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/

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.

You’ve probably heard of the Art Car Parade sponsored by the Orange Show. The cars on display here are just a tiny sample of the art cars featured in the parade, but it is worth a visit. In addition to art cars, there are always exhibits of other art here, including photographs, sculptures, painting and multimedia exhibits. The exhibits change from time to time, and you will want to schedule a trip to the Art Car Museum just to see the building!

The 2010 Art Car Parade will be Saturday, May 8th. For more information about the parade and the events surrounding it, see the Orange Show website.

For more on art cars, also see the Houston Art Car Klub (HACK).

Art Car Museum
140 Heights Blvd., Houston, Texas
713-861-5526
Open Wed.-Sun. 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
No admission charge. Donations accepted.
http://www.artcarmuseum.com

From Memorial Drive, go north on Heights Blvd. The Museum will be on your right, near the railroad tracks.

A former alcoholic, Turner made a deal with God to turn his life around and dedicate himself to creating beauty. After problems with vandals and city bureaucrats at two previous locations, a house was purchased for him by Project Row Houses. Mr. Turner and a crew of volunteers have brought the house to life with vibrant colors and decorations. Mr. Turner is often outside tending the yard in nice weather, and he is open to chatting with you about his amazing house.From downtown, take Fannin away from downtown. Turn left on Elgin and go .8 mile. Turn right on Dowling, then right on Francis.Want to see more of Houston’s unusual sights? Get your copy of “Offbeat Houston” and you can see places even the natives don’t know about!

The Beer Can House has been purchased by the Orange Show Foundation. It is undergoing renovation and is expected to be open to the public sometime in the future.

Take Memorial Drive west from downtown past Shepherd. Turn right on Malone, and go two blocks. The house is on your right at 222 Malone.

Want to see more of Houston’s unusual sights? Get your copy of “Offbeat Houston” and you can see places even the natives don’t know about!