First Annual Houston Tea Festival

Presented by

waterfall-tea-company

Saturday, February 20; 10AM-5PM
Sunday, February 21; 11AM-5PM
University of Houston Clear Lake Campus
Bayou Building -  Atrium II and Forest Room
2700 Bay Area Boulevard Houston, Texas 77058
Maps and Directions
Campus Map and Parking

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Follow us down the rabbit hole as we celebrate the world’s most popular beverage with talks, workshops, tea tastings, tea and food pairings, vendors and shopping,tea samples, an elegant afternoon tea, live music, entertainment, children’s activities, movie screening, murder mystery, tea industry networking events!
This year’s theme is Alice in Wonderland!

Event Information

Advance tickets are sold out. Day passes will be available at the door on Saturday and Sunday for $15, cash only. ATMs are located in the building.

FREE for children ages 12 and under
If your birthday falls on February 20 or 21, you get FREE admission to the festival! Just show your ID at the registration table upon arrival.

VIP Weekend Pass: $75 (includes teacup, weekend admission, Sunday afternoon tea, “Musings with a Cuppa” tea poetry book by Earlene Grey, 1 ounce of tea from The Tea Mistress, LLC. SOLD OUT!

Sunday Afternoon Tea Ticket (includes Sunday day pass): $50 in advance (no walk-ins!). SOLD OUT!

Additional Events Requiring Additional Fee:

SUNDAY AFTERNOON TEA. Enjoy a three-course afternoon tea and food menu with live harp music: Sunday, February 21, 1PM-3PM. SOLD OUT!

Mad Hatter Tea Party Murder Mystery: Interactive Game and Dinner: Saturday, February 20, 5:00PM-7:00PM (limited to 20 people). Price $20 per person.

Japanese Tea Cupping/Tasting: Saturday, February 20, 2:00PM – 2:30PM. Price $5 per person (limited to 12 people)

Click here to purchase Tickets

The official hotel of the 2016 Houston Tea Festival is Courtyard Houston NASA/Clear Lake.

courtyard-marriott

Last day to make individual reservations by telephone at 281.333.0220 or to Book your group rate for Houston Tea Festival online is 2/10/16 for the festival dates of 2/19/16 to 2/22/16 at the Courtyard. Please mention the group code LST or the group name Houston Tea Festival when making reservations by telephone. Courtyard Houston NASA/Clear Lake is offering a special group rate of $79.00 – $89.00 USD per night for this event.

Vendor spots are full. We are no longer accepting applications for this festival.

All vendors will be there both February 20 and 21 unless otherwise noted.

AAA Texas. Insurance, travel, and roadside service (Saturday 2/20 only)

ACU of Texas (Associated Credit Union). Follow them on Facebook. (OUTDOORS)

Adams Tea Shop. Follow them on Facebook

Ahmad Tea USA. (Sunday 2/21 Only). Follow them on Facebook

Amanda’s Lucky Girl Candles: earth-friendly 100% soy candles hold a hidden surprise pouch with a beautiful ring inside!

Aurum’s Kitchen and Spices. Follow them on Facebook

Anusha’s Henna Expressions. Henna and Jagua body art, candles with henna designs. Follow them on Facebook

Avon, Betsy DeMarco

Ben’s Texas Gourmet Market. Gourmet pickles, coffee beans, fresh brewed coffee, candied pecans. Follow him on Facebook

Bling-o-lycious. Onsite bling, vinyl, transfer shirts, caps, koozies (Saturday 2/20 Only)

BriteLite Dyed. Tie-dyed t-shirts and fabric! 

BriteLite Photo. Wedding and portrait photography. (Saturday Only)

Cathy’s Comfort Creations: handmade salt scrubs, body mists, whipped body butters

Chikalily Boutique. Mens & Women’s Clothing; Sports Logo Items. Follow them on Facebook

Christopher Kearney. Licensed Massage Therapist (free 5-minute neck and back massages during the festival). Follow him on Facebook

Escuela Flamenca de Lucia/Lucia and Valdemar Flamenco 

Gulf Coast Mensa. Follow them on Facebook

Hope and Trust Jewelry Corporation. Handmade jewelry using natural stones. Email them for more info. (OUTDOORS)

Houston Lolita Society

Jabz BBQ Food Truck, serving brisket, sandwiches, ribs, turkey legs, boudain, sausage on a stick, chips and soft drinks

James Norwood Pratt. Author &Tea Expert

Jen-Jen the Dancing Clown. Children’s entertainment, balloon artistry, children’s tiaras.

