Episode 6: Allegro Ballet of Houston Presents " The Nutcracker"

Episode 6 features Allegro Ballet’s NutcrackerOur guests today are Carla Capetillo and Vanessa Brown with the Allegro Academy of Dance and Allegro Ballet of Houston. 

Allegro Ballet of Houston was founded in 1951 by Emmamae Horn, and celebrates it's 72nd anniversary this year.  The Artistic Director is Vanessa Brown.  Allegro hosted Regional Dance America/SW Festivals in 1981, 1991, 2001, and in 2011 in celebration of its 60th Anniversary.  Allegro has been "Setting the Barre" for over 70 years!  We had the lovely opportunity to sit down with Carla and Vanessa to learn all about the Allegro Academy and their upcoming performance of The Nutcracker. Enjoy. 

For tickets and more information please visit: Tickets | Allegro Ballet of Houston presents The Nutcracker 2024 | Shovation

Episode 5: Deck the Halls, Energy Corridor! | Shaun Gray and the Energy Corridor District Holiday Lighting

Episode 5 of The Synergy Corridor Podcast features Shaun Gray of Shaun Gray Events and producer of the Energy Corridor District Holiday Lighting and EnergyFest. Shaun is a native Texan. He moved to Houston in 2011 and began a wedding and event planning career. Prior to moving to Houston, he was in non-profit and political management where he was first introduced to event planning by producing press events and charity galas for a wide array of causes. 

Over the last decade, Shaun has been named “Houston’s Best Wedding Planner” by multiple Houston media outlets and has received regional and state-wide awards for tablescape design, non-profit event planning, social event-planning, and more. We had the lovely opportunity to sit down with Shaun to learn all about his work. Enjoy.

Event Highlight: Energy Corridor Holiday Lighting | Thursday, December 5, 2024

Production host and sponsor: The Outreach Center of West Houston

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Episode 4: Operation Turkey→

Thanks for joining us this week, on the Synergy Corridor. We live in this community and love highlighting all of the good there is out there.  If you have a local story, individual, or upcoming event that you would like to be featured on the Synergy Corridor podcast be sure to email us at show@synergycorridor.com. We would love to hear from you. Don’t forget to write us a review on Apple Podcasts and share the show with your friends and neighbors. This week’s Synergy Corridor podcast has been brought to you by the Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra in collaboration with the Outreach Center of West Houston, and produced by Podastery LLC. Our executive producers are Sarah McDonner and Beau York, our guest this week was Tim Stroud with Operation Turkey.

Over the last 24 years Operation Turkey has remained a 100% volunteer organization without a single paid employee. We are more than 50,000 volunteers strong working together to ensure everyone receives a warm meal on Thanksgiving Day. No matter where you are Thanksgiving Day, you can participate with Operation Turkey. Once you do it, please tell others about it, and together we will eradicate hunger one meal, one day, at a time.

Operation Turkey’s history back to the year 2000 when Richard Bagdonas had just finished his own Thanksgiving dinner with friends. Full from his delicious meal, he did what many of us do, plate the leftovers. While driving home, he decided that the extra food could benefit someone more…

“That Thanksgiving, I drove downtown to 6th Street on my way home and handed out a plate of food to a homeless man in a wheelchair. He couldn’t thank me because he was mentally challenged, but the homeless guy next to him said ‘thank you’ and helped feed the meal to the man. Afterwards I sat in my car and cried, and I knew I wanted to do something about it.”

In 2010, Richard made the decision to hand over the organization to a new leader, Brian Tolbert. Brian immediately realized the potential of the grass roots organization and wanted to share it with other cities. In 2011, Operation Turkey opened its first new location in San Marcos, Texas and each year more cities and states joined. In 2019, the organization delivered more than 62,000 meals in 22 cities and 7 states with more than 35,000 volunteers.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we operated in a limited capacity and successfully delivered more than 75,000 meals in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, we got back to normal operations and delivered more than 50,000 meals. Join us in 2023 as we continue getting back on track to deliver more meals to the homeless and less fortunate.

On Thursday, November 28th from 8:30am-12:00pm, Operation Turkey, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Houston Galleria and the Outreach Center of West Houston, will be blessing families in need of a warm meal on Thanksgiving with a free one! Scan the QR code to reserve your meals.

