Discovery Green Announces Winter 2019-20 Programming

From Discovery Green:

October 25 2019

Discovery Green® announces Winter 2019–2020 programming schedule

Season highlights include The ICE powered by Green Mountain Energy®, Frostival, a new public art installation and more

HOUSTON, TX — Discovery Green, the 12-acre park in the heart of downtown Houston, announces its Winter 2019–2020 programming schedule, running from Nov. 15, 2019, to Feb. 24, 2020. Most activities at Discovery Green are free thanks to contributions from park users, foundations and sponsors.

“Winter in Houston is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends,” said Discovery Green President and Park Director, Barry Mandel. “Discovery Green is proud to offer Houstonians many different opportunities to discover new artwork, learn to ice skate and spend time enjoying the best the city has to offer.”

The season kicks off on Friday, Nov. 15 with the opening of The ICE powered by Green Mountain Energy®, followed by Frostival, Discovery Green’s annual park-wide winter carnival featuring ice carving, live music and family-friendly activities, on Nov. 22.

“Green Mountain Energy is committed to providing clean, renewable energy to Houstonians and that extends to their favorite holiday traditions, like The ICE at Discovery Green,” said Mark Parsons, vice president and general manager at Green Mountain Energy. “For more than a decade, we have partnered with Discovery Green to support their green initiatives, and we are proud to continue that tradition throughout the holidays.”

Frostival also marks the public opening of Paloma Sponsored by PNC Bank, featuring Paloma by Pitaya and Here and Now by Lina Dib. For this temporary, site-specific public art installation, Pitaya, a creative studio based in Lyon, France, created Paloma, a flock of 200 “origami” birds rendered in powder-coated aluminum. Suspended from the canopy of century-old live oaks that line Discovery Green’s Brown Promenade, the colorful sculptures will be illuminated by dynamic LED lights after dusk to create the illusion of flight. Complementing Paloma is Here and Now, a multi-channel sound installation by Houston-based artist and anthropologist Lina Dib, whose work explores ecological change and global migration. Paloma Sponsored by PNC Bank will remain on view through February 24, 2020.

For a complete list of programs and special events, please visit www.discoverygreen.com. A digital press kit with high-res images is available at bit.ly/DGWinter2019-20.

DISCOVERY GREEN WINTER 2019–2020 SEASON CALENDAR

Events are free unless otherwise noted. For weather and schedule updates, please visit www.discoverygreen.com.

Art

Paloma Sponsored by PNC Bank

Nov. 22, 2019–Feb. 24, 2020, 6 a.m.–12 midnight (light effects visible after dusk)

Paloma Sponsored by PNC Bank is a temporary, site-specific public art installation in two parts. Paloma, created by French creative studio Pitaya, is a series of 200 colorful aluminum “origami” birds, which will be suspended from the canopy along Discovery Green’s Brown Promenade and will be illuminated by dynamic LED lights after dusk to create the illusion of flight. Complementing Paloma is Here and Now, a sound installation by Houston-based artist and anthropologist Lina Dib, whose work explores ecological change and global migration. Dib’s choreographed sounds will dance along the Brown Promenade in conversation with Pitaya’s sculptures to create an immersive and contemplative experience beneath the park’s century-old live oaks.

Artist Talk Featuring Pitaya and Lina Dib

Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, 7–8 p.m.

The artists behind Paloma Sponsored by PNC Bank discuss their inspiration behind the piece and showcase images and sound from previous works.

The ICE powered by Green Mountain Energy®

Saturday, Nov. 15, 2019–Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020

The ICE is the largest outdoor ice skating surface in the Southwest. Discovery Green uses water from Kinder Lake to freeze the ice, and all equipment runs on Green Mountain Energy’s renewable energy, ensuring The ICE is environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Hours of Operation

Monday–Thursday 5–10 p.m.

Friday 5–11 p.m.

Saturday & School Holidays 11 a.m.–11 p.m.

Sunday 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

Thanksgiving Day 11 a.m.–11 p.m.

Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Christmas Day & New Year’s Day 1–7 p.m.

Martin Luther King Day (Jan. 20) 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

*School holidays include: Nov. 25–29, 2019, Dec. 23–27, 2019, Dec. 30, 2019–Jan. 3, 2020

**The ICE hours will be affected by private events on Dec. 15, 2019 and Jan. 19, 2020.

Tickets

-General public: $11 admission, $4 skate rental

-Forever Green Members: $11 admission, free skate rental

-Online tickets: $15, including skate rental; $20 for Fast Pass option (not available on Cheap Skate Nights) Tickets may be purchased online at iceatdiscoverygreen.eventbrite.com

-Group Rate: $13, including skate rental

-Cheap Skate Night: $15 for 2 or $8 for 1, including skate rental (not available during school holidays)

Tickets include tax. Sales support the Discovery Green Conservancy. See website for details on other available discounts.

Skating Events

Cheap Skate Nights

Mondays, Nov. 18, Dec. 2–16, 2019, Jan. 6–13 & 27, 2020, 5–10 p.m.

On select Mondays this winter, glide around The ICE at Discovery Green for just $8 per person or $15 for a pair (includes tax and skate rental).

