|
By Nola McKey
Colorful, show-stopping kites billowing in a Gulf breeze …
costumed folk dancers performing the spirited Zorba and other traditional Greek
dances … the scent of lavender filling the air at an outdoor market. These are
just a few of the things you can expect at small-town festivals across the
state in upcoming months. But these events happen only once a year; if you
don’t plan now, you could miss out on the fun and the chance to try something
new.
We can’t tell you about all of Texas’ homegrown
celebrations—there are literally hundreds, promoting everything from ethnic
heritage to artistic expression—so we’re highlighting some of the best,
starting with an exuberant event this month on South Padre Island. It’s a sure
way to put some wind in your sails.
South Padre Island Kite Fest, Jan. 30-31
Bill Doan and his wife, Susie, own B&S Kites on South Padre
Island, and sponsor the two-day event, which features kite displays and
performances by individuals and teams from as far away as Canada. The
pre-festival lineup includes a class on kite-making and an all-day clinic on
flying a Revolution kite by the well-known
iQuad kite team, as well as something new this year: an indoor fly.
Most of the action still takes place on the beach, where
about 3,000 spectators gather in lawn chairs six deep around the performance
field. Call 956/761-1248.
 Rains County Eagle Fest, Emory, Feb. 6
Hundreds take early-morning boat tours on a remote
East Texas lake in February for the chance to see bald eagles roosting, flying,
fishing and hunting in their native habitat. Boat tours on Lake Fork are the
highlight of this nature festival based in Emory, between Lake Fork and
Lake Tawakoni. Call 903/473-3913 or 903/473-2465, ext. 112; www.eaglefest.org.
Rio Grande Valley Music Festival, Mercedes, Feb. 16-21
Five stages present music from professional musicians in a
wide variety of genres, from old-time country to mariachi. Folkloric dancers
also perform. A “jamming tent” provides a place for musicians of all levels of
ability to play. The six-day celebration also includes a biscuits-and-gravy
breakfast, food booths, and arts and crafts. Call 956/373-0130; www.rgvmf.com.
Out of the Loop Fringe Festival, Addison, March 4-14.
If you’re drawn to thought-provoking, edgy entertainment, check out the diverse offerings at this unusual, 10-day
festival. It features performances by national, regional, and Dallas-based
artists in theater, dance, music, comedy, puppetry and poetry. This year’s
headliners include Mike Daisey, whose acclaimed monologues tell hilarious and
heartbreaking stories that expose secret histories and unexpected connections;
Broadway maestro Seth Rudetsky, who deconstructs what’s vocally amazing and
what’s a vocal travesty; and The Three Redneck Tenors, singing cousins who
stampede their way through Broadway’s greatest hits. Most performances not
appropriate for children. Call 972/450-6232; www.watertowertheatre.org/outoftheloop.asp.
 Clear Lake Greek Festival, Webster, May 7-9.
Pastitsio, souvlaki, spanakopita, tyro-pita, dolmathes,
gyros, baklava and other delicious Greek foods highlight this annual feast.
Members of the St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church in Webster cook
for weeks ahead of time, just preparing the pastries for this three-day event.
The entertainment is also steeped in ethnic flavor, with
Greek dancing topping the list. Children and teens from the congregation
present traditional dances, and local dance groups and the Infamous Yianni the
Table Dancer also perform. (It’s not what you might think; this solo artist
lifts a table with his teeth, among other amazing feats.) Learn how to do some
of the popular Greek dances, such as the kalamatianos, or handkerchief dance. Opa!
Call 281/554-7223; www.clearlakegreekfestival.com.
Funtier Day, Santa Anna, May 15.
The World Championship Bison Cook-off, which includes
categories for beef brisket, beef ribs, and chicken, leads the festival, and
there are cooking contests for ice cream and home-made pies, as well as a
junior cake bake-off. Food vendors sell barbecue, gorditas, funnel cakes, and
fried shrimp and catfish. The entertainment is just as varied—volleyball and
horseshoe tournaments, a water polo contest, a country and western band,
mariachis, folkloric dancers, line dancers, and karaoke. Call 325/348-3535;
www.santaannatex.org.
More details and many more events featured in the January 2010 issue.
|
