Discovery Green, the 12-acre park in the heart of downtown Houston, announces its Winter 2019–2020 programming schedule, running from Nov. 15, 2019, to Feb. 24, 2020. Most activities at Discovery Green are free thanks to contributions from park users, foundations and sponsors.
“Winter in Houston is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends,” said Discovery Green President and Park Director, Barry Mandel. “Discovery Green is proud to offer Houstonians many different opportunities to discover new artwork, learn to ice skate and spend time enjoying the best the city has to offer.”
The season kicks off on Friday, Nov. 15 with the opening of The ICE powered by Green Mountain Energy®, followed by Frostival, Discovery Green’s annual park-wide winter carnival featuring ice carving, live music and family-friendly activities, on Nov. 22.
“Green Mountain Energy is committed to providing clean, renewable energy to Houstonians and that extends to their favorite holiday traditions, like The ICE at Discovery Green,” said Mark Parsons, vice president and general manager at Green Mountain Energy. “For more than a decade, we have partnered with Discovery Green to support their green initiatives, and we are proud to continue that tradition throughout the holidays.”
Frostival also marks the public opening of Paloma Sponsored by PNC Bank, featuring Paloma by Pitaya and Here and Now by Lina Dib. For this temporary, site-specific public art installation, Pitaya, a creative studio based in Lyon, France, created Paloma, a flock of 200 “origami” birds rendered in powder-coated aluminum. Suspended from the canopy of century-old live oaks that line Discovery Green’s Brown Promenade, the colorful sculptures will be illuminated by dynamic LED lights after dusk to create the illusion of flight. Complementing Paloma is Here and Now, a multi-channel sound installation by Houston-based artist and anthropologist Lina Dib, whose work explores ecological change and global migration. Paloma Sponsored by PNC Bank will remain on view through February 24, 2020.
DISCOVERY GREEN WINTER 2019–2020 SEASON CALENDAR
Events are free unless otherwise noted. For weather and schedule updates, please visit www.discoverygreen.com.
Art
Paloma Sponsored by PNC Bank
Nov. 22, 2019–Feb. 24, 2020, 6 a.m.–12 midnight (light effects visible after dusk)
Paloma Sponsored by PNC Bank is a temporary, site-specific public art installation in two parts. Paloma, created by French creative studio Pitaya, is a series of 200 colorful aluminum “origami” birds, which will be suspended from the canopy along Discovery Green’s Brown Promenade and will be illuminated by dynamic LED lights after dusk to create the illusion of flight. Complementing Paloma is Here and Now, a sound installation by Houston-based artist and anthropologist Lina Dib, whose work explores ecological change and global migration. Dib’s choreographed sounds will dance along the Brown Promenade in conversation with Pitaya’s sculptures to create an immersive and contemplative experience beneath the park’s century-old live oaks.
Artist Talk Featuring Pitaya and Lina Dib
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, 7–8 p.m.
The artists behind Paloma Sponsored by PNC Bank discuss their inspiration behind the piece and showcase images and sound from previous works.
The ICE powered by Green Mountain Energy®
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2019–Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020
The ICE is the largest outdoor ice skating surface in the Southwest. Discovery Green uses water from Kinder Lake to freeze the ice, and all equipment runs on Green Mountain Energy’s renewable energy, ensuring The ICE is environmentally friendly and sustainable.
For more information, special events, hours and ticket prices visit discoverygreen.com/ice
Special Events
Frostival
Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, 6–10 p.m.
Discovery Green kicks off its winter season with Frostival, an annual park-wide celebration featuring ice carving by Reverend Butter and DLG Ice Factory, skating on the ICE powered by Green Mountain Energy®, ice photo opps, interactive ice sculptures and more. Admission is free; skating fees apply.
Rainbow on ICE
Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, 7–10 p.m.
The annual LGBTQ celebration at Discovery Green returns to The ICE with music by DJ Joe Ross. Admission is free; skating fees apply. discoverygreen.com/rainbow
Winter Flea by Night presented by Green Mountain Energy®
Saturdays, Nov. 16–Dec. 21, 2019, 6–10 p.m.
Back by popular demand, Discovery Green’s night market expands to a weekly event during the holiday season. Flea by Night features works by local artisans, artful kitsch, vintage items, antiques and other treasures, plus live music, food trucks, lawn games and more.
Carols on the Green: Celebrating the Season in Song
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, 7–8 p.m.
Members of the Houston Grand Opera (HGO) Chorus return to Discovery Green for the second annual holiday showcase, led by conductor Ben Manis and featuring HGO Studio Artists Leia Lensig, mezzo-soprano, and Kyle Naig, piano. The chorus will be joined by more than 70 voices from the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Chapel Choir and AFA Girls Chorus for a concert of holiday music from an array of traditions, and featuring sing-along holiday favorites.
