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Hello, GISH PICKS reader!
Welcome to my world and to my words. I am Sarah Gish and I adore Houston, the most diverse city in the country. I have been writing this blog, subtitled CURATED CULTURE FOR KIDS & ADULTS, since 2004.
I focus on my passion to amplify unique Houston arts and culture events and organizations by PICK-ing their weekend happenings. I am an artist and writer and teacher and I am very involved with the art car community, having made 5 "daily driver" art cars since 2003. My current car, Iggy the Igniter is integral to my art project, Ignite Your Life!, which is at the center of all that I create and all that I do.
Let's have fun! Every week my blog will be topped with a photo relating to Houston's arts and culture, or perhaps a good story. Click on it and enjoy the surprise of where it takes you.
I love to ignite lives and create connections and my words and my art are some of the ways I do that.
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Thanks for joining me
in my explorations
of creative Houston!
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Before you scroll through this week's PICKS:
please note that there are links connected to the boldfaced words in BLUE, and there are links
connected to all PICKS images.
And!
Scroll to the bottom for info on how to support this blog and to see an EXCITING FEATURE: a list of weekend events of one art form (theatre, dance, music, visual art, literary, film) that I publish weekly. Also down yonder, you can read my QUICK THOUGHTS and see this week's VIDEO PICK and click on links to my ROUND-UPS of Houston thangs such as
indie bookstores & my fave nature spots.
Also!
At the very bottom you'll find more about me and my offerings of ways I can help you increase your personal peace, including private consultations, labyrinth walks, and workshops. My Artist Portfolio is there too so please view and enjoy!
One more thing...
If you click on a Facebook link -- and aren't on that platform -- the statement "Safari cannot open the page because the address is invalid" might pop up. Click "ok" then click on the "x" on the image of me where it says "See more from Sarah Gish"
and you'll get to the post.
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If you read this online, or it was forwarded to you --
SUBSCRIBE NOW and you'll never have to miss an edition.
And if you want me to promote your event...CONTACT ME!
| | WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 26, 2026 | | |
Join Newbery Medalist Meg Medina
for Inprint Cool Brains! Series
This Sunday, March 1 at 3pm (doors at 2:30pm)
at Meyerland PVA
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Celebrate the launch of Medina's newest novel, Graciela in the Abyss, at this free, public event; the first 100 families will receive a free copy. The program includes a presentation and Q&A with Meg Medina, followed by a meet-and-greet, book signing, and book sale.
Pre-show activities:
2:15 pm -- “Make Your Own Clam” coloring activity
2:45 pm -- Musical storytelling: Symba and the Lobster
Meg Medina, former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and author of the Newbery Medal–winning Merci Suárez Changes Gears, brings a new magical adventure that dives deep beneath the ocean waves.
In Graciela in the Abyss, Graciela has lived over a century at the ocean’s depths, crafting sea glass and helping her friend Amina welcome newly awakened sea ghosts. On land, twelve-year-old Jorge Leon discovers a magical harpoon that threatens these spirits. Together, Graciela and Jorge must stop dark forces and protect both the living and the dead. This unique story explores courage, friendship, and the extraordinary power hidden in the depths of the ocean -- and within ourselves.
CLICK ON IMAGES FOR MORE INFO
AND HERE FOR FREE TICKETS.
| | ********************************************************************* | | Bisong Art Gallery presents The Black Experience: Past, Present, and Future, a special exhibition during Black History Month. It closes out this Saturday, February 28 from 1-5pm. It's a powerful show that explores the richness, resilience, and evolution of the Black experience through art, storytelling, and community engagement. CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE INFO. | | |
Young Audiences of Houston has teamed up with the Children's Museum Houston to present a Black History Month Series. The celebration concludes tonight (Thursday, February 26) with their weekly Thursday Free Family Night from 5-8pm. Tonight's feature will be African Rhythms & Spirituals at 6:30pm and Hair Love! from
5-8pm. CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE INFO.
| | Urban Souls never disappoints: their dramatic performance of Truth Be Told is their annual Black History Month performance, this year celebrating 100 years of BHM. It's taking place at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts tonight (Thursday, 2/26) and tomorrow night (Friday, 2/27). This year's concert honors the stories, ancestors, and cultural legacies that shape the Black experience. CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE INFO. | The exhibition Mud + Corn + Stone + Blue traces the intertwined histories of the U.S. and Central America, linking Cold War conflicts, U.S. agricultural policy, and migration. Featuring artists from the affected regions, it uses personal and familial experience to fill historical gaps. It's on view at Blaffer through 3/14 and Lawndale 2/28-5/2. CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE INFO. | Join violinist Dominika Dancewicz and pianist Alina Klimaszewska, also known as The Polish Duo, from 4-5:30pm this Sunday, 3/1 for a free performance of breathtaking music by Czech, Norwegian, and British composers. The concert is hosted by St.John’s Presbyterian Church and it is a part of SJPC’s Lenten Arts Series. CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE INFO. | | HCAS members are invited to a free 10am screening of Disney and Pixar's upcoming film, HOPPERS this Saturday, February 28 at 10am. (Not a member? Become one today for only $50 a year!). The storyline: Scientists can now transfer human consciousness into robotic animals. Animal lover Mabel uses the tech to explore the animal world, uncovering unimaginable secrets. CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE INFO. | River Oaks Theatre presents Kids Camp: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST this Saturday, February 28 at 12:30pm. The movie is based on the classic fairy tale of Belle, a bright, curious young woman who dreams of adventure. When her father stumbles into a mysterious castle and is held prisoner by a fearsome Beast, Belle bravely offers to take his place and becomes the Beast’s captive.Tickets are $14. CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE INFO. | This Sunday, March 1 from 1-5pm, celebrate the Year of the Horse at the free family-friendly Winter Festival presented by The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and H-E-B. Enjoy art-making activities with family and friends, watch musical and dance performances, and indulge in foods representing a variety of Asian cuisines, available for purchase from local vendors. CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE INFO. | | ********************************************************************* | | |
This week's VIDEO PICK features beloved former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner who died in 2025. He is part of my IGNITE YOUR LIFE! art project -- I recorded this video and shot a photo of him in 2017. His enthusiasm for Houston matches mine, and he was very instrumental in saving the River Oaks Theatre. Turner was a friend of mine, and I'm grateful that he let me photograph and film him!
