From the Czech Silver Thaler to the American Dollar Exhibition

From the Czech Silver Thaler to the American Dollar is an exhibition held by the Museum of East Bohemia in conjunction with the University of Pardubice at the CCMH to present the 500 year “family history” of the dollar currency.

The exhibition presents the emergence and development of thaler (tolar) currencies in 16th-century Europe – starting with the large silver coins minted in Jáchymov (Joachimsthal) in 1520, which were known as Joachimsthalers or just thalers (after the town’s German name) – a name which eventually came to refer to all coins of this general type. The exhibition explains why the word ‘dollar’ was used for the newly created U.S. currency in the late 18th century, as well as tracing how the historical development of these coins (which continues up to the present day) has been connected with Bohemia’s former mineral wealth.

From July 12, 2024 to October 31, 2024

Pardubická Muzika Brass Band Concert (Copy)

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.

Meet and Greet with Czech Universities

Professors and other staff members at and alumni of Czech universities, as well as members of the Czech community, came together on May 23, 2024, to form meaningful connections and share their personal experiences.

Individuals from 12 Czech universities attended this incredible event! This includes Charles University, Mendel University, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU), Tomas Bata University in Zlín, The Film Academy of Miroslav Ondricek, University of Hradec Králové, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem (UJEP), University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Masaryk Institute of Advanced Studies, Czech Technical University in Prague, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Masaryk University, and the University of Pardubice.

Voices of Vision Exhibition

Just as World War I came to an end, the remarkable partnership of a Czechoslovak patriot and a visionary American president set the stage for the first western-style democracy in Central Europe. In 1918, following the War, the nation of Czechoslovakia was formed from the war-torn lands of Austria-Hungary, giving Czechs and Slovaks the chance to control their own destiny as a free nation. While the First Czechoslovak Republic was suppressed by Hitler after only 20 years, the beliefs of these two leaders – Woodrow Wilson and Tomáš G. Masaryk – remain no less compelling more than a century after World War I.

From May 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024

CCMH Annual Czech Spring Festival 2024

Get ready for our annual Czech Spring Festival, where we celebrate the sights, sounds, and flavors of springtime traditions in the Czech and Slovak Republics.

Enjoy: 👇
🎶 Live music to get your body moving
🎨 Face painting and a caricature artist to capture your excitement!
📸 Photo booth for those must-have spring day memories.
🌭 Redneck Czechs Deli will be serving up delicious eats to fuel your day, while games
🌻🌷 and flower crowns keep the little ones entertained!

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

• Chris Rybak Band | 12-4 PM

• Texas Czech-Slovak Queen presentations | 1 PM

• Maypole dance | 2 PM

• Puppet Show | 3 PM

• Kolache Eating Contest | 4 PM

👑 Featuring CHS Texas Czech-Slovak Queens and Royalty

🪷 Destiny Hollingsworth, Miss Czech-Slovak US Queen 2023-2024

💐 Kyla Jupe, CHS Miss Bexar County Czech-Slovak Queen 2024-2025

🌺 Khloe Haygood, CHS Bexar County Czech-Slovak Little Princess 2024-2025

🪻 Allison Pustejovsky, CHS Miss McLennan-Hill Junior Queen 2024-2025

🌼 Karson Haygood, McLennan-Hill Czech-Slovak King 2024-2025

🪗 and Chris Rybak

April 20, 2024

Milan Kundera Book Club Discusses The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Please join us for a series of events exploring the work of Milan Kundera (1929-2023), the Czech writer whose books became an international phenomenon. During the Soviet domination of Czechoslovakia, Kundera reminded the world of his native country’s central place in European culture. Kundera was also drawn to the imagination of France, where he settled in 1975. The cultural form that preoccupied Kundera was the novel. He leaned into its skepticism and comedy to contemplate societies distorted by ideology and vacuousness.

Robert Cremins and Dan Price from the Honors College at the University of Houston will lead us in a discussion of The Unbearable Lightness of Being, a best-seller that became a popular film. They will be in conversation with Houston author and physician Ricardo Nuila from the Humanities Expression and Arts Lab (HEAL) at Baylor College of Medicine.

DACAMERA Young Artists will perform music from Beethoven’s late String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135, prominently referenced in the novel.

In September we will meet to consider The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, which back in late 1980 The New York Times called “the most original book of the season.”

April 16, 2024

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.

FotoFest 2024 Artist Reception

Join the Czech Center Museum Houston on Wednesday, March 20, from 6–8 PM to celebrate this year’s FotoFest Biennial Participating Spaces exhibition Czechs, Collected: Czech and Slovak photographers in Houston’s private collections and at FotoFest since 1990. Meet and mingle with the artists, curator, and team behind the special exhibition, and immerse yourself in the world of Czech photography. 

The Artist Reception will be held at the CCMH, with an introduction by FotoFest co-founder Wendy Watriss and FotoFest executive director Steven Evans. Complimentary valet parking is available to CCMH guests. This event is FREE and open to the public. Enjoy light refreshments and see images that have inspired Houston collectors over the last 30 years.

March 20, 2024

Czech and Slovak Hockey Game

On March 2, 2024, Houston’s annual Czech and Slovak hockey match took place!

Další ročník CZ&SK bruslení a hokejového zápasu Česko-Slovensko All Star Team proti Zbytku Světa je tu!

