{"id":13587,"date":"2011-09-14T08:30:58","date_gmt":"2011-09-14T13:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/momstraveltales.com\/?p=1072"},"modified":"2011-09-14T08:30:58","modified_gmt":"2011-09-14T13:30:58","slug":"free-admission-to-17-houston-museums-this-saturday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/free-admission-to-17-houston-museums-this-saturday\/","title":{"rendered":"Free admission to 17 Houston museums this Saturday!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Photo courtesy of Monica Rhodes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking for some FREE family fun this weekend? <\/strong><\/p>\n

You can’t go wrong with a visit to one of 17 Houston museums that will be open for FREE this Saturday, September 17, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. for Houston Museum District Day! (Or, try to visit all 17, if you dare!)<\/strong><\/p>\n

On a personal note, I find it hard to believe that this is the 15th year of Museum District Day. I was there back at the beginning working in Public Relations for the Children’s Museum of Houston when the idea was first suggested and developed. And wow, what an event it has grown to be! (I no longer work at CMH, but I still love it and Houston’s Museum District!)<\/p>\n

This is a great day of FREE exploration at some fantastic museums. If you think museums aren’t for kids, you couldn’t be farther from the truth. Houston museums offer live performances, hands-on activities, crafts to take home and much, much more. And with 17 museums, you (and your kids) can pick just about anything to explore for FREE this Saturday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wear comfy shoes and come early… as the day goes on, more people will catch on to how awesome this free day is, so the crowds will grow.<\/p>\n

Here’s what’s in store:
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Visitors can hop on free bus shuttles at any participating museum and spend the entire day exploring favorite museums and discovering new destinations. Museum District Day will feature fascinating exhibitions, hands-on activities, demonstrations and performances throughout the day. Seventeen museums will waive their general admission fee to offer the community the opportunity to enjoy the District\u2019s diverse displays of art, science, nature and history.<\/p>\n

Participating museums include:<\/h2>\n
    \n
  • Buffalo Soldiers National Museum<\/li>\n
  • Byzantine Fresco Chapel<\/li>\n
  • Children\u2019s Museum of Houston<\/li>\n
  • Contemporary Arts Museum Houston<\/li>\n
  • Czech Center Museum Houston<\/li>\n
  • Holocaust Museum Houston<\/li>\n
  • Houston Center for Contemporary Craft<\/li>\n
  • Houston Center for Photography<\/li>\n
  • Houston Museum of Natural Science<\/li>\n
  • The Health Museum<\/li>\n
  • The Jung Center<\/li>\n
  • The John C. Freeman Weather Museum<\/li>\n
  • Lawndale Art Center<\/li>\n
  • The Menil Collection<\/li>\n
  • Museum of Fine Arts, Houston<\/li>\n
  • Rice University Art Gallery<\/li>\n
  • Rothko Chapel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Please note \u2013 the Houston Zoo is not providing free general admission on Museum District Day. <\/em><\/p>\n

