e-culture: Mexican Independence in Context, Art Cars and Lowriders
May 5, 2004

IN THIS ISSUE ¡Viva Cinco de Mayo! Art Car Weekend Lowriders Asian Pacific Heritage Events More Upcoming Events Proclaiming Little Saigon Summer Camps and Travel Plans General Interest Meetings

Having supported the Mexicans against the French to the tune of about $250,000,000, the American investors were demanding payment from a bankrupt Mexico. President Benito Juarez was unable to make those payments, and so they negotiated for a period of ten years, during which the Mexicans began to concede infrastructure control to the Americans in lieu of cash payments. And so they set up contracts that arranged for transfers of real estate and yielding trade and railroad/telegraph concessions to these leading American capitalists. The trouble was that in 1876 the new Mexican president, Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada, cancelled all of the concessions saying, "betterest a desert between strength and weakness."

Read more of history professor John Hart's speech on Mexico's intertwined economic history with the United States. This excerpt presents Mexican independence in context:
http://www.houstonculture.org/hispanic/context.html


May Fifth, Cinco de Mayo, is here. Celebrations going on in the United States and Mexico commemorate the anniversary of General Ignacio Zaragoza's defeat of the French at the small village of Puebla.

Learn more about this featured tradition:
http://www.houstonculture.org/mexico/cincodemayo.html


Donna Morales and John Schmal tell us the story of Louie Dominguez. Born to immigrants from the state of Zacatecas, he became an American hero: http://www.houstonculture.org/hispanic/hero.html



What do the celebrations of Cinco de Mayo and Houston's Art Car Parade have in common? Not a lot, but lowriders usually appear in both parades. And they are, in their own way, events that celebrate a sense of independence.

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Art Car Weekend

Since the humble beginnings of the Art Car Parade in 1988, the event has grown to achieve national prominence. Combining American car culture obsession with excessive consumerism and the creativity of people from all (unwilling) walks of life, the Art Car Parade is for everyone who ever wanted to do things a little different.

Main Street Drag
Friday, May 7, 9:30am - 2:30pm

On the day before the parade, Friday, May 7, art cars hit the city streets to take the parade to those who can't come to it, in Main Street Drag. More than 100 art cars will assemble from 9-10 a.m. at the Children's Museum, 1500 Binz, and then head out in seven convoys to schools and hospitals all over the city, so that 15,000 school children and hospital patients will get a taste of Art Car magic.

The cars reconvene at Market Square downtown (Travis, Preston, Milam & Prairie) from 1:30 - 2:30pm.


Main Squeeze Premiers - Downtown Art Car Block Party - NEW!
Friday, May 7, 6-11pm

Main Street (between Preston and Congress, plus Market Square), will become one big Art Car block party. There will be more than 100 art cars on the streets, and a screening of Harrod Blank's work-in-progress "Auto Morphosis," the sequel to his 1993 "Wild Wheels," the ultimate art car film, at Treebeards, 208 Travis, 7:00pm, $5.


Art Car Parade
Saturday, May 8, 1-2:30pm

More than 250 wild and wooly art cars strut their stuff down Allen Parkway in the oldest and biggest Art Car Parade in the world. The Parade begins Allen Parkway and Taft. At 9:00am, the cars will line up for judging.


Surreal Brunch
Sunday, May 9, 11am - 3

After the exaltation of parade day, relax and enjoy the day after at the Surreal Brunch at The Orange Show, 2401 Munger. For the first time, the awards ceremony will be on Sunday, where the public and all the art car artists will find out who the judges picked in the 14 categories. Fruitmobile artist Jackie Harris will fire up the CarBQ and cook up eggs, plus there will be lots of BBQ, breakfast tacos, and mimosas. Susan Christian, deputy director of the Mayor's Office of Special Events will be joined by the famous Texas Pimps, ice sculptor Butter, and the "Our Horses Have Wheels" poster star, Gonzo. Graffiti art collective, Aerosol Warfare will create the Surreal Decor for the brunch. Attic Ted will perform and DJs spin Disco Breaks. the Awards Ceremony will take place at 12pm (noon).

