Galveston.com Fall Preview

School is back in session, and that means fall is just around the corner. Whether you're planning on only visiting Galveston Island for the day or you plan to make this your weekend getaway, there's a list of fun and exciting things to do.

Ongoing Events

This fall, nature lovers are invited to join Artist Boat Kayak Adventures for paddle tours of Galveston's premier ecological and historical jewels. Destinations include Galveston Island State Park, the East End Lagoon, and Christmas Bay. Artist Boat is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and preservation of coastal margins and the marine environment through the disciplines of the sciences and the arts. For schedule, click to galveston.com/artistboat/.

Each month, enjoy the hundreds of species of area birds during Birding 101 and Birding 201, a series of classes at Moody Gardens designed to educate and excite people about the tremendous variety of bird life in the area. Birding 101 classes are held the second Saturday of every month, and Birding 201 classes are held the 3rd Saturday. For complete schedule and details, visit galveston.com/moodygardens/.

Galveston Island State Park, located on Galveston Island's west end, offers a host of scheduled activities throughout the fall. Every Saturday, you're invited to take part in "Beach & Surf Exploration" tours from 10am to 11:30am. And Sundays, you won't wanna miss "Discovering the Bay Shore and Mud Flats" tours from 10am to 11:30am. The park is located at 14901 FM 3005 on Galveston's West End.

September

During September, the Galveston Arts Center is pleased to present Mayuko Ono Gray's "Japanese Calligraphy My Way" featuring a combination of traditional Japanese calligraphy and Western drawing techniques. by the Galveston County-based artist. The exhibition will open during the August 27th ArtWalk and remain on view through October 2rd. The gallery and selections from GAC’s retail gallery, ArtWorks, are open to the public daily.

Did you know that in 1836, Texans used a route named El Camino Real de los Tejas (The Royal Road of Texas) to flee from Santa Anna in the Runaway Scrape? A free public exhibit that explores Spain's and Mexico's involvement with Texas and its connection to this 2,500-mile historic trail will be on display Saturday, August 27th through Monday, September 5th(Labor Day) in Old Galveston Square, 2211 Strand. "El Camino Real de los Tejas: Past & Present," created by the Consulate General of Spain in Houston, features panels with old maps and engraving reproductions, photographs and other historical documents. The trail is one of eleven designated historic trails in the country.

Beer lovers rejoice! This Labor Day weekend, Moody Gardens will host the second annual Brewmasters International Beer Festival - an event that's one of the best and largest beer festivals in the nation. The four-day celebration will showcase over 400 international beers, culinary variety, and more than 20 innovative events.

What better way to start the school year than with an American film classic under the stars at Movie Night on The Strand? Saturday evening, September 3rd, grab your lawn chairs and blankets, and bring your pals over to Saengerfest Park, 23rd & Strand, for the hilarious American favorite The Sting. Showtime is 8pm.

Saturday morning September 10th, kids won't wanna miss the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum's monthly Family Day, with today's theme being "Life on a Rig," held from 10am to 3pm. Step aboard the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum and find out about the different kinds of offshore structures, what they do, and who works on them. For information, call (409)766-STAR.

And for active folks? Moody Gardens will host a very special Adaptive Sports Festival September 10th . Weather permitting, all guests ages eight and up who have special needs will have the opportunity to water ski, sail, kayak, hand cycle and ride on pontoon boats with special equipment and instructors at no charge. Their immediate families and caregivers are also welcomed to attend and can enjoy free admission to Palm Beach. Extended family and friends can participate by purchasing a regular admission to Palm Beach.

That evening, in an effort to showcase Galveston’s incredible resiliency and progress just three years after Hurricane Ike, runners and walkers won't want to miss the 3nd Annual Galveston Rebirth-Revival 10K & 5K, Run/Walk through the streets of Historic Galveston.

Also Saturday evening, September 10th? The Joe Sample Youth Organization will bring soulful melody to The Grand’s center stage as they present The 4th Annual Henriette Delille Legacy Concert at 8pm, benefitting Houston's inner city parochial schools. The concert will feature performances by The Jazz Crusaders, Houston's School for the Performing and Visual Arts and The Joe Sample- David T. Walker Swing Street Jump Band. The Saturday evening concert at The Grand is part of a weekend of fundraising events planned, including a Friday Night Kick-Off Blues Jam featuring Luther & The Healers to be held at Moody Gardens; Saturday's Legacy Concert at The Grand; an Artist Meet and Greet event at The Grand immediately following the concert; and an After Concert Dance featuring Ken Mondshine & Brotherhood Band and dj Money Mike at Moody Gardens Hotel.

Also that evening, you'll wanna head downtown for Music Night on The Strand from 5pm to 8pm, featuring the contemporary country sounds of Silverado. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and pals, and enjoy a fine evening of live music under the stars. For more information please call 888-GAL-ISLE.