    Free performances, exhibits and hands-on activities for all ages:<\/h2>\n

    \u2022\tAward winning architecture creates the sacred setting for the two largest, most important examples of 13th-Century Byzantine wall paintings outside the orthodox world at the Byzantine Fresco Chapel.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tWith more than 90,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, activities abound at the Children\u2019s Museum of Houston. Families can learn the inner workings of electronics with a hands-on workshop Snap Circuits at the Inventors\u2019 Workshop, make a boat at the Science Station, in the Power Science Lab \u201clook\u201d inside the body by putting on the \u201corgan apron,\u201d unleash creativity to make a drawing at the Alexander Art Academy and so much more.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tEnjoy docent-led tours of The Spectacular of Vernacular and Perspectives 175: Marc Swanson: The Second Story at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tRelax at Czech Center Museum Houston. Enjoy tours of Brno Gallery, Wenceslas Chapel, the Presidents Room, Honor\/Memorial Courtyard and more. Experience Prague International Gifts for treasures and memories.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tAt The Health Museum enjoy live science Discovery Carts, Planet You 3D film, permanent exhibits, kids activities and special discounted $10 admission to the blockbuster exhibit: Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tBring care package items to the Holocaust Museum Houston for a United States armed forces solider coordinated by the Houston chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. Write a letter of support to a solider serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. This event is being held in conjunction with the Museum\u2019s exhibit, Ours to Fight For: American Jews in the Second World War.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tAt Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, meet local craft artists, shop the Contemporary Handweavers Sale and watch artist demonstrations during the annual \u201cGathering of the Guilds.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tEnjoy three exhibitions at Houston Center for Photography including: Selected People \u2013 Pelle Cass, Life Style –Adrian Fernandez and Learning Curve 5. Take advantage of a 25% discount on HCP membership. Enjoy free audio tours of each exhibition.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tBe part of the collaborative painting exhibition INSIDE-OUTSIDE Virtual Parade at The Jung Center. Use an assortment of images to create a collage of yourself and add it to the community collage.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tExplore five diverse exhibitions at Lawndale Art Center including: SOUTHERN\/PACIFIC, The Power of Negative Feedback, Mexicanos, A Time to Celebrate and Detritus. Also, check out Daniel Anguilu\u2019s mural on the north exterior wall on your drive down Main Street.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tVisit the four floors of Permanent Exhibit Halls at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and walk among the dinosaurs, gaze at the world\u2019s finest gem and mineral collection, visit with the resident Egyptian mummy\u2014Ankh-hap and marvel at some amazing artifacts from several Native American cultures.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tAt The Menil Collection explore all the nooks and crannies of the main museum and its satellite buildings, as well as the special exhibitions: Walter De Maria: Trilogies featuring pristine vintage Chevy Bel-Air autos, and The Whole World Was Watching: Civil Rights Era Photographs from Edmund Carpenter and Adelaide de Menil.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tIn addition to the vast collections at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, there are numerous special exhibitions and programs including: Life & Luxury: The Art of Living in Eighteenth Century Paris; Second Nature: Contemporary Landscapes from the MFAH Collection; Acid on Metal: The Art of Etching and Aquatint; The Spirit of Modernism: The John R. Eckel, Jr. Foundation Gift to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; and Simpson Kalisher: The Alienated Photographer. Visitors can enter to win a prize-pack in any MFAH lobby and can take $10 off a MFAH membership. Families can participate in activities throughout the day, from sketching in the galleries to exploring on their own with a museum looking activity. Guide by Cell Audio Tours will also be available.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tShare your memories of Hurricane Carla and Tropical Storm Allison at The John C. Freeman Weather Museum, as we remember the 50th anniversary of Carla and 10th anniversary of Allison and learn about how storms are named as you come up with your own list of Atlantic storm names.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tStop by Rice University Art Gallery to watch artist Ana Serrano create Salon of Beauty, an imaginary cardboard cityscape inspired by Serrano\u2019s colorful Los Angeles neighborhood. Relax and enjoy free ice cream and water in the shade of Live Oak trees.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tRothko Chapel, an internationally renowned intimate sanctuary formed around 14 monumental canvases by Mark Rothko, welcomes visitors from the world over who enter its doors for meditation, reflection, and immersion in the transformative power of art.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tAt St. Paul\u2019s Methodist Church, tour inside the modified English Gothic sanctuary and then walk the new outdoor labyrinth.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Special Event Times<\/h2>\n

    \u2022\t10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Meet KHOU-TV Channel 11 anchors and reporters at Houston Museum of Natural Science.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\t10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Create your own electronic circuits at the Snap Circuits booth in the Inventor\u2019s Workshop at the Children\u2019s Museum of Houston.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\t11 a.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Presented in collaboration with the Jewish Community Center, the Rothko Chapel presents vocalist Galeet Dardashti, in a lecture-demonstration on Mizrahi piyutim (liturgical poems), explaining their history and cultural significance for Jews living in the Muslim world. Audience members will hear, learn and sing some of these poetic songs and will learn about the songs\u2019 cultural and historical context from the Middle Ages to their new relevance in Israel over the last decade, as Israeli rock musicians have been offering their own renditions.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\t11 a.m. and 1 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    See two hilarious short films, A Dog\u2019s Life (1918) and A Day\u2019s Pleasure (1919), presented in the<\/p>\n

    original 35 mm form and featuring the great silent comedian Charlie Chaplain. Films screen in the<\/p>\n

