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SpaceCity, USA

A Metropolitan Melting Pot of Culturally Diverse Food and Fun

Did you know that Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States, boasts the third largest Consular Corp in the nation with 79 consulates?  Have you heard that more than 90 languages are spoken in Houston?  Are your taste buds aware of the city’s restaurant scene, which serves-up an ethnic variety of cuisine ranging from Chinese to Greek, German to Indian and Lebanese to South American?  If you are not yet convinced that SpaceCity, USA is an international city, put away your passport and plan a trip to Houston, where you can experience a metropolitan melting pot of culturally diverse food and fun.

Multicultural Events

On April 3 and 4, Hermann Park’s Japanese Garden will transform into a Japanese village during the 11th annual Japan Festival.  A time-honored Tea Ceremony, Koto music, dance groups, drummers, martial arts specialists, Japanese games, traditional Japanese arts and crafts and many other cultural demonstrations and displays will entertain visitors of all ages. 

Celebrating its 33rd year, the 2004 Houston International Festival will spotlight Thailand April 17-18 and April 24-25 in its new home – Festival Plaza at Reliant Park.  Stretching more than 27 acres, this outdoor event will have six themed zones representing art, food and music indicative of a particular culture. 

This year’s zones include Thailand, Elephant, Texas, International Kids, Latin and African/Caribbean.  Additionally, the Houston International Festival will continue its tradition as one of the largest presenters of world music by featuring 1,500 internationally renowned music artists. 

Held in honor of Mexico’s defeat over invading French forces, Houston’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration is an annual festival held at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park.  A parade through downtown, mariachi bands, Mexican dancers and food are just a few of the festivities guests can partake in April 30 through May 2. 

On June 19, 1865, Texans learned of President Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves.  Now, more than 135 years later, Houstonians celebrate African-American heritage during Houston’s Juneteenth Celebration held June 19 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park.

Multicultural Bus Tour

On Saturday, March 20 and Saturday, June 12, the neighborhoods will come alive in Houston for “The Neighborhoods Alive: Houston’s Multicultural Tour” – a bus tour that highlights Houston’s diverse neighborhoods and cultures.  Modeled after the successful Chicago Neighborhood Tours, “The Neighborhoods Alive: Houston’s Multicultural Tour,” features communities that illustrate the rich international traditions of Houston.  Tour stops include Talento Bilingue de Houston and Project Row Houses.  The tour also passes by Old Sixth Ward’s Pig Stand restaurant, which was featured in “Evening Star,” the sequel to “Terms of Endearment;” Glenwood Cemetery, the resting place of millionaire businessman Howard Hughes; and much more. 

Multicultural Arts

In 1950, the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston (MFAH) made a bold acquisition of Henry O. Tanner´s “Flight into Egypt” – the first artwork by an African-American to become part of the museum’s permanent collection. 

In the years since, MFAH has collected more than 400 pieces of African-American art, which will be on display at “African-American Art from the MFAH Collection” through May 9, 2004. 

Where art thou Romeo?  Romeo, along with Juliet and a host of additional Shakespearean characters, will be in Houston this summer at the Ensemble Theatre, the oldest and most distinguished theatre in the southwest devoted to the African-American experience.  Spectators will take a wild romp through Shakespeare’s 37 plays in less than two hours at “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” running June 3-27. 

Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) will break new ground in musical theatre production when it presents the Deaf West Theatre production of “Big River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” from July 13-18.  This award winning production includes deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing actors performing each role in a synchronized ballet of speaking, signing, gesture, song and dance.

Houston is a space of infinite possibilities. As a top convention and tourism destination you’ll enjoy the very best hotels, convention facilities, sports, entertainment, dining, outdoor recreation and attractions. The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau and its partners, Continental Airlines and HP, Houston encourage you to make Houston your choice for business or pleasure. For more information on Houston attractions, log on to www.visithoustontexas.com or call 1-800-4HOUSTON.

Edited by Dave Shultz

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