Thursday, September 15th, Galveston Historical Foundation will host a special Green Training program from 11:30am to 1pm, teaching attendees all about Environmentally Sound, Aesthetically Pleasing Landscape Design. While the instructors do use non-native plants, they are very careful not to use alien plants that might displace the natives and potentially destroy functioning local eco-systems.

Saturday, September 17th marks the return of Market on The Strand, a festive outdoor event held the 3rd Saturday of each month, featuring local artisans, handcrafters, growers, food vendors, and artists. The event is held from 10am to 3pm at Saengerfest Park, 23rd & Strand.

The Grand 1894 Opera House is "Making History" with the 2011-2012 season opening performance of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Saturday, September 17th at 8pm. This one incredible performance will be "Oh, What A Night!" as one of Rock and Roll's most enduring stars takes to The Grand's stage.

Sports lovers will wanna head to Stewart Beach, the Island ’s family-friendly beach, as the Isle welcomes the Gulf Coast Volleyball Association's Season Closer Sunday, September 18th. The Gulf Coast Volleyball Association is the largest outdoor volleyball association on the Gulf Coast, and has been rated the #1 outdoor volleyball organization by Outdoor Volleyball USA.

The Galveston.com & Company "Great Taste of the Gulf" Epicurean Evening will take place on Thursday, September 22nd, from 6pm to 8:30pm at the Moody Gardens Convention Center, and has been generously underwritten by Galveston.com & Company for the ninth consecutive year. Guests attending the event will have the opportunity to sample some of the Gulf Coast's finest cuisine and beverages from Galveston County's top restaurateurs, hoteliers and dedicated suppliers. For additional information and to purchase tickets, click to www.epicureanevening.com.

Galveston.com & Company continues to celebrate Island cuisine with a special Salute to Galveston Seafood, September 23rd thru 25th. During this spectacular weekend, visitors to the Island are encouraged to visit Galveston's finest seafood eateries, and enjoy some of the finest Gulf Coast cuisine available anywhere. Of course, Galveston Island is a seafood lover’s paradise year-round, and Yaga’s Entertainment will bring foodies a little taste of Heaven at the Galveston Island Shrimp Festival that same weekend.

Beginning September 23rd and continuing thru October 15th, you won't wanna miss the opportunity to visit island e.t.c. for its production of A Behanding in Spokane. Take a man searching for his missing hand, two con artists out to make a few hundred bucks, and an overly curious hotel clerk and the rest is up for grabs. Martin McDonagh's play is a hilarious black comedy and is the first McDonagh to be set in America. Performances are Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8:00pm. There will be an additional Sunday matinee October 2nd at 2:30pm.

Trashing Texas beaches isn't cool! The Texas General Land Office has been sending this message across the state for twenty-four years, and Texans have responded. Since the first cleanup in 1986, more than 406,000 Texas Adopt-A-Beach volunteers have picked up more than 7,900 tons of trash from Texas beaches, some of it originating from as far away as South America. Don't miss this fall's Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup, coming to Isle beaches September 24th.

And after you're done cleaning the beach? ENJOY the beach, during Beach Palooza, where fun-loving runners will hit the shores to tackle ten beach-themed obstacles along a five kilometer, sandy course. Beach Palooza will have participants bouncing through a sea of beach balls, darting over sizzling coals, scampering through a quicksand pit and overcoming seven additional obstacles. After conquering the course, racers will be greeted with live beach tunes, beer and Mike’s Harder Lemonade and a Beach Palooza finisher medal. Don't miss the fun, Saturday, September 24th, 10am to 5pm.

Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark's Heated Indoor Season will kick off September 24th. The park will be open on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) and select dates from 10am to 5pm. For information, call (409)770-WAVE.

October

Arguably the best month weather-wise on the Island, October is the perfect time to enjoy nature tourism on the Island.

Saturday evening, October 1st , animal lovers are invited to trot, slither, or prance over to the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort for The 11th Annual Paws Gala, benefitting the Galveston Island Humane Society. Tickets and sponsorship packages are available at the Humane Society office at 6814 Broadway, calling (409)740-1919, or emailing info@galvestonhumane.org.

You'll know that it's October and the beginning of the season of thrills and chills when the psychological thriller The Birds hits the silver screen during Movie Night on The Strand Saturday, October 1st. The movie begins at 7:30 at Saengerfest Park, 23rd & Strand. Admission is free.

That same evening at 8pm, Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard, and Tony nominee J. Robert Spencer reunite to showcase their own unique musical style and charisma at The Grand 1894 Opera House. The Midtown Men's “jump-to-your-feet” show features top hits from a Who’s Who of the ‘60s, including The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, and The Four Seasons.

