April:
Houston Children’s Festival
Houston’s official family celebration is held annually in downtown Houston. Benefiting Child Advocates, Inc., the event offers a dazzling smorgasbord of exciting activities, including six entertainment stages, more than 350 games and 10 family adventure areas. (281) 363-0900. April 6-7, 2013
Japan Festival
This annual event in Hermann Park’s beautiful Japanese Garden draws more than 20,000 people. The Japan Festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Japan with two stages showcasing music, traditional and folk dance and martial arts, as well as demonstrations of Ikebana flower arrangement, tea ceremony, origami and bonsai. (
713) 963-0121. April 13-14, 2013
WorldFest: Houston International Film Festival
WorldFest brings a blend of feature films, shorts, screenplays, TV commercials, music videos and documentaries to viewers throughout the area. Founded in 1968, past winners include Steven Spielberg, Oliver Stone, George Lucas and David Lynch-all early in their careers. (713) 965-9955. April 12-21, 2013
San Jacinto Day Festival & Battle Reenactment
Texas families can celebrate the battle that won Texas’ independence during the annual San Jacinto Day Festival and Battle Reenactment, which features music performances, kids’ activities, games, and living history camps. April 20, 2013
Houston International Festival
More than one million people attend this annual multicultural celebration. Downtown will be filled with ethnic food booths, arts and crafts, kiosks, interesting exhibits and 1,800 various performers. (713) 654-8808. April 20-21 & 27-28, 2013
Texas Crawfish & Music Festival
The 27th Anniversary of the Texas Crawfish & Music Festival, the largest and most established crawfish festival in the South, returns for two weekends of family-friendly fun featuring live music on three stages, tons of bands, hundreds of vendors, carnival rides, interactive games and activities for kids of all ages, as well as 25 tons of the best Cajun Crawfish. (800) 653-8696. April 19-21; April 26-28, 2013
May:
Keels and Wheels Concours d’Elegance
One of the most anticipated annual events in the Clear Lake area. See hundreds of classic cars and antique wooden boats at this unique show. 713-521-0105. May 4-5.
Houston Dragon Boat Festival
The Texas Dragon Boat Association, in collaboration with Buffalo Bayou Partnership, presents its 11th Annual Houston Dragon Boat Festival. The festival will showcase 30 teams competing along the banks of Buffalo Bayou at Allen’s Landing, and will feature Asian cuisine, music, arts and crafts, and cultural performances for the whole family. (281) 381-7154 May 4, 2013
dragon boat fest for page
Dragon Boat Festival
Art Car Parade
More than 250,000 spectators line downtown’s streets to view this parade, which showcases Houston’s most outlandish folk art creations on wheels. The Fruit Mobile, a 1967 Ford station wagon, started the craze in 1986. Truly a sight to see, the parade is produced by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. (713) 926-6368. May 11, 2013
Pasadena Strawberry Festival
A barbecue cook-off, a beauty pageant, arts and crafts, live entertainment, teen battle of the bands and the world’s largest strawberry shortcake are all part of the Pasadena Strawberry Festival. (281) 991-9500. May 17-19, 2013
Comicpalooza
Comicpalooza is a three-day sci-fi and fantasy extravaganza in Downtown Houston. Join celebrities such as Star Trek’s George Takei and Hercules’ Kevin Sorbo for this multi-platform event that brings together comics, fantasy, horror, steam punk, New Media, movies, film, gaming and of course sci-fi. May 24-26, 2013.
June:
Free Press Summer Fest
The Free Press Summer Fest is an annual two-day music festival held at Buffalo Bayou’s Eleanor Tinsley Park. The third annual event featured more than 160 national and local acts on eight stages with a weekend attendance of 60,000. This year’s installment will feature bands such as Snoop Dogg, Flaming Lips, Willie Nelson, Young the Giant, Primus and many more. The festival was started to emphasize local musical performers, visual arts, and artists. June 1-2, 2013
Juneteenth Summer Celebration
The Juneteenth Summer Celebration is the flagship event of the Texas Black Expo. This annual event celebrates African-American culture–showcasing business development seminars, entertainment, shopping and fun for the entire family. The Juneteenth Celebration attracts more than 20,000 attendees from across the country. (832) 200-0540. June 19, 2013
April Showers Bring May Flowers – Origins of the Rhyme
“April showers bring May flowers.” We’ve all heard this rhyme at some point, usually having been taught it at an early age by our parents or teachers. It’s a popular thing to say and hear around the springtime, but one thing you might not know is where the rhyme originated from. It can be traced back to the mid 1500s, although earlier use of “April showers bring May flowers” may have existed.
In 1557 a gentleman by the name of Thomas Tusser compiled a collection of writings he called A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry. In the April Husbandry section he wrote:
Sweet April showers
Do spring May flowers
As you can see, the rhyme was originally a short poem. There is meaning behind the words, as well. “April showers bring May flowers” is a reminder that even the most unpleasant of things, in this case the heavy rains of April, can bring about very enjoyable things indeed – in this case, an abundance of flowers in May. “April showers bring May flowers” is a lesson in patience, and one that remains valid to this day.