Xfinity Entertainment Series
Bank of America Screen on the Green®
Enjoy family-friendly movies with a view of the downtown Houston skyline. Skate and watch or just enjoy the movie on the hill. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and arrive early for fun contests and activities.
Dumbo
Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019,
6:30 p.m.
PG, 2019, 112 min.
A young elephant with oversized ears and the power of flight becomes a circus superstar. His caretaker is torn between his employer’s exploitative thirst for profits and his children’s desire to reunite Dumbo with his mother.
Miracle on 34th Street
Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019,
7 p.m.
NR, 1947, 96 min.
When a nice old man who claims to be Santa Claus is institutionalized as insane, a young lawyer decides to defend him by arguing in court that he is the real thing.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019,
7 p.m.
PG, 1946, 130 min.
An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.
A Christmas Story
Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019,
7 p.m.
PG, 1983, 98 min.
In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie attempts to convince his parents, his teacher and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.
A Dog’s Way Home
Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019,
7 p.m.
PG, 2019, 137 min.
A female dog travels four hundred miles through the Colorado wilderness in search of her owner.
Toy Story 4
Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020,
7 p.m.
G, 2019, 100 min.
When a new toy called “Forky” joins Woody and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse
Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020,
7 p.m.
PG-13, 2018, 117 min.
Teen Miles Morales becomes Spider-Man of his reality, crossing his path with five counterparts from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities.
Sixteen Candles
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020,
7 p.m.
PG, 1984, 93 min.
A girl’s “sweet” sixteenth birthday becomes anything but special, as she suffers from every embarrassment possible.
Pokémon Detective Pikachu
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020,
7 p.m.
PG, 2019, 104 min.
In a world where people collect Pokémon to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent talking Pikachu who wants to be a detective.
Footloose
Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020,
7 p.m.
PG, 1984, 110 min.
A city teenager moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned, and his rebellious spirit shakes up the populace. Full Moon Fridays
This new, family-friendly concert series showcases the best music of the Gulf Coast under the full moon. Blankets, lawn chairs and picnics are welcome; food, beer and wine are available for purchase. No glass containers or outside alcoholic beverages.
Ana Popovic
Friday, Nov. 15,
7 p.m.
Deemed “one helluva guitar player” by Bruce Springsteen, this modern blues guitar-slinging diva is known for her fiery technique on the Stratocaster. She has six Blues Music Awards nominations under her belt, and nearly all of her albums have reached the top of the Billboard Blues Charts.
This concert coincides with the opening night of The ICE powered by Green Mountain Energy®, when event-goers can ice skate at the discounted rate of $11.
The Skatalites
Friday, Dec. 13,
7 p.m.
In their 55 years together, these ska reggae legends have toured the globe, bringing their infectious brand of real Jamaican ska to audiences young and old.
Other Winter Programs
Young Writers Workshop
Saturdays, Nov. 16, 2019–Jan. 25, 2020,
10:30–11:30 a.m.
Writers in the Schools, Discovery Green and Houston Public Library Express offer Houston’s only free writing workshop for students in 2nd through 8th grade. Space is limited.
Youth Poetry Performance Session
Fridays, Dec. 6, 2019, and Jan. 3, 2020,
6:30–8 p.m.
Writers in the Schools offers free writing and slam poetry workshops. Budding poets ages 13 to 19 are invited to meet new friends, elevate their writing, practice public speaking, build their community and share their story.
Recycling Saturdays
Saturdays, Nov. 16, 2019–Feb. 1, 2020,
11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Bring sorted glass, paper, plastic and aluminum to recycling stations provided by the City of Houston and I Recycle Glass.
Kayak Rides Kinder Lake
Saturdays and Sundays,
Nov. 16–Dec. 15, 2019,
12–5 p.m.
Go for a leisurely kayak ride around Kinder Lake. Rentals are provided by Bayou City Adventures and are subject to weather conditions. No reservation required. Kayak rentals are $5 per person.
Houston Public Library Programs in the Park
BOOKLINK
Tuesdays and Saturdays, Nov. 2, 2019–Feb. 29, 2020,
12–3 p.m.
Visit the HPL Program Space in the Morgan Reading Room at Discovery Green to browse and check out items using your library card and the BOOKLINK! Visit discoverygreen.com/hpl-program-space for more details.
Mystery Book Club
Tuesdays, Nov. 26, 2019, Jan. 28, 2020 and Feb. 25, 2020,
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Join Discovery Green for Murder at Midday, a mystery themed book club and find out whodunit in a new book selection each month!
Library Pop-Up
Saturdays, Nov. 9, 2019, Dec. 14, 2019, Jan. 11, 2020 and Feb. 8, 2020,
12–3 p.m.
Second Saturday Library Pop-Up featuring books, history, technology and other resources from Houston Public Library’s special collections and more.