Saturday, October 8th, kids are invited to romp over to the Ocean Star for Family Day, with today's theme being "Sources of Energy," held from 10am to 3pm. For information, call (409)766-STAR.

Also that evening, you'll wanna head downtown for Music Night on The Strand from 5pm to 8pm, featuring the classic rock of The Convertibles. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and pals, and enjoy a fine evening of live music under the stars. For more information please call 888-GAL-ISLE.

For over twenty years, the Galveston Arts Center has produced ArtWalk on Saturday nights in the heart of the historic district. Now spreading to other parts of the island, ArtWalk occurs approximately every six weeks in existing commercial galleries, non-profit arts spaces, restaurants and retail shops. Don't miss this special fall edition of this favorite event, October 8th 6pm to 9pm.

Saturday, October 15th will be a great day to be in Galveston's downtown! First, Market on The Strand will be held from 10am to 3pm at Saengerfest Park, 23rd & Strand. And a few streets over? ARToberFEST 2011, Galveston's annual Juried Fine Art Festival, takes place both Saturday and Sunday on Postoffice and 22nd Streets amid the historic charm of downtown Galveston. The Island's hospitality and the relaxed atmosphere provide a beautiful setting in which to enjoy the wide variety of original art in all media. The event will feature over 125 artists, fun, food, music, and more. Admission is $5 for adults, and free for kids 12 & under. Net proceeds benefit AIDS Coalition of Coastal Texas and Galveston Island Humane Society.

The next weekend, Friday & Saturday October 21st & 22nd, historic downtown Galveston will come alive when the 29th annual Island Oktoberfest oompahs back to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2415 Winnie. This fun, family weekend of great music, authentic German food, libations, auction, raffle, games, and much more. Along with good music, there will be great food and drink including smoked sausage, bratwurst, and knockwurst. Adults can look forward to raffles, games, and competitions. Island Oktoberfest admission is free. For more information about Island Oktoberfest, visit galvestonoktoberfest.com or call (409)762-8477.

Also Friday & Saturday the 21st & 22nd, prepare to laugh your antlers off as four lovable losers in hunting camouflage shoot plenty of bull, but not a single deer, on their annual guys’ weekend in the Minnesota woods. After 15 years of seeing their men come home with nothing but a hangover, the wives issue an ultimatum: “Bring home a deer or else!” What to do: shoot one? Buy one? Steal one? Don’t miss the “on target” musical comedy hit, Deer Camp, The Musical, at The Grand.

The next day, October 23rd, two of the world's most celebrated Celtic artists and the power couple of the Canadian fiddling world will thrill audiences with a superb intermingling of Scottish, Irish, and European fiddle traditions. Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy's performances are a feast of fiddle-driven music, dance, and song. Their flamboyant step-dancing, heart-wrenching ballads, and passionate fiddling will leave you breathless! Don't miss their unforgettable performance at The Grand at 3pm.

From its storied harbor to its vault-filled cemeteries to its stately Victorian mansions, historic Galveston is filled with legendary figures and ghostly stories. This October, Galveston Historical Foundation is once again hosting the popular Haunted Harbor Tours Aboard Seagull II the final two weekends of the month. Also getting into 'the spirit' of the season is Hotel Galvez, which will host special Ghost Tour Dinners October 6th, October 13th, October 20th, and October 27th.

October 29th, don't miss the 28th Annual Galveston Island Greek Festival, 11am to 9pm. The event will be a celebration of Greek culture, and will feature Church tours, Greek food and drink, entertainment, children's activities, pastries, a gift shop, imported food, and commemorative items.

Nai-ni Chen Dance is one of the few Asian-American professional dance companies in the United States. The three sisters of the Ahn Trio ─ violinist Angella, cellist Maria, and pianist Lucia ─ are leading proponents of contemporary classical music. Together, these distinctive artists present a one-of-a-kind collaboration dissolving the barriers between music and dance, while combining the grace and splendor of Asian art with the dynamic freedom of American modern dance. Don't miss their unforgettable performance on The Grand's stage, October 29th at 8pm.

Saturday, October 29th, D'Feet Breast Cancer will celebrate its 11th Anniversary at Moody Gardens. This "Celebration of Life" event includes 5K and 10K runs, a 5K walk and a 1K kids run/walk. The runs will wind through Moody Gardens, surrounding neighborhoods and to the Galveston Seawall. The walk will wind through the adjacent Schlitterbahn Waterpark. D'Feet Breast Cancer, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides free screening mammograms and follow-up care to uninsured and underserved women in Galveston County.