Začneme hodinou bruslení (2 - 3 pm), bude následovat krátká pauza a po ní to nejdůležitější - hokejový zápas!! Pokud nebruslíte, přijďte aspoň fandit. Budeme mít určitě něco na zahřátí!
Po skončení hokejového zápasu se, stejně jako loni, přesuneme do nějaké občerstvovny na pivo.

First there was a free skating period for those who were interested in participating. This was followed by a short break and then the hockey game! Attendees who did not participate were encouraged to cheer. After the match, like in previous years, attendees then followed up the event with some beer.

Movie Screening: The Investigator

On February 7, 2024, the Czech Center Museum Houston presented a screening of a documentary film by director Viktor Portel - which was then followed by a discussion with Dr. Lora Wildenthal, the John Anthony Weir Professor of History at Rice University.

The Investigator presents the moving story of Vladimir Dzuro - who was the first Czech investigator for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Throughout the screening, he confronted the haunting legacy of war crimes, witnessed the impact on victims’ families, conflicting nations, and Vladimir Dzuro himself.

Regarding Lora Wildenthal, she is the John Anthony Weir Professor of History at Rice University. She has taught the history of human rights since the late 1990s, and currently she’s the Director of the Center for the Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality at Rice University. She has authored The Language of Human Rights in West Germany - which was then published with the University of Pennsylvania Press. She has also co-edited the Routledge History of Human Rights along with several other projects and publications.

Masopust: Potluck a Maskarni Ples 2024

On February 3, 2024, Houston’s Czech and Slovak communities were invited for a Masopust and Masquerade Ball!

Občerstvení formou potluck. Víno & pivo bude k zakoupení opět přímo na místě, stejně tak jako uzené výrobky. Zábava pro malé i velké - kostýmy, hry pro děti (i dospělé) - skákání v pytlích, běh s vajíčkem na lžíci atd. Crafts, soutěž v jezení koláčů. A samozřejmě české a slovenské písničky, můžeme i tancovat!

Refreshments were in the form of a potluck. There were also plenty of opportunities for people of any age to have fun - such as games for children and adults, a cake eating competition, singing Czech and Slovak songs, and dancing in costume.

Czech-American TV Screening (Copy)

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.

Second Saturday for Students 2024

January 13, 2024

February 10, 2024

March 9, 2024

April 13, 2024

May 11, 2024

June 8, 2024

July 13, 2024

August 10, 2024

September 14, 2024

October 12, 2024

November 9, 2024

Vánoční Večírek

Rok se s rokem sešel a my máme štestí, že za našimi česýymi a slovenskými dětmi opět přiletí až z Gerlachovského Štítu svatý Mikuláš v doprovodu anděla a čerta! Samozřejmě ani dospěláci nepřijdou zkrátka - jídla, pití a zábavy bude spousta, jako vždy!

Můžete se těšit na aktivity pro děti (tvoření, omalovánky, zdobení perníčků atd.), vánoční písničky a samozřejmě setkání s celou česko-slovenskou komunitou.

Tak jako pokaždé bude občerstvení formou potlucku.

Tak, jako minulý rok, bude na místě možné zakoupit pivo, víno, svařák a kafíčko a dále také klobásy, spišskě párky, vinně klobásy s výborným chlebíkem!

December 2023

Memorial Service for James E. Ermis

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, members of the community came together to attend a memorial service in honor of founding board member James E. Ermis.

James was born September 26, 1935 in Beaumont, Texas and passed away peacefully at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston on November 10, 2023 after a lengthy illness. James was preceded in death by his wife of almost 60 years Danna Hopson Ermis, his mother Agnes Miculka Ermis, father Ladimer Edward Ermis and sister Virginia Ermis Harper. James is survived by his niece Linda Ellis, nephew Purvis Harper (Lynn Harper), great nieces Petria Christine Ellis, Shannon Harper Boyer (Danny Boyer), Lauren Harper Lorensen (Adam Lorensen), and great nephews Eric Wayne Ellis and Blake Allen Harper (Ashley Harper), brother-in-law Clyde Hopson, god-daughter Erin Swearingen and many additional family and friends.

James graduated from South Park High School in Beaumont, attended Texas A&M University, and graduated from Lamar University in 1959.  After graduation, James worked for Tenneco Oil and then Wing Oil Corporation as its treasurer from 1968-1998.  James loved bowling, worked part time at a bowling alley and even considered becoming a professional bowler at one time.

James and Danna lived in Houston in the early years of their marriage and then relocated to Spring, Texas where he remained until the death of his beloved wife Danna. At that time James moved to Kingwood to be close to his sister Virgie Harper, her children, and grandchildren. James was a faithful member of Kingwood Methodist Church and the Apostles Sunday School class.

James and Danna enjoyed many hobbies including jewelry making and ceramics of which family and friends were often the grateful recipients of their creativity.  James and Danna also loved traveling and often visited the Texas Hill Country, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma to visit Danna’s family homestead and to Czechoslovakia, James’ family homeland.

James was a founding board member, former treasurer, dedicated volunteer, and enthusiastic advocate for the Czech Center Museum in Houston. James and Danna’s personal collection of Czech porcelain and crystal is on display at the museum. James was extremely proud of his Czech heritage and worked tirelessly to promote the interests and reputation of the Czech Center Museum in the vibrant Houston Museum district.