber music masterpieces (Oct. 7). www.dacamera.com.

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Oct. 7
Spanish Ballet Folklórico is showcasing the beauty and traditions of Mexico and Spain by taking the audience on a journey, beginning with the mother country Spain (Oct. 7). This educational performance will give children an opportunity to participate on stage at the conclusion of the show. www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Houston Zoo, Oct. 7
Zoo guests looking for a party can sing "Happy Birthday" to Smaug the Komodo Dragon on Oct. 7. They can sign the birthday card, enjoy Keeper chats and eat birthday cookies too. www.houstonzoo.org.

Express Children's Theatre, Oct. 7-Nov. 11
Wiley and the Hairy Man provides a lesson on self-reliance in this spine tingling tale of a boy named Wiley and his worst fears coming to life. (Oct. 7-Nov. 11) www.expresstheatre.com.

Children's Museum of Houston, Oct. 7-Jan. 28
An interactive bilingual exhibit, told through the eyes of a 16 year-old African-American cowboy, illustrates the importance of literacy and understanding in Joshua's Journey: A Black Cowboy Rides the Chisholm Trail (Oct. 7-Jan. 28). www.cmhouston.org.

Houston Aeros, Oct. 7-April 15
Get in on the action as the Houston Aeros skate their way towards another championship. As the 2003 Calder Cup champions return to Toyota Center with fan favorites like Curtis Murphy, hockey fans are sure to be screaming and coming back for more. www.aeros.com.

PGA Champions Tour, Oct. 9-15
The PGA Champions Tour (formerly the Seniors Tour) is back in Houston Oct. 9-15. The Administaff Small Business Classic takes place for the third year in a row at Augusta Pines Golf Club in Spring, a short drive north of Houston. The 54-hole individual stroke-play event will have a $1.6 million purse. www.pgatour.com

Stages Repertory Theatre, Oct. 13-29
The Cook brings Cuban flavor to Stages Repertory Theatre, where an aristocratic family flees Cuba from Castro's coup and a young cook protects her mistress's home for 40 years. This bilingual production spices up the stage with troubled reality, laughter and all the flavors of a Cuban kitchen (Oct. 13-29). www.stagestheatre.com.

Houston Museum of Natural Science, Oct. 13-Jan. 21
HMNS is marking Benjamin Franklin's 300th birthday with the exhibit Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World (Oct. 13-Jan. 21). Iconic works of art, exciting computer interactives and rare documents – such as the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris and the U.S. Constitution – will be on display. This seamless blend of art, history, science and material culture will allow visitors to see Franklin’s world through 21st century technology. www.hmns.org.

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Oct. 13-Jan. 14
Eleven artists of six women and five men are joining forces with their work in Finding Balance to examine the history and relationships between men and women (Oct. 13-Jan. 14). www.crafthouston.org.

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Oct. 14
It will be a steamy night when the passionate and fiery Estampas Portenas, the hottest tango company in Buenos Aires, makes its Houston debut at Miller Theatre in Tango Fire (Oct. 14). www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Society for the Performing Arts, Oct. 14
America's own gravity-defying Hubbard Street Dance Chicago flies through the air with artistic precision, as the dance ensemble performs works by acclaimed choreographers (Oct. 14). www.spahouston.org.

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Oct. 14-Jan. 14
Multiple video projections, unconventional viewpoints and large-scale installations dissolve conventional boundaries between artist and audience in Pipilotti Rist to create an intense emotional experience. Swiss artist Rist explores feminist ideals of self-control and self-worth with a sense of childhood whimsy in her first comprehensive U.S. survey of her work in video (Oct. 14-Jan. 14). www.camh.org.

Bayou City Art Festival Downtown, Oct. 14-15
Visit the Bayou City Art Festival Downtown to peruse works from more than 300 artists and 19 media formats of juried, one-of-a-kind artwork on display, with pieces to please both casual and serious collectors (Oct. 14-15). The festival also features wine cafes, an interactive Creative Zone for children of all ages, Broadway in Houston’s Broadway Café overlooking Hermann Square and a performing arts stage with multicultural music and dance entertainment presented by the Cultural Arts Council of Houston/Harris County. www.bayoucityartfestival.com.

