April Showers Downtown Galveston with Free Family Fun

[Sarah Harano]

Downtown Galveston comes alive with free family activity most weekends, and April is no exception!  This month, catch the fun at Saengerfest Park, 2302 Strand, during Movie Nite on the Strand and Music Nite on the Strand.  Join the rip-roaring fun at Party on the Pier at Pier 21, 21^st Street and Harborside Dr.  In addition, be sure to visit the special art installation The Blue Trees by international artist Konstantin Dimopoulos at Saengerfest Park this month.

 

Saengerfest Park offers three Saturdays of free outdoor fun for the whole family starting with Movie Nite on the Strand.  The popular series features a movie under the stars that starts shortly after dusk and takes place on the first Saturday of the month through October.  This April, the blockbuster hit, The Help (rated PG-13) starring Emma Stone and Viola Davis, will play at Saengerfest on Saturday, April 6.  Visitors are encouraged to grab a bite before the show at one of the many downtown restaurants as well as bring their own seating to enjoy the movie.

Music Nite on the Strand offers live musical entertainment to downtown Galveston visitors.  This April, back by popular demand, Saengerfest Park will “Get Back” with popular Houston-based Beatles tribute band, The Fab 5, on Saturday, April 13. The second April Music Nite takes place on Saturday, April 27, and features popular local country band, Alligator Handshake.  Music Nite on the Strand takes place on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month through October from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Saengerfest Park.  Limited seating is available and visitors are encouraged to wear their dancing shoes!

Galveston’s free music scene doesn’t end there!  Mitchell Historic Properties and the restaurants and attractions at Pier 21 are proud to present Kevin Anthony & G Town on Saturday, April 20 during the all-new live music series, Party on the Pier. The local zydeco country artist is the second in a dock-shaking schedule of toe-tapping, hip-swaying, great music presented in an outdoor harbor setting.  Party on the Pier takes place on the third Saturday of the month at Pier 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and features a lineup of popular bands including Austin favorites the Whiskey Sisters (May), Carolyn Wonderland (June), Del Castillo (July), and Vallejo (October).

Part of an international effort, artist Konstantin Dimopoulos’ temporary social art installation The Blue Trees is available for viewing at Saengerfest Park.  “Through my work I am striving to address global issues and provide a visual platform to effect change.  So many universal concerns seem larger than an individual’s power of influence, and I want to evoke in people the idea that we can all contribute to change in a positive way,” says Dimopoulos.  The project is a response to the devastating loss of trees on the island due to Hurricane Ike in 2008 and seeks to raise awareness and encourage discussion about the benefits of trees and forests for people and the planet.  The Blue Trees project colors the trunks of the trees with biologically and environmentally safe pigments that revert to their natural state over a six-month period all the while bringing attention to the trees and the need to prepare for the extreme weather conditions that can harm them.  The Blue Trees is an ongoing installation at Saengerfest Park that is open to public viewing beginning Saturday, March 30.

About Movie Nite and Music Nite on the Strand

Movie Nite and Music Nites on the Strand are presented by the Galveston Convention and Visitors Bureau and Mitchell Historic Properties.  For more information about upcoming Galveston events, visit www.galveston.com.

About Party on the Pier

Party on the Pier is sponsored by Mitchell Historic Properties and the restaurants and attractions at Pier 21 including Willie G’s Seafood and Steaks, Nonno Tony’s World Kitchen, Olympia Grill at Pier 21, Texas Seaport Museum, Tall Ship Elissa, Ocean Star Off Shore Energy Center, Pier 21 Theater, Sun Time Watersports, Baywatch Dolphin Tours, Harbor Tours aboard Seagull II, Cool Tours, and Kona Ice.  For more information, visit www.Pier21Galveston.com.

About The Blue Trees

The Blue Trees by Konstantine Dimopoulos is presented by The Houston Arts Alliance, Galveston Arts Center, Galveston Island Tree Conservancy, and National Hotel Artist Lofts as well as the Galveston Park Board.  For more information on The Blue Trees, visit www.bluetreestexas.org.

About Mitchell Historic Properties

Mitchell Historic Properties (MHP) oversees Galveston properties owned by developer, philanthropist and preservationist George Mitchell and the Mitchell family.  MHP owns and preserves approximately one-fourth of the buildings in The Historic Strand Seaport Area including commercial and residential properties as well as Hotel Galvez & Spa, The Tremont House and Harbor House, the hotel and marina at Pier 21.  The Mitchell’s ongoing preservation of Galveston’s historic downtown helped spark the resurrection of The Strand National Historic Landmark District and Pier 21 as a tourist destination.  For leasing information, visit www.MitchellHistoricProperties.com or call [phone].