Grace Foundation Takes Houston

Musician Patrice Pikeis known the world over as an uber creative, remarkably tiny human with a big talent. Most fans don't realise her formative years were spent living with friends because of the specialty school she attended for her talents. It gave her a special perspective of being an included outsider. That feeling is something that sicks with you. So while having dinner with a friend in 2006 when the conversation came up about a girl named Grace, Pike was all ears, and heart.  Grace was in a similar situation to Patrice when she was younger but worse. Grace was sick and in need of life saving heart surgery. At that moment Patrice and Todd Young decided to do something about the problem of young people being homeless. That was the genesis of the Grace Foundation.  The Grace Foundation of Texas responds to the financial gap that exists for young adults who have survived childhood/teenage homelessness and have aged out of the existing support systems currently available to them.

The Grace Foundationhas expanded across the great state of Texas over the past 3 years and put down some deep roots here in Houston November 21st at Warehouse Live! Warehouse was a very generous donor by offering the entire venue for our party! A sold out crowd of over 150 enjoyed dinner from Berryhill Tamale, drinks from Tommy Bahamma Rum and Zipang Sparkling Sake. While Patrice did her thing on stage, Artist Rolando Diaz literally took a blank canvas and created a work of art right there on stage live! His work is displayed around the globe and a documentary about his life and career titled Recapturing Cuba won two awards at the Sundance Film Festival.  The best part was the painting was auctioned off as the cornerstone piece during the live auction - while it was still wet...for over $8,000.00!!! It was a great fundraising evening! Other stellar sponsors that came together to make the evening such a huge success are Southwest Airlines, Methodist Hospital, Disney and Spot On Public Relations and Dish-Houston.com.

Crowd Notables: Patrice Pike, Tammy Dowe, Beth Younger, Lori Freese, Todd Parker, Todd Young, Jared Lang, Andrew Lindquist, Uchenna Agu, Jennifer Roosth.

CLICK HEREfor Todd Parker's Photos from the evening!

What to Buy....

Oh DISHES! Shopping is tough for folks. We mostly buy what we want for ourselves rather than ask for it from others at the holidays and birthdays. More over...some people tend to try to give gifts to people to make them like them. A boy called DISH just the other day asking what to buy for a girl he likes...DISH'S response was if you knew her well enough you would know what to buy her. Clearly it was too soon to buy her things.

We digress....CLICK HERE for the coolest and most unique gift ideas. From the Houston ZOO, to locally owned businesses like M2M Style Lounge, DISH is the best place to shop!

Happy Holidays DISHES!

Local School Kids Bring A Christmas Carol to Life - Live

This holiday season a group of 25 area youth will join the Alley Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas.  These young actors will be working with the Alley's Company of Actors to tell the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge's journey with the three ghosts that visit him on Christmas Eve.  Houston's seasonal favorite that the Houston Press said, ".....has spectacular London sets ... the inimitable Dickens tale -- spiced with the usual fog and an unusual twist on the ghosts past present and future." A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas returns this year with a re-telling of Charles Dickens' classic story that follows Ebenezer Scrooge's journey with the three ghosts that visit him on Christmas Eve. A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas instills a powerful message about redemption and the spirit of the holiday season. The dazzling production is created by Tony Award winning scenic designer Tony Straiges (Alley's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), costumes by Alejo Vietti (Alley's Cyrano de Bergerac, The Scene, Tryst, Orson's Shadow), lighting by Rui Rita (Alley's Cyrano de Bergerac, To Kill a Mockingbird, Bad Dates), and original music by John Gromada (Alley's Subject to Fits, The Pillowman).

A Christmas Carol is sponsored by Lead Sponsor ConocoPhillips and Supporting Sponsor Apache and Ernst & Young LLP. The Alley Theatre is supported by the 2009-2010 season sponsor Continental Airlines, the official airline of the Alley Theatre.

