Free activities and unique cultural programs highlight the
inaugural season of the new downtown park
(HOUSTON – April 10, 2008) The much-anticipated new downtown park – Discovery Green – will open on April 13, 2008. Houstonians and visitors to the city will enjoy 12 acres of urban green space including one-acre lake, children’s playground area, interactive water features, multi-use amphitheater stage and sloping lawn, small and large dog runs, various public art works, lawns and lots of great food from the park’s restaurants operated by Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group.
The Spring Program Calendar will run April 13 through July 6. Family Day is the first event set for the inaugural Discovery Green programming season, with the following series developed to offer activities and programs for Houstonians and visitors of all ages:.
Art Series – Houston’s reputation as a world-class fine arts destination extends to the Discovery Green Art Series with a full slate of visual, literary and performing arts events. Come enjoy a variety of offerings and performances hosted primarily on the Anheuser-Busch Stage.
Entertainment Series – Local performers have a home at Discovery Green’s Entertainment Series, offering dance classes as well as evening and lunchtime concerts, including Blues and More and Sundays in the Park, and more on the Anheuser-Busch Stage and Saberioon Plaza.
Healthy Living in the Park – If you prefer an active role in your outdoor pursuits, Healthy Living in the Park is the series for you. With an organic urban market, yoga and pilates classes, along with exercise for adults and children, you’re sure to find a match for your health and fitness goals.
Children’s and Family Events – What would a park be without children? Let yours explore their creative skills with hands-on activities and performances tailored for families.
Discovery Green Weekly Programs
A complete list of activities is available on the web site, www.discoverygreen.com
Tuesdays
Pilates in the Park Flores Terrace 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Classic flexibility and strength training, only better with free instruction from instructors from TUTS Humphreys School
for Theatrical Arts
Wednesdays
Zumba! Xercise Class Flores Terrace 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
It’s not really a workout – it’s a party! Inspired by Latin dance and music, Zumba uses cumbia, merengue, salsa, mambo, rumba, flamenco, and calypso in its routine. You’ll sweat, you’ll sculpt and tone, you’ll feel great after these free classes.
Thursdays
X Dancing Flores Terrace 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Move it and lose it! High energy, great music, big fun with free instruction from instructors from TUTS Humphreys School for Theatrical Arts
Green Market: Central City Co-op Andrea & Bill White Promenade 4:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Think fresh with wonderful selections of produce, seasonal delicacies, cooking demonstrations and much more!
Blues and More Anheuser-Busch Amphitheater 6:00 p.m.
This happy hour series features the best in live music with a distinct Houston flavor. FIRST EVENT is the Battle of the Brass Bands with New Birth Brass Band vs. Voodoo!
Happy Hour Concerts in the park featuring the best in local and regional live music. May 1 – Rudy Rincon & Grupo Ka-Che; May 8 – Katie Stuckey; May 22 – Dysfunkshun Junkshun; June 5 – Mango Punch; June 12 – The Chromatics and Picture Book; June 19 – Grady Gaines
Saturdays
Yoga in the Park Cullen Veranda 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Inspired movement, under the trees, in the park with free instructors from TUTS Humphreys School for Theatrical Arts.
Jogging for Moms and Babies McNair Foundation Jogging Track 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
This free class encourages moms to bring the babes along for a walk and jog. Get to know other moms and enjoy being active in the park with instructors from TUTS Humphreys School for Theatrical Arts.
Children’s Writing Workshop HPL Express 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
The City’s only open, free writing workshop for kids presented by Writers in the Schools in conjunction with Houston Public Library’s Express.
Children’s Discovery Series Simmons Family Puppet Theater Noon
HPL Express at Discovery Green presents free, weekly, family-oriented workshops. May 3 – Let’s Get Growing; May 10 – Building and Construction; May 17 – Sink and Float; May 24 – Life Cycle Butterfly; May 31 – Puppets; June 7- Houston Zoo; June 14 – Nature Discovery Center; June 21 – Houston Audubon.