Festa Italiana, Oct. 14-15
Festa Italiana transforms the Houston Farm and Ranch Club into a piazza full of Italian tastes, music and entertainment (Oct. 14-15). In addition to the authentic Italian food, arts and crafts and a vintage car exhibit, revelers can partake in a grape stomping contest, a pizza making contest and a pasta eating contest. Proceeds benefit the Italian Cultural and Community Center's educational programs, scholarship fund, language school and cultural events. www.houstonitalianfestival.com.

Children's Museum of Houston, Oct. 17-Oct. 31
Kids will have a spooktacular good time when the Children's Museum of Houston is transformed into McDonald's Halloween Mansion for two action-packed weeks (Oct. 17-Oct. 31). Gooshy green slime, good-natured ghosts, magic shows and hauntingly hip tunes make this a ghastly experience for frightfully freaky costume contests, trick-or-treating and everything in between. All this ends with a bang on Halloween day during the Monster Mash Bash. www.cmhouston.org.

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Oct. 20
A show of breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty is coming direct from China. Don't miss the Golden Dragon Acrobats as this honored Chinese tradition of award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes and ancient theatrical techniques leave audiences wide-eyed (Oct. 20). www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Houston Symphony, Oct. 20
The Symphony's American Expressions series continues with popular favorites performed by Linda Ronstadt on Oct. 20. www.houstonsymphony.org.

Cast Theatrical Company, Oct. 20-Nov. 18
Rosenberg's Cast Theatrical Company is Fort Bend County's non-profit community theater open to anyone and everyone. For an ingenious and hilarious look into silly and corny murder thrillers, laugh your way into Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 where those assembled, and not killed-off, untangle the mystery of the Stage Door Stasher (Oct. 20-Nov. 18). www.casttheatrical.com.

Buffalo Bayou Regatta, Oct. 21
The Buffalo Bayou Regatta is the largest canoe and kayak race in Texas, and it's celebrating its 35th year on Oct. 21. Head downtown to witness nearly 200 vessels compete in the 15-mile race and enjoy plenty of music, food and refreshments as the racers cross the finish line. www.buffalobayou.org.

Asian-American Festival, Oct. 21-22
The Asian-American Festival brings cultural showcase to Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park with performances and demonstrations featuring Asian music, dance, puppetry and martial arts (Oct. 21-22).

Wings Over Houston Airshow, Oct. 21-22
Tilt back and relax as the 22nd annual Wings Over Houston Airshow, one of the top airshows in the country, takes flight Oct. 21-22 at Ellington Field. The sky becomes the stage for precision flying, aerobatics and equipment demonstrations. This year's array of talent features an impressive parade of modern civilian aerobatic and state-of-the art military hardware. Watch, for the first time ever in American history, a female pilot join in the tight formation flight of the USAF Thunderbirds, see stomach-wrenching flips from the aerobatic pilots and catch the high-flying BMX bikes of United Freestyle. www.wingsoverhouston.com.

Gulf Coast International Regatta, Oct. 21-22
The last dragon boat race of the year is paddling into the calm waters of Clear Lake Park in the Gulf Coast International Regatta, Oct. 21-22. Each team of 20 paddlers, featuring divisions for amateur and experienced teams of all ages, races towards glory to share in this dramatic aspect of Asian culture. www.texasdragonboat.com.

Houston Zoo, Oct. 21-22 & 28-29
Houston's largest Halloween celebration returns bigger and better than ever when the Houston Zoo presents Zoo Boo over two weekends (Oct. 21-22 and 28-29). Enjoy safe Halloween trick-or-treating fun and visit the kid-friendly Happy Haunted House, an animal-themed haunted house specially designed by seven local artists for little goblins 10 years old and younger. www.houstonzoo.org.

Houston Grand Opera, Oct. 21-Nov. 4
HGO begins its season with famed Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky's debut in the daunting title role of Verdi's Simon Boccanegra and Russian soprano Olga Guryakova's role and house debut as the daughter Amelia (Oct. 21-Nov. 4). www.houstongrandopera.org.

Society for the Performing Arts, Oct. 24-29
The international percussion sensation STOMP returns to Houston to showcase its unique troupe of talented dance and drum masters. (Oct. 24-29). www.spahouston.org.

