Michelle Mondragon

Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival is the oldest independent film and video festival that has evolved over 50 years to recognize and honor outstanding creative excellence in film and video and validates brilliant abilities to promote cultural tourism for Houston. WorldFest screens only 55-60 feature film premieres, with a complete and absolute emphasis on American and International Independent feature films and a continuing annual spotlight on an individual country and its films. They also offer competition in TV production, commercials, and music videos.

Theatre Southwest continues its passion for performance with six productions, a Festival of Originals, and monthly workshops. The entertainment venue showcases seasoned performers and break-out talent. As the theater continues to evolve and grow, it looks to lead Houston into a new era of breathtaking performances and live entertainment. All this creativity and activity takes a lot of work and a good amount of creative people. If you are an actor who would like to direct, a director who would like to act, a backstage person who would like to be a front stage person, a writer who would like to try out a new piece of writing, someone who would like to experiment with a specific type of play,  or volunteer at the theatre for any reason make sure to check them out.

Escape from the hustle and bustle of city life at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, where you can enjoy five miles of nature trails winding through native prairie, savanna, wetland, woodland, riparian habitats, and have ample opportunities for exciting wildlife sightings. Explore The Nature Center building, which features a Nature Shop filled with items for nature lovers of all ages, an interactive Discovery Room, Educational Exhibits, hands-on activities, live ambassador animals, biofacts, and a weekly botany display.

Take a tour through history at The Printing Museum, chronicled by the advent and modernization of printing methods, and learn how the printed word transformed modern culture. Your tour starts with the development of ancient Mesopotamian clay tablets, then the invention of moveable type and Gutenberg's printing press. Along the way, gain a better understanding of how newspaper accounts of major wars, the distribution of the Gutenberg Bible, the Declaration of Independence, and other pivotal documents chronicle the printing revolution and its impact on society.