Houston Community News >> Bayou Bend Free Family Day
10/14/2007- Houston—Bayou Bend
Collection and Gardens presents the music and stories of American immigrants in
Coming to America, a free Family Day on Sunday, October 21, on the grounds of
the 14-acre estate at 1 Westcott Street off of Memorial Drive. The event also
features art-making activities for children and their families, and tours of the
first floor of the historic home. Hours are 1 to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4
p.m.
Bayou Bend, the American decorative arts center of the Museum of Fine Arts,
Houston, hosts a free Family Day the third Sunday of each month from September
through May.
On October 21, Scott Baumgardner, past president of the Houston Storyteller’s
Guild, tells stories and tall tales of the men and women who came to America in
search of a better life at 2 and 3:30 p.m. on the East Terrace.
Two musical performances are planned on the Diana Terrace:
· At 1:15 p.m., Jawad presents The Roots of American Music. The performance
examines the artistic and historical contributions Paul Robeson, Robert Johnson,
and Duke Ellington have made to American music through folk, blues, and jazz,
respectively. The program also includes Jawad’s original compositions from each
genre.
· At 3 p.m., Trio X Two presents Hands Across the Sea. The program illustrates
how music brought to America influenced composers such as Scott Joplin and
Stephen Foster, and how, in turn, American music influenced European composers
from the late 1800s to the present. Among the selections to be performed are
works by Grieg, Dvorak, Beethoven, Debussy, Arnold, and Bolling.
Craft activities offered from 1 to 4:30 p.m. are:
· Miniature Mayflowers. Participants can create boats from paper and egg cartons
while hearing about various explorers who came to America.
· Passports. Participants can create their own travel document, then get it
stamped at various locations on the grounds.
In addition to the outdoor activities, first floor rooms of the house are open
to all ages for tours led by volunteers from the Houston Junior Woman’s Club.
Guests also can register for prizes, which are given away at during the
afternoon.
About Bayou Bend and Family Day
Just minutes from downtown, Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens showcases the
American decorative arts collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Housed
in the former residence of the late Houston philanthropist and collector Miss
Ima Hogg, the collection is displayed in over 20 room settings that trace the
evolution of style in America from the colonial period to the mid-19th century.
Visitors can stroll through the surrounding 14 acres of formal gardens and paths
bordered by native bayou woodlands.
Bayou Bend’s Family Day programs are designed to encourage adults and children
to explore American history. Each month features a different theme and a variety
of related activities and performances geared toward educating and entertaining
children. On Family Day, volunteers from the Houston Junior Woman’s Club show
visitors the first floor of Bayou Bend.
(Bayou Bend: 713-639-7750; MFAH: 713-639-7300)