Theatre Under The Stars, Oct. 24-Nov. 5
Jump-starts the season with TUTS for West Side Story (Oct. 24-Nov. 5), a loosely based musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, where Tony Award-Winning choreography and songs that charm and beguile will get the audience tapping their feet for more. www.tuts.com.

Houston Museum of Natural Science, Oct. 27
Adults can foxtrot with Frankenstein, do the monster mash with mummies, and waltz with witches at Spirits & Skeletons at the Houston Museum of Natural Science on Oct. 27 from 7 – 10 p.m. Hip Houstonians will be hopping to the sounds of wicked live music from The Fab Five, enjoying free food and a cash bar. Come costumed and dance the night away. www.hmns.org.

Traders Village, Oct. 28
Throw on your best Halloween costume and get ready to do the Monster Mash as Traders Village presents the 8th annual Boo Bash, the biggest family-oriented spooktacular for kids in northwest Houston. On Sunday afternoon, Oct. 28, Traders Village will be loaded with hair-raising Halloween fun, continuous live entertainment and monster-sized Trick-or-Treating. www.tradersvillage.com.

Turkish Festival, Oct. 28
The Turkish Festival is returning to Jones Plaza downtown and invites families to experience folk dances, a bazaar, live music and plenty of Turkish foods at the 16th annual celebration of Turkish culture (Oct. 28). www.atahouston.org

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Oct. 28
The Houston Symphony is coming to the Miller to perform regional musical favorites of Latin America in Lunada 2006 – The Music of Latin America (Oct. 28). www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Da Camera of Houston, Oct. 28
For an international taste with a touch of jazz, the Dianne Reeves Trio features perhaps the pre-eminent jazz vocalist in the world, Dianne Reeves, for a night to remember (Oct. 28). www.dacamera.com.

Houston Grand Opera, Oct. 28-Nov. 11
Mozart's Don Giovanni will be showcasing the world's greatest lover as Mariusz Kwiecien debuts at the HGO in a role that's made him internationally famous (Oct. 28-Nov. 11). www.houstongrandopera.org.

Dia de los Muertos, Oct. 28-29
Dia de los Muertos, sponsored by Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA), presents a lineup of music and dance performances on the historic Dow Elementary School near downtown to celebrate the ancestors and Latin American traditions (Oct. 28-29). www.meca-houston.org.

Texian Market Days, Oct. 28-29
Time travel is easy when the George Ranch Historical Park, a living museum, hosts its annual Texian Market Days (Oct. 28-29). For more than 20 years, Texian Market Days has celebrated Texas' history and heritage. Spanning more than a century of Texas history (1820s to 1940s), Texian Market Days includes folk life demonstrations, historical reenactments, historic home tours, an antique tractor show and pull, cowboy poets and singers, a children’s carnival and the Texian Market Days Arts & Crafts Marketplace featuring the works of artisans, gourmets and craftsmen. www.georgeranch.org.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Oct. 29-Jan. 28
Take the scenic route and view The Modern West: American Landscapes, 1890-1950 (Oct. 29-Jan. 28). Through 110 paintings, watercolors and photographs, the definitions of western landscape integrated into modernism will be addressed. www.mfah.org.

Heritage Society, Oct. 31-Jan. 7
A Story to Tell: Dolls from Literature, a collection of original dolls representing three-dimensional illustrations of characters found in books, both fiction and non-fiction will be on exhibit from Oct. 31 through Jan. 7. The exhibit has been made possible with the assistance of the Texas Association of Original Doll Artists. www.heritagesociety.org.

NOVEMBER
Houston Symphony, Nov. 1
The unique talents of singer, songwriter and pianist Ben Folds is coming to the Symphony's American Expressions series on Nov. 1. www.houstonsymphony.org.

International Quilt Festival, Nov. 1-5
A visual treat and display of incredible skill can be found at the 32nd annual International Quilt Festival where nearly 2,000 antique and contemporary quilts, dolls and wearables are brought to the George R. Brown Convention Center, Nov. 1-5. The world's largest annual quilt show, sale and quilt-making academy features demonstrations by experts, classes in a range of textile arts and hundreds of merchants offering fabrics, books, tools, antiques, crafts, sewing machines and finished quilts. www.quilts.com.

