Czech Heritage Month Concert

The 8th annual Czech Heritage Month concert featured an all-Smetana program as part of the celebrations surrounding Czech Independence Day, the Year of Czech Music, and the bicentennial of Bedřich Smetana. It was another spectacular performance by Apollo Chamber Players with special guest Rodolfo Morales. Thank you to a full house teeming with excitement! October 17, 2024

Reception honoring Petr Pavel, President of the Czech Republic

On July 12, 2024, the CCMH was honored to welcome Czech President Petr Pavel and Eva Pavlová to Houston. The Prague delegation joined members of the Greater Houston Czech community for an intimate evening celebrating heritage, culture, and the future of Texas-Czech relations.

Pardubická Muzika Brass Band Concert

The Pardubická Muzika Brass Band delighted attendees with their lovely music on May 29, 2024! The talented band made their way from the Pardubice Conservatory of Music in the Czech Republic to perform traditional brass music at the CCMH!

Regarding the band, in only a short amount of time after being formed, Pardubická muzika made a concert tour to the USA and Germany, and received a bronze medal at an international competition in Mühlbach. They’ve also held concerts in the Senate of the Czech Republic and at the international festival Pardubice Music Spring. This year, the brass band recorded its very first CD. Pardubická muzika is happy to be supported by Pardubice Conservatory, City of Pardubice, and the Pardubice Region.

Jazz Night 2024: Sparky's Jazz Express

Sparky’s Jazz Express charmed attendees at the CCMH on March 28, 2024 with their salute to jazz music from Czechoslovakia! Members of the public were able to unwind and enjoy a memorable night out while indulging in the cozy ambiance of the Brno Gallery, savoring refreshing beverages, and the entertainment of live music.

Sparky’s Jazz Express has several talented members such as Tom Borling on piano, Steve Montgomery on bass, Ben Atkinson on drums, and Sparky Koener on the trumpet and flugelhorn.

Sparky Koerner, the leader of Sparky’s Jazz Express is also in another ensemble called “The Galvanized Brass”. He recently retired after 40 years of being the Director of Instrumental Music/Jazz Studies at College of the Mainland in Texas City. Sparky had also served as Chairman of the Fine Arts Department at COM and continues to direct the COM Community Jazz Ensemble as a Lifelong Learning Class. He also recently retired as principal trumpeter with the Galveston Symphony Orchestra.

Collector's Eye on Czech Photography

Members of the public were able to join Frazier King for a free public tour exploring the remarkable works of art showcasing the poetry, creativity, and humor of Czech photography. Czech and Slovak photography from those who have presented at FotoFest since 1990 was on display. Insight was provided to attendees about the artworks on display by King, and they were able to take advantage of such an incredible opportunity to learn about the tradition of Czech photography and get an exclusive look at works from Houston’s art enthusiasts. After the public tour, King offered a book signing of “The Collector’s Eye - A Photographer’s View of His Contemporaries”. This event took place on March 26, 2024.

As for Frazier King, he’s a photographer, collector, and curator living and working in Houston. For over the last 25 years, he has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, France, and Belgium. His work is in the collections of several individuals as well as the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Harry Ransom Center in Austin, George Eastman House in Rochester, New York, Bibliotheque nationale de France in Paris, France, and the Museu de Arte Moderna, in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.

Frazier King has been a collector since the 1990s. His collection was shown by FotoFest in 2012 in “The Collector’s Eye II” exhibition. Subsequently, he produced in conjunction with FotoFest and Schilt Publishing a book entitled “The Collector’s Eye—A Photographer’s View of His Contemporaries”. During his 15 years serving as a member of the board of directors of HCP, King curated or co-curated exhibitions and participated as a reviewer in photography portfolio review events around the world.

Czech-American TV Screening

On January 17, 2024, Czech-American TV presented its original, high-quality reports and documentaries about Czech culture, traditions, cuisine, etc., at the CCMH! The video presentation was introduced by Czech-American TV founder and producer John Honner, as well as marketing director Joe Mraz.

Czech-American TV, also known as CATVusa, is a non-profit volunteer project created by Czech-American John Honner. He decided 20 years ago to begin promoting the Czech Republic in his new home country of the United States of America. He received much support and many donations from not only in the USA, but from Czech universities and institutions as well.

CATVusa has been promoting the Czech Republic - especially in English-speaking countries through the presentation of half-hour shows. They have been airing weekly shows on cable TV in Illinois for over 20 years, and now broadcast in Florida, Oregon, and Texas - where the shows are watched by almost 6 million people across those states. Along with cable broadcasting (HMS-TV Comcast Channel 17, At&T U-Verse Ch 99, Sudden Link Ch 99, Phonoscope Ch 96, all in the Houston City Limits), the programs can also be accessed via the Internet - which is utilized by over 100,000 viewers across the world - mostly in Canada, Australia, England, and Germany.

The broadcasts that take place inform viewers about stunning and interesting places in the Czech Republic as well as teach them about Czech history, folklore, cuisine, fashion, products, regions, cities, monuments, etc.