The International Museum of Art and Science (IMAS) will be hosting its eighth annual Lunar New Year Festival on Saturday, February 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Celebrate the Year of the Mouse (Rat) alongside RGV’s vibrant Asian community. Visitors of all ages are welcome to explore China, Korea, and Taiwan with traditional calligraphy, art, games, story times by McAllen Public Library children librarians, and more.
Entertainment includes a hip-hop dance by X Studio, a piano performance by Dr. Jooyoung Kim from UTRGV, and a martial art performance by students from Bob Davis Martial Arts school. A food sampling from local restaurants will take place (while supplies lasts), plus boba tea will be for sale by the Filipino Student Association from UTRGV.
Read more: Celebrate Lunar New Year at IMAS
Join Mission Historical Museum (MHM) for sweets and light refreshments as they present their Lecture Series on February 8 at 11 a.m.
You might call W.F. Strong a student of all things Texas. In 2010, he began sharing his Stories from Texas vignettes on NPR stations, most recently on the Texas Standard's network of 30 stations. Celebrating his home state, Strong has collected 75 of his broadcasts. You’ll hear his inimitably Texan voice in your mind’s ear as he weaves stories on subjects ranging from how to talk Texan to Texas bards and troubadours; from tall Texas tales to Lone Star icons like Charles Goodnight, Tom Landry and Blue Bell ice cream; from legends and heroes of the past to some heartfelt memories of his own.
Read more: Lecture series presents iconic companies of Texas
A non-juried exhibit featuring diverse works created by the Upper Valley Art League’s members will be on display in the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center Gallery February 8 through March 7.
Paintings, drawings, photography, mixed media, digital art, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, and fiber arts, all handcrafted by student and professional artists will be shown in a public open exhibit.
The opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Saturday, February 8, from 7 to 9 p.m. The gallery is located at 921 East 12th Street in Mission.
Read more: UVAL all member exhibit to open
The Rio Grande Valley Farm Equipment Club will be holding their annual scholarship fundraiser this weekend, Saturday February 8, and Sunday February 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the RGV Livestock Showgrounds in Mercedes. Admission is $5. There will be food and fun for those that attend.
All proceeds will benefit the club’s scholarship program. The club awards scholarships to high school students that plan to study agriculture or a related field. The club receives applications every year from Valley high school agriculture and Future Farmers of America department.
The club includes current and/or retired farmers and individuals interested in the preservation of farm life. Some of our members are Winter Texans who are members of similar clubs back home. The club participates in public events, such as the RGV Livestock Show in Mercedes, the La Feria Festival and other related events. Club members display their antique tractors, equipment and other items related to old farm life.
Read more: Farm equipment club holds fundraiser
On January 22, 359 Kansans from all over the Rio Grande Valley met to commemorate the anniversary of the state’s January 29, 1861 admission to the Union. This total attendance tops the 2019 Event by 100. What might be more spectacular, is 150 attendees were first timers for this celebration.
This year’s event took place at Trophy Gardens RV Resort. Much appreciation was given to Russel and Kathy Cropp and their team for setup of all tables and chairs. A great lunch was prepared and served by Ballis Catering of Mission. Entertainment was provided by Rusty Rierson, home grown entertainer from Augusta, KS.
Those in attendance had nothing but good things to say about the food and the entertainment.
Read more: Kansas Day celebration bigger than last year
The International Museum of Art and Science (IMAS) will be hosting Art Bash on Thursday, February 6, from 3 to 8 p.m. to continue its Family Fun Night series on the first Thursday of every month.
Visitors can celebrate different forms of art at the IMAS including spirograph art, Surrealism, Mexican folk art, and music. A special performance by Musical Living Academy students will take place at 5 p.m. Guided tours in the galleries and outdoor sculpture areas will be provided throughout the evening. Recently opened exhibits include Cosmic Connections: The Metaphysical Practice of Kirk Clark and light sculptures from Jinju, South Korea.
At 6 p.m. UTRGV philosophy professor Dr. Remei Capdevila Werning will present a talk entitled “The Impossible Question - What is Art?” The IMAS has partnered with UTRGV’s Department of Philosophy to present Philosophy for Everyone talks, an ongoing series of philosophy lectures at the museum for a broad audience.
Read more: Art Bash, Korean Lanterns at IMAS
It's that time of year – time to head to South Padre Island and watch kite fliers from around the world as they 'tie one on' for a weekend filled with amazing kites and performances.
On January 30 through February 1 – Thursday Night, Friday and Saturday – SPI Kite Fest will descend once again on the town of South Padre Island. The festival kicks off Thursday evening with Indoor Kite Performances held at the SPI Convention Centre from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The indoor performance lineup boasts an array of internationally known kite fliers. John Barresi holds thirty-one national championship titles and is the 2018 Open Individual Unlimited Ballet champion. John will be joined by the 2014 AKA National Indoor Champion, James Fletcher (Baltimore, MD) as well as many other talented fliers – Mario Di Lucca & Steve De Rooy (Victoria, British Columbia), Jeremy Wharton (Andover, Hampshire, UK), Spence Watson (SeaTac, WA), Paul de Bakker (Oak Harbor, WA), Paul Lamasters (Germantown, MD), Eli Russell (Medford, OR) and Brett Marchel (New Boston, MI) – to mention just a few. These amazing indoor fliers will show off their kite flying talent as they hit the floor with their choreographed routines to a mix of jazz, swing, classic rock and pop music.
Read more: It's Time to Tie One On – Again
University researchers who study the positive impact Winter Texans have on the Rio Grande Valley economy need your input. Every two years the Winter Texan Times helps the local university collect information about the Winter Texans that visit the Rio Grande Valley. So, it’s that time again – We need your help.
This week, the Winter Texan Times includes the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Winter Texan Survey as an insert in the newspapers. We invite our readers to complete the survey, and in so doing, be entered in a drawing for $150 cash prize.
The easiest way to complete the survey is online. UTRGV has created an easy-to-use web form and there is a link to it on the home page of our website at www.wintertexantimes.com. You can also find the survey form online at http://utrgv.edu/wintertexan.
Read more: It’s that time again
Boy, has it been a busy month – with the last two weeks seeming to go non-stop here at the Winter Texan Times office. Our readers have been visiting the office quite a bit this month – bringing their news in, dropping off reunion and meeting notices, picking up papers, placing classified ads and picking up prizes they have won by subscribing to our email edition.
In all of this, my husband, Dan, and I have been trying to get out more and visit the parks, getting to know the people that we serve. We have been invited to a few events, have had booths at others, and some we have just decided to drop in on and see what was going on. Our writers are out there quite often getting the newest story or learning more about a sport – check out our new column From the Cheap Seats where one of our writers has been able to get out and learn about sports in the parks.
Read more: It’s been a busy month
The Texas Citrus Fiesta Parade of Oranges has grown to become one of the largest parades in South Texas, an annual tradition that attracts about 100,000 people. In addition to its signature floats made of citrus fruit, the parade features spirited marching bands, exciting dance performances, stunning citrus-themed pageant gowns, and a royal court.
The spectacular event is scheduled for Saturday Jan. 25, 2020 at 3 p.m. The Texas A&M Parsons Cavalry, a horse combat unit consisting of cavalry, artillery and quartermaster elements will highlight this year’s parade. Texas State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) will serve as parade marshal.
The parade begins at Griffin Parkway and runs south on Conway Avenue and ends at 1st Street. Mission Police will close all streets along the parade route in phases, beginning at 9 a.m. until the conclusion of the parade. Spectators are advised to exercise caution along Conway Ave., and to stay clear of any marked and coned-off areas.
Read more: TCF Parade this weekend