More than half of the cast is comprised of young actors.  The cast members are from various neighborhoods in the Houston metropolitan area including Spring, Cy-Fair, West University, Meyerland, League City and Memorial. These young actors are being transported to Victorian England and bringing this classic tale of redemption to life. The group is divided into two teams - one called the "green team" and the other called the "red team" that alternate performances.  The young actors in A Christmas Carol include: 

Ally Fleischhauer, 11 - CyFair
Ally Fleischhauer is in the 6th grade at Bleyl Middle School and this is her 2nd year in A Christmas Carol.  Her sisters Bryn and Kyla are also in A Christmas Carol. Fleischhauer's holiday wish is to see snow.
 
Bryn Fleischhauer, 9 - CyFair
Bryn Fleischhauer is in the 3rd grade at Matzke Elementary and wanted to be in A Christmas Carol because she "saw how much fun her sister Ally had last year." She wants to be a dancer when she grows up and her favorite holiday movie is How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Kyla Fleischhauer, 7 - CyFair
Kyla Fleischhauer is in the 1st grade at Matzke Elementary and wants to be teacher when she grows up.  Her favorite Alley Theatre production is A Christmas Carol and she is looking forward to Wonderland.

David Heaton, 12 - Cy Fair
Heaton is in the 7th grade at Arnold Middle School and this is his 3rd year to participate in A Christmas Carol. Heaton says being in A Christmas Carol "is a great experience and lots of fun" and he wants to be an actor when he grows up.

Chantellie Wesley, 6 - Golfcrest
Chantellie Wesley is in the 1st grade and Poe Elementary and this is her 1st year in A Christmas Carol. Her favorite holiday movie is Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and she loves science, art and plays the violin.

Dylan Lambert, 12 - Kingwood
Dylan Lambert is in the 6th grade at St. Martha Catholic School and this is his 1st year in A Christmas Carol.  His favorite holiday movie is The Polar Express.

Xavier Lehew, 12 - League City
Xavier Lehew is in the 7th grade and his favorite holiday movie is A Christmas Story.  Lehew is on the swim team and plays the guitar.

Fritz Eagleton, 12 - Memorial
Fritz Eagleton is in the 7th grade at Hamilton Middle School and this is his 2nd year in A Christmas Carol. He is involved in theatre, karate and Odyssey of the Mind.

Winch Eagleton, 7 - Memorial
Winch Eagleton is in the 2nd grade at Harvard Elementary and this is his 3rd year in A Christmas Carol. His favorite holiday movie is Christmas Vacation.

Artemis Melania Postolos, 7 - Memorial
Artemis Melania Postolos is in the 1st grade at Annunciation Orthodox School. Her brother played Tiny Tim for 4 years and she loves playing Tiny Tim "because he is a famous character and important to the story's message."

Catherine Ribbeck, 9 - Memorial
Catherine Ribbeck is in the 4th grade at The Kinkaid School and her holiday wish is to "spend more time with my family."  Her favorite holiday movies are A Year Without a Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

Liam Conner, 10 - Meyerland
Liam Conner is in the 4th grade at St. Thomas More and this is his 1st year in A Christmas Carol. His favorite production at the Alley Theatre is Sherlock Holmes and the Crucifer of Blood and he plays soccer and basketball.

Reagan Lukefahr, 13 - Spring
Reagan Lukefahr is in the 8th grade at Knox Junior High. This is her first year in A Christmas Carol and she is "honored to be able to work with such amazing actors."  Her favorite holiday movie is How the Grinch Stole Christmas and she loves to dance and sing.

Rissa Medlenka, 9 - Spring
Rissa Medlenka is in the 4th grade and she enjoys being in A Christmas Carol and "being a part of a Houston tradition."  Her favorite Alley Theatre production is Our Town and her favorite holiday movie is How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Cody Smith, 7 - River Oaks
Cody Smith is in the 2nd grade at The Kinkaid School. This is his 1st year and he wanted to be in A Christmas Carol because he "studied Charles Dickens last year in school."  He participates in tae kwon do and tennis.