His photo, and that of 13 others who have died, will be in my upcoming FotoFest Participating Spaces show from March 8 through May 3 at the Unity of Houston's Art Gallery in the Bookstore building, 2929 Unity Drive. It's poignant and heart-warming to hear their words and voices and to see their faces. May they all rest in peace.
Click on the image and check my Ignite Your Life! Facebook page for all the details & updates. Come to my opening celebration on Sunday, March 8, 11am-2pm! I've got events happening throughout the run of the show which you can access on the Facebook page. I'll also be sending out a missive with all the deets in one place soon!
Visitors to the show can click on a QR code to get to my YouTube playlist of a few folks who have passed away, and another QR code to get to my Spotify playlist, "Playing with Death." The community is encouraged to bring copies of photos to hang on my "Memento photo-line" and there will be other surprises in the show!
It will be quite an experience...please join me.
| | Here are a few other things happening 'round town: Main Street Theater is wrapping up their presentation of the thought-provoking regional premiere of the play The Coast Starlight this Sunday, March 1; Houston Contemporary Dance Company presents LOCALISH this Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28; The Hair Salon: Black Hair as Architecture is a talk at the Houston Public Library's African American History Research Center at the Gregory School this Saturday, February 28 from 2-4pm; Blackball: Baseball, Barbecue, and Blues is on view through June 30 at the Houston Freedmen's Town Conservancy Visitor Center; Arthouse Houston is screening the film Three Colors: Blue at the River Oaks Theatre next Tuesday, March 3 -- they are also fast and furiously saving the Garden Oaks Theater from the wrecking ball and you can help with that effort by clicking here; the 18th annual Indian Film Festival of Houston is in town Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28; Robert Rauschenberg: Fabric Works of the 1970s at the Menil Collection is closing this Sunday, March 1; and the local modern folk band, Traveler, is playing at Bohemeos this Friday, February 27. | | |
Happy Arts & Culture Weekend!
(and hey, keep scrollin' -- there's more below)
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In case you missed it: I am sober (and have been for a long time)! Click on the photo of 20-something me for more about my recovery story, which began many moons ago in 1985. I love sobriety and all that it’s brought me, and I want to encourage anyone struggling with addiction to give it a try.
Feel free to contact me anytime about this! I love speaking to groups or doing workshops so reach out and let's change the world. The best way to catch me is by phone -- 713.492.1173.
Houston has so many resources: the best place is to start with Alcoholics Anonymous Houston. If it's SOBER PICKS you want, there are a myriad of fun activities without booze created by the Party Sober Partnership, The Phoenix, Sober Girls Houston, and Sober Recreation Committee as well as by healing organizations such as The Center for Healing Arts and Sciences, and others throughout the Greater Houston area. Check 'em out and have clear-headed fun.
| | ****************************************************************************** | | Click on each image below for my ROUND-UPS! | | |
HIRE ME!
If you want to learn ways of getting centered ~
or igniting your life ~
or getting your creative juices flowing ~
or finding your purpose ~
click on the images below for more about my work and then please contact me if I can be of service at 713.492.1173.
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If you'd like to support my passion to amplify our community of artists, nature spots, farmers markets, vegan eating, indie bookstores, and arts & culture organizations, click here to donate ANY amount of money to my company using your credit card or PayPal account. Please note that your donation is not tax deductible.
You can also pay me via Venmo (@Sarah-Gish) or Zelle (713 492 1173). Or, if you'd prefer to snail mail me a check, that's great! Please make the check payable to Gish Creative and mail it to: Gish Creative, 1940-A Fountainview Drive, PMB 116, Houston, Texas 77057.
You can also support my blog and promote your event or organization by purchasing ads. Please email me for my rate card, demographics, and more information. I'd love to help you reach my wildly loyal readers.
Thank you so much!
| | Alrighty -- time to log off and go enjoy Houston art & culture! | | P.S. I have 2 lists for GISH PICKS -- one for adults and one for families. Each list gets the same blog weekly -- both also get separate targeted emails. You can be on both lists or just one if you wish -- it's super easy! Just scroll down and click on "Update Profile" (see pic above). | | |
P.P.S. I made a decision about my writing of this blog during this time when there are so many negative things swirling around and lives being upended and the White House being destroyed because of our current presidential administration. I am keeping up with that and am speaking out and taking action in ways I think are most effective. I am doing what I can to make changes and to aid people whose lives are being affected. I have been tempted to address how that affects the arts each week but that feels too heavy.
Instead: I pray that GISH PICKS will serve as a beacon of hope and a continued amplifier of local arts and all that is good as we experience this unprecedented time together. For over 20 years I have presented Houston's diversity of art forms and communities and ideas -- and that will not stop. My heart is with you, and with all of us. Please join me in protecting our democracy! You can start here.
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