Jenuine Designs (scrapbooks, wooden crosses, frames, memory boxes, handmade cards, frame-able art, and decorative letters)

Joonam Boutique. Women’s clothing and accessories $25 and under. (OUTDOORS)

Knitted Kingdoms. Crochet cuties of your favorite sci-fi, anime and comic book characters. Follow them on Facebook

Laura’s Zipper Purses and handmade goat milk soaps. Follow her on Facebook

League City Spine and Injury, Dr. Ben Sheehan, Chiropractor. Follow him on Facebook. (OUTDOORS)

Lost Pines Yaupon Tea of Austin. Follow them on Facebook

Marteana. Iced teas and tea-infused baked goods. Follow her on Facebook

Momma Tang Fine Asian Cuisine

Nando’s Honey Bee Farm of Pearland/Rosharon, Texas. Follow them on Facebook

Natural Awakenings Magazine of Southeast Texas  

Natural Awakenings Magazine of Houston   

Not Your Momma’s Coasters & More. Follow them on Facebook

Original Art by Hannah Newman (in Forest Room). Email Hannah.

Origami Owl Custom Jewelry by Lea

Pink Zebra by Melissa Simon, Independent Consultant: home fragrances, lamps, glimmer candles!

Popcart Handmade Ice Pops. Follow them on Facebook

Ron Simmons, Allstate Insurance Agency. Follow him on Facebook

Scentsy by Alanna and Cheryl Simply Mallows: organic, handcrafted gourmet marshmallows in a variety of flavors!

Simply Mallows. Organic, handcrafted gourmet marshmallows in a variety of flavors!

South Hill Designs (jewelry) by Brittani Riley (Outdoors, Saturday 2/20/16 only!)

Splendid Life Bakery and Cake Bar

Sugimoto America – Japanese Green Tea. Follow them on Facebook

Sweet G’s Cookie Shack. Follow them on Facebook

TeaTime Magazine

Teazsol Teas. Follow them on Facebook

TEEMA TEAS. Organic direct-trade teas from a woman-owned tea plantation.

Terri Edmonds and Carmela Bellott, Independent Damsel in Defense Pros

Texas Beer Bus (in outdoor vendor area). They organize bus tours to breweries and wineries

Texas Tea and Travel Magazine/Tea in Texas line of teas    

The Dragon’s Treasure (tea and anime) of Chicago. Follow them on Facebook

The Drink Station of Pearland and League City (hot tea and bubble tea). Follow them on Facebook. Also check out their South Shore location on Facebook

The Fountain Mobile Day Spa & Facials (Saturday 2/20/16 Only!). Call 832.592.7581 or Email for more info

The Tea Mistress, LLC. Follow her on Facebook

Tracilynn Fashion Jewelry

Troco, Inc., Sellers of Misai Kucing tea, an herbal tea from Malaysia. Email them for more info. (Outside)

Tupperware by Jennifer (outside)

Usborne Books and More, Alice’s Reading Corner

Waterfall Tea Company. Follow them on Facebook

Yomna’s Yummies (bakery & desserts)

Younique Cosmetics by Allison Miller. (Outside)

Young Living Essential Oils, Cynthia Lengefeld. Follow her on Facebook

Your Cup of Tea.English Tea Room in Houston, selling tea and teaware. Follow them on Facebook. (SUNDAY 2/21 ONLY)

 

 

VOLUNTEERS are needed before and during the festival! Volunteers will receive a free weekend pass to the festival. Interested in volunteering? Click here to register as a volunteer.

Speakers

James Norwood Pratt

Keynote Speaker

America’s foremost authority on tea

Adrian Hernandez

The Drink Station

Alessandra Pinna

Food and Beverage Specialist

Amanda Vermillion

TOPIC: “Tea Cultures Around the World”.

Devan Shah

Founder, International Tea Importers

Genell Stanciell

Certified Esthetician and the founder of the Mobile Fountain Day Spa

Jason Ellis

Lost Pines Yaupon Tea

Joseph Bradley

Life Coach

Kyohei Sugimoto

Certified Tea Advisor

Marzi Pecen

Certified Tea Sommelier

Mark Adams

Secretary for the U.S. League of Tea Growers (USLTG)


Michael Petersen

Writer/Scholar


Penny Ward

Certified Tea & Etiquette Instructor


Rie Tulali

General Manager and Tea Taster, Tealet,


Youlian Banov

The Dragon’s Treasure


Activities

Join us in Atrium I on Sunday, February 21 at 1PM for an elegant three-course afternoon tea with live harp music. Price for afternoon tea is $50 and includes a Sunday day pass. VIP passes are $75 and also include afternoon tea. Tickets must be purchased in advance to ensure the proper headcount.

