Socialist Reading Group: “The Essence of Capitalism – Stolen Surplus Value!”

Cafe Express 1422 West Gray Street, Houston

The essence of capitalism remains a deliberate hidden mystery. It is hard to justify the theft of value created by others - "surplus value". For this reason, euphemisms are used to put lipstick on the capitalist pig: "free enterprise", "free market", "entrepreneurship", etc.

In this discussion, we will focus on the Marxist Theory of Surplus Value. This theory provides the economic basis to understanding the basic contradiction of capitalism - social production and private appropriation, leading to overproduction and underconsumption.

Free

Environmental Justice: A community discussion and call to action

Green Building Resource Center

Michél Legendre from Corporate Accountability is in Houston to discuss Environmental Justice!

Environmental Justice is a key principle in the climate movement globally, especially for local communities. Join us for an event that paints clearly the action being taken locally, in Houston, post-Harvey, ways to get involved, and what Environmental Justice means to organizers. We will also connect the local campaigns, to city/state-level campaign, and the calls in the halls of the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This will be a community discussion and a call to action for attendees to get involved and create even more impact for justice with a number of organizations.

Free

Zikaron BaSalon – Memories in the Living Room

TBD Houston, TX, United States

Zikaron BaSalon is an annual event, which takes place on Israeli Holocaust Memorial Day. Zikaron BaSalon started in Israel, in a living room where a few friends gathered in 2010 and experienced an extraordinary and meaningful event. The idea was born from the understanding that the connection between us and the memories of the Holocaust, has significantly deteriorated. Today, the program operates in more than 50 countries around the world.

 

Alongside formal events, Zikaron BaSalon offers a new, meaningful and intimate way to commemorate this day and address its implications through discussions at home among family, friends and guests. It is a unique and authentic tradition of people gathering together to open their hearts to the stories of the survivors, sing, think, read, talk and most importantly- listen.

 

Zikaron BaSalon happens in the living room space of a home with 15-40 people. The event consists of three parts: testimony, expression part and open discussion. Light refreshments will be served.

Free

Uniting Our Communities & Countering Hate

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church 1805 W. Alabama St., Houston

Please join Transgender Education Network of Texas and Texas Freedom Network for this interfaith panel discussion examining the relationship between the faith and trans communities.

While the relationship between these two communities is often painted as contentious in the media and proposed policy by extremist elected officials, more than ever we are seeing affirming faith organizations stand up against discrimination for the LGBTQ+ community. This panel will explore that relationship with various voices of leadership within the faith community.

Free

JED Talks Featuring Author Stephanie Wittels Wachs

Rec Room Houston 100 Jackson St #130c, Houston

Join Emanu El Young Professionals on April 12th for the next installment of our award winning JED Talks series. We are so pleased to be featuring Stephanie Wittels Wachs, Owner and Executive Director of Rec Room Houston, actress, and most recently author of Everything Is Horrible and Wonderful: A Tragicomic Memoir of Genius, Heroin, Love, and Loss. Wachs recently appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers, was interviewed on NPR, and was featured as one of Houstonia magazine’s “10 Women Making it Happen.”
 
Come enjoy dinner (on us!) and drinks as we share in Stephanie’s journey. Dinner will be served at 6:30if you’d like to join us early, and the program will begin at 7. There is no cost for this event.

Free

Houston Young Women’s Political Leadership Summit

Rice University 6100 Main St., Houston

Join IGNITE for an action-oriented conference focused on strategies for stepping up and owning your political power. Elected leaders and politically ambitious young women, like you, will share how to best position yourselves as public leaders. You will leave inspired, activated, and ready to run!

Free – $125

RACE; THE POWER OF ILLUSION

Dominican Sisters of Houston Spirituality Center Meeting Room 6501 Almeda Rd, Houston

Is Race for Real? 

We all know that people look different.  Anyone can tell a Czech from a Chinese.  But are these differences racial? What does race mean? Come learn the answers to these and other questions as we explore the Power of Illusion. 

Free

Tax March – Not One Penny

Emancipation Park 3018 Emancipation Ave., Houston

It’s almost that time of year again, folks, which means we’ll be hitting the streets along with ol’ Chicken Don to demand greater transparency and accountability in our elected officials, along with the repeal of the Trump Tax Scam.

Free

When Presence is Penalized: Homelessness in HTX

UH Graduate School of Social Work 3511 Cullen Blvd, Room 110J, Houston

Please join us on Thursday, April 19th to learn more about the current Houston's ordinances that are negatively impacting the lives of the homeless community in Houston.

Free

Post-Harvey Resilience: Top Climate Scientist Katharine Hayoe 4-19

Congregation Emanu El 1500 Sunset Blvd, Houston

As one of the world’s top climate scientists, Katharine Hayhoe has been named among Time's 100 most influential people, Foreign Policy's 100 leading global thinkers, and Fortune's 50 world’s greatest leaders. The New York Times called her “…one of the nation’s most effective communicators on the threat of climate change and the need for action.” Her presentation will go beyond global climate issues, as she addresses local measures to make Houston a more resilient community post-Harvey. She is a professor at Texas Tech University and director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech. Her work has resulted in over 125 peer-reviewed publications. She is a lead author of the nation’s Fourth National Climate Assessment special report soon to be submitted to Congress and the President. She has conducted local climate impact assessments for a broad cross-section of organizations and cities, from Boston Logan Airport to the state of California to Austin Water. As a self-professed Evangelical Christian, she is well known for bridging the gap between scientists and faith-based communities.