Many of life’s greatest things come only to those who wait, and by patiently and happily enduring the clouds and damp of April you can find yourself more easily able to take in the sights and smells of May. After all, it’s easier to love something if you begin with an optimistic outlook! Here’s some more in-depth information about the meaning of “April showers bring May flowers.”
April Showers Bring May Flowers – The Science Behind the Rhyme
“April showers bring May flowers” isn’t just a rhyme. It’s an example of the spring cycle of renewal that many parts of the Earth go through, and can be scientifically analyzed. There are actually several contributing factors to the appearance of flowers in May:
· Rain – The trademark of April showers bring May flowers, the rain is definitely at the forefront of positive stimuli bringing about floral displays in May. Increased levels of moisture in the soil help plants to grow faster and healthier. The water can also help nutrients reach the roots faster as well, which is another side of the coin as far as rain is concerned.
· Temperature – Another contributing factor to making “April showers bring May flowers” reality is the temperature. As the days grow warmer, plants find it easier to grow. They are genetically hard-wired to begin growth as the soil thaws and the frost becomes more distant. This combined with the rain is a perfect signal to the plant that it’s time to return to life (or begin life in the case of a seed or bulb).
· Wildlife – The springtime sees the return of many animals, birds and insects. The renewed ecosystem involving things eating and being eaten provides nourishment for new plants in the form of fecal matter and decaying organic compounds. The presence of insects also helps to pollinate the plants, which in turn allows them to reproduce. This combines well with the April showers to Bring may flowers we can all enjoy.
April Showers Bring May Flowers – Things to Help Pass the Time
If you’re having a hard time enduring April showers, bring May flowers into your home early by purchasing bouquets and arrangements from your florist. If you’re finding it difficult to wait for the growing season, this is a good way to secure a sneak peek of things to come. You can use the florist’s online shop to browse various pre-made arrangements or to get ideas for customized ones.
You can also make purchases and arrange for delivery this way, saving you from having to go out in the middle of a storm. It works well with gifts, as well, since you can send a taste of spring to friends and family without needing to leave your home (perfect if they need a reminder about how April showers bring May flowers as well).
You may wish to use this time to plan your garden for later months, or to do some basic maintenance on the nicer days. It’s good to get ahead of schedule, because then it lets you do some experimenting.
April Showers Bring May Flowers – Sources of Information
If you’re bummed out and waiting for the April showers to bring May flowers, why not spend some time researching various species of plant, landscaping techniques and general gardening advice? There are plenty of resources at your disposal, including your florist, the internet, and books at the local library. By studying this material you can come up with great ideas to work with after the April showers bring May flowers.
April Showers Bring May Flowers – Conclusion
As you can see, the benefits of waiting for the April showers to bring May flowers are great. May heralds the beginning of the warmer months and leads into summer, when the highest concentrations of plants can be found blooming about the world.
So next time you’re gloomy about the weather, keep in mind the classic rhyme, April showers bring May flowers.
Originally published by Ken Bolt.
Tulips at Hotel Granduca – Houston
The History of Valentine’s Day
The origins of Valentine’s Day trace back to the ancient Roman celebration of Lupercalia. Held on February 15, Lupercalia honored the gods Lupercus and Faunus, as well as the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.
In addition to a bountiful feast, Lupercalia festivities are purported to have included the pairing of young women and men. Men would draw women’s names from a box, and each couple would be paired until next year’s celebration.
While this pairing of couples set the tone for today’s holiday, it wasn’t called “Valentine’s Day” until a priest named Valentine came along. Valentine, a romantic at heart, disobeyed Emperor Claudius II’s decree that soldiers remain bachelors. Claudius handed down this decree believing that soldiers would be distracted and unable to concentrate on fighting if they were married or engaged. Valentine defied the emperor and secretly performed marriage ceremonies. As a result of his defiance, Valentine was put to death on February 14.
After Valentine’s death, he was named a saint. As Christianity spread through Rome, the priests moved Lupercalia from February 15 to February 14 and renamed it St. Valentine’s Day to honor Saint Valentine.
What’s Cupid Got to Do with It?
According to Roman mythology, Cupid was the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Cupid was known to cause people to fall in love by shooting them with his magical arrows. But Cupid didn’t just cause others to fall in love – he himself fell deeply in love.
As legend has it, Cupid fell in love with a mortal maiden named Psyche. Cupid married Psyche, but Venus, jealous of Psyche’s beauty, forbade her daughter-in-law to look at Cupid. Psyche, of course, couldn’t resist temptation and sneaked a peek at her handsome husband. As punishment, Venus demanded that she perform three hard tasks, the last of which caused Psyche’s death.
Cupid brought Psyche back to life and the gods, moved by their love, granted Pysche immortality. Cupid thus represents the heart and Psyche the (struggles of the) human soul.
Fun Facts
Approximately 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year. Half of those are sent through Care2 (OK, maybe not HALF… or even half of half… but we are growing fast!)
In order of popularity, Valentine’s Day cards are given to: teachers, children, mothers, wives, sweethearts, Koko the gorilla.
The expression “wearing your heart on your sleeve” comes from a Valentine’s Day party tradition. Young women would write their names on slips of paper to be drawn by young men. A man would then wear a woman’s name on his sleeve to claim her as his valentine.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