Teas provided by our sponsor:

plum-deluxe-tea

Hot Tea Selection
Afternoon “High Tea” Rock Sugar Tea from PlumDeluxe
Oregon Breakfast Black Tea from PlumDeluxe
Regular Iced Tea from Aramark, University of Houston Clear Lake, 281-253-2653

Iced Tea Selection Tea-ffany (hibiscus and cinnamon caffeine-free tea) from Marteana
Local organic honey from Nando’s Honey Bee Farm

FIRST COURSE
Tea Sandwiches and Finger Food – Laotian Beef Jerky from Kohk and Sahk
Tea Sandwiches (chicken salad, roasted vegetables, turkey) provided by Aramark UHCL, 281-253-2653

SECOND COURSE
Scones and Cream from Your Cup of Tea, Houston
Assorted jams and jellies (apple pie jam, Halo orange marmalade, peach rhubarb jam, blackberry preserves) from The Pickle Lady.

DESSERT COURSE
Ferrero Rocher Macarons from Yomna’s Yummies
Italian Cream Cake from The Italian Connection, League City, Texas
Lapsang-Infused Marshmallows from The Drink Station
Organic Handcrafted Chocolate Hazelnut Marshmallows from Simply Mallows. Follow them on Facebook
Red Velvet Cookies by Jody’s Homemade Goodies of Alvin, Texas, 713-302-7211
Tiramisu and Italian cream cake from The Italian Connection, League City, Texas

Harp Music and Song by Leah Jorgensen

Table Dressers/Hosts
TeaTime Magazine
Texas Tea and Travel Magazine
The Texas Victorian Lady
Your Cup of Tea

FREE ADMISSION to the festival for children ages 12 and under, accompanied by an adult. (Excludes special events that cost an additional fee.)

Children’s entertainer, balloon artist, and face painting by Jen-Jen the Dancing Clown during regular festival hours both days

 

 

Alice in Wonderland Costume Contest Prizes for best costume – Adult & Children’s Categories

Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 2:30PM Contestants must fill out a registration form at the front registration/ticketing table at the festival entrance. All contestants must be registered and lined up by the Atrium II stage by 1:55PM.

* Schedule subject to change without notice.

Annie and Kate. Indie/Folk Duo from Austin, Texas. Follow them on Facebook

Lisa the Bellydancer

Lucia & Valdemar/Escuela Flamenca de Lucia

derek-alexus-hill-mc
MC – DerekAlexus Hill – Forest Room/Entertainment Stage (Saturday 2/20)

roger-wayne-dunn-mc
MC – Roger Wayne Dunn – Atrium II Main Stage (Saturday 2/20 and Sunday 2/21)

Paulina Sjoberg, Singer/Songwriter, Solo Musician. Follow her on Facebook and Soundcloud

United Shoes. Houston-based eclectic and talented blues/jazz duo

* Schedule subject to change without notice.

Mad Hatter Murder Mystery Dinner
Saturday, February 20, 5PM-7PM
Bayou Building, Room

Ticket Price: $20 (includes dinner and an acting role in the game)*

This is an interactive game where participants will be actors playing roles in a murder mystery, and both participants and spectators will have to use their wits to guess who the murderer is!

Our Facilitator/Hostess, Ayn Nys, will guide you through the game.

The dinner will include
Soft Drinks & Water
Chinese food from Momma Tang’s Asian Cuisine (meat and vegetarian options available)

Dessert (baked goods)
Chocolate Rooibos Tea from The Tea Mistress, LLC

Click her to purchase tickets

Your Murder Mystery Dinner ticket does NOT grant you daytime admission to the Houston Tea Festival on Saturday.

MOVIE SCREENING OF “ALL IN THIS TEAAND TALK/PANEL DISCUSSION BY TEA EXPERTS, co-presented by Houston Tea Festival and UHCL Film and Speaker Series sponsored by The Drink Station and the Waterfall Tea Company.

Date: Saturday, February 20, 2016
Schedule: 6:30PM: doors open
7:00PM: intro and film screening
8:15PM: panel discussion & Q&A
8:45PM: reception in lobby with biscuits and tea. Teas provided by the Waterfall Tea Company

Location: STUDENT SERVICES/CLASSROOM BUILDING (SSCB)
Film and Talks will take place in the SSB Lecture Hall.
Reception will take place in the First Floor Lobby.
Click here for a map of the campus

This is a FREE movie. Seating will begin at 6:30PM and is first come, first served. The screening room holds 110 people.

After the film, there will be a panel discussion and Q&A with our tea experts Adrian Hernandez from The Drink Station, Mike Peterson from Tealet, Marzi Pecen (Certified Tea Sommelier), and Devan Shah from the Waterfall Tea Company.

After the Q&A, there will be a reception in the SSB lobby with tea and biscuits (cookies) and chocolate! Tea will be provided by our sponsor the Waterfall Tea Company.

