iFest 2011 Releases RSS Feed

3,000 POUND TROJAN HORSE MAKES DEBUT AT HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

noemail@ifest.org — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:15:00 GMT

HOUSTON- A mammoth Trojan Horse, weighing approximately 3,000 pounds, is in the final stages before its debut at the upcoming Houston International Festival (iFest). The horse, constructed from mostly recycled lumber from the City of Houston’s ReUse Warehouse, measures 16' long x 8 ' wide x 23 ' tall. The lumber was part of approximately 23 tons of lumber picked up from a city/county water project. Each project like this places 80-100 tons of reusable lumber in landfills. http://www.flickr.com/photos/houstonreuse/4119975406/in/set-72157622841720178

Yolle Lemberger, exhibits designer for iFest, spent over two months designing and building the structure. The 2011 event spotlights The Silk Road: Journey Across Asia April 30-May 1 and May 7-8, 2011, with world musical performances, international arts and crafts markets, artisan demonstrations, interactive exhibits and plenty of food and fun for all ages.

The Trojan Horse, which will be located at the Chevron Silk Road Museum in Sam Houston Park, is a reproduction of the famous Trojan Horse from the ancient city of Troy, which was located in Turkey, an important stop along the Silk Road.

The 2011 Houston International Festival is open from 12 -10 p.m. Saturdays, 12 - 8 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are on sale at the festival website at www.ifest.org and participating H-E-B Grocery locations. Prices are $12 in advance, $18 at the gate, with kids 12 and under admitted free on Sunday, May 8, courtesy of ConocoPhillips. On the other days, children’s tickets are $3.

All proceeds benefit the Festival arts and education programs. For more information, call 713-654-8808 or access the Festival’s official website at www.ifest.org.

2011 Houston International Festival presents the Silk Road: Journey Across Asia

noemail@ifest.org — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Wendy Slaton 281-814-6384 wjslaton@aol.com HOUSTON - Thousands will converge on the streets of Downtown Houston in April, as the 41st annual Houston International Festival spotlights The Silk Road: Journey Across Asia April 30-May 1 and May 7-8, 2011, with world musical performances, international arts and crafts markets, artisan demonstrations, interactive exhibits and plenty of food and fun for all ages. The 2011 Houston International Festival (iFest) follows the route of Marco Polo with a focus on China, India and other cultures of the Silk Road. iFest brings the unique flavors, sights and sounds of the many cultures to downtown Houston for two weekends. Stretching across 16 acres of downtown parks and streets including City Hall, Bagby Street, and Tranquility and Sam Houston Parks, iFest features entertainment-themed zones including: Silk Road, Kids, Latin,...

IFEST CONCERT SERIES ANNOUNCES A SPECIAL FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT FEATURING KRONOS QUARTET, HOMAYUN SAKHI TRIO, AND THE HOUSTON GRAND OPERA

noemail@ifest.org — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 20:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON -- On Friday, April 29, the 2011 Houston International Festival honoring The Silk Road: Journey Across Asia is proud to present Kronos Quartet, widely considered to be the premier contemporary classical string quartet in the world, headlining a special East Meets West opening night concert on the festival's Bud Light World Music Stage in Sam Houston Park. Kronos Quartet - comprising David Harrington and John Sherba on violins, Hank Dutt on viola and Jeffrey Zeigler on cello - has spent the past 30 years broadening the scope of contemporary chamber music to include musical traditions from around the globe while at the same time upholding the highest standards of the European classical repertoire. Kronos Quartet shares the billing with Afghan rubab player Homayun Sakhi - the rubab is an Afghan cousin to the Indian sitar and the Middle Eastern oud -- and his virtuoso trio featuring Afghan tabla drummer Salar Nader and Uzbek percussionist Abbos Kosimov. The groups...

iFest Returns to Houston

noemail@ifest.org — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:45:00 GMT