And finally, October closes with a day of ghoulishly good times!! Kids are invited to join Moody Gardens for free, spooktacular fun Sunday, October 30th. Ghostly Gardens will include trick-or-treating at various locations throughout the complex, creepy-crafts, and a costume contest for guests in the Garden Lobby, with prizes for the best costume.Ghostly Gardens will be held from 2pm to 4pm. For details, call (800)582-4673.

November

November rumbles into high gear, as the Lone Star Motorcycle Rally returns November 3rd thru 6th. Hundreds of thousands of people will descend on to Galveston Island for an event that is gaining popularity quickly - in fact, the event usually draws more than 250,000 bikers, and this year it’s expected to be even bigger!  Don't miss it.

November 11th thru 26th, island e.t.c. presents Too Old For The Chorus... But Not Too Old To Be A Star, a celebration of the generation that vowed to stay young forever! Critics and audiences alike have cheered this smart new musical that takes a funny and often touching look at the rewards and challenges of the baby boomer generation approaching the big five-o. Performances are Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8:00pm with two Sunday matinées on November 13 & 20th at 2:30pm.

Saturday, November 12th, kids won't wanna miss the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum's monthly Family Day, with today's theme being "The History of Oil," held from 10am to 3pm. For information, call (409)766-STAR.

Holiday sights, sounds, smells and snow will fill the air at Galveston's Moody Gardens from November 18th to January 1st during the tenth annual Festival of Lights. Santa Claus will parachute in November 12th for the grand lighting of the mile-long, million-light trail, which is one of the largest and most popular holiday lighting events on the Gulf Coast.

Bring the entire family along as we travel down the Yellow Brick Road with The Wizard of Oz at The Grand November 12th and 13th! This lavish musical featuring spectacular special effects, dazzling choreography, and those wonderfully singable songs ─ “If I Only Had a Brain,” “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” and “Over the Rainbow.” First developed for the Royal Shakespeare Company, this heartwarming Broadway show closely follows the treasured 1939 Judy Garland-led film and its memorable musical score, adding some new touches and restoring a “Jitterbug” number that was cut from the film.

The 13th annual Seaside Treasure Festival will be held on Friday (noon - 6pm) and Saturday (9am-4pm), November 18th and 19th. The event will feature over 100 arts and crafts vendors, a fabulous lunch in the Seaside Cafe, a wonderful silent auction, and much more. Join the fun at Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church, 53rd and Avenue U, just two blocks off the seawall. Festival proceeds support mission and outreach work in the Galveston area. Admission is free. For details, click to moody.org.

The Grand will present one of the most beloved musicals of all-time, South Pacific, for one performance only, November 19th at 8pm. This Tony-Award winning production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved 1949 musical about love, overcoming prejudice, and making heroic sacrifices is as relevant today as it was over six decades ago.

Thanksgiving weekend is always one of the most festive of the entire year on the Island! The holiday season kicks off in earnest Friday, November 25th, with the annual Tree Lighting at Hotel Galvez from 6 to 8 p.m. This festive celebration, which will kick off with the lighting of the hotel's new 35-foot Christmas tree, is free for the public and will feature a special visit by Santa Claus; holiday entertainment by the Galveston Ballet, bagpipers and more; and holiday greetings from Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski and Galveston's own Queen Victoria. Hotel Galvez will also be collecting donations for the Salvation Army. Festivities will begin on the front lawn of Hotel Galvez with the arrival of Santa Claus by carriage. As part of the celebration, Mayor Jaworski will count down with the crowd and officially light the hotel and Christmas tree to mark the start of the holiday season.

Saturday, November 26th, you won't wanna miss one of the most special ArtWalks of the entire year, when local galleries feature some of the most unique arts and gifts on the island. Enjoy an evening under the stars, among gaslights and twinkling holiday decor.

That same evening, The Grand invites you to a special musical performance by Marilyn Maye & Gregg Edelman at 8pm. Galveston favorite Maye embraces a song lyric with touching warmth, rich sophistication, and total conviction. This intimate evening pairs Marilyn with movie, television and theatre actor Gregg Edleman, whose Broadway credits include A Tale of Two Cities, City of Angels, Into the Woods, and 1776. The perfect Thanksgiving weekend musical treat!

To Find Out More...

These are only a few of the hundreds of autumn events occurring on beautiful Galveston Island September thru November. For more information, please contact the Galveston CVB at (888)GAL-ISLE. To book lodging online, click here, or call toll-free (888)939-8680. When you book lodging via Galveston.com, you'll immediately receive hundreds of dollars worth of money-saving coupons to use during your stay.

About Galveston.com & Company...

Galveston.com & Company, Inc.is a destination marketing corporation based in Galveston, Texas. The company specializes in destination portals, as well as online lodging, cruise, parking, and transportation reservations; and event ticketing via its proprietary DestinationNext module. For more information, contact Galveston.com & Company at via phone (409)763-8676 or email at websites@galveston.com.

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