The Jung Center, Nov. 2-28
In Sylvia Cameron's Encounters, subjects encountered while traveling are captured in vivid watercolor detail that emphasizes place and the rhythms of life (Nov. 2-28). www.junghouston.org.

Da Camera of Houston, Nov. 3
Five accomplished musicians expand the boundaries between European, African and American music traditions by exploring the traditional wind quintet in Imani Winds (Nov. 3). www.dacamera.com.

Dia de los Muertos, Nov. 3-4
Talento Bilingue de Houston celebrates Dia de los Muertos with Dona Rosita's Dia de los Muertos as a moving, comical and transcendent journey is told on stage on the eve of the Day of the Dead (Nov. 3-4). www.tbhcenter.com.

Traders Village, Nov. 4
Traders Village is host to the ultimate garage sale this fall as the 1,000 dealers at Traders Village join forces with the Fairfield 300 families to create the largest Garage Sale in town (Nov. 4). www.tradersvillage.com.

Sam Houston Race Park, Nov. 4, 17-19 & 24-26
Be part of the excitement at Sam Houston Race Park, Houston's first pari-mutuel racetrack showcasing thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. Sam Houston Race Park also simulcasts from America's top tracks 364 days a year and has numerous excellent dining options. Make sure to catch live thoroughbred racing the last two weekends in November, Nov. 17-19 and 24-26, and the Breeder's Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, Nov. 4. www.shrp.com.

Houston Rockets, Nov. 4-Apr. 18
Superstars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, return for the Houston Rockets new season in October and are ready to clutch another title! Don't miss new teammate defensive specialist Shane Battier and the rest of the Rockets get in on the action. www.rockets.com.

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Nov. 5
View Texas' past through music with Paragon Brass: Texas, Alive With Music and explore life from the first Spanish exploration to the Civil War (Nov. 5). www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Broadway in Houston, Nov. 7-19
Experience a romantic tale and more rebellion in All Shook Up as the all-time favorite Elvis Presley songs are combined to create a surefire rock'n'roll story (Nov. 7-19). www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Nov. 9
Africa's most famous percussion ensemble, The Royal Drummers of Burundi, is creating an evening of music that begins with Mombasa Party, a female string and vocal ensemble from Kenya (Nov. 9). www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Nutcracker Market, Nov. 9-12
Venture into a kingdom of sweets at the 2006 Nutcracker Market in Reliant Center. Enjoy treats from more than 300 vendors from across the country participating in the 26th annual holiday shopping extravaganza (Nov. 9-12). Unique gift items for the entire family are for sale, including home décor, food, clothing, toys, accessories and more. Proceeds benefit the Houston Ballet Foundation. www.houstonballet.org.

Alley Theatre, Nov. 9-Dec. 10
The characters' feelings in Tryst emerge in this romantic thriller with an oversized heart (Nov. 9-Dec. 10). Take a glimpse into a handsome con-man's questionable relationship with a lonely milliner as he encounters surprises that will leave the audience emotionally absorbed. www.alleytheatre.org.

Opera in the Heights, Nov. 9-11 & 16-18
In recognition of Mozart's 250th birthday, OH is producing Mozart's most popular opera Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (Abduction from the Serail) where his mastery of German music theatre can be seen (Nov. 9-11 and 16-18). www.operaintheheights.org.

Singles Canoeing 101, Nov. 10
Buffalo Bayou Partnership is presenting Houston from a whole new angle with bayou canoe tours. Singles can experience the Bayou in a more relaxing experience during Singles Canoeing 101 on Nov. 10 and learn the basics of canoeing with others before stopping to picnic along the Buffalo Bayou. www.buffalobayou.org.

Society for the Performing Arts, Nov. 10
SPA adds an evening of elegance and style to their 40th anniversary season with Japan's virtuosic violinist Midori (Nov. 10). www.spahouston.org.

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Nov. 10
The masterful Celtic fiddler, Natalie McMaster, takes the stage, delivering fiddling fireworks, foot-tapping rave-ups, heart stopping ballads and world-class step dancing (Nov. 10). www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Children's Museum of Houston, Nov. 10-Jan. 7
Get ready for the Seasons of Sharing in the city's only multicultural exhibit, where dipa lamps, menorahs, Christmas lights, Lunar New Year lanterns, luminarias, kinaras and the crescent moon light the way (Nov. 10-Jan. 7). www.cmhouston.org.

