100th anniversary calendar of events

The 1900 Storm Committee began meeting in January 1998 to coordinate the city's commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the 1900 Storm. Under the direction of Mayor Roger Quiroga and Chairman Michael Doherty, the committee has scheduled the following public activities.

SEPTEMBER 2000

Weekends in September

8 p.m. Friday and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays: "Malhado: The Storm of the Century," play developed and written by Delora Whitney and Ensemble Studio Theatre’s Actor and Director Lab, Strand Theatre, 2317 Ships Mechanic Row. Call Rick Watson, (409) 763-4591.

September 3: Daily News publishes special commemorative edition.

September 7: International Oleander Society "Lest We Forget" luncheon, Ashton Villa, 2328 Broadway. Fundraiser for educational scholarships. Luncheon will commemorate the replanting of oleanders and other vegetation on Galveston Island in the wake of the devastating 1900 Storm. 11:30 a.m.: 1 p.m. For information call (409) 770-9077.

September 7: The Grand 1894 Opera House and Midsummer Books present "Galveston: Before and After" at 7:30 p.m..

September 8: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Amateur radio, special event. UTMB emergency communications group of ham radio operators will operate from UTMBs radio center using the special call sign W5G; 11th floor UTMB. Call Joe Dispensa, (409) 762-1423.

September 8: 9:30 a.m., Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Placing of Wreath at Orphanage site, 69th and Seawall Boulevard.

September 8: 100th Anniversary of The 1900 Storm Candlelight Memorial Service, Kermit Courville Stadium, 27th and M. Citywide memorial service for the victims of the 1900 Storm. The time is to be announced and admission is free. Call (409) 765-7834 or visit www.galvestonhistory.org.

September 8: Dinner and meeting provided by the Houston Chapter of the American Meteorlogical Society. Speakers include Casey Green from Rosenberg Library's Texas History Center. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Ocean Grill, 23rd and Seawall, Galveston, (409) 762-7100.

September 8: Blessing of the Ursuline Sisters‚ Cemetery, 2601 Ursuline, at 1 p.m. by the Rev. Frank Fabj of Sacred Heart Church. Ursuline Alumnae members and the public are invited to attend. Rev. Frank Fabj of Sacred Heart Church will bless the plaque for the Ursuline Chapel Bell, located in front of Galveston Catholic School, 2601 Ursuline in the evening. The bell was instrumental in the rescue of 1,500 people by the nuns the night of Sept. 8. For information, call (409) 744-5173.

September 8-10: Special Worship Services, Galveston Faith Communities. Worship services dedicated to the memory of those who died in the 1900 Storm. The time is to be announced and admission is free. Call (409) 765-7834.

September 8-9: 1900 Storm Centennial Weekend, Rose Hall and The Mermaid & The Dolphin. Two of Galveston's finest historic mansions that have survived The Great Storm invite you to the 1900 Storm Centennial Weekend. Operated as Bed & Breakfast Inns, they offer luxurious accommodations and a special historic program for their guests. Call (409) 763-1577, (888) 922-1866.

September 9:

Fall Sports Festival, Moody Gardens, One Hope Blvd. The Clinic offers physically disabled individuals throughout the Houston-Galveston area an opportunity to participate in a variety of outdoor water sports. Call (800) 582-673, (409) 744-4673, ext. 4315.

Family Day, Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum, Pier 20. Children 18 and under admitted free with paying adult and special activities are planned. Call (409) 766-7827.

8 a.m.: Storm Surge 5K Run/Walk, 48th Street and Seawall Boulevard, Galveston; sponsored by Sunshine Supportive Employment. Call Bernice Torregrossa at (409) 763-5607.

11 a.m.: Rededication of Clara Barton commemorative plaque by the American Red Cross, plaza on Seawall Boulevard at about 47th Street, Galveston.Call the Red Cross at (409) 763-5971.

11 a.m.: Dedication of The Place of Remembrance Monument, Seawall Boulevard near 48th St., Galveston, (409) 765-7834.

4 p.m.: Block party, food drinks, old items on display, St. Augustine Episcopal, 1410 41st St., Galveston; sponsored by Day Break Neighbor Watch. Call Rose Daniel at (409) 762-7323.

6-9 p.m.: Linda Bingham, Wimberly-based author of "Born on the Island" and Rich Spethman, Galveston-based author of "The Ghosts of Galveston," revised edition, will be signing their books at The Galveston Bookshop, 317 23rd St. in Galveston, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 9, during the Artwalk. For information, call (409) 750-8200.

6-9 p.m.: Galveston ArtWalk (held every six weeks). An evening of the visual arts in historic downtown Galveston.This event is free and open to the public. 6 p.m.: 9 p.m. The trolley will provide free transportation during opening. For information, contact the Galveston Arts Center at (409) 763-2403.

8 p.m.: The Parsons Dance Company presents "The Whip" commissioned by The Grand 1894 Opera House to commemorate the 1900 Storm, 2020 Postoffice St. Call Maureen Patton, (409) 765-1894 or (800) 821-1894. Premier of "Mulhado-The Storm of a Century," at the Strand Theatre, 2317 Ship’s Mechanic Row, Galveston. Premier of "The Whip" by the Parsons Dance Company, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.

Evening: One Great Night, The City of Galveston. A citywide celebration of Galveston's rebirth after the 1900 Storm. It will be held during the evening with various ticket prices. Contact the Galveston Historical Foundation at (409) 765-7834.

8 p.m. "The Parsons Dance Company," Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, 8 p.m. Program will include "Storm", a work commissioned by The Grand in commemoration of the 1900 Storm. Call (409) 765-1894, 800-821-1894.

September 10: Open House, Museums and other facilities around Galveston. There will be special exhibits and programs, which focus on all aspects of the history of the 1900 Storm. The time is to be announced and admission is free. Call (409) 765-7834.

September 10: 2-4 p.m. Rosenberg Library third floor in the Harris Gallery, book signing for "Through a Night of Horrors: Voices from the 1900 Galveston Storm," edited by Shelly Henley Kelly and Casey Edward Greene. The book reproduces thirty-three first hand survivor accounts told through the original letters, memoirs and oral histories housed at the Rosenberg Library. Seventy dramatic photos of the storm's afermath underscore the horror. Selected letters from the book will be read. Refreshments will be available.

September 14: Block party, 6 p.m., 1800 block of Sealy Ave.; sponsored by the East End Historical District Association. Call Carlos Guerguin, (409) 765-6330.

FALL 2000

October 14: 6 to 8:30 p.m.: Garden Party Fundraiser sponsored by the Silk Stocking Historic District Association. A walking tour brochure of the national landmark neighborhood depicting the prominent homes will be presented. Hawley , 2327 Ave. K, Galveston. Reservations required. Call (409) 762-0212.

December 7-9: GISD presents "Voices of Galveston," an all-district, multimedia performance based on Galveston's 1900 Storm and history Ball High, (409) 766-5192.
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