Theme Night Tuesdays

Tuesdays, Nov. 19, Dec. 3–17, 2019, Jan. 7–28, 2020, 7–9 p.m.

Skating with a twist—and a theme—where costumes are encouraged. Skaters who dress the part can skate for a discounted rate of $11 (including skate rental).

Skating Through the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s

Nov. 19, 2019

Harry Potter

Dec. 3, 2019

Princesses

Dec. 10, 2019

Ugly Sweaters

Dec. 17, 2019

Star Wars

Jan. 7, 2020

Super Heroes

Jan. 14, 2020

Super Villains

Jan. 21, 2020

H-Town Pride

Jan. 28, 2020

Skate Then Sip

Wednesdays, Dec. 4–18, 2019, Jan. 8 & 15, 2020, 7¬–9 p.m.

Skate Then Sip a specialty $3 mulled wine from the Lake House while listening to some of your favorite songs by Houston artists. Skaters are invited to show their H-Town pride by wearing Houston Rockets, Texans, Astros, Dynamo or Dash merchandise to skate from 5 to 10 p.m. at a discounted rate of $11 (including skate rental).

Special Skaters and Wheelchair Wednesdays

Wednesdays, Nov. 20 & 27, Dec. 4 & 18, 2019, Jan. 1, 15 & 29, 2020

These special evenings provide a welcoming environment with designated times for skaters with special physical and developmental challenges to enjoy The ICE. Special skaters are invited to take to The ICE with a friend, caregiver or family member to skate or roll. Visit www.discoverygreen.com/specialskaters for times and details. Please note: Non-motorized wheelchairs are always welcome on The ICE.

Funfetti Fridays

Fridays, Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 20 & 27, 2019, Jan. 3, 17–31, 2020, 7–9 p.m.

DJ Mohawk Steve, a light show and other festive elements make for fun Friday nights.

Skate with Santa and Storybook Stars!

Saturdays, Nov. 16, 2019–Feb. 1, 2020, 5–6 p.m.

Children of all ages are invited to skate with Santa Claus (through Dec. 24) and other favorite characters, including Spider Man, Queen Elsa, Ms. Marvel, Wonder Woman and more.

Skating with the Stars

Sundays, Nov. 17, 2019–Feb. 2, 2020, 6:30–6:45 p.m.

On Sundays this winter, Houston’s top figure skaters perform demonstrations on The ICE. No program on Dec. 15, 2019, or Jan. 19, 2020.

Family Fun with Academy Sports + Outdoors

Saturdays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, 6–10 p.m.

Outdoor family fun featuring games on The ICE, a DJ and s’mores for the first 200 skaters.

Special Events

Frostival

Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, 6–10 p.m.

Discovery Green kicks off its winter season with Frostival, an annual park-wide celebration featuring ice carving by Reverend Butter and DLG Ice Factory, skating on the ICE powered by Green Mountain Energy®, ice photo opps, interactive ice sculptures and more. Admission is free; skating fees apply.

Rainbow on ICE

Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, 7–10 p.m.

The annual LGBTQ celebration at Discovery Green returns to The ICE with music by DJ Joe Ross. Admission is free; skating fees apply. discoverygreen.com/rainbow

Winter Flea by Night presented by Green Mountain Energy®

Saturdays, Nov. 16–Dec. 21, 2019, 6–10 p.m.

Back by popular demand, Discovery Green’s night market expands to a weekly event during the holiday season. Flea by Night features works by local artisans, artful kitsch, vintage items, antiques and other treasures, plus live music, food trucks, lawn games and more.

Carols on the Green: Celebrating the Season in Song

Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, 7–8 p.m.

Members of the Houston Grand Opera (HGO) Chorus return to Discovery Green for the second annual holiday showcase, led by conductor Ben Manis and featuring HGO Studio Artists Leia Lensig, mezzo-soprano, and Kyle Naig, piano. The chorus will be joined by more than 70 voices from the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Chapel Choir and AFA Girls Chorus for a concert of holiday music from an array of traditions, and featuring sing-along holiday favorites.

Xfinity Entertainment Series

Bank of America Screen on the Green®

Enjoy family-friendly movies with a view of the downtown Houston skyline. Skate and watch or just enjoy the movie on the hill. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and arrive early for fun contests and activities.

Dumbo

Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, 6:30 p.m.

PG, 2019, 112 min.

A young elephant with oversized ears and the power of flight becomes a circus superstar. His caretaker is torn between his employer’s exploitative thirst for profits and his children’s desire to reunite Dumbo with his mother.

Miracle on 34th Street

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, 7 p.m.

NR, 1947, 96 min.

When a nice old man who claims to be Santa Claus is institutionalized as insane, a young lawyer decides to defend him by arguing in court that he is the real thing.

It’s a Wonderful Life

Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, 7 p.m.

PG, 1946, 130 min.

An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.

A Christmas Story

Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, 7 p.m.

PG, 1983, 98 min.

In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie attempts to convince his parents, his teacher and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.

A Dog’s Way Home

Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, 7 p.m.

PG, 2019, 137 min.

A female dog travels four hundred miles through the Colorado wilderness in search of her owner.

