Spring Westheimer Art Festival Not a truckload of art, but more -- two city blocks of art. Works by close to 300 artists and craftspeople will be on display and on sale at this two-day festival. Children, although often canny art critics, are not expected to be satisfied with art alone, and so the planners have included a kids' area with games and entertainments. Young and old alike can stuff themselves on festival fare at the food court. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today and Sunday. 1800 Main (at Calhoun). For more information, call 521-0133. $3; free, children under 12.
Visualizing South Asian Diasporas Graduate students from the Rice department of anthropology have organized a symposium with documentaries and discussions about the South Asian experience. These films were made by Americans, Britons and Canadians who have in common South Asian backgrounds and strong ideas about race, culture and identity. This morning's program opens with a "Negotiating Sexual Difference" segment, which includes two short films and a discussion, 9:30-11 a.m. Other highlights of the day include the short film I'm British But E by Gurinder Chadha, 1:45 p.m., and a two-and-a-half-hour segment called "Blind Spots in the American Dream," 3:15 p.m. All events at the Rice Media Center, Rice University (entrance no. 8 off University). For more information, call Lamia Karim, 662-9658, or e-mail lamiarice.edu. During the days of the conference, call the Media Center, 427-4882. Free.
Love Crazy Romance event The Houston Press and the Museum of Fine Arts invite all Houston-area singles to a fun-filled event with William Powell and Myrna Loy. The first 50 placers of Romance ads will get in free; the next however-many ad placers will be charged admission to the movie, but get a free 40-word Romance ad. Love Crazy is great date film, witty and romantic -- think of this event as a group date situation for an entire auditorium full of singles. 6:30 p.m. Museum of Fine Arts, Brown Auditorium, 1001 Bissonnet. For more information, call Romance, 624-1414.
Comet watch Things might seem normal to you, but up in the sky, comets Hale-Bopp and Hyakutake are putting on perhaps their most spectacular show of the century. These comets might be visible from downtown, but the best bet is to take advantage of the George Observatory, which enjoys skies six times darker than our local, light-polluted heavens. Though the moon will be fairly bright tonight, Comet Hyakutake should have a proper comet's tail and be visible in the northern sky from 8 p.m.-midnight. On the ground, at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m., Keith Hammons, past president of the Fort Bend Astronomy Club, and Billie Harland, of the Astronomical Society of Southeast Texas, will give talks. One thing they'll explain is that these comets are too close to be seen properly with the observatory's 36-inch telescope, but that binoculars and small telescopes are available. The George Observatory, a facility of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, is 55 miles south of downtown in Brazos Bend State Park. Take Highway 59 to the Crabb River Road exit and then follow the signs. Call ahead for weather and comet updates, 639-4777. Or check the MNS web site, http://www.hmns.mus.tx.us. $5 per car entrance fee.
sunday
march 31
Lilypons garden party At some point or another, almost every gardener gets it into her or his head to have a pond. At this garden party, experts will explain the do's and don'ts of water gardening. Which plants to use, pond design and drainage questions will all be covered. Also, they might offer helpful suggestions about what to do when your father-in-law stumbles into the pond and ruins his shoes. Noon-5:30 p.m. Lilypons Water Gardens, take I-10 west to Brookshire, exit at FM 1489-Koomey Road, go one-quarter mile south. For more information, call 391-0076.
Funday in the Park! It's time for the third season's first Funday! Norma Zenteno and Tejano Knights will play live music while the whole family enjoys games, rides and contests. 1-6 p.m. Denver Harbor Park, 6500 Market Street. Free admission; delightfully affordable sodas and snacks.
Facing the New World: Immigrant Experiences in Galveston Today, the Texas Seaport Museum is free to all for a special film showing and art opening. West of Hester Street, a documentary about Jewish immigrants in Galveston, will be shown at 3 and 4 p.m. In the gallery, an exhibit of photographs, documents and artifacts, many loaned by Galveston families, will be displayed. Facing the New World will be on display through March 1997. Open free today, 2:30-5 p.m. Texas Seaport Museum, Pier 21 (Harborside Drive between 21st and 22nd streets), Galveston, (409) 763-1877.
monday
april 1
The Boys Choir of Harlem The boys, singing since 1968, will give a thoroughly professional concert of classical, pop and gospel music. 7 p.m. The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, Galveston, (409) 765-1894 or (800) 821-1894. $15-$25.
