Thank You, Houston at Discovery Green, 6:30pm Friday, Sept 26
Mark Lacy
those still in need at Discovery Green on Friday, September 26.
"Thank You, Houston" was originally planned as a commemoration of
Houston's life-saving hospitality to Katrina and Rita survivors and a
celebration of Gulf Coast traditions through music, food and
survivors' stories. Following Hurricane Ike it has been modified to
celebrate Houstonians' support for their neighbors in the days after
the storm.
Houston's Katrina community postponed its September 13 commemoration
of the hurricane's third anniversary due to the impending landfall of
Ike. Originally planned as an opportunity to express survivors'
gratitude to the city, "Thank You, Houston", has been re-scheduled and
dedicated to the generous spirit of giving that Houston has shown all
of its residents - old and new - in such times of need. On Friday
September 26, an evening program of music, food, stories and mixed
media celebrating the rich traditions of the Gulf Coast will be
offered with an assembly of organizations distributing information
about Ike-related assistance, volunteerism and rehabilitation,
providing computer access and support, and recording citizens' stories
about Hurricane Ike.
"Thank You, Houston" will take place from 6:30 - 9 pm at Discovery
Green, on Friday September 26, just outside the George R. Brown
Convention Center, where thousands of Katrina survivors were welcomed
and housed in September 2005 and many first responders to Hurricane
Ike worked throughout last week.
At 6:30, the evening program will begin. Music, starting at 7, will
include the Voodoo Brass Band, a group made up of both native
Houstonians and New Orleanians who relocated to the city as a result
of Katrina. Al "Carnival Time" Johnson - who spent almost two years in
Houston after the storm - will kick off the performances with his
signature repertoire of Mardi Gras tunes. And last but not least, red
beans and rice and jambalaya will be available to all comers - but
only while they last.
In the park's Houston Public Library Express, a video version of the
photo/audio exhibition, WHO WE ARE, will be playing. In addition,
patrons may check out headsets loaded with podcasts focusing on
stories of thanks and gratitude recorded from survivors by the
Surviving Katrina and Rita in Houston project. KPFT 90.1 FM will be on
hand to record Hurricane Ike narratives. Service organizations and
computer access/support will be available. Members of the public are
encouraged to bring non-perishable "ready-to-eat" food items for the
Houston Food Bank, to assist with their hurricane relief efforts.
"Thank You, Houston" is sponsored by the Surviving Katrina and Rita in
Houston project, Houston Institute for Culture and Discovery Green.
"Thank You, Houston" is funded in part with support from the National
Endowment for the Arts, the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast,
Discovery Green, Houston Arts Alliance and the Houston Endowment.
Special thanks to KPFT 90.1 FM.