Press Picks

Sand volleyball Grown men and women will squish their toes in the sand or, more likely, pumice their elbows and knees with the stuff as the Houston Sports and Social Club kicks off its summer sand volleyball league season this evening. 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Play is at Third Coast Volleyball Club, 5652 Forney. For info, call the Houston Sports and Social Club at 439-0519.

wednesday
july 3
Star-Spangled Salute Miller Outdoor Theatre has dibs on the Houston Symphony for Independence Day proper, but the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion has wrangled the musicians for a Fourth of July preview tonight. Cannons will blast as Stephen Stein leads his players in The Star Spangled Banner, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture and The Stars and Stripes Forever. Plus other good American tunes: Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, the Duke Ellington Fantasy, a Texas sing-along medley, four dance episodes from Copland's Rodeo and much, much more. The really big treat is that the pavilion is allowing folks to bring their own picnics with them (no drinks, though; you'll have to buy those when you get there). Pianist Scott Holshouser is the featured artist. 8 p.m. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, 364-3010. Free.