Marion Strauss, 12 - River Oaks
Marion Strauss is in the 7th grade at Lanier Middle School and this is her 3rd year in A Christmas Carol. She loves being in A Christmas Carol "because everyone is like a big family" and she wants to be an actress when she grows up.

Sarah Swackhamer, 9 - River Oaks
Sarah Swackhamer is in the 4th grade at The Fay School and this is her 3rd year in A Christmas Carol. She wants to be chef when she grows up and her favorite holiday movie is A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Evan Leigh Thornton, 10 -River Oaks
Evan Leigh Thornton is in the 5th grade at The Fay School and she wanted to be in A Christmas Carol "because I had seen my 3 older sisters in it and I wanted to be part of the fun." Thornton's favorite holiday movie is The Santa Claus.

Ashton Lambert, 9 - Westchase
Ashton Lambert is in the 4th grade at The Kinkaid School and this is his 3rd year in A Christmas Carol. His favorite production at the Alley Theatre is A Christmas Carol or Treasure Island.

Duncan Lambert, 6 - Westchase
Duncan Lambert is in the 1st grade at The Kinkaid School and he wants to be a math teacher when he grows up.  His favorite holiday movie is Home Alone and he wanted to be in A Christmas Carol "to have fun."

Madeleine Ginty, 13 - West University
Madeleine Ginty is in the 8th grade at the Duchesne Academy and this is her 4th year in A Christmas Carol. Her favorite holiday movie is Its a Very Merry Muppet Christmas and her favorite production at the Alley Theatre is Cyrano de Bergerac.

Sophia Jolie Groen, 7 - West University
Groen is in the 1st grade at St. John's School and this is her first year in A Christmas Carol.  Groen plays Tiny Tim and if she could play another character she would want to be "the Ghost of Christmas Future because he is scary."

Rock L Morille, 11 - West University
Rock L Morille is in the 6th grade at First Presbyterian and this is his 1st year in A Chirstmas Carol.  Morille has participated in several productions at Houston Grand Opera and he would love to play Ebenezer Scrooge one day.

Marshall White, 9 - West University
Marshall White is in the 4th grade at School of the Woods and this is his 1st year in A Christmas Carol. His favorite holiday movie is Elf and he previously participated in the Alley Theatre's Young Performers Studio.

James Ian Wolf, 10 - West University
Wolf is in the 5th grade at West University Elementary and he wanted to be in A Christmas Carol "because both of my brothers did it and I wanted to try." His favorite holiday movie is Home Alone and he participates in football and baseball.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS

RED RIBBON TOY DRIVE
The Alley Theatre has partnered with AIDS Foundation Houston (AFH), a non-profit direct-provider of HIV/AIDS services, information and programs to offer a special discount for A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas .  From November 6 through December 9, bring a new, unwrapped children's toy for donation to the AIDS Foundation Houston Red Ribbon Toy Drive and get $10 off a ticket to Alley Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol.  Good for performances November 20 through November 29. $10 off A section seating, expect Saturday night. Saturday night $10 off B section seating only. Limited number available. Groups of ten or more call 713.315.3346.

SALVATION ARMY SWEATERS, COATS AND BLANKETS DRIVE
The Alley Theatre has partnered with Salvation Army to offer a special discount for A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas .  Bring a sweater, coat or blanket for donation to the Salvation Army and get $10 off a ticket to Alley Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol.  Good for the December 26 and December 27 performances. $10 off A section seating, expect Saturday night. Saturday night $10 off B section seating only. Limited number available. Limit two tickets per donation.  Groups of ten or more call 713.315.3346.

DECK THE TREES
Saturday, November 21, 7:00 PM
 See the Alley's lobby transformed into a magical winter wonderland through December 28.
Alley Theatre's Deck the Trees Celebration transforms the Alley's lobby into a magical winter wonderland of trees decorated by Houston's top designers and non-profit organizations. Festivities kick-off on with a Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 21. Trees will be on display until December 28.