HOUSTON- Celebrating its 41st year, the 2011 Houston International Festival will spotlight The Silk Road: Journey Across Asia from April 30 - May 1 and May 7 - 8 throughout 16 acres in Downtown Houston. On Sunday, May 1, contemporary blues legends Keb' Mo' and Robert Cray share the Bud Light World Music Stage in the bowl at Sam Houston Park. On Saturday, May 7, Michael Franti and Spearhead - former underground hip-hop/alt-rock heroes who enjoyed a major commercial breakthrough last year - headline on the Bud Light World Music Stage, joined by sacred steel gospel-rockers Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Rootz Underground, hailed as the best roots-reggae band to come out of Jamaica in decades, returns to iFest on Saturday, April 30, along with Kora Konnection, an Afro-jazz fusion band featuring Senegalese kora player Morikeba Kouyate. Seating in the shaded iFest Lounge - featuring a good view overlooking the Bud Light World Music Stage and full bar...

iFest Announces 2011 Music Lineup

noemail@ifest.org — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD, JONNY LANG, LUCINDA WILLIAMS, KEB' MO', ROBERT CRAY BAND, JOE ELY REUNION BAND, ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND, JIMMIE VAUGHAN, BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO, ROOTZ UNDERGROUND, RED BARAAT, RAHIM ALHAJ & LITTLE EARTH ORCHESTRA, ATASH, MAYAPURIS, RIYAAZ QAWWALI, KORA KONNECTION, CEDRIC WATSON, GLEN DAVID ANDREWS, SOUL REBELS, HONEY ISLAND SWAMP BAND, J. PAUL JR., STEP RIDEAU, LIL BRIAN & THE TRAVELERS, LOS SKARNALES, KYLE TURNER, JUD JOHNSON BAND, EMORY QUINN, MIKE STINSON, THE BLAGGARDS, KARINA NISTAL, NORMA ZENTENO, RAINEL PINO SALSA ORCHESTRA, CHANGO MAN, BUXTON, SPACE CITY GAMELAN, FREE RADICALS, MOODAFARUKA, GOLDEN DRAGON ACROBATS, BOLLYWOOD DANCERS, BHANGRA DJS, REGGAE DJS, PLUS A SPECIAL FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT FEATURING KRONOS QUARTET, HOMAYUN SAKHI, AND THE HOUSTON GRAND OPERA! HOUSTON - The 2011 Houston International Festival honoring The Silk Road: Journey Across Asia is pleased to announce the performance stage lineup...

One of Houston's longest-running traditions looks for new partner

noemail@ifest.org — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON- Parade organizers from the Houston Festival Foundation,Inc., thenon-profit entity that produces Houston's annual holiday parade, today announced it is in search of a new title sponsor for the annual parade. The 61-year tradition has only seen four title sponsors since its inception in 1949 as the Foley's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Other title sponsors included Bank United, Washington Mutual and H-E-B Grocery Company. Each year, Houston's holiday parade draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to the streets of downtown Houston to get a glimpse of the giant floats and balloons, marching bands, celebrities and other groups. In addition, the parade is televised live on KHOU-TV/Channel 11 (CBS), as well as 17 broadcasts in several major cities throughout Texas and the region including Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, New Orleans and Oklahoma City. An estimated 2 million viewers tune in to parade coverage each year. The Parade relies heavily upon...

King Sunny Ade Cancels Performance at iFest

noemail@ifest.org — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:00:00 GMT

KING SUNNY ADE CANCELS PERFORMANCE AT IFEST Nigerian favorite cancels North American Tour due to tragic accident HOUSTON – The 2010 Houston International Festival announced today that King Sunny Ade will not be performing this weekend due to the cancellation of the group’s North American tour as a result of a tragic car accident that claimed the life of two band members. In a statement released by Ade’s management team, it states “It is with great sadness that we announce the cancellation of the entire 2010 North American tour for King Sunny Ade and his African Beats. As some of you may have heard by this time, on March 26th 2010 a tragic car accident took the lives of two members of the African Beats, talking drummer Gabriel Ayanniyi and percussionist Omo Olope, who were en-route to a video shoot for a forthcoming recording. At this time we feel the only responsible action is to cancel and withdraw from the remaining dates until such a time as King Sunny Ade...

