Combine Wine Harvester
While our CCMH management was in the Czech Republic, they sent back this report: “The first few days were absolutely beautiful. The wine harvest is in full swing. Our friends have bought a mechanical combine wine vine harvester and it is a remarkable machine which replaces what twelve pickers can do in three days in a matter of hours. It cost about $350K and there are only three in the CR.” The wine industry in the Czech Republic is robust, with the reputation of having some of the best wines in Central Europe. 96% of the country’s wines come from Southern Moravia where the sunny climate is most ideal for cultivation and a modern approach is taken to this traditional craft. The Czech Prince Bořivoj is credited with planting the first vineyards in the area during the 13th and 14th centuries. Today, thanks to an influx of new vineyards since 2001, Czech wine production could jump from 580,000 hectoliters to 750,000 hectoliters.
For more information on Czech wines and tourist opportunities associated with the wine industry visit http://www.czech.cz/en/current-affairs/tourism-and-sports/reds-and-whites
Reporting back from the Czech Republic
The Czech Center Museum’s CEO/Chairman and Vice President just got back from the Czech Republic after a three week long stay. Below are a few videos they brought back of the gorgeous scenery there. For more information on visiting the Czech Republic, check out this article in Travel and Leisure Magazine or the official site of the Czech Republic.
A Beautiful Wedding to Herald in Fall
The Czech Center Museum Houston celebrated the beginning of October with a gorgeous wedding the first Saturday. We all had so much fun working with this spunky, good natured couple and were all sorry when the evening had to end! For more information regarding events at the CCMH please contact Olivia at events@czechcenter.org or at 713-528-2060.
What better place to celebrate than under the glow of crystal chandeliers! Photograph courtesy of Christine Meeker Studios.
Houston Museum Day!
Czech Center Museum Houston
Experience Houston Museum District’s seventeen museums for FREE Saturday, September 12, 2009, 10am-5pm. Many museums will also be
featuring special programs, events and opportunities that day. Free bus shuttles to every museum.
The Czech Center will be featuring docent tours and videos throughout the day plus a sneak peak at our upcoming opera The Bartered Bride.
The Bartered Bride: Context and History
Bedrich Smetana, 1824-1884
The Bartered Bride, a comic opera composed by Bedrich Smetana, changed the face of Czech music in 1863 when it was first performed at the Provisional Theatre in Prague. Smetana, spurred on by a comment made by Viennese conductor Johann von Herbeck that the Czechs were incapable of making music of their own, set out to create a uniquely Czech genre: “I swore there and then that no other than I should beget a native Czech music.”
In his quest to create a truly Czech operatic genre Smetana makes ample use of traditional folk music such as polka and furiant. He further emphasizes the intrinsic “Czechness” of this ground-breaking opera by making it one of the few in the Czech language written in trochees (a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed one) which matches the natural first-syllabus emphasis in the Czech language. By 1892 The Bartered Bride had achieved international recognition, for many years remaining the only Czech opera in the general repertory. Of course scores of music compositions were produced in German by Czech composers.
The Bartered Bride will be performed in English in collaboration with Kingwood College Opera Workshop at the Czech Center Museum Houston September 17 & 18 as theatre in the round. Reception with hors d’oeuvres and wine will begin at 6:30, performance to follow. Also included in this magical night is an aria from Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss, Rusalka by Antonin Dvorak and The Barber of Seville by Giocchino Rossini, respectively.
For more information or to reserve tickets please call
713-528-2060 or online at czechcenter.org.
August 15 Wedding
Last Saturday the Czech Center happily experienced deja vu as our happy couple celebrated their marriage in the same room with the same apple red and white linens that the groom’s brother had used a year earlier. Although the look was similar, they definitely added their own flare though! At one point the bride and their daughter broke out in a choreographed dance and later the evening featured a “grand march” that had all the guests dancing around Prague Hall. For more photos of this fun, relaxed reception visit Sean Wray’s blog.
Toasts in front of the ceiling high windows that surround Prague Hall
After a delicious dinner by Tavola, a captive audience listens to the toasts.
One of several special dances under the glow of the crystal chandeliers.
Splendid Summer Wedding
We were all in awe of how this beautiful reception really transformed the Czech Center Museum Houston’s already gorgeous ballroom Prague Hall. Unfortunately there was too much going on during the celebration to capture it while it was going on, so you’ll have to take our word for it that this couple had an elegant, relaxed event that any couple would covet.
Wedding Party Table. Floral arrangements from Flowers by Lisa made a dramatic statement throughout.
White and teal linens along with Prague Hall's ceiling high windows made for an ethereal setting.
Fifteenth Annual Benefit Gala: A Review
What an incredible night we had at the Czech Center Museum Houston’s Fifteenth Annual Gala Saturday, August 1. This beautiful event took weeks of diligent work by the CCMH staff and volunteers, CEO and Chairman Effie Rosene, Vice President and Secretary Bill Rosene and the incredible Gala Chairs: Nina and Ray Vitek, Barbara and Henry Hermis, Paul and Judy Pasemann, Cliff and Barbara Malek, Father Paul Chovanec, Sally Miller, and Wesley Pustejovsky.
A more eloquent account of this fundraising event is forthcoming along with a second chance at some of our fabulous auction items. In the meantime, please enjoy a pictorial summary of the Fifteenth Annual Benefit Gala below.
What a lively group of people we had Saturday night!
Tireless Boardmember and Gala Chair Sally Miller with her family
Everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner catered by Safari Texas Ranch and complimentary wine and champagne
These raffle tickets were only $5 each and gave each participant the chance of winning prizes valued between $250 and $300!
A wide array of guest sat, enthralled by the Live Auction
The Live Auction featured many wonderful opportunities from cases of Czech wine to trips all over the world.
We are very thankful to have such a large crowd in such troubled economic times.
The CCMH's fearless leaders, Effie and Bill Rosene
After the auction, Chairman and CEO Effie Rosene ended the Gala with a speech of appreciation.
Thanks again to everyone who came.
We are touched by your dedication to the Czech Center Museum Houston’s mission to preserve, record and celebrate Czech and Slovak heritage with the aim of encouraging a global community.
Summer Love at the Czech Center
What a wonderful night! With Prague Hall done up in an elegant soft yellow matching the bridesmaids’ dresses exactly, you would have been hard-pressed to find a more beautiful place to spend last Saturday night, July 18. Food from Carino’s Italian Restaurant, music by D.J. Xtreme and the joyful, laid-back company of friends and family really completed the night.
Making the evening even more magical, was an impressive storm followed by a full rainbow visible to the entire party through the Czech Center’s ceiling high windows. Who could ask for a better blessing on their special day!
The first dance under the sparkling chandelier
Their guests were quick to follow and they dance floor stayed full for the rest of the evening!
Showing off his dance skills