CAPTIONED AND AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE
Sunday, November 22, 7:30 PM
The Alley Theatre is pleased to offer open captioning and audio description for many of our productions throughout the season. To ensure that your seats will accommodate your needs, please call the box office 713.220.5700 when ordering tickets to this performance.  Discounted tickets are available for groups of ten or more. Call 713.315.3346 for more information.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets to A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas start at $38.  Discount family 4-packs are available for specific performances and seating locations. All tickets to A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas are available for purchase at www.alleytheatre.org, at the Alley Theatre Box Office, 615 Texas Avenue, or by calling 713.220.5700.  Groups of 10 or more can receive special concierge services and select discounts by calling 713.315.3346. The added convenience of reservations by phone or Internet is available for a nominal fee. Tickets purchased in person at the Alley Theatre Box Office have a $1 building restoration fee.

Monday Night Dinner and A Movie

Join Us!

 At 'Meals on Reels' Film Series at the Museum of Fine Arts

For Michael Kramer's Film Pick:

"Big Night" 

Released 1996

Directed by Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci
 

~ Michael Kramer ~

Executive chef, Hotel Icon & Voice restaurant,

will give a short talk before the movie. 

Monday, November 30th

 

Meet & Greet at 6:00 PM with refreshments by Whole Foods
Goody Bags for Everyone!
Film starts at 7:00 PM

Museum of Fine Arts Houston 

1001 Bissonnet Street
Houston, TX 77005
713-639-7300

 

* Easy free parking right across the street from the Museum

 

Tickets are just $7. ** 

 

Each year, the museum invites notable Houstonians from different

walks of life to present a favorite film. The 5th season of this popular

series celebrates some of Houston's noted chefs & restaurateurs.

 

 ** Hold onto your ticket stub for a future big night of wining and dining for two at Voice with 25% off through the month of December, (excluding New Year´s Eve). Reserve now by calling 832.667.4470 .

 

 Click here for series information

The Hard Rock has a Soft Spot

On Thanksgiving Day, Houston’s Hard Rock Café will continue a tradition that has spanned 19 years. Although the famous theme restaurant will be closed to the public, the staff, management, friends and families donate their time to cook and serve turkey and all the fixings to homeless Houstonians. DISH-Houston.com is proud to be a sponsor this year. DISH Publisher Lori Freese,

I've been blessed enough to have had the opportunity to participate in this wonderful tradition for the past 5 or so years so it was only natural to become a sponsor. The Star of Hope is an amazing organization. The folks who are in residence there work very hard to change their lives for the better. To get to serve them in this way that helps them to feel special during a time when feeling special isn't a daily experience is just an honor.

About 250 residents of Star of Hope’s Transitional Living Center and the downtown Women and Family Emergency Shelter will be treated to the meal along with a visit from Santa – complete with gifts. Around half of the 250 attending will be children.

Hard Rock Café General Manager Alfred Cardenas loves this time of the year:

“Our motto is Love All, Serve All – I can’t think of a better way to express that philosophy than by helping homeless families during the holidays.”

Yellow Cab Gets a Gold Star

THanksgiving is so much more than the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, football....Gig 'Em Aggies....and stuffing yourself silly. It's actually about giving thanks for the blessings in your life. Yellow Cab of Houston is showing their gratitude by giving back. About fifty independent contractor drivers from Houston’s largest taxicab fleet will give up their Thanksgiving morning to transport over 125 homeless women and children from Star of Hope’s Transitional Living Center to the downtown Hard Rock Café.

“These Yellow Cab drivers are tremendously important to The Star of Hope Mission, to our clients, and to the community at-large,” said Mike Spears, Marketing Director of Yellow Cab. “Our volunteer drivers really make a difference and they have the opportunity to experience the joy and satisfaction of providing a valuable service in their own community on Thanksgiving Day.” 

One of DISH'S favortie people in the world, Marilyn Fountain, Star of Hope’s Community Relations Manager likes the idea as well. 

 “This is such an exciting opportunity to bring the heart of Thanksgiving to our clients. And now it seems to be becoming a tradition – our Second Annual Yellow Roads of Texas.” she said.