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Lowriders

Various creative automobile alterations predate art cars, including the done-up Cadillacs of glittery country music stars, psychedelic painted microbuses, the iconic hippie roadster of Southeast Texas' own Janis Joplin, and the predominate do-it-yourself car culture from Houston to Los Angeles, lowriders!

There are many parallels between lowriders and art cars, namely artistic discovery. Both exist as a counter to mainstream culture, and both represent struggles -- the art cars being about freethinking and the lowriders being about freedom. Lowriders were introduced into popular culture by War's hit song "Low Rider," in the 1970s. But the proud workmanship that went into the lowriders originates with Chicanos in California in the late 1930s and into the World War II years. Cars were needed for commuting to jobs, for getting around as migrant workers, and visiting family as the distances grew. Personal flair was added to exhibit Chicano pride. Today, glossy paint, expensive rims, airbrushed scenes, shiny metal nameplates and custom interiors hype the individual owner's style.

Lowriders really took on their modern look in the 1950s, as car culture swept America. Just like hot rodders and motorcyclists, lowrider car clubs became the social center of neighborhood drive-ins in the era of zoot suits. As in Cuba, economic segregation of many Hispanics in the Southwest necessitated maintaining an aging fleet of cars. From nostalgia to the economic realities of building a car in the high school auto shop or spare parts lot that will leap off the ground, a lowrider may be more prized the older its vintage.

With their elaborate hydraulics shifting and lifting the cars and trucks into unusual poses, lowriders are a favorite part of most any Southwest parade, and they are truly in their element in Houston's Art Car Parade.

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Asian Pacific Heritage Events

The Art Institute of Houston Annual Art Exhibit
Opening May 06, 2004, 6:00pm
On display throughout May (open and free to public)
The Art Institute of Houston
1900 Yorktown Street
Houston, TX 77056-4197

Indian Culinary Night at the Art Institute of Houston
May 13, 2004
Time: TBA
The Art Institute of Houston
1900 Yorktown Street
Houston, TX 77056

APAHA's 12th Anniversary Gala, "Many Cultures, One World"
May 22, 2004, 6:30pm
Westin Oaks Galleria
5011 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77056

Asian Pacific American Heritage at the Children's Museum
May 29, 2004, 9:00am
The Childrenšs Museum
1500 Binz Street
Houston , TX 77030

More Upcoming Events:
Mini-Film Fest in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, May 6 and 7 Fourth Annual SLANT Film Festival, May 8 and 9 Museum of Fine Arts-Houston Films presents "Piccadilly", May 15 First Annual A.S.I.A. Festival, May 15, 2004

www.apaha.org

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International Festival of Muslim Cultures

May, 15, 2004, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Eleanor Tinsley Park (Allen Parkway at Interstate 45)
Free admission
http://www.ifomc.org

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Anchee Min, Empress Orchid

Ms. Min and Houston resident and Chinese actress Lily Foster (Chen Ye) will perform a scene from Min's new novel Empress Orchid. Ms Foster is also the wife of Asia Society Texas Chairman, Charles C. Foster. Ms. Min will introduce the performance and take questions from the audience. Afterwards, there will be a book signing. In Empress Orchid, Min brings to life the story of China's longest-reigning female ruler and last Empress, Tzu His.

Free, Sponsored by Inprint
May 17, 2004, 7:30 - 11:00pm
The Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Avenue
713-439-0051
E-mail: txcenter@asiasoc.org

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Asia on My Mind - Deepavali in May!