    Brown Auditorium Theater in the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\t11 a.m. to 4 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    At Lawndale Art Center create snow globe souvenirs inspired by the exhibitions and decorate the back patio with sidewalk chalk.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\t11 a.m. to 3 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Witness performances about the life of a Buffalo Soldier at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum every hour on the hour.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\t11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Three Holocaust survivors will share their stories of tragedy and triumph at Holocaust Museum Houston.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\t12 p.m. and 2 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Enjoy film and review of 1289 piece Czech Art Glass\/Ceramics at Czech Museum Center Houston.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\t1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    On The Menil Collection\u2019s front promenade experience the \u201cDivine Rhythm & United Motion\u201d of award-winning reggae\/world music band D.R.U.M. Also, while supplies last, pick-up FREE full-color exhibition posters.<\/p>\n

    \u2022\t3 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Participate in Tai Chi led by Henderson Smith on the grounds of the Rothko Chapel near the reflecting pool and Barnett Newman\u2019s sculpture Broken Obelisk. The class is suitable for beginners and experienced Tai Chi practitioners. Loose fitting, comfortable clothes are recommended. Henderson Smith is the founder of Living Well Therapies and is a certified instructor in Tai Chi.<\/p>\n

    Beat the heat with refreshments at these locations:<\/h2>\n

    \u2022 FREE lemonade at Lawndale Art Center (while supplies last)<\/p>\n

    \u2022 FREE ice cream and water at Rice University Art Gallery (while supplies last)<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tCafe Express in the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston\u2019s Beck Building (for purchase)<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tKids\u2019 Caf\u00e9 at the Children\u2019s Museum of Houston (for purchase)<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tMcDonald\u2019s in the Houston Museum of Natural Science (for purchase)<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tGood Dog Hot Dogs Food Truck in The Menil Collection parking lot (for purchase)<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tNo Border Food Truck at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (for purchase)<\/p>\n

    \u2022\tIce cream, snacks and water at The Health Museum (for purchase)<\/p>\n

    Parking and Shuttles<\/h2>\n

    Free and paid parking is available within the Houston Museum District. Please visit http:\/\/www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org to view parking options. Visitors are encouraged to park at or near one of the participating museum and then hop on one of the free shuttles to tour the District and go from museum to museum throughout the day. Museum District Day guests can also take the METRORail to the Museum District station near the MFAH and walk to nearby museums.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Museum District Day is made possible by the 17 participating museums, KHOU-TV Channel 11, the Houston Museum District Association, ExxonMobil and the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.<\/p>\n

    CultureMap Houston, Greensheet, Houston Public Radio \u2013 KUHF News 88.7 FM & Classical 91.7 FM,<\/p>\n

    Houston Family Magazine, Houston Arts Alliance and RadioDisney have provided media support for Museum District Day 2011.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    About the Houston Museum District Association<\/p>\n

    An international destination, the Houston Museum District Association (HMDA) is comprised of 18 member museums, which annually welcome more than seven million visitors. The member museums showcase the worlds of art, science, nature and history to expand the human experience.<\/p>\n

    Member museums include: Buffalo Soldiers National Museum; Byzantine Fresco Chapel; Children\u2019s Museum of Houston; Contemporary Arts, Museum Houston; Czech Center Museum Houston; The Health Museum; Holocaust Museum Houston; Houston Center for Contemporary Craft; Houston Center for Photography; Houston Museum of Natural Science; Houston Zoo; The John C. Freeman Weather Museum; The Jung Center of Houston; Lawndale Art Center; The Menil Collection; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Rice University Art Gallery; and Rothko Chapel.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Looking for some FREE family fun this weekend? You can’t go wrong with a visit to one of 17 Houston museums that will be open for FREE this Saturday, September 17, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. for Houston Museum District Day! (Or, try to visit all 17, if you dare!) On a personal […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":125,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[572,455],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-free-events","category-texas"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/125"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13587"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13587\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}