$40 – $150

Volunteers for Refugees

Samurai Karate Dojo 12500 Oxford Park Dr., Houston

Community networking to benefit Houston's refugees:

Join us at this annual community networking event to share information and resources to benefit the refugee community in Houston. This is a public event; please invite friends, family and coworkers! If you would like to have a free table to share resources from your own organization or non-profit, or if you have any questions, contact Carmen Garcia at 281-216-6622. More information is also available at the dojo: 281-920-9330 or [email protected] .

Free

Medicare for All Town Hall and Campaign Kickoff

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church 1805 W. Alabama St., Houston

The time has come to stand up and demand full health coverage for everyone in this country!

As part of our national strategy, the Houston DSA chapter will be kicking off their local campaign efforts with a Town Hall event on April 21st at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. You're invited you to come listen to our great guest speakers, learn more about the national campaign, and find out how you can get involved to fight for health justice here in Texas!

The event is free and open to all who may be interested in learning more or figuring how they can participate.

Free

Earth Day Barter Fair

Live Oak Friends Meeting House 1318 W. 26th, Houston, TX, United States

A Barter Fair provides an opportunity to trade objects and services without using common currency. The Quaker testimonies of Simplicity, Community and Stewardship encourage Friends to find creative ways to care for the earth and each other, and we want to extend this opportunity to others in the community. Creating a space to practice thinking together in a new way about how we place value on objects and services within our community seems like a worthwhile way to observe the 49th anniversary of Earth Day.

To get involved, just come! Bring a table, shelf, rug or blanket to display your goods or a sign that describes your service(s). CHILDREN ARE WELCOME! Children are often the best models of how this can work. They have the ability to add value to an item by describing potential uses, and the creativity to negotiate three-way trades.

There will be a designated area for “free” items that you are willing to give to whomever wants them. Visitors may then use such items to barter and trade with if they wish. At the end of the day all items remaining at the “Free Table” will be donated to the Women’s Center.

Free

Indivisible Houston Resistance Carnival

Dan Electros Guitar Bar 1031 E 24th St, Houston

Come out and join us for the first ever Resistance Carnival. Get ready for Games, Crazy Contests, Photo Booths and our Exclusive Dunk An Activist Tank.

Get to know your fellow resistance fighters better and spend a fun family friendly afternoon getting recharged.

See you under the big top!!!!

Earth Day Labyrinth Walk and Prayer

Dominican Sisters Chapel 6504 Almeda Rd, Houston, United States

Join the Dominican Sisters of Houston as we celebrate Earth Day with prayer and walk on the Labyrinth Saturday, April 21, 2018.

Free

Houston’s Annual Compassion Week 2018

Live Oak Friends Meeting House 1318 W. 26th, Houston, TX, United States

Join us for a week of compassionate action and education to celebrate and cultivate Houston’s compassionate culture!

Please go to http://compassionatehouston.org/cw2018/ for more info.

Earth Day Houston

Discovery Green 1500 McKinney, Houston

Please mark your calendars for Earth Day Houston on Sunday, April 22, 2018, from noon to 6 pm at Discovery Green park! Hosted in partnership with the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, Discovery Green’s citywide Earth Day celebration–presented by Green Mountain Energy–is designed to inspire, educate, and encourage action. The event features displays, exhibits and booths on topics ranging from alternative energy to recycling methods, a foodie farmers market, Canned Acoustica, recycling, and more.

Free

2018 Brew at the Zoo

Houston Zoo 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston

Brew at the Zoo highlights some of the best beers from Texas and surrounding areas. As you sip, you can stroll through parts of the Houston Zoo and check out some of your favorite animals. See special presentations with our elephants, jaguars, sea lions, and more. Step into Kipp Aquarium, Carruth Natural Encounters, and the Reptile & Amphibian House for Meet the Keeper Talks Presented by Phillips 66.

Music and entertainment will delight you as you sample a variety of refreshing beers. Additional beer sample passports will be available for purchase during the night. Plus, enjoy live music by local artists and participate in our special animal-themed Trivia Gone Wild for a chance to win exclusive Zoo prizes! Pub-style grub will also be available for purchase throughout the event.

$25 – $45

Heart of HoUSton 2018: Lessons in Servant Leadership on the Road to 2036

St. Mark's Episcopal Church 3816 Bellaire Blvd., Houston

Join us to explore how to create sustainable leadership, personal transformation and authentic involvement for individuals and organizations. Based on Lawrence J. Payne’s edited volume of the same name, attendees will hear from Houston leaders across disciplines to gain an understanding of how to sustainably impact our communities for the better.

Free

“Human Flow” Film Screening

University of Houston - Sugar Land 14000 University Blvd, Sugar Land

Human Flow, an epic film journey by Ai Weiwei, captures massive human migration. As uprooted people (from around the world) try to escape famine, climate change, and war, in search of safety, shelter, and justice.

*FREE* Viewing at the University of Houston at Sugar Land, Saturday, April 28th, 1 PM.

Free