Highlights include Rainbow on the Green®, Park After Dark, Salsa Dance Lessons, Sound Meditation Yoga en Español and more
HOUSTON, TX — Discovery Green, the 12-acre park in downtown Houston kicks off a fun-filled summer of programming with their 12th annual Rainbow on The Green® on Friday, June 23 from 7 – 10 p.m.
This year Houston favorite family-friendly celebration of Pride, Rainbow on The Green®, features pop singer/songwriter JORDY. This dynamic, diverse and diaristic lyricist from Los Angeles is best known for his singles “Just Friends” and “Close to You.” Expect conversational lyrics in his pop anthems performed with a showmanship and personality that’s earned him over half a million followers on TikTok.
Opening for JORDY is Houston-based powerhouse Z’maji who will bring his high energy performance style to Discovery Green. Z’maji, who also performs as a backup singer for The Suffers, performs a multi-faceted gumbo of theatrical production and vibrant dance music.
Three-time Emmy winner and KPRC’s Houston Life host, Derrick Shore, will be the evening’s emcee. Rainbow on the Green® is presented with support from Avenida Houston. Attendees are encouraged to visit restaurants around Discovery Green including The Grove, Grotto Downtown, Saltgrass Steakhouse, Pappadeaux and The Rustic before attending the show.
Also this summer, Discovery Green is proud to offer its first fitness class in Spanish. Sound Meditation Yoga en Español is led by Natalia Uribe and Sebastián Romero, two Colombians living in Houston. Saumil Manek will play crystal sound bowls during the class.
Every Thursday this July and August Houstonians are invited to enjoy Park After Dark from 7 – 10 p.m. With new lighting installed at Discovery Green the evening hours are the perfect time to beat the heat. Visitors can enjoy the Gateway Fountains until 10 p.m., visit special food trucks and vendors while learning to dance salsa, bachata, merengue and more with Strictly Street Salsa. Free gardening classes are offered by La Lydia Garden Boutique from 8 – 9 p.m. every Thursday in July. Rocket Dog which carries lawn games and toys that families may borrow will also be out.
All events, unless otherwise noted, are free. All events are subject to change, please refer to www.discoverygreen.com for updates.
DISCOVERY GREEN JUNE – AUGUST 2023 CALENDAR
ART
President’s Choice Mural
for.ever.bloom by Jo Ann Fleischhauer
June 1 – Sept. 1
This summer the President’s Choice Mural at Discovery Green takes a three-dimensional turn with for.ever.bloom by Jo Ann Fleischhauer. The piece, located along the side of the Alkek building and facing the Sarofim Lawn, consists of parasols arranged in front of a printed image attached to the building’s windows. Various photographs, schematic drawings and words are incorporated. The effect is that of a layered, three-dimensional collage.
SPECIAL EVENTS
International Day of Yoga
Wednesday, June 21
6 – 9 p.m.
On June 21, the Summer Solstice, International Day of Yoga is observed in 170 countries. In Houston the Counsel General of India and Discovery Green will host a celebration featuring Bollywood Dancing, performances by advance yogis and a facilitated yoga practice (movement, breath, sound, intention, stillness). At 8 p.m. participants can walk a labyrinth made of canned food while bathed in sound from many local musicians/healers. After the event, the food will be donated to the Houston Food Bank.
Discovery Green Flea By Night presented by Green Mountain Energy
Saturdays, July 15 and August 19
6 – 10 p.m.
Treasure hunt for one-of-a-kind vintage, handmade, recycled, and local goods and enjoy live music and food trucks.
HAPPINESS/HEALTHY LIVING
Park After Dark
Thursdays, July 6 – August 31
7 – 10 p.m.
Beat the heat this summer at Discovery Green during Park after Dark. Enjoy lawn games from Rocket Dog, the Gateway Fountains, music, food trucks, vendors, and special park lighting. Free salsa dance classes by Strictly Street Salsa from 7 – 8 p.m. Free gardening classes by La Lydia Garden Boutique from 8 – 9 p.m. every Thursday in July.
Rocket Dog
Thursdays, July 6 – August 31
7— 9:45 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays, now through August 26 & July 4
10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Built by legendary art car artist, Rebecca Bass, Rocket Dog is Discovery Green’s official mascot. Bass along with her students created Rocket Dog, an “art cart” in 2007 to celebrate the opening of Discovery Green. The cart is filled with lawn games such as bocce ball, horseshoes, and more for patrons to borrow while visiting the park.
Strictly Street Salsa Dance Class
Thursdays, July 6 – August 24
7 – 8 p.m.
Houston’s first official salsa studio, Strictly Street Salsa is celebrating its 25th anniversary by partnering with Discovery Green to present a summer of high energy, fun and easy to follow classes. Learn salsa, bachata, merengue and more in the heart of downtown Houston at Discovery Green!
Gardening Classes
Thursdays in July
8 – 9 p.m.
Learn to care for your own little piece of nature at home! These gardening classes are taught by Angela Harris Cannizzo, owner of La Lydia Garden Boutique and founder of the nonprofit A Plant In Every Home. Cannizzo is on a mission to make plants accessible to everyone, particularly underserved communities.
July 6: Park & Home
Discovering park plants and how to incorporate them into personal garden spaces or as decorative elements indoors.
