Culture Festival - October 2008
2008 SGI-USA Houston Culture Festival: Performing for Peace
Saturday, October 4, 2008
2:00 – 6:00 pm
Dow School Green @ MECA (an outdoor venue)
1900 Kane Street
Houston, Texas 77007 [map]
Celebrate peace and culture at the 2008 Culture Festival - Performing for Peace. Join SGI-USA at MECA in historic Sixth Ward Saturday, October 4th from 2 to 6 pm. Located at 1900 Kane Street in downtown Houston, this year’s annual festival will feature live dance and music performances from across the globe, as well as Taiko drumming, hip hop, spoken word, string and vocal performances, and many local musicians and artists. Admission is free. SGI-USA is a world peace organization based on the teachings and philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism, which places the highest emphasis on the sanctity of life, peace throughout the world, and the happiness of all humanity.
Order your Festival T-shirt and other merchandise online at www.cafepress.com/CultureFest2008
Unity Culture Festival
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SGI Culture Festival?
This SGI-USA Houston presents the 2008 Culture Festival – Performing for Peace. The festival will feature live dance and music performances from across the globe, including Taiko drumming, hip hop, spoken word, ethnic dance, string and vocal performances, and other local musicians and artists.
Most of the performers are SGI members, showcasing the wide variety of talent that members of our organization possess, representing many different countries, including Japan, Thailand, India, China, Korea and the United States.
SGI-USA is a world peace organization based on the teachings and philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism, which places the highest emphasis on the sanctity of life, peace throughout the world, and the happiness of all humanity.
When is the festival?
Saturday, October 4, 2008
2:00 – 6:00 pm
Where is the festival?
Dow School Green at MECA
1900 Kane Street
Houston, TX 77007 [map]
MECA (Multicultural Education & Counseling through the Arts) is a non-profit organization located in an old school building in Houston’s Historic 6th Ward. The Dow School Green is their outdoor lawn area that includes a covered stage and grassy slope for audience seating. The lawn has a number of tall trees that provide some shade cover. It is recommended that festival guests bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets to sit on and sunscreen and hats for protection from the sun.
Directions from I-45 N
Head South on I-45 S
Take exit 49A toward Quitman St.
Merge onto N Fwy
Turn Right at White Oak Drive
Turn Left at Houston Avenue
Turn Right at Washington Avenue
Turn Left at Sabine Street
Turn right at Kane Street
MECA is on the corner of Kane and Silver Streets
Directions from I-45 S
Head North on I-45 N
Merge onto Houston Avenue
Turn Left at Washington Avenue
Turn Left at Sabine Street
Turn Right at Kane Street
MECA is on the corner of Kane and Silver Streets
Directions from I-59 headed northbound towards downtown
Head North on I-59 from the West
Exit onto I-610 N
Take exit 11 to merge onto I-10 E toward Downtown
Take exit 767B for Taylor Street
Continue on Sawyer St.
Turn Left at Washington Avenue
Turn Right at Silver Street
MECA is on the corner of Kane and Silver Streets
Directions from I-10 headed westbound towards downtown
Head West on I-10 W
Take exit 767B for Taylor Street
Turn Left at Taylor St.
Continue on Sawyer St.
Turn Left at Washington Avenue
Turn Right at Silver Street
MECA is on the corner of Kane and Silver Streets
Where will I be able to park?
Festival attendees can park for free on the surrounding neighborhood streets. Please be aware of any neighborhood parking signs. Carpooling is highly encouraged.
How much does it cost?
Nothing! It’s FREE.
Can I bring my friends who are non-SGI members?
Yes, please! The festival is being promoted widely to the Greater Houston areas and especially to the surrounding Old Sixth Ward, Heights, and River Oaks, and Montrose areas.
How many people do you expect to attend?
1000+
What type of performances can I expect to see?
Multi-ethnic dance, vocal performance, string ensemble, hip hop dance, Japanese dance, spoken word, Taiko drumming and more!
Will food be provided or available for purchase?
No; however, we encourage festival attendees to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Recycling bins will be provided for plastic and glass bottles.
What else should I bring?
Festival attendees may consider bringing the following:
- umbrella (for protection from sun or rain)
- lawn chairs and/or picnic blanket
- food and non-alcoholic beverages
- protection from the sun (hat, sunscreen, etc.)
- insect repellant
Can I bring my dog(s)?
Please leave pets at home. City Ordinance prohibits bringing pets to outdoor festivals.
Will there be first aid stations?
Yes, there will be at least one first aid station located at the main festival booth.
Is the festival information on a website that I could give my friends?
Join our Myspace page at www.myspace.com/sgi_culturefestival2008
Join our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1133076048
