Get Set Go for A Long Extravagant Weekend of Events!

Society with Ruchi

While some are planning to get chilling, heating up the grill for the fourth of July long weekend, party goers and music lovers can also have a feast as Houston offers a wide range of events for this weekend. Friday kick off with happy hour and then go check out the Tony-nominated Broadway Blues In The Night a musical set in a seedy 1930s Chicago hotel that follow the stories of life, love and loss of three colorfully characterized women and a male saloon singer. Their tales are set to the bluesy tunes of artists like Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Alberta Hunter, and Ida Cox. The music is raunchily forthright, infectiously good-humored but always classically blues. For more information call 713-520-0055 or visit http://www.ensemblehouston.com/season/schedule10-11.html.

For freebies grab this opportunity to learn about China’s culture, traditions and history during this interactive performance featuring authentic Chinese dance. The presentation is produced by Dance of Asian America and includes hands-on participation. ‘Journey Through China’ A Dance Performance at Miller Outdoor Theater at 11am- 12pm on July 1.

Meanwhile Hilton Americas Downtown Houston will be bustling with Indian Americans as the 16th Biennial Jaina Convention is to be held from July 1-4, 2011. The convention is being hosted by the Jain Society of Houston and will be held at the George R Brown Convention Center & the Hilton Americas in Houston. JAINA is an umbrella organization of Jain organizations in the US and Canada, with its sole purpose to preserve, practice and promote Jainism in North America. Over 2,500 attendees have already registered for this event from all over the world. For more information visit www.jaina.org.

For some more outdoor fun on Saturday, head out to First Saturday Arts Market. Located in the Wind Water Gallery parking lot at 548 West 19th Street at Lawrence Street, the arts market is open on the first Saturday of each month. To stay out of the heat, the market is open evenings during the summer. For more information http://firstsaturdayartsmarket.com/.

Step Up for some African performance! Enjoy Step Afrika! Performance at Miller Outdoor Theater on Saturday July 2, 2011 at 8pm. Intricate kicks, stomps and rhythms are set to pound the floor. Step Afrika! is the first professional company in the world dedicated to the tradition of stepping, an art form born at African American fraternities and based in African traditions. Admission is free however call 281-373-3386 for details.

Indian Americans can reunite with IIT Alumni of Greater Houston and celebrate Independence Day at the Avalon Clubhouse on July 3, 2011, One Avalon Place, Elkins Road, Sugar Land, Texas 77479. Admission: Early Bird Registration (by July 1st) – $15 for individuals; $30 for families. Late registration or at the venue (on/after July 2nd) $20 for individuals; $40 for families.
Click here for registration: http://www.tickets2events.com/IITAGHEVENTJuly2011.asp
Dress Casual for Houston Summer! Enjoy Indian food. swimming, games and some networking is always good.

Get patriotic on July 4th! Start your Fourth of July at Bayou Bend, where America’s Colonial era is celebrated in patriotic style. Ring in the holiday with an extravaganza of Americana performers, crafts, activities, refreshments, and more and make sure to sign the Texas-sized Declaration of Independence before you leave. With its unique blend of the arts and American history, Bayou Bend is the perfect place to spend Independence Day. Event starts at 1pm and the last entry will be till 4:30pm. The best part, it is free of cost.

Enjoy the 14th Annual Red, Hot and Blue Festival featuring an impressive fireworks extravaganza 6pm at Waterway Square, 31 Waterway Square Place, The Woodlands, TX 77380.

Also make sure to check out Discovery Green Park for their activities.

These are some of my picks for a perfect long weekend social calender. Of course ladies don’t miss to sneak into the malls to catch those amazing sales. Saks Fifth Avenue in the Galleria has already sorted out racks for some big blow out sales.

Have a Happy Independence Day!