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Is the list based on number of cultural institutions?
Because even though Houston has less than Atlanta or Dallas, i can assure you Houston has better quality institutions OVERALL...or am i wrong?
Houston is second to New York City in concentration of theater seats. And is one of only a few cities with all the 4 major performing arts. Plus, the Houston Opera is the only opera company in the US with a grammy, tony, and an emmy.
And the museums are all mostly concentrated in a green and walkable district with noteworthy architecture. What better location than a monumental park, adjacent to a top university and the largest medical center in the world. Not to mention that they're good museums, with high visitor levels, and some well-renowned.
There is also great festivals like the Bayou City Art Festival, considered one of the top 5 in the US.
I apologize if im bringing up a discussion thats already been argued....
Last edited by SouthmoreAve; 10-09-2009 at 02:52 PM..
Is the list based on number of cultural institutions?
Because even though Houston has less than Atlanta or Dallas, i can assure you Houston has better quality institutions OVERALL...or am i wrong?
Houston is second to New York City in concentration of theater seats. And is one of only a few cities with all the 4 major performing arts. Plus, the Houston Opera is the only opera company in the US with a grammy, tony, and an emmy.
And the museums are all mostly concentrated in a green and walkable district with noteworthy architecture. What better location than a monumental park, adjacent to a top university and the largest medical center in the world. Not to mention that they're good museums, with high visitor levels, and some well-renowned.
There is also great festivals like the Bayou City Art Festival, considered one of the top 5 in the US.
I have a few questions...
1. What does a "concentration of theater seats" have to do with quality?
2. What are the 4 major performing arts...Opera, Theater, Ballet, and Symphony? I know Dallas and Atlanta do, but don't most other major cities have all four as well?
3. What makes a "district" of museums (or whatever) better than museums (or whatever) located conveniently around the city? Is a cultural campus, like Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, better than a single theater or museum?
4. What makes a city's festival "top 5 in the U.S."? Attendance or something else?
True. But boy does the Anglo Saxon media try to tell us otherwise.
Especially the UK-I swear every single world cities ranking comes from there--its as if they are trying to make up for their small physical size by reminding us over and over again how incredibly important we're supposed to think London is.
1. What does a "concentration of theater seats" have to do with quality?
2. What are the 4 major performing arts...Opera, Theater, Ballet, and Symphony? I know Dallas and Atlanta do, but don't most other major cities have all four as well?
3. What makes a "district" of museums (or whatever) better than museums (or whatever) located conveniently around the city? Is a cultural campus, like Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, better than a single theater or museum?
4. What makes a city's festival "top 5 in the U.S."? Attendance or something else?
1. Well it may be irrelevant, but when there is a concentration, you are in a cultural environment that a stand-alone theater can't provide because there is only 1, thus a concentration enhances your experience, which in turn, enhances the QUALITY of the theater. (might not matter to some people, though)
2. Yes, it is opera, ballet, music(symphony), and theater. Well, perhaps your right, maybe all major cities do have these. But i read that Houston's are year-round, not just seasonal. So maybe thats what it meant when i read only a few cities have this.
3. Same as number 1, all about the environment and experience. Plus its not just a museum district plopped in the middle of nowhere. Its location is great Something you have to see, to believe.
4. I have no idea. My guess would be attendance. But im sure a lot of people dont congregate somewhere for no reason, so its right to assume its a good-quality art festival.
Every large city has those things or something very similar...none of that sets Houston apart from every other city. I'm not doubting your information or questioning your passion, but I can't see where anything you've posted really sets Houston apart from Miami, Atlanta, or Dallas.
Location: The land of sugar... previously Houston and Austin
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeaconJ
Every large city has those things or something very similar...none of that sets Houston apart from every other city.
Well, sort of.
I think it is set apart from most other sunbelt cities, at least.
Houston Facts (http://www.houstonpavilions.com/office_facts.php - broken link) Houston is ranked as the fourth best restaurant city in the United States by Wine Spectator and Esquire magazines.
Houston is one of only three cities in the United States with standing year-round symphony, opera and ballet. New York and San Francisco are the other two cities.
Houston has the second largest volume of theatre and performance art space in the United States, ranking only behind New York.
Houston ranks third in the nation in terms of the volume of fine arts museum space.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is the fourth most visited museum in the United States, ranking only behind the Smithsonian Institute, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the American Museum of Natural Science.
Well, sort of.
I think it is set apart from most other sunbelt cities, at least.
Houston Facts (http://www.houstonpavilions.com/office_facts.php - broken link) Houston is ranked as the fourth best restaurant city in the United States by Wine Spectator and Esquire magazines. Houston is one of only three cities in the United States with standing year-round symphony, opera and ballet. New York and San Francisco are the other two cities. Houston has the second largest volume of theatre and performance art space in the United States, ranking only behind New York. Houston ranks third in the nation in terms of the volume of fine arts museum space. The Houston Museum of Natural Science is the fourth most visited museum in the United States, ranking only behind the Smithsonian Institute, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the American Museum of Natural Science.
Well, statistics sound more impressive when they aren't compared to anything...for example, "Houston is ranked as the fourth best restaurant city in the United States by Wine Spectator and Esquire magazines" - so where do the other southern cities rank? If Atlanta is 6th and Dallas is 7th, the Houston ranking isn't quite as big of a deal.
Well, statistics sound more impressive when they aren't compared to anything...for example, "Houston is ranked as the fourth best restaurant city in the United States by Wine Spectator and Esquire magazines" - so where do the other southern cities rank? If Atlanta is 6th and Dallas is 7th, the Houston ranking isn't quite as big of a deal.
Hmmm reminds me of "insignificant difference" calculations from statistics!
PS I agree with your comments being I have found most cities offer the same amenities. I am more impressed by small cities that compete with much larger ones.
Last edited by Maabus1999; 10-09-2009 at 06:06 PM..
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Something you have to see, to believe. 
