Discovery Green Spring 2009 Programming Season 

Free Music, Exercise Classes and Arts Programs Highlight Discovery Green Spring 2009 Programming Season

 Downtown park continues to offer distinctive programs for Houstonians and visitors to the city

Discovery Green will commence its second year of programming on March 1, 2009 just short of the park’s one year anniversary. Since its opening, the downtown Houston green space has attracted more than 500,000 visitors who have enjoyed free concerts, films, exercise classes, children’s playground area, interactive water features and an entertaining selection of special events.

Many visitors enjoy spending time at Discovery Green simply as a respite from their daily routine. A stroll under the magnificent oak trees or lunch at one of the two restaurants, The Grove and The Lake House operated by Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group, creates a pleasant break during a hectic day. Others utilize the small and large dog runs or stop by the park on Saturday mornings for the recycling program and monthly fair.

The park is open seven days at week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Activities are FREE and open to the public. Many popular activities return this season including Thursdays Rock at Discovery Green presented by Capital One Bank, featuring live concerts in May and June that showcase the rich variety of Gulf Coast and Central Texas sounds. Thursdays Rock at Discovery Green kicks off with fun interactive Extreme Wii game competitions on the big screen in March and April.

Arts programs this season feature KUHF Silent Film Concerts, a series of 1920s silent films accompanied by live music; dance and poetry as part of the Fresh Arts Coalition and Houston Arts Alliance showcases; and the premiere of the nationally-acclaimed rock opera Speeding Motorcycle; and more.

 For the health and fitness-minded, Healthy Living in the Park offers an organic urban market—now on Sundays—and Yoga, Pilates, Zumba and Nia classes as well as a Hip2BFit class just for kids! Houston’s children will find plenty to do with hands-on activities such as the Young Writer’s Workshops, the Discovery Series presented by Wells Fargo.

 “We are grateful to our visitors for embracing Discovery Green and making it such a popular destination,” said Susanne Theis, Discovery Green programming director. “It has been wonderfully gratifying to see Houstonians enjoy so many of our activities and cultural programs. The response to The Ice at Discovery Green, our outdoor skating rink, was terrific and we look forward to presenting a variety of programs in the months to come.”

 Visitors to the park are invited to stay connected to Discovery Green online through Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube! 

 A complete list of the events, classes, ongoing programs and special events can be found on the Discovery Green website, www.discoverygreen.com or by following these links:

SPECIAL EVENTS

Parades, festivals, bike rides, music festivals, film premieres, competitive dogs jumping and more, Discovery Green hosts a myriad of special events from March through the end of June.

ART SERIES

KUHF silent films; Houston Arts Alliance showcases; Fresh Fridays with Fresh Arts Coalition; Inprint readings with nationally renowned poets and novelists, and more. 

ENTERTAINMENT SERIES

Free Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon concerts with every genre of music from jazz to pop to Zydeco; Wii game competitions.

HEALTHY LIVING IN THE PARK

Downtown Green Market; recycling Saturdays; bike repair; Pilates; Zumba; Tai Chi, yoga, Nia; and Hip2BFit Fun Club! for kids.

CHILDREN’S AND FAMILY EVENTS

Young Writers workshop; Children’s Discovery Series; and other special activities for kids.

DINING

Dining options include the award-winning The Grove and The Lake House. Enjoy hot coffee and a donut from Houston’s Hottest Donuts on the Andrea and Bill White Promenade or spread your blanket on the Jones Lawn and picnic with friends and family.

PHOTOS

See a selection of photos from the park.

Discovery Green Conservancy

Discovery Green Conservancy is a private, non-profit organization that operates the park. At the behest of Houston’s Mayor Bill White, the Conservancy was formed in December 2004 and was charged with designing, building and operating Houston’s new urban park which opened in April 2008.

LOCATION

Discovery Green is located at 1500 McKinney 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 a.m. to 11 p.m. Hours for events may vary. Areas of the park may be closed occasionally for maintenance or private events.

CONTACT INFORMATION

www.discoverygreen.com or call 713.400.7336.