Super Bowl 51, Discovery Green and Memory Lane
So I’ve been a Houston sports fan for as long as I can remember. Over the years, I’ve been dedicated to “Love Ya Blue,” “Breathing Orange Fire” and never underestimating the “Heart of a Champion.” Photography? I fell in love with it almost twelve years ago, and it’s been my soul’s Yoda ever since. Recently, those two aspects of my life – the love of sports and the love of photography – collided in spectacular fashion when I licensed one of my Discovery Green photos for use on METRO buses and trains to promote Super Bowl 51.
Coming to METRO buses and trains near you.
So to mark this cool occasion, I want to give some love to Discovery Green, who for seven years now, I’ve been lucky enough to call a client. And while I do take each shoot seriously, the word “client” almost seems too formal to me. When I’m at the park, the Discovery Green staff makes me feel like part of their family. And, honestly, isn’t that what Discovery Green is all about? Family? Whether your family consists of the traditional mom, dad and two kids, or it consists of you and your partner, whether your family is your best group of girlfriends…or, maybe it’s simply you and your favorite pup — whatever you define as your family, you are welcome at Discovery Green.
To Know Where We’re Going, We Must First Understand Where We’ve Been
When I got the email back in December 2009, the one inquiring whether I was available to shoot the “Administaff Holiday Balloon Ribbon Cutting” at the Discovery Green, I had only been to the park a handful of times. Not surprising at all, considering it had been a parking lot just a few years earlier. I was a bit nervous about taking the project, still feeling all the insecurities of being a newbie in my recently picked-up profession. Plus, former President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush were going to attend. So…a new client, a big event, a former president – yeah, no pressure there. Oh, and did I mention I have a fear of heights? No? Well, I do. But I accepted, and before I knew it, I was flying high. High above the park that would become a home away from home.
A bird’s-eye view of Discovery Green, 2009.
Since that wonderfully-fortuitous first shoot, I’ve photographed over 100 events for Discovery Green, everything from concerts to classes, Halloweens to happy hours. Then there have been all those temporary art installations, those aerial photos, and those smiles upon smiles upon smiles from joyful visitors. Regrettably, I can’t bring Discovery Green to you; you really should experience the park firsthand. What I can do, however, is invite you to celebrate the magic of the park through my eyes. So with that, let us take a trip down memory lane via some of my favorite photos through the years.
Did I hear someone say that there will be music at this party?
Jason Moran. (I promise he’s under there.)
Ellis Marsalis Quartet. Ellis Marsalis, ya’ll!
Rodney Crowell. Because legends are at home at Discovery Green.
Mary Sarah of The Voice fame. If you haven’t heard of her, I reckon you will soon.
Gary Clark Jr., on the cusp of his breakout. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen.
If you lose your desire to learn, you lose your will to live.
Tango lessons at the park.
STEM classes for kids.
Who’s up for a Circus Arts class at the park?
Give me a costume, Santa Claus and some ice skates, and I’m ready for the season!
Two adorable girls, all dressed up for Halloween, enjoy Scream on the Green.
The cutest butterfly in town!
Wait? He moved! Two more cuties enjoying Scream on the Green.
Santa is the best listener! And how cute is this? It’s one of my favorite favorites.
Letters to Santa are sure to arrive when sent from Discovery Green.
The ICE at Discovery Green. Lace up those skates and take a spin!
Rainbow on Ice is always a popular night at the park.
Skating into the night.
I need culture in my life. Can someone point me in the direction of some performance art?
I loved Barolosolo so much, I watched it twice!
And then Maravilloso was magnificent, beguiling, sophisticated. Simply wow.
Strange Fruit. Performance art all the way from Australia. It was excellent, mate!
So you mean there’s more to this place than music, classes and culture?
Discovery Discussions
Sundown at the Grove
Yoga in the Park.
Yeah, yeah…all those artsy fartsy installations are for…wait, whoa! Sweet!
Graeve Globes by David Graeve
Field of Light by Bruce Munro
Wings of the City by Jorge Marin
Enchanted Promenade by TILT
Firmament by Christopher Schardt
The park makes it easier to keep an eye on local art — and artists!
GONZO247 of Aerosol Warfare
Art Car Preview. Yes, those are marshmallow Peeps. See what you’re missing.
The Flea at Discovery Green
Discovery Green is a place for…
Reading on a beautiful day.
Enjoying time with family.
Loving life.
Laughing with friends, old and new.
Just a little ol’ park in the big city.
And sometimes a big shindig comes to town. NCAA Final Four Festivities. Next up…Super Bowl!
So now we head into a new year at the park, including that little Super Bowl 51 thing in February. (Go Texans!) If you live in Houston, I hope you put the park on your “must do” list. And if you don’t live in Houston, you can always follow along at Discovery Green’s home on Facebook. Or, if you are interested in my work, you can keep up right here at Slight Clutter Photography. In the past, I’ve kept my blog posts pretty much “personal work” only. But with the help of super Houstonian Jeff Balke at the web design and website maintenance firm, Site Mender, I’ll be making some cool updates to my website soon, and I’ll start focusing on showcasing all of what I do, not just the photos I take in my “spare time.” And many of those will be of Discovery Green.
And with that, a photo of that wonderful holiday balloon that started it all, flying above the park I adore. Thank you, Discovery Green!
The Administaff Holiday Balloon, 2009. Fly high, Discovery Green!