India is a land of festivals! Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated with fervor and gaiety. The festival is celebrated by young and old, rich and poor, throughout the country to dispel darkness and light up their lives. Perhaps the most popular festival in India, Deepavali usually occurs in the fall. This year all has changed. The revolutionary Vaswani's (Best-selling cookbook author, Suneeta Vaswani, and wine connoisseur, Nanik Vaswani) are moving the celebration to May. Join them in all that makes Deepavali so special - lights, flowers, finery, jewels, sumptuous food... and so much more! An evening with the Vaswani's is an unforgettable and priceless opportunity! Limited space available.

May 20th 7:30 - 10:00pm
Location Confirmed upon reservation
$250 per seat
713-439-0051
E-mail: txcenter@asiasoc.org

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Asia on My Mind - Behind the Jade Screen

Sylvia and John Sullivan are inviting you to their new home as Sylvia creates an evening in old China with extraordinary food and decor. Amidst Sylvia's magical Asian collections, you will feast on the delicacies of Asia and meet famous Chinese jewelry designer (her designs have been carried in Neiman Marcus and other exclusive jewelry stores) and collector of antique Chinese furniture, Kai Yin Lo. Limited seating!

May 25, 2004, 7:00 - 10:00pm
Location Confirmed upon reservation
$250 per seat
713-439-0051
E-mail: txcenter@asiasoc.org

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Asia on My Mind - A Totally Thai Experience

Nourish your mind, your soul and your palate and escape from the pressures of every-day life for an evening in old Siam! Surrounded by a rare collection of contemporary Asian art and antiquities at the home of the owner of Iklektik Designs and representative of Lotus Arts de Vivre, you will join Bill and Deborah Colton for an experience that will tantalize all of your senses and take you to another world. In this relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by exotic sights and scents, you will dine on a luscious variety of authentic dishes as you enjoy Thai dancers and music. The pampering will continue as the owner and staff of, "A Thai Experience" will make your evening complete with a relaxing and soothing neck or foot massage. You may never want to go home!

June 4, 2004, 7:00 - 10:00pm
Location Confirmed upon reservation
$250 per seat
713-439-0051
E-mail: txcenter@asiasoc.org

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More Upcoming Events

A CONTEMPORARY SALON

With Guests:
Dr. Elizabeth Gregory, Director, Women's Studies Program
Rex Koontz, Assistant Professor of Art History, College of Art
Gabriela Baeza Ventura, Assistant Professor of Hispanic Literature, Department of Modern and Classical Languages

This panel discussion is held in conjunction with the exhibition, DANIELA ROSSELL: RICAS Y FAMOSAS, on view from April 24-June 13

Wednesday May 5, 2004, 7:00pm
Blaffer Gallery, The Art Museum of the University of Houston
120 Fine Arts Building
Houston, Texas 77204-4018
(713) 743-9530
http://www.blaffergallery.org

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Sahira at Russian Bear

Russian Bear is amazing. The atmosphere is wonderful, with a full hour-long stage show that will take you around the world, featuring dances from the Ukraine, France, Ireland, and the Middle East, with fabulous house dancers Oksana and Ivan, and on occasion, Sahira!
Friday, May 7, 2004
Russian Bear
1801 Dairy Ashford Houston, TX 77077
http://www.sahira.cc

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Sherman Robertson, internationally-acclaimed blues guitarist from Houston, will be performing at Cosmos in the Heights.
Saturday, May 8
Cosmos Cafe
69 Heights Blvd.
(713) 802-2144

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Helios Eclectic Dance Night with Urban Gypsy

Urban Gypsy will be a guest performer at this fabulously entertaining regular dance night at Helios. The show begins at 8pm at 411 Westheimer, downstairs. $4 cover.
Tuesday, May 18th
Helios
411 Westheimer
http://www.herrickhome.com/ange

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International Festival of Muslim Cultures

May, 15, 2004, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Eleanor Tinsley Park (Allen Parkway at Interstate 45)
Free admission
http://www.ifomc.org

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Proclaiming Little Saigon

As the Asian Pacific American Heritage Parade wound its way to festival grounds at Milam and McGowen last Sunday, city council members and festival organizers proclaimed that the area of Midtown along Travis and Milam, defined by Vietnamese street signs, will officially be called Little Saigon.