Make sure to take the time to focus on your blessings....real ones not your newest labeled shoes....and tell those that made a difference in your life hwo much you appreciate them.

Many Blessings on this Thanksgiving to you DISHIES!

The Art of Conversation

- By Sharon Brier

Fashion, Sports, Crime, Politics, Music, Religion and Art were topics heard around the room at the Art of Conversation Nov 9 at the Jr League to benefit City ArtWorks. Thirty one local celebrities conversationalists included  Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia, Teresa Byrne-Dodge of My Table, Elaine Turner, handbag designer, Cindi Harwood Rose, Brett Mitchell of the Houston Symphony, Chloe Dao fashion designer and Rick Lowe of Project Row House. Co Chairs Mia Bering and Jana Stiffel were thrilled to raise money for art after school in 80+ schools, 13 community centers in disadvantaged areas and for long term cancer patients at Texas Children's Hospital.

CLICK HERE for more photos of this amazing event!

17th Annual Art Crawl

It's this Saturday November 21st! Can you believe DISHIES that it's been 17 years??? It's an event you absolutely don't want to miss! Participating is one of DISH'S favorite galleries...Blossom Street Gallery!

The Blossom Street Gallery has rented 1/2 of the Erie City Iron Works Buildings Main Gallery Hall and a 1500 sq ft warehouse studio space attached to the main hall. This is the 17th Annuael Houston Art Crawl. The event is down in the Warehouse district diagonally across from Last Concert Cafe downtown Houston.

The Blossom Street Galleries Artists include: Melissa Stubbs, Hazel Bartram Birchenough,Levi Rosen, Chicago Kim, Michelle Huff, Melinda Hamilton, Louren Reed Li, P.A.Mueller, Kristy Allmon, d.r.Jones, Dana Grace, Sam li, Carrie Gonzalez, Solomon Kane, Paula Hawkins, Patrick Talley, Alfredo Scaroina, Daniel B, Avi Moyal, Julia Abbott Koivumaa, Carol McKee, Marthann Masterson, Lori Betz, Larry Crawford, Duane Newel, Victoria Lewling, Adine Rotman, Rona Lesser, Toni Whitaker, Jonathon Michael Espinoza, Raul Gonzales, Susan Freeman, Monique, and capitol beverage will be distributing beer and wine $4 a glass!

The Blossom Street Gallery will be hosting an after party at 4809 Blossom Street Houston TX 77007 from 7pm until Midnight between Shepherd and Durham right by KICKS indoor Soccer Complex off Washington AVE.

Artists include; BIG MIKE, LEOSAPIEN, ALEX NOEL, BROWNCOAT, and LALOVA, Music by FLY GIRL T and DJ MESHAK!

You don't want to miss being a part of Blossom Street Gallery HISTORY!

Out and About

By Tammy Dowe

Tune In to Channel Your Inner Latina

Latina Voices, the locally produced, nationally recognized PBS television program, held a lunch fiesta for business and philanthropic leaders at Tony’s this week.  Show hosts and producers, Minerva Perez, Patricia Gras, and Sofia Adrogue wowed the crowd with a presentation and program demo that featured artists, sports heroes, and academia that the power-trio has interviewed during past episodes.

The Latina Voices virtual red carpet rolled from the valet stand directly into the Wine Celler at Tony’s where guests like Xerox veep Rogelio Marroquin held court with a bevy of brainy beauties, including Continental Airlines’ Chriselda Barrientes, the W Group’s Mayte Sera Weitzman and Fiesta Mart’s Corporate Relations head, Juanita Elizondo. 

Across the room, PBS station manager Jack Neal, chatted it up with Meredith Iler, Silver Eagle’s Roxann Neumann, Donna Vallone and Carliss Chatman.  The group dined divinely on a menu of Sopa Tomate, Snapper, and Praline Cheesecake that was so delish, one guest ate two slices.