Texas Championship Pow Wow, Nov. 11-12
Several hundred Native Americans representing dozens of tribes from across the U.S. celebrate their culture and heritage at the 17th annual Texas Championship Pow Wow Nov. 11-12 at Traders Village. Dancers in full traditional dress perform in a series of competitions. Artisans, craftsmen and traders share their talents and wares. Booths serve authentic Native American food, and a teepee village provides visitors with a close-up look at an age-old portable shelter. www.tradersvillage.com.

The Rothko Chapel, Nov. 12-Jan 31
The Chapel has invited artist Michael Somoroff to exhibit his sculpture Illumination I on Chapel grounds. It stands close to twenty feet high and thirty seven feet wide. It's large enough to allow one to venture inside and encounter the kind of experience associated with sacred environments and is based off of the original floor plans of the Rothko Chapel. www.rothkochapel.org.

Express Children's Theatre, Nov. 13-Dec. 23
The Gingerbread Man can sing, dance and even play games – but the children can't get him to stop for the holiday party (Nov. 13-Dec. 23). www.expresstheatre.com.

The Lighting of the Doves Festival, Nov. 16
The Lighting of the Doves Festival in The Woodlands is a festival of food, music and entertainment that includes the lighting of eight large doves hanging from the Lake Robbins Bridge. Santa makes a grand entrance as thousands of visitors watch (Nov. 16). An incredible fireworks display, samplings from The Woodlands Town Center restaurants and local entertainment round out the Lighting of the Doves ceremony, held this year for the first time at Town Green Park in The Woodlands Center. www.town-center.com.

Houston Museum of Natural Science, Nov. 17
The Lester and Sue Smith Gem Vault, a new permanent exhibit hall that highlights the most coveted gems and jewels ever displayed opens Nov. 17. www.hmns.org.

Society for the Performing Arts, Nov. 18
East Village Opera Company puts a hard-hitting rock 'n roll edge on classical opera arias on Nov. 18. www.spahouston.org.

Da Camera of Houston, Nov. 18
Dmitri Shostakovich's most intense string quartet works, expressing both his personal and political history, is being brought to life in Music as Autobiography: Dmitri Shostakovich (Nov. 18). www.dacamera.com.

Traders Village, Nov. 18
Champion chili teams from across southeast Texas will be stopping by the Village to compete for the title of Houston’s Best Chili Cook at the Houston Championship Chili Cookoff 2006 (Nov. 18). www.tradersvillage.com.

Festival of Lights, Nov. 18-Jan. 6
Festival of Lights, one of the largest presentations of glistening Christmas lights in southeast Texas, takes guests on a stroll through Moody Gardens to Santa’s workshop, a gingerbread house, an outdoor ice rink, the Nativity and many more places reminiscent of the holiday season (Nov. 18-Jan. 6). When visiting this holiday wonderland, kids and parents alike will be surrounded by local choirs, dance troupes and bell choirs. www.moodygardens.com.

Alley Theatre, Nov. 22-Dec. 27
One of the Theater District’s most popular productions returns with its fanciful and musical re-telling of the A Christmas Carol-A Ghost Story of Christmas, Charles Dickens’ “ghostly little book” about Ebenezer Scrooge and the three ghosts who visit him on Christmas Eve (Nov. 22-Dec. 27). www.alleytheatre.org.

H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade, Nov. 23
The biggest and longest running Texas Thanksgiving Parade, the H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 23, begins its downtown route at 9 a.m. The traditional Tom Turkey and Santa floats share the procession with massive balloons, sensational floats and exuberant marching bands. More than 3,000 people, many of them costumed, participate in one of Houston’s best-loved holiday traditions. www.wamuparade.com.

Uptown Holiday Lighting, Nov. 23
One of Houston’s favorite traditions is returning this Thanksgiving evening as thousands of Houstonians and out-of-town guests unite for the 21st anniversary of Uptown Holiday Lighting. This fun-filled family event kicks off the holiday season with more than a half-million twinkling lights, festive holiday music, an exciting holiday stage show and a special appearance by Santa Claus. An incredible explosion of fireworks lights up the Houston skies and music fills the air during the dramatic finale. The holiday ambiance continues with numerous holiday decorations including 80 Christmas trees brilliantly lit-up, standing guard along Post Oak Boulevard throughout the season. www.uptown-houston.com.

