With Montrose being an area so rich in art and culture I am sure there are a bunch of artist out there who would like to participate in an art contest. The University of St. Thomas International Studies Society is encouraging you to submit your piece by April 12, 2011. The theme is: Peace. What’s it to you?

You can enter any of your drawings, paintings or photos. Please submit your material to Diana Garcia at Tiller Hall (4004 Yoakum Houston, TX) or by email to eunedav@gmail.com. For more information about the prizes or guidelines contact Earl David at 830-275-6378.

All the best with your art projects!

The Houston Indie Book Festival is hosted by NANO Fiction and Gulf Coast through a collaboration with The Menil Community Arts Festival, and the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses at Menil Park (1515 Sul Ross Street, Houston, TX).

The 2011 festival will be on Saturday, April 2, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. The event is completely free and open to the public and remains the only one of its kind in the Houston and Austin areas, featuring a variety of nationally-distributed literary journals and small-press books alongside local booksellers, book and magazine publishers, small presses, literary organizations, and writers.

For more information visit the Indie Book Festival’s official website at: www.indiebookfest.org.

The Menil Community Arts Festival is a one-day festival highlighting the activity and diversity of the Menil neighborhood arts community, offering visitors free readings, musical performances, light food and beverages, art galleries open to the public, and film and writing workshops. This year’s event is taking place Saturday April 2, 2011 from 11am to 5pm.

The Menil museum is a cultural oasis unlike anything else in America. It is an internationally renowned art destination residing in a quiet neighborhood enclave of bungalows and parks.

For more information visit the Museum Website at www.menil.org or the Festival website at www.menilcommunityartsfestival.org.

The 2011 Tapestry Gala is once again hosted by Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston. Interfaith Ministries, or better known as IM, works to gather individuals of diverse and distinct faith and traditions for discussion, partnership, and service to the community. This year, the Tapestry Gala will be honoring Jan and Dan Duncan by presenting a tribute to the astonishing life and giving nature of the late Dan Duncan. This year’s Tapestry Gala hosted by Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston will be on the 3^rd of May 2011; the wonderful event will also celebrate the huge diversities in culture, ethnicity and faith.

Guests will be enjoying a sumptuous and fabulous dinner. A program is also prepared as well as wonderful musical entertainment prepared by Kenneth Gayle productions for the night. Philamena and Arthur Baird will chair the event with Peggy and Bill Barnett and Jan Duncan, the event’s honorary chairs.  Both the Honorable Arthur L. Schechter and the Honorable Fred S. Zeidman will receive the 2011 Tapestry Award on that night. This award realizes a community leader who has shown exceptional self-esteem through real work for the development of Houston and eventually, the world. In addition, a tribute will also be presented and given to the lifetime board member, Rabbi Roy Walter.

The proceeds from the Tapestry Gala will benefit the Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, which is a local non-profit organization that brings people from different cultures, traditions and faith to work together as one to bring growth to the community. The organization offers four main supports including Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston, Disaster Preparedness, Interfaith Dialogue and Refugee Relocation Services. The Tapestry Gala will be held at 1600 Lamar, Houston, TX 77010 on the evening of May 3^rd 2011. Don’t miss this wonderful event. Don’t miss the 2011 Tapestry Gala.

On Sunday, March 13, 2011, please join us as we gather for the 22nd time to raise money and awareness for this important cause. Every step we take will help AFH and other HIV/AIDS service organizations provide housing, testing, prevention education and other assistance to thousands of Houstonians living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS.

Before the actual Aids Walk on the 13th, there will be a Silent Auction at the Starbucks Coffee at Montrose Blvd. and Hawthorne St. (3407 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, TX). This will be taking place Saturday March 4th, 2011 from 5pm-9pm.

If you would like more information on the Aids Walk visit their website at: www.aidswalkhouston.org

Come out the 2011 East Montrose Home Tour & Art Walk on April 16, 2011 from 10-4pm.

There will be 5 homes, ranging from traditional bungalow to magnificent mansions. Plus 10 art studios open so you can see the space where art takes form, and the people whose hands create it!

Restaurants will be offering a discount for tour goers so be sure to show flash your tour brochures for a deal.

For more information visit the East Montrose Website at www.eastmontrose.com