This year’s Via Colori festival takes place Saturday, November 19, 2011 and Sunday, November 20, 2011. Events will take place around Downtown Houston; Sam Houston Park & the streets of Allen Parkway & Bagby.

Admission to the festival is free, but there are several optional activities (including bungee jumping!) available for a fee. All proceeds benefit The Center for Hearing and Speech, which has helped thousands of children develop listening, speaking and literacy skills needed to succeed in the mainstream hearing world.

The video below introduces some of the artists who will be drawing at the 2011 festival.

The Via Colori Street Scene features beer and wine sampling, live music, light bites provided by Carrabba’s, and even a festival-wide scavenger hunt with prizes. Tickets for Street Scene are available for $20 at http://viacoloristreetscene.eventbrite.com.

Here are some photos from previous years’ festivals.

Photo Credit: Ed Schipul http://www.flickr.com/photos/eschipul/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo Credit: Ed Schipul http://www.flickr.com/photos/eschipul/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo Credit: Linda MacPhee-Cobb http://www.flickr.com/photos/herselfsphotos/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo Credit: Ed Schipul http://www.flickr.com/photos/eschipul/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo Credit: Ed Schipul http://www.flickr.com/photos/eschipul/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

The 2011 Quilt Festival will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Downtown Houston, Texas on November 3 – 6, 2011, with a preview on November 2, 2011.

The festival includes juried competitions, 1000+ vendor booths offering fabrics and other supplies, and more than 400 courses on all aspects of quilting. Class registration is available onsite. A complete listing of classes is available at the quilt festival website.

Even non-quilters can enjoy viewing the amazing works of art on display. More than 1,500 antique and contemporary quilts, original cloth dolls and wearable art will be displayed at the quilt festival.

Photo credit: Big Bang Quilt by zephrene, on Flickr

Daily admission is $10 with a discounted rate of $8 for seniors and students. Children 10 and younger are admitted free with a paying adult. A pass for the entire festival is $35.

Location: George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, Texas, 77010 USA
Dates and Times:

• Thursday, November 3, 2011, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Friday, November 4, 2011, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, November 5, 2011, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Sunday, November 6, 2011, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

For more information about the show:
Call: 713-781-6864
E-mAIL: shows@quilts.com
Website: http://Quilts.com/

NBC’s hit show America’s Got Talent is preparing for a sixth season and producers will hold auditions at Reliant Center in Houston on February 12 and 13, 2011.

What can you do in 90 seconds? That is how long you have to sing, dance, do magic tricks, juggle, tell jokes or whatever your talent is. (Yes, there is a spot for “Other” on the application!) Every type of performer is welcome – this includes musicians, dance crews, magicians, contortionists, comedians, singers, jugglers, animal acts and everything in between – all of whom want to perform for America’s votes and compete for the coveted $1 million prize.

All ages are welcome (although minors need a parent’s permission). America’s Got Talent offers a unique chance for anyone who has dreamed of performing their talent on a national stage. Do you have what it takes? Find out this February!

You can get more information and register for the Houston auditions at the America’s Got Talent auditions website: http://americasgottalentauditions.com/new/houston

Can’t make the auditions? You can submit a video for consideration. Learn more here: http://americasgottalentauditions.com/new/submitvideo

The BBP recently introduced their new pontoon boat, Spirit of the Bayou, with a cruise along Buffalo Bayou. (The Spirit of the Bayou replaces a boat lost to an arson fire over the summer.)

On this cruise, the boat traveled east along the Bayou from Allen’s Landing, through historic east Houston with historian Louis F. Aulbach providing insight, commentary and fun facts about Houston history along the way. Aulbach is the BBP’s resident historian, and he leads monthly historical tours.

Viewing the city from the bayou gives you a brand new perspective on Houston. Passengers can view industry, nature, history and striking views of the downtown Houston skyline, while taking a relaxing boat trip along a portion of Houston’s main waterway.

Several Buffalo Bayou boat tours are available at various times of the year, from the Christmas cruises happening this month to bat colony tours, historical tours and more. Tours depart from Sabine Promenade. You can get information about scheduled tours, or how to schedule a private Buffalo Bayou boat tour for your group, at the Buffalo Bayou Partnership website.

Be sure to book your cruise to discover this little-seen side of Houston. Meanwhile, take a look at some of the photos from the recent preview cruise offered by BBP.

Buffalo Bayou from Allen’s Landing

Buffalo Bayou Nature

One of Many Bridges Over Buffalo Bayou

Downtown Houston Skyline from Buffalo Bayou

You can take a 30-minute pontoon boat ride along Buffalo Bayou and enjoy the decorations, brightly colored lights, song and cheer! These trips will be aboard Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s new boat, the Spirit of the Bayou, which replaces a boat lost to arson in July of this year.

Cruises will be offered on three Saturdays, November 27, December 4 and 18, 2010, from 5 – 8 p.m., weather permitting. No reservations are taken—tours are on a first come, first serve basis and there is a limit of 26 persons per trip. Weather cancellations, if they occur, will be posted on the BBP website.