Experience iFest as a V.I.P.

noemail@ifest.org — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Experience a Caribbean Paradise as a V.I.P. iFest offers an all-new exclusive membership for 2010 event spotlighting the Caribbean April 17-18 and April 24-25 HOUSTON – As thousands make plans to attend the 2010 Houston International Festival (iFest), be one of the first to purchase an-all new V.I.P membership and experience the Islands of the Caribbean – in style! This exclusive pass allows V.I.P festival admission for all four days, a four-day parking pass, survival bag of goodies, access to a members-only gate, commemorative pass, food/beverage coupons, and access to the coveted iFest V.I.P Lounge where special iFest guests can enjoy the shade, comfortable seating and a premium view of the Bud Light World Music Stage. In addition, the V.I.P. membership allows you to go behind the scenes on a special iFest tour at 12:30 on April 17. Quantities are limited on V.I.P memberships which are priced at $149 per person and $249 for two. iFest also offers a Weekend...

iFest 2010 Fact Sheet

noemail@ifest.org — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:00:00 GMT

40th Annual Houston International Festival transforms Downtown Houston into a unique Caribbean experience WHAT: The 2010 Houston International Festival spotlighting the sights, sounds and flavors of the Caribbean WHEN: April 17 -18 & April 24 - 25, 2010 Saturdays – Noon – 10 p.m. Sundays – Noon – 8 p.m. WHERE: Downtown Houston – Including City Hall, Upper and Lower Tranquility Park, Bagby Street and Upper and Lower Sam Houston Parks INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AND DANCE The unique flavors, sights and sounds of the beautiful Caribbean will come to life through diverse and celebrated music and dance groups from around the world, as well as international food and markets in multiple cultural zones. This year’s lineup, honoring the Caribbean, features continuous music, dance and cultural performances on eight stages. 2010 Headliners include: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Ozomatli, Eddie Palmieri, King Sunny Ade, Baaba...

iFest Performer Ned Sublette Book Signing

noemail@ifest.org — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Ned Sublette slated to appear at Houston International Festival April 17-18 Author and musician to sign latest book April 16 at Sig’s Lagoon Houston – Author, musician and musicologist Ned Sublette will be in Houston to perform at the 2010 Houston International Festival honoring the Caribbean. He will appear on April 17 at 4:30 p.m. and April 18 at 2:30 p.m. on the H-E-B Cultural Center in a performance that will combine readings and music, and will emphasize the links between New Orleans and Caribbean culture. He will also be reading from his books in the festival’s literary exhibit tent, located in the Chevron Living Museum in Upper Sam Houston Park. A resident of New York and longtime member in good standing of the Lower East Side artistic community, Sublette previously appeared at iFest in 1999 with his band Cowboy Rumba. Sublette will be signing his latest book, The Year Before the Flood (Lawrence Hill Books, 20) on Friday, April 16 from 7 to 9...

Mayor's Gala Fact Sheet

noemail@ifest.org — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:00:00 GMT

THE HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL MAYOR’S GALA TROPICAL TREASURES – The Caribbean and Beyond What: Houston International Festival Mayor’s Gala is a unique celebration of culture and entertainment in honor of this year’s Houston International Festival spotlighting the Caribbean. When: Thursday, April 15, 6:30pm Where: Omni Houston Hotel Four Riverway Houston, TX 77056 Benefiting: The Mayor’s Gala supports the Festival’s arts and education programs, which reach a potential 900,000 students at 1,471 campuses in seven Texas counties. Students will learn about the culture and history of the Caribbean through the Festival’s Teacher’s Curriculum Guide. Chairs: Chair Danielle Ellis; co-chair Holly Montalbano; co-chair Alison Ayres Bell Entertainment: A fabulous mix of international and local entertainment Attire: Island Elegant Tables: ...

iFest Spotlights the Caribbean

noemail@ifest.org — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:00:00 GMT