The Ensemble Theatre
Don’t miss out on the colorful makeover of a holiday classic Christmas is Comin’ Uptown. This modern telling of “A Christmas Carol” casts Scrooge as a Harlem slumlord who is about to foreclose on a tenement house and a church when surprise visits from some groovy ghost make him reconsider (Nov. 24-Dec. 31). www.ensemblehouston.com.

Houston Ballet, Nov. 24-Dec. 27
In Houston Ballet tradition, families won’t want to miss the flying cooks and dancing dolls found in the dazzling performance given each year in The Nutcracker (Nov. 24-Dec. 27). www.houstonballet.org.

UPCOMING AND ONGOING EVENTS
Theatre Under the Stars, Dec. 19-31
High kicking is going to be common place this season as the world famous Rockettes come direct from New York City for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular debut at the Hobby Center (Dec. 19-31). This live production features dazzling scenery, costumes and lighting, a cast and crew of nearly 100 members including Santa Claus himself and eye-popping contemporary scenes – including their famous high kicks and precision dancing. www.tuts.com.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Feb. 4-May 6
Anticipation is already surrounding the French masterpieces coming to Houston in The Masterpieces of French Painting from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1800-1920. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presents some of the world’s best paintings from artists such as van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, Courbet, Monet and many others. While the New York MET is under renovation, the 135 treasured works are on loan to the MFAH and are not to be missed (Feb. 4-May 6, 2007). www.mfah.org.

The Houston Zoo’s hottest new development includes a window with a view. A completely new perspective is given to the Zoo’s big cats, African lions and Indochinese tigers. A behind the scenes breath-taking experience, guests peek through strong mesh steel and drop down doors for an up-close look into how keepers work with lions and tigers. Natural Encounters, a one-of-a-kind concept in zoo exhibitry, also brings zoo guests nose to nose with meerkats, tamarins, straw-colored fruit bats and more. www.houstonzoo.org.

The Downtown Aquarium, boasting 500,000 gallons of underwater tanks and more than 200 colorful species of marine life, offers deep-sea summer adventures with the popular shark tunnel, a 100-foot diving bell Ferris wheel and the White Tigers of the Maharaja’s Temple exhibit, home to four stunning white tigers. www.aquariumrestaurants.com.

With over 1,100 closed-circuit televisions, 318 teller windows and a variety of dining options, Gulf Greyhound Park is doggone good fun. The world's largest greyhound racing operation, Gulf Greyhound Park features world-class greyhound racing and pari-mutuel wagering. www.gulfgreyhound.com.

Enjoy the cooler weather and explore the great outdoors. Larger than many state parks, the 1,600-acre Memorial Park is a favorite for golfers, volleyball enthusiasts and even bike trekkers. Hermann Park offers 445-acres of recreation with everything from a miniature train ride and pedal boats to Japanese Gardens and children’s playground.

If you’re in search of Houston’s best-kept art secrets, take time to visit the Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum, the country’s repository for the only intact 13th century Byzantine frescoes in the entire western hemisphere. www.menil.org/byzantine.html.

Rosenberg’s Railroad Museum brings stories of the Great Rails alive through their collection of artifacts and memorabilia detailing the history of train travel and development in and around Fort Bend County. Special exhibits include a HO-gauge working model train, an 1879 business railcar recalling the golden days of train travel and Tower 17, the last traditional manned railroad-interlocking tower in Texas. www.rosenbergrrmuseum.org.

With another active season in full swing, the recent opening of The John C. Freeman Weather Museum at Weather Research Center couldn’t have better timing. The Texas-based education and research organization, in the Houston Museum District, provides fun and stimulating activities about weather, its history and public safety. www.weathermuseum.org.

Focusing on all things Czech related, the Czech Cultural Center Houston promotes and celebrates the language and arts of the Czech/Slovak culture. The Center is a living museum piece of the Czech heritage that offers tours and a first-hand look at the museum’s genealogy archives, historical library, lectures and provides community services. www.czechcenter.org.

Whatever your age or interest, Houston is the ultimate destination for fall fun.

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