July 13: Small Space Gardening
Containers are an easy way to add a splash of color and excitement to your garden, balcony, patio or porch. This class will show you how to plant a container garden using succulents and other plants. Ideal for urban dwellers and everyone!
July 20: Plant Care 101
Keep your houseplants happy! Discussion on the general care of houseplants. This class is ideal for new plant parents and anyone who wants to bring a bit of nature indoors.
July 27: Eco Gardening
A demonstration on Kokedama planting which is a wonderful, sustainable way to bring nature inside without all the fuss.
Kayaks on Kinder Lake
Saturdays, Sundays now through August 26 and July 4
10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Rent a kayak and glide around Kinder Lake! Rentals are provided by Bayou City Adventures and are subject to weather conditions. Reservations are not required. The cost is $5 per person.
Recycling Saturdays with Happy Earth Composting
Saturdays, now through August 26
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Bring your sorted glass, paper, plastic and aluminum to a recycling station provided by the City of Houston. Happy Earth Compost will be at Discovery Green to pick up your compost free of charge. Compost can be carried in your own container — that you will then clean out and take home.
ENTERTAINMENT
UHD Thursday Night Concerts
Golden Dawn Arkestra
Jumprope
Thursday, June 1
7 – 9:30 p.m.
Grab your friends and get the weekend started right with free concerts under the stars and the glittering lights of downtown. Golden Dawn Arkestra, a psych rock band with a funk/soul twist headlines and Jumprope, a Houston-grown garage-pop trio opens.
Bank of America’s Screen on the Green
Enjoy a family movie under the stars in the city’s coolest park. Bring a blanket or camping chairs and snacks or a picnic. Please leave alcohol and glass containers at home. Food, beer and wine are also available for purchase at The Lake House.
Turning Red
Saturday, June 3
7 – 8:45 p.m.
Disney and Pixar’s “Turning Red” introduces Mei Lee, a confident, dorky 13-year-old torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. Her protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming, is never far from her daughter—an unfortunate reality for the teenager. And as if changes to her interests, relationships and body weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited (which is practically ALWAYS), she “poofs” into a giant red panda!” (PG) 2022, 100 minutes
FITNESS
Fitness in the Park is presented by One Medical
Conscious Breathing and Sound Meditation Yoga Class in Spanish
Mondays, June 12 – Aug 28
6:30 – 7:15 pm
This free class offers Yoga, Breathing and Sound Meditation practices to the Latino and Spanish-speaking community of Houston. Led by Natalia Uribe and Sebastián Romero. Crystal sound bowls will be played by Saumil Manek.
Clase de Yoga Respiración Consciente y Meditación de Sonido en Español
Lunes, 12 de junio – 28 de agosto
6:30 – 7:15 pm
Esta clase ofrece prácticas de Yoga, Respiración y Meditación de Sonida a la comunidad latina e hispanohablante de Houston. Guiada por Natalia Uribe y Sebastián Romero seguida de un baño de sonido y meditación a cargo de Saumil Manek.
Gentle Yoga Flow and Sound Meditation
Tuesdays, now through August 29
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Strengthen your body, relax your mind and find your center with this dynamic flow yoga and sound healing. Led by Farida Meguid with crystal sound bowls played by Saumil Manek.
Hatha Yoga
Saturdays, now through August 26
9 – 10 a.m.
A basic vinyasa yoga class for enhanced awareness and a strong, healthy body with Andria Dugas
OTHER PUBLIC EVENTS
Destination: Healthy Skin
Tuesday, June 20
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Free mobile skin cancer screening and education program.
www.skincancer.org/early-detection/destination-healthy-skin
Empire State Jazz Festival
Saturday, June 24
12 – 10 p.m.
The Empire State Jazz Festival proudly presents a lineup of internationally acclaimed musicians, bringing together Grammy and Billboard award winners for an unforgettable day of jazz.
www.empirestatejazzfest.com
IGBO Festival
Saturday, July 22
3 – 10 p.m.
Join us to celebrate and learn about a West African culture.
www.igbofesthouston.org
Anime Matsuri Night Festival
Friday and Saturday August 11 & 12
9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Discover a wide range of cultural activities including music, sumo, festival games, a Japanese beer garden and more.
www.animematsuri.com
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: @DiscoveryGreenHouston
Twitter: @DiscoveryGreen
Instagram: @DiscoveryGreen
ABOUT DISCOVERY GREEN
Discovery Green is a highly acclaimed 12-acre park created by a public-private partnership between the City of Houston and the nonprofit Discovery Green Conservancy in downtown Houston, Texas. Since opening in April 2008, the park has welcomed more than 20 million visitors. Discovery Green features sprawling lawns, a one-acre lake, an interactive fountain, a playground, public art installations, gardens and an allée of century-old live oaks. The Discovery Green Conservancy works with hundreds of programming partners to present artistic, musical, educational, family-friendly and health-focused events each year, most of which are presented free to the public. The park also features two on-site restaurants, the award-winning destination restaurant The Grove and the fast-casual The Lake House, providing visitors with an array of dining options. As a nonprofit organization, the Conservancy raises all the funds needed for the programming that Houstonians enjoy. For more information, please visit www.discoverygreen.com.
# # #
Discovery Green. Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.