2010 HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL TRANSFORMS DOWNTOWN HOUSTON INTO A GLOBAL PLAYGROUND iFest Spotlights the Caribbean, April 17-25 HOUSTON – Thousands will converge on the streets of Downtown Houston in April, as the 40th annual Houston International Festival spotlights the Caribbean April 17-18 and 24-25, 2010, with world musical performances, international arts and crafts markets, artisan demonstrations, interactive exhibits and plenty of food and fun for all ages. The Houston International Festival (iFest) continues its tradition as one of the largest presenters of internationally-acclaimed artists from around the globe. Each year, iFest puts the best of world music next to the finest national and regional roots music to demonstrate how music and dance can communicate across cultural and linguistic barriers. This year’s lineup, honoring the Caribbean, features continuous music, dance and cultural performances on eight stages. 2010 Headliners include: George...

Marcia Ball Concert at Rockefeller Hall

noemail@ifest.org — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Wendy Slaton January 22, 2010 281-814-6384 wjslaton@aol.com iFest mardi gras party featuri ng Marcia Ball and Texas Johnny brown at HOUSTON’S LEGENDARY Rockefeller Hall HOUSTON – Austin’s piano boogie queen Marcia Ball and Texas Johnny Brown reunite for an iFest Mardi Gras party on Friday, February 12 at Houston’s Rockefeller Hall, 3620 Washington Avenue. Proceeds from the one-night only concert will benefit the education programs of the 2010 Houston International Festival. Doors open at 7 p.m. Concert begins at 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in festive Mardi Gras attire for a chance to win a four-day passport and general admission tickets to iFest. Ball and Brown are no strangers to the Rockefeller’s stage. Houston music fans have fond memories of the 1980s and 1990s, when Ball,...

iFest Gates Open at 12 Noon on Sunday April 19

noemail@ifest.org — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OPENS GATES AT 12 P.M. Festival is Geared Up For Sunny Weather on Sunday, April 19 WHEN: Sunday, April 19 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. WHAT: Despite the inclement Saturday weather, the 38th annual Houston International Festival has a schedule chock-full-of activity for Sunday, April 19. The Festival kicks off the celebration of Ireland with delicious food, fine arts and crafts and the best music from around the world. Not only has Plena Libre been rescheduled for 12 p.m. on Sunday, but festival-goers will also enjoy performances by Marc Broussard, Mavis Staples, CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band and more. See the music schedule below for performance times. Other exciting elements include the H-E-B Cultural Stage, which will feature dance performances, cuisines of Ireland and Irish dance costumes. Celebrity and local chefs will present cooking demonstrations during multiple daily performances. WHERE: Downtown...

iFest Closes Today & Resumes at noon tomorrow, Sunday April 19

noemail@ifest.org — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Due to inclement weather, the Houston International Festival has decided to close the event for the remainder of Saturday, April 18 in the best interest and safety of our patrons. Pre-purchased tickets will be redeemable for tomorrow and next weekend. The Festival will resume at noon tomorrow, Sunday, April 19 as scheduled."

iFest Goes On Despite the Rain

noemail@ifest.org — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:00:00 GMT

IFEST TO HOUSTONIANS: FICKLE TEXAS WEATHER WON’T RAIN ON OUR IRISH PARADE WHAT: Houston’s 38th annual urban multicultural event, The Houston International Festival Spotlighting Ireland (iFest), won’t let fickle Texas weather rain on anyone’s parade on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19 when the Festival kicks off its two-weekend event featuring entertainment from around the world. Venues scattered across the Festival’s 16 city block radius of downtown Houston will provide entertainment, education and excitement while keeping iFest attendees dry. Recognizing Saturday’s BP MS 150 cancellation, all riders who choose to stay in Houston this weekend can bring their rider number to the iFest gates April 18-19 for half price admission. Downtown Houston will transform into an Irish countryside – complete with Ireland’s ever present rainy weather - for the 2009 Houston International Festival running April 18-19 & 25-26. Covered iFest venues flourish across the site: Sister...