Bid on various tea and Wonderland-related items displayed near the Atrium II Stage.
Saturday

Tea Documentary Film Screening and Panel Discussion/Q&A: Saturday, February 20, 7PM (limited to 100 people) (Additional fee applies)

Japanese Tea 101″ Cupping/Tasting: Saturday, February 20, 2PM (limited to 12 people) (Additional $5 fee applies)

Mad Hatter Murder Mystery Dinner: Interactive Game and Dinner: Saturday, February 20, 5PM-7PM (limited to 20 people) (Additional fee applies). Your Murder Mystery Dinner ticket does NOT grant you daytime admission to the Houston Tea Festival on Saturday.

Sunday

Japanese Tea Ceremony: Sunday, February 21, 11:15AM (Included in admission price) SUNDAY

AFTERNOON TEA in the Forest Room: Enjoy a three-course afternoon tea and food menu with live harp music: Sunday, February 21, 1PM-3PM. (limited to 104 people) (Additional fee applies)

“Lolita 101” Talk and Lolita Fashion Show, presented by Houston Lolita Society: Sunday, February 21, 3:15PM (Included in admission price)

* Schedule subject to change without notice.

Schedule

SATURDAY, February 20

ALL PERFORMANCES IN THE FOREST ROOM

1:30PM-2:00PM – Lucia & Valdemar, Flamenco music and dance

2:05PM-2:20PM – Bellydance by Lisa

2:30PM-3:30PM – Paulina Sjoberg, singer/guitarist

3:55PM-4:55PM – Annie & Kate, Indie-pop duo

 

SUNDAY, February 21

11:55AM-12:55PM – UnTied Shoes, blues/jazz/ambient music duo (Atrium II Stage)

1:00PM-3:00PM – Leah Jorgensen, harpist and singer (Afternoon Tea in Forest Room)

2:00PM-2:30PM – Lucia & Valdemar, Flamenco music and dance (Atrium II Stage)

SPEAKER SCHEDULE: SATURDAY 2/20/16*

All talks take place on the first floor of the Bayou Building at UHCL.

10:05AM-10:10AM – Opening Remarks by Keynote Speaker James Norwood Pratt (Forest Room)

10:20AM-10:50AM – Lee Garcia: “One Lump or Two: a Tea Journey through Texas” (Room 1213)

11:05AM-11:45AM – Genell Stanciell: “The Morning Tea Party for Your Face” (Room 1213)

11:30AM-12:00PM – Penny Ward: “Afternoon Tea Etiquette” (Room 1435)

12:15PM-1:00PM – Lorna Reeves: “Afternoon Tea Made Easy” (Room 1213)

12:30PM-1:00PM – Marzi Pecen: “Ask a Tea Geek Anything You Like” (Room 1435)

1:15PM-2:15PM – James Norwood Pratt: “Tea: News that Stays News” (Room 1218)

1:20PM-1:50PM – Marzi Pecen: “Experiential Tea Tasting 101” (Room 1435) Additional $5 Fee Required, Limit 12 people)

2:15PM-2:45PM – Kyohei Sugimoto: “Tea 101”: Japanese Tea Tasting (Room 1435). Additional $5 Fee Required, Limit 12 people. SOLD OUT

2:30PM-3:30PM: Mark Adams: “Growing Tea in an Urban Environment” (Room 1218)

3:45PM-4:45PM: ” Devan Shah: (Topic TBA) (Room 1218)

4:00PM-4:30PM: Youlian Banov: “Tea and Anime Meet at the Table” (Room 1213)

*Schedule subject to change

 

SPEAKER SCHEDULE, SUNDAY 2/21/16*

All talks take place on the first floor of the Bayou Building at UHCL.

11:15AM-11:45AM – Japanese Tea Ceremony (Forest Room)

11:30AM-12:30PM – Oralia Acosta: “Spice It Up: Herbs and Spices for Flavor & Health” (Room 1218)

11:55AM-12:55PM – Rie Tulali, “Who’s Your Tea Farmer?” (Room 1213)

1:15PM-1:45PM – Joseph Bradley: “Fast Track to Freedom and Fulfillment, the First Step: Clearing the Clutter. (Room 1213)

12:45PM-1:15PM – Alessandra Pinna, “Tea & Herbs for Looking Younger and Feeling Healthier” (Room 1218)

1:30PM-2:30PM – Noli Ergas, “Matcha: Fact and Fiction” (Room 1218)

2:00PM-2:30PM – Jason Ellis: ”Yaupon Tea Tasting” (Room 1213). Additional $5 Fee Required, Limit 12 people

2:45PM-3:15PM – Jason Ellis: “Down the Yaupon Rabbit Hole: North America’s First Tea” (Room 1213)

3:30PM-4:30PM: – Adrian Hernandez: “So, You Want to Own a Tea Shop?” (Room 1218)

3:30PM-4:15PM – Houston Lolita Society: “Lolita 101” Talk & Panel Discussion (Forest Room)

4:15PM-4:45PM – Lolita Fashion Show (Forest Room)

4:50-4