Houston: City of Culture

Houston may be better known as a thriving metropolis with a deep water port and huge oil industry but the image of longhorns and cowboy boots is a misnomer.  Houston boasts one of the most culturally diverse and active communities in the United States and the world – in fact, Houston is one of the few places west of the Mississippi which has permanent, year round resident companies in all of the major performing arts!

The wealth that has been created by oil, shipping and more latterly, aerospace and biotechnology industries has not simply been allowed to build a bold city of the future.  Culture and art has long played a part in the life of Houston from its very earliest days and many foreign performers vie to come to Houston to join one of the several internationally renowned performing arts companies that make their home here.

Museums abound in Houston dealing with fine art, natural science, printing, oil, shipping and history but Houston is world famous for its performing arts and here we shall be taking a brief look at what this great city has got to offer.

Houston Symphony

The Houston Symphony was founded in 1913 and is one of the oldest performing symphonies in the United States with an enviable reputation worldwide.  Currently, the Houston Symphony is led by internationally acclaimed conductor, Hans Graf and who is the latest in a long line of musical directors who have developed the Houston Symphony into a world renowned performing organization including Sir John Barbirolli and Andre Previn..

The Houston Symphony puts on more than 170 concerts in a very busy season but is also to be found playing around the world and at home in Houston as part of its outreach program to bring music to the people.

The Houston Ballet

The Houston Ballet came into being in the 1950′s and has experienced a resurgence in the last ten years with a revitalized company and under the leadership of Stanton Welch, the Artistic Director for the company.

The Houston Ballet has established a very busy season at home which is complemented by a heavy worldwide touring schedule including performances at the Bolshoi in Moscow and the Royal Ballet in London.  The current season is focused upon the worldwide premiere of Marie, a ballet covering the life and times of Marie Antoinette in keeping with the company’s reputation for daring and intrepid new works, largely in conjunction with the American Ballet Theater.

The Houston Grand Opera

The Houston Grand Opera or HGO, is one of the most renowned American opera companies today with an international reputation that is second to none.  HGO has long been regarded as an innovative and adventurous house with productions including Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess, Adam’s Nixon in China and Joplin’s Treemonisha.  There is a wide variety of skill and virtuosity at work with in the HGO and the cast generally as well as individual performers are in demand around the world.

The season is very well attended and you are highly advised to book your tickets well in advance of your trip to Houston if you are to avoid disappointment.

The Best Museums in Houston

Houston is one of the largest metropolis’ in the United States and has a long cultural history given its huge wealth and multicultural diversity.  Many people fail to understand just what a culturally diverse city Houston truly is until they discover the reality for themselves and here we are going to take a look at some of the best museums in Houston providing one of the very best and interesting days out for you and your family when you come to visit.

Houston Children’s Museum

The Children’s Museum is a playground for the mind with the young and young at heart firmly set as its focus.  The Children’s Museum provides a very wide range of interactive exhibits for children to actually touch and play with as they go through one of the most interesting and educational experiences Houston has to offer.

The itinerary changes as the museum adapts its exhibits to the changing seasons and you should always check well in advance of your trip for events that are being held as they tend to be sold out and latecomers sorely disappointed.

Museum of Fine Art

The Museum of Fine Art also is home to the Glassell School of Art and is home to one of the largest fine art collections in the world.  There is a varied program of events and educational activities held throughout the year and you should consult with the museum well in advance of your visit to avoid missing out on their high in demand events.  The museum plays host to tremendously important collections of early Native American art as well as housing one of the most important collections of European art outside Europe or within the United States.

The garden also provides a focus for visitors and there are numerous evening and social events planned around the museum calendar.

The Health Museum

Houston is one of the world’s leading centers for medical research and the Health Museum forms part of the world renowned Texas Medical Center.  Here you can explore the medical advances which have taken place allowing us to live longer and healthier lives than ever before while looking at the research that is being carried out to find cures for illnesses that still plague mankind.

Children and families can enjoy what is a thoroughly interesting day out which includes many interactive exhibits as well as organized play sessions for younger visitors.

Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is home to one of the greatest collections of exhibits featuring the natural world, archaeology and continuing research in the world.  Currently the world famous Bodyworks exhibition is being featured and a visit to the Houston Museum of Natural Science is a real family treat with a day of enjoying fascinating exhibitions from around the world rounded off with an evening at the IMAX theater which has a busy schedule of films for all the family.

Again you are advised to make sure you check with the museum regarding the special events that are planned throughout the year and which are frequently fully booked; do not be disappointed by arriving in Houston only to find you cannot get a ticket to an event – the museum is extremely popular both with visitors and residents alike and has a very heavy school visitor program.