In non-pandemic times, and since I started publishing this blog in 2004, it has been a space to promote my curated list of unique live Houston area cultural events (PICKS) on the weekend for adults and kids (see the archive here). Because of COVID-19, those haven't happened since mid-March so I re-worked the format to focus on 5 Houston-based arts & culture organizations in my (Almost) Daily Dose of ARTS PICKS blog each of the NINE weeks of quarantine. You can see each edition - and read about 45 arts groups! - here.
 
And now -- (yippee!) -- some of Houston's art spaces are opening up and I'm starting a new feature: my  ⭐️ ARTS PICKS Spotlight ⭐️ . Each week, I will let you know about a space that is open along with details of all their activities and a video to bring them to life. I'll keep doing that until live events start happening again on a larger scale.

My spotlight this week is the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum , which is re-opening to the public this Friday (6/19) and Saturday (6/20) from 10am-4pm with a free Juneteenth event. You must get timed tickets in advance here . Please note that children 3 years old and up -- and all adults -- must wear masks.

This Friday, June 19 is the national Juneteenth holiday. Here's a little tidbit ya'll might not know about Juneteenth: it started in Texas! It commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union general Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston that all previously enslaved people in Texas were free. 

The history of the Buffalo Soldiers is important to know, especially as our country grapples with civil rights once again.
Please read this edition of my blog for my thoughts about the movement we are in now and for a list of anti-racism resources and Houston's black arts organizations. One of the best ways to make change is to support art and culture -- as people are educated, minds are opened.

There's a related event I want to let you know about:  Rice University is inaugurating an annual lecture series to commemorate Juneteenth, "Reflections on Juneteenth and America's Racial Legacy Lectures," this Friday. The keynote speaker from 1-2pm will be Captain Paul J. Matthews, Founder and Chairman of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. The event will be virtual and you can get the Zoom link here (the password is 534521). 

VIDEO OF BUFFALO SOLDIERS NATIONAL MUSEUM

I'll be adjusting GISH PICKS to continue informing you while helping Houston's wonderful arts groups spread the word.  Like I'm sure you are, I am VERY ready to go to movies, plays, concerts, and more! When that happens, my blog will once again become a spot where I curate cool weekend events -- 3 PICKS for adults and 3 PICKS for kids .  I look forward to browsing through hundreds of live events again.

In the meantime: please enjoy my weekly spotlights, and please stay healthy!

Sincerely,

Sarah Gish
713.492.1173

P.S. If you want to IGNITE YOUR LIFE now or anytime, check out my list of "12 Ways to Ignite Your Life Daily" -- and watch the 12 videos I recently made about each Way  here. I'm very proud of that list and my work and I hope it will help you live a better life. Meditation, taking care of yourself, enjoying life, and laughing -- plus more! -- is what will get us through this global pandemic.