Tootsies Role

Dana Kervin, Suzan Deison, and title insurance pro Mary Ann Reynolds joined Sonia Perez and other leading ladies at Tootsie’s last week as the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber announced its 2009 Hall of Fame Inductees.  Honorees include Margaret Alkek Williams, Zarine Boyce, Rose Cullen, Diedra Fontaine, Linda Lorelle, Gracie Saenz, Lyda Ann Thomas, Vu Thanh Thuy, Ileana Treviño, Martha Turner and Maxine Williams.  Each will be honored in November at a gala chaired by public relations darling Ellie Francisco and Susan Krohn.  Others on the scene that evening—Momentum Audi honcho, Jared Lang, alongside green energy guru turned handbag designer, Beth Younger, and Amy Schwab Lampi.

Flick Funding

Texas Film Commission Director Bob Hudgins held court downtown when he keynoted at the Business of the Arts luncheon, hosted jointly by The Houston Arts Alliance and the Greater Houston Partnership.  Hudgins and Partnership CEO, Jeff Moseley, lit the funding fire for Houston cinematic artists, and announced newly available state funds for local film, web and TV projects. 

The artful crowd included Houston Film Commission’s executive director Rick Ferguson, HAA’s Fabene Welch and Jonathon Glus, and Richard Lapin from the mayor’s top deck.  Also spotted buzzing about film were Franci Crane, art-lover Lauren Harrison, Ryland Holmes Peveto, and Richard Graber.

This the Trip....

Hey DISHIES...for those of you that are Texas music lovers and are old enough...do you remember that awesome band Sister 7?? Well you have absolutely heard of the lead singer Patrice Pike. She did that reality show where INXS was looking for a new lead singer....she should have won...anywho...

Patrice Pike is playing the inaugural Grace Foundation of Texas fundraising event from 6:30 – 10p.m.  on Saturday, November 21, 2009, at Warehouse Live! WOOOHOOOO!  The performance and event are designed to raise funds—and awareness—about Grace Foundation’s mission to end the cycle of teenage homelessness.

Now in its third year, The Grace Foundation awards scholarships to teens and young adults to help them leave homelessness and find a productive and more hopeful horizon.  The Grace Foundation of Texasis designed to respond to the financial gap that exists for teens and young adults who have survived childhood homelessness and have “aged-out” of the existing support systems available to them. Yes we are talking about kids that were in the adoption centers that never found homes. Did you know they are kicked out at aged 18? Left just to fend for themselves without financial support or the loving support of a family?

“The Grace Foundation has had proven success in shepherding our homeless neighbors in need onto a path of productivity and positive outcomes.  Grace is expanding out from Austin and going statewide, this time, starting in Houston.  We hope everyone will come November 21 to Warehouse Live in Houston to support Grace,” said Patrice Pike, co-founder of the Grace Foundation of Texas and host of the evening’s events.

Guess what DISHIES!! This is the first-ever Grace Foundation event held in Houston and YOU get to be a part of it! Ticket holders will be treated to Berryhill’s Tacos and signature cocktails from Tommy Bahama Rum during the private VIP show.  If that isn't cool enough...there will be an artist on hand to paint a mural of the event LIVE! Fine artist, Rolando Diaz, will be painting starting with a blank canvas, and finishing with a painting of the evening! That painting can go home with you because it will be auctioned off that night to benefit Grace Foundation.  A silent auction will feature resort trips, artisan-crafted jewelry, a guided raft trip with Pike, and more.

VIP tickets start at $50.00 and YES they are a tax deduction.  Advance VIP tickets that include access to reserved seating, VIP lounge, dinner, and complimentary cocktails can be reserved online at http://www.gracetexas.org/.  Tickets will be sold at the door, as well, but event hosts are recommending pre-sale to ensure VIP list and faster registration.  Media welcome—RSVP is required.

SEE YOU THERE DISHES!!! ROCK ON

 The Grace Foundation, launched in 2006 by Patrice Pike and Todd Young, targets teen and young adult homelessness and its relationship to poverty, health care, domestic abuse, drop-out risk, and the workforce/economy.  Grace has success and experience in serving those in immediate need of shelter, education direction, mentorship, health care, and safety.