Sundays
Sundays in the Park Anheuser-Busch Amphitheater 1:00- 3:00 p.m.
Enjoy leisurely Sunday afternoons with Sundays in the Park, presented by the Four Seasons Hotel Houston with performances by Two Star Symphony on April 27 and Da Camera Jazz Ensemble featuring Latin jazz pianist Jose-Miguel Yamal on May 4.
Discovery Green Special Events
A complete list of activities is available on the web site, www.discoverygreen.com
Sunday, April 13
Family Day 12:00 – 9:00 p.m
The official opening event for Discovery Green will be filled with activities and events for the entire family. Highlights include Mayor Bill White Ribbon Cutting, Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales/Art Carts, Car Horn Concerto The Art Guys, UH AURA Contemporary Ensemble and Silent movie classic, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, with live orchestral accompaniment by Two Star Symphony
Friday, April 18
Fresh Fridays Anheuser-Busch Amphitheater 6:00 p.m.
A free monthly series celebrating Houston's unique and thriving arts' scene and featuring performances from Fresh Arts' Coalition members, including exciting, one-of-a-kind collaborations. The first collaboration features Dominic Walsh Dance Theater, Musiqa and SWAMP.
Saturday, April 26
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band performed by the Fab 40
Beatleologists David Blassingame and Steve Candelari and 40+ musicians pay tribute to the Fab 4 with live performance from the irreverent album.
Friday, May 2
Screen on the Green Anheuser-Busch Amphitheater 8:00 p.m.
Relax and unwind from the busy work week by enjoying an outdoor movie. The first screening season celebrates Houston on film with one of the classics filmed in Houston: Urban Cowboy.
Saturday, May 10 White Promenade 3:00 – 6:30 p.m
Art Car Party on the Green
Come see the winners of the 2008 Houston Art Car Parade, sponsored by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art and the George R. Brown Convention Center
Saturday, June 21 Jones Lawn Noon – 6:00 p.m
Houston Juneteenth Multicultural Health Festival
Sponsored by Families Under Urban and Social Attack (FUUSA), this health fair features health screenings and preventative health literature. Product samples and a "Real Men Cook" cook-off.
Friday, June 27 & Saturday, June 28 Jones Lawn Noon – 8:00 p.m
DockDogs
For the first time in Houston, this dynamic canine sport measures leaps and bounds. Televised on the Outdoor Channel, DockDogs competition consists of dogs jumping into water from a designated dock or jetty with the largest or highest leap earning that canine a victory. Dogs and owners will travel to Houston to compete, and the competition will be open to local participants, as well.
Discovery Green Conservancy
The Discovery Green Conservancy operates the park. It is a private, non-profit organization formed in 2004 at the behest of the City of Houston’s Mayor Bill White. The Conservancy was charged with designing and building an urban park on property across from the George R. Brown Convention Center. The $122 million park project is a unique public-private partnership between the non-profit Discovery Green Conservancy and the City of Houston.
Location
Discovery Green is located in downtown Houston, in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Hilton Americas. The park is just blocks away from Main Street, Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center.
Hours
Discovery Green is open every day from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. beginning in April 2008. Hours for events may vary. Areas of the park may be closed occasionally for maintenance or private events.
Visitors may call 713-400-7336 or visit www.discoverygreen.com for additional information.
Parking
Several parking options, including metered, garage and surface lots, are available for park visitors. Streets on the park’s perimeter and nearby streets offer metered parking. Parking meter stations on each block accept credit cards and cash. Metered parking is in effect Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Rates vary.
Several nearby parking garages offer easy access to Discovery Green.
CONVENTION DISTRICT GARAGE
Main: 800-427-4697; 713-853-8000
Address: 1002 Avenida de las Americas, 77010
The Garage is located under Discovery Green.
For Daily and event pricing, please call ahead.
Go to www.discoverygreen.com for a link to parking information.
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