To get on one of the Buffalo Bayou Christmas Cruises, head to downtown’s Sabine Promenade boat launch between Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive, at150 Sabine Street. Parking is available in the Theater District parking Lot H. Take the Sabine Street exit off of Memorial Drive – Lot H will be on the right hand side before Houston Avenue.

The 30-minute trip costs $7 for adults and $5 for children (ages 4 -12). No strollers are allowed on the boat. Fares must be paid in cash.

For more information, call 713-752-0314 ext. 3, email tsmith@buffalobayou.org or go to www.buffalobayou.org.

Looking for a great holiday event for your family, friends or staff? Private tours are available. Call 713-752-0314 ext. 4 for information and reservations.

Did you know that more than 250,000 bats call Waugh Bridge on Buffalo Bayou home?

The Buffalo Bayou Partnership offers boat tours of the bat colony on the second and fourth Fridays of each month, March through October. Guests on these tours will enjoy an amazing view from pontoon boats on the bayou’s waters as the bats emerge from under the bridge.  It is a fun and educational evening where you and your family can view and learn about these magnificent flying mammals that share the city with us.

Dates for the remainder of 2010 are:

• July 9 & 23
• August 13 & 27
• September 10 & 24
• October 8 & 22

$35 per adult; $25 per child (ages 4-12) no children under 4
Children under the age of 13 must wear (provided) life jackets while onboard.

All bat tours leave from Sabine Promenade.
For more information, or to register, call 713.752.0314 ext. 4 or e-mail jballard@buffalobayou.org

Image Credit: darklama based on works by Oliver Herold, Yug, Rugby471 | Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

As always, the parade is just one of the events planned by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art as part of a weekend full of fun, art and entertainment for the whole family. Here’s a lineup of events:

Art Car Ball: Thursday, May 6, 2010
Orange Show Monument & Warehouse, 2402 Munger Street, 7-10pm
The Art Car Ball blurs the line between spectator and performer, as the audience is as likely to come in inspired car-part costumes as the artists. The Ball is sure to be a party to remember featuring live music, fantastic food/drink and cars, cars, cars!

Main Street Drag: Friday, May 7, 2010
Citywide
Caravans of Art Cars visit more than 20,000 people who otherwise may not be able to experience the Saturday Parade. The Main Street Drag stops at children’s hospitals, schools, community centers and senior living facilities to spread smiles and the creative spirit with more than 80 Art Cars participating.

Sneak Peek / Shop Talk: Friday, May 7, 2010
Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney Street, 7-10pm
Friday evening is the public’s first chance to see some of the spectacular new Art Cars and some old favorites from year’s past. Sneak Peek features live music and entertainment throughout Discovery Green. As the sun goes down, the park becomes filled with illuminated Art Cars outfitted with special night lighting and blazing fire.

The Houston Art Car Parade: Saturday, May 8
The main event: Cars line up at 9am at Taft and Allen Parkway. Parade rolls at 1pm.
Comedian Dan Aykroyd is set to stir up good times at the 23rd Annual Art Car Parade as official Grand Marshal. The Parade begins at Allen Parkway and Taft Street and ends at Montrose Boulevard after looping around the Heritage Society. Plenty of viewing space is available along Allen Parkway between Montrose and Bagby.

VIPit Party: Saturday, May 8
The Heritage Society, 1100 Bagby, 11am-3pm
Enjoy shaded bleacher seating, fun family activities, gift bags and live entertainment. VIPit offers the absolute best views and features a grand picnic lunch from some of Houston’s best restaurants. Note: This is a ticketed event, with individual tickets starting at $125. To purchase tickets, please call 713-926-6368. Money raised helps keep the parade free for everyone.

Art Car Artists Awards Ceremony & Brunch: Sunday, May 9
Continental Club, 3700 Main Street, 11am
The Art Car Awards Ceremony and Brunch features live music and entertainment, food and drink, and artists selling their creations at the Continental Club.

For tickets or more information, visit www.orangeshow.org or call 713-926-6368.

The first tour, featuring a beer and cheese tasting with the Houston Dairymaids and Saint Arnold Brewing Company, will take place on April 15, 2010. As you cruise down our city’s historic waterway, you’ll enjoy local Texas cheeses coupled with Saint Arnold’s award-winning beers.

Additional tours, featuring other local Houston chefs and food purveyors, will take place on April 29 and May 13. The 1-1/2 hour boat tours launch from Sabine Promenade. Tours are limited to just 20 people, and reservations are required.

Make your reservations now to be a part of this unique Houston experience.

Buffalo Bayou Partnership Foodie Floats
Thursdays – April 15, 29 and May 13
6-7:30pm

Cost per person: $50

To make your reservation or to get more information, please call the Buffalo Bayou Partnership at 713.752.0314 ext. 3 or e-mail tsmith@buffalobayou.org or log onto the Buffalo Bayou Partnership website at www.buffalobayou.org.