iFest Transforms Downtown Houston into an Irish Paradise

noemail@ifest.org — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT

2009 HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL TRANSFORMS DOWNTOWN HOUSTON INTO AN IRISH countryside iFest Spotlights Ireland, April 18-26 HOUSTON – Downtown Houston will be abuzz this April, as the 38th annual Houston International Festival spotlights Ireland April 18-19 and 25-26, 2009, with outstanding musical performances, art markets and craft demonstrations, interactive exhibits and plenty of food and fun for all. The Houston International Festival will continue its tradition as one of the largest presenters of world music anywhere on the planet. The 2009 event will feature hundreds of internationally acclaimed artists on 12 performance venues, the most stages to date, throughout the festival site. Stretching across 16 acres of downtown parks and streets including City Hall, Bagby Street, and Tranquility and Sam Houston Parks, this year’s event will feature seven international entertainment-themed zones including Ireland, International, Target Kids, Texas/Latin,...

iFest 2009 Fact Sheet

noemail@ifest.org — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

IFEST 2009 FACT SHEET The 38th annual festival brings the sights and sounds of Ireland to Houston W WHAT: Houston International Festival 2009 Spotlighting Ireland WHEN: Weekends April 18-19 and April 25-26, 2009 (Saturday, Noon – 10 p.m.; Sunday, Noon – 9 p.m.) iFest Free Preview Day: April 17, 2009, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. WHERE: Downtown Houston – Including City Hall, Upper and Lower Tranquility Park, Bagby Street and Upper and Lower Sam Houston Parks INTERNATIONAL MUSIC & DANCE: Featuring diverse and celebrated music and dance groups from around the world. Seven international entertainment-themed zones feature performers from around the world, from Cajun, zydeco, blues and rock, to country, folk, Latin and reggae. Zones include Ireland, International, Target Kids, Louisiana, Texas/Latin, Jamaica and...

iFest Announces Music Lineup for 2009 Event

noemail@ifest.org — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

IFEST ANNOUNCES MUSIC LINEUP FOR 2009 EVENT IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON SPOTLIGHTING IRELAND Headliners Include Ohio Players, Los Lobos, Mavis Staples, Hugh Masekela, Cherish The Ladies, Plena Libre, Marc Broussard, Marcia Ball, Flaco Jimenez, Rootz Underground, The Wailing Souls, Alpha Yaya Diallo, Little Joe Y La Familia, CJ Chenier, BeauSoleil, Keith Frank, Mariachi Los Arrieros, Beoga, Kevin Burke, Julie Fowlis, Step Rideau, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Soul Rebels, J. Paul Jr., Danny O’Flaherty, Jody Nix, Joel Guzman, Terri Hendrix, Jones Family Singers, Little Brian Terry, Chic Gamine, Houston’s Championship Irish Dancers And Much More! HOUSTON -- The 2009 Houston International Festival, honoring Ireland, is proud to announce the music lineup showcasing a host of top artists from around the globe. The 38th annual Festival returns to downtown Houston April 18-19 and 25-26, 2009, featuring continuous music, dance and cultural performances on 12 stages. Headlining the Bud...

iFest 2009 Spotlighting Ireland Fact Sheet

noemail@ifest.org — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:00:00 GMT

IFEST 2009 FACT SHEET The 38th annual festival brings the sights and sounds of Ireland to Houston WHAT: Houston International Festival 2009 Spotlighting Ireland WHEN: Weekends April 18-19 and April 25-26, 2009 (Saturday, Noon – 10 p.m.; Sunday, Noon – 9 p.m.) iFest Free Preview Day: April 17, 2009, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. WHERE: Downtown Houston – Including City Hall, Upper and Lower Tranquility Park, Bagby Street and Upper and Lower Sam Houston Parks INTERNATIONAL MUSIC & DANCE: Featuring diverse and celebrated music and dance groups from around the world. Seven international entertainment-themed zones feature performers from around the world, from Cajun, zydeco, blues and rock, to country, folk, Latin and reggae. Zones include Ireland, International, Target Kids, Louisiana, Texas/Latin, Jamaica and African/Caribbean. IRELAND ZONE: The centerpiece of this year’s Festival, the...