Toy Story 4

Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, 7 p.m.

G, 2019, 100 min.

When a new toy called “Forky” joins Woody and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse

Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, 7 p.m.

PG-13, 2018, 117 min.

Teen Miles Morales becomes Spider-Man of his reality, crossing his path with five counterparts from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities.

Sixteen Candles

Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, 7 p.m.

PG, 1984, 93 min.

A girl’s “sweet” sixteenth birthday becomes anything but special, as she suffers from every embarrassment possible.

Pokémon Detective Pikachu

Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, 7 p.m.

PG, 2019, 104 min.

In a world where people collect Pokémon to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent talking Pikachu who wants to be a detective.

Footloose

Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, 7 p.m.

PG, 1984, 110 min.

A city teenager moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned, and his rebellious spirit shakes up the populace.

Full Moon Fridays

This new, family-friendly concert series showcases the best music of the Gulf Coast under the full moon. Blankets, lawn chairs and picnics are welcome; food, beer and wine are available for purchase. No glass containers or outside alcoholic beverages.

Ana Popovic

Friday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.

Deemed “one helluva guitar player” by Bruce Springsteen, this modern blues guitar-slinging diva is known for her fiery technique on the Stratocaster. She has six Blues Music Awards nominations under her belt, and nearly all of her albums have reached the top of the Billboard Blues Charts. This concert coincides with the opening night of The ICE powered by Green Mountain Energy®, when event-goers can ice skate at the discounted rate of $11.

The Skatalites

Friday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m.

In their 55 years together, these ska reggae legends have toured the globe, bringing their infectious brand of real Jamaican ska to audiences young and old.

Other Winter Programs

Young Writers Workshop

Saturdays, Nov. 16, 2019–Jan. 25, 2020, 10:30–11:30 a.m.

Writers in the Schools, Discovery Green and Houston Public Library Express offer Houston’s only free writing workshop for students in 2nd through 8th grade. Space is limited.

Youth Poetry Performance Session

Fridays, Dec. 6, 2019, and Jan. 3, 2020, 6:30–8 p.m.

Writers in the Schools offers free writing and slam poetry workshops. Budding poets ages 13 to 19 are invited to meet new friends, elevate their writing, practice public speaking, build their community and share their story.

Recycling Saturdays

Saturdays, Nov. 16, 2019–Feb. 1, 2020, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Bring sorted glass, paper, plastic and aluminum to recycling stations provided by the City of Houston and I Recycle Glass.

Kayak Rides and R/C Boats on Kinder Lake

Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 16–Dec. 15, 2019, 12–5 p.m.

Go for a leisurely kayak ride or navigate a radio-controlled boat around Kinder Lake. Rentals are provided by Bayou City Adventures and are subject to weather conditions. No reservation required. Kayak rentals are $5 per person.

Houston Public Library Programs in the Park

BOOKLINK

Tuesdays and Saturdays, Nov. 2, 2019–Feb. 29, 2020, 12–3 p.m.

Visit the HPL Program Space in the Morgan Reading Room at Discovery Green to browse and check out items using your library card and the BOOKLINK! Visit discoverygreen.com/hpl-program-space for more details.

Mystery Book Club

Tuesdays, Nov. 26, 2019, Jan. 28, 2020 and Feb. 25, 2020, 12:30–1:30 p.m.

Join Discovery Green for Murder at Midday, a mystery themed book club and find out whodunit in a new book selection each month!

Library Pop-Up

Saturdays, Nov. 9, 2019, Dec. 14, 2019, Jan. 11, 2020 and Feb. 8, 2020, 12–3 p.m.

Second Saturday Library Pop-Up featuring books, history, technology and other resources from Houston Public Library’s special collections and more.

Dining at Discovery Green

The Grove

The Grove Houston is an urban dining concept from the Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group, and is located on the southern end of Discovery Green overlooking the park’s allée of century-old live oaks. James Beard Award-winning Executive Chef Robert Del Grande and Chef de Cuisine Ryan Williams curate an ever-evolving menu of American fare with a nod to the restaurant’s Gulf Coast locale. For more information, please visit www.thegrovehouston.com.

The Grove will feature a Cranberry Bourbon Smash for $14 in celebration of Paloma, which will be on view just outside of the restaurant with an excellent view from the patio. The holiday cocktail is made with craft bourbon whiskey, fresh cranberries, local honey simple syrup and citrus.

The Lake House

The Lake House is a family friendly fast-casual concept located on the south shore of Kinder Lake in the heart of Discovery Green. Operated by the Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group, the Lake House serves burgers, grilled chicken, signature salads, beer, wine and drinks. For more information, please visit www.thelakehousehouston.com.

Beginning November 15, The Lake House will begin serving seasonal beverages for the whole family. All guests can warm up with a rich cup of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream for $3 and adults can get into the spirit with mulled wine, a California red simmered with cloves, cinnamon and star anise for $5 (10 oz.).

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 13.5 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 more than 700 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 Lake House Café, 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 through contributions from park users, foundations and sponsors. For more information, please visit www.discoverygreen.com.

This press release was produced by Discovery Green. The views expressed here are the author’s own.