During the month of May, we will present photos of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month events on our website.

You can also learn more about the hardships Vietnamese Americans faced in coming to Texas to build a new Saigon:
http://www.houstonculture.org/cultures/viet.html

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Summer Camps and Travel Plans

The Summer Book for Summer Camps

It's fast approaching, the day when parents realize their kids are out of school for the whole summer.

Summer camps offer great opportunities to keep children involved with learning and finding friends. The right summer camp is often difficult to locate due to the diversity of needs of families and children. A special guide, The Summer Book, specializes in Houston area camps.

Weather Camps. Chess Camps. Fencing Camps. Music Camps. Reading Camps. Nature Camps. Free Camps. They are all here this summer in Houston and they are all listed in THE SUMMER BOOK 2004, an annual directory of Houston day camps and classes for children 5-12 years old. New this year is a website devoted to the book (www.thesummerbook.com), a kids art contest and survey, and several new camps and organizations with classes. The guide includes over 200 camps and classes, organized alphabetically, by category and by dates. The camps include all variety of ethnicities, economic levels, and subjects. Parents no longer have to miss out on summer fun or feel stress making summer plans for their children.

THE SUMMER BOOK 2004 ($9.95) is currently available. For a complete list of retailers or for more information, visit http://www.thesummerbook.com.


Changes to our Summer Travel Plans

Traveling with the Houston Institute for Culture probably offers the best cultural learning experience a person can have in our region. From Mexico to Idaho, and the Deltalands to the Canyonlands, we have experienced most of the great things in life with small groups on our "student budget" adventures. We are constantly busy finding new approaches to the kinds of adventures we plan.

Boating has become a new way for us to see the wilderness areas that few others see, and put ourselves directly in the scenes of historical figures like John Wesley Powell. Many of our trips focus on research and observation of changing social and environmental conditions. As we are working on the travel schedule for the fall 2004 and spring 2005, we will be adding a trip to Lake Powell and the southern Utah Canyonlands, just in time for fall when the Aspens turn golden. Believe it or not, we haven't seen that yet in all of our adventures.

It's not difficult to travel with us -- you really just have to decide you want to do it, become part of the planning and save a little money to share the costs with other travelers.

Please note: The July 2004 Canyonlands Adventure is being rescheduled to late September (dates not exact at this time). No one is being affected by the change, since there were no commitments so far. The Caribbean Carnival in Washington DC and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival looked a little more appealing at this time (http://www.folklife.si.edu).

View our future travel plans on line:
http://www.houstonculture.org/travel


We meet many of our fellow travelers at events and meetings. We have a meeting coming up on Tuesday, and one in June, where you are welcome to get involved with other members of our organization.

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General Interest Meetings

General Interest Meeting
Tuesday, May 11, 2004, 6:00pm
Napoli Flying Pizza (713-726-1166)
4820 West Bellfort (about one block east of South Post Oak)

The next meeting for volunteers or anyone interested will take place on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at 6:00pm. The meeting will take place at Napoli Flying Pizza (713-726-1166), 4820 West Bellfort (about one block east of South Post Oak in the Meyer Park Shopping Center). Call 713-521-3686 for directions or more information.

Those with special physical or communication needs that may impact participation in this activity should contact Mark Lacy at 713-521-3686 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to discuss accommodations.


Stay tuned to this page for the latest on general interest meetings: http://www.houstonculture.org/meeting



Thank you for supporting Houston Institute for Culture.

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M  a  r  k @houstonculture.org


Cultural and Community Organization Listings:
http://www.houstonculture.org/listings

2003 Report to Friends and Volunteers:
http://www.houstonculture.org/report

Support Houston Institute for Culture:
http://www.houstonculture.org/giving