Episode 3: The Outspoken Bean | Synergy Corridor Podcast

Episode 3: Emanuelee Bean, also known as "Outspoken Bean," stands as a dynamic artist and influential mentor, with an impressive range of accomplishments in the world of poetry and performance. His pioneering spirit was vividly showcased when he became the first poet to grace the revered main stage of Houston Ballet during their production "Play," solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer. Born in New Jersey and nurtured in the vibrant culture of San Antonio, Texas, Outspoken Bean currently wears the prestigious title of Houston's Fifth Poet Laureate. This recognition was further affirmed with the distinguished Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship in 2022, a testament to his exemplary contributions. 

With an unwavering commitment to nurturing emerging talents, Bean has dedicated 14 years as the Head Coach of Meta-Four Houston. This dedication culminated in their remarkable success at the Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam in 2023. Beyond his poetic endeavors, he extends his expertise to public speaking, mentoring individuals in effective communication. Notably, he has graced the esteemed halls of Carnegie Hall, cementing his reputation as a distinguished performer on the global stage.  We had the lovely opportunity to sit down with Outspoken Bean to learn all about his work. Enjoy.

Sponsor: The Outreach Center of West Houston - visit www.oc-wh.org today

Episode 1: Bayou City Arts Festival Oct 11-13 | The Synergy Corridor

Welcome to the Synergy Corridor Podcast! Dive into the vibrant world of Houston's art, culture, and entertainment industry with the Synergy Corridor podcast. From the latest locally owned and operated small businesses and powerhouse organizations, to live music events, festivals, and the hottest dining spots, we bring you the insider scoop on everything Houston art, culture, and entertainment all set to the tune of Houston’s own Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra (ECHO). Join us as we chat with local artists, venue owners, service leaders, and industry insiders to give you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what makes Houston a cultural hotspot. Whether you're a resident, a frequent visitor, or just curious about the area, tune in for your front row ticket to the heart of Houston's dynamic arts, culture, and entertainment scene, with a focus on West Houston. Produced by Podastery LLC and powered by the Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra, in collaboration with the Outreach Center of West Houston, and listeners like you!

Episode 1 features the The Bayou City Art Festival, Houston’s iconic art festival showcasing the works of 300 artists in 19 different categories. The Festival takes place at Memorial Park this weekend, that’s October 11th through the 13th. And we had the lovely opportunity to sit down with Kelly Batterson, Executive Director for Art Colony Association, Inc. who are the producers of the Bayou City Art Festival, to learn all about it. Enjoy

Bayou City Art Festival will showcase the works of 270 artists in 19 different categories in Memorial Park from Friday through Sunday, October 11-13, 2024, from 10 a.m. 6 p.m. As one of the top outdoor art festivals in the nation, Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park benefits local nonprofits and features something for everyone. 

Patrons can take a walk through the park and personally meet the artists, view original works, and purchase one-of-a-kind art, prints, jewelry, sculptures, functional art and more at all price levels. 

This year’s featured artist is Ash Beheshti, a mixed media artist from Los Angeles. As a visual storyteller, Beheshti voices his stories through his figurative collages that celebrate the female form and portray women in a strong, positive, and inspirational light. 

The crowd at Houston’s largest and oldest art festival will enjoy live entertainment stages, numerous food trucks, a craft beer and wine garden, a VIP Hospitality Lounge, and entertainment throughout Memorial Park.  

In the Active Imagination Zone, Bayou City Art Festival’s nonprofit partners will host art activities for all ages and include an interactive area for all attendees to enjoy. 

Online tickets are available at www.bayoucityartfestival.com for $20 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, and children under five are free. VIP Hospitality Lounge tickets are $75 and include admission to the festival. Online pre-purchased tickets are required to enter the festival. Tickets will not be sold at the gate and can only be purchased online. 

Since the founding of the Westheimer Art Festival more than 50 years ago, now known as Bayou City Art Festival, the Art Colony Association, Inc. has raised more than $3.6 million for local nonprofit programs from the proceeds of its festivals. Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park in the fall and Bayou City Art Festival Downtown in the spring has provided a venue for more than 20,000 artists to showcase their work to thousands of art lovers from all over the world. The festivals are funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, corporate sponsorships, private contributions, in-kind support, and volunteer assistance.  

For more information about Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park or to purchase tickets to the festival, visit www.bayoucityartfestival.com.    

Featured Event: Bayou City Art Festival | Houston Texas

Music Selection: George F. Handel’s Concerto Grosso Op. 6, No. 1 performed by the Energy Corridor Orchestra of Houston

Sponsor: The Outreach Center of West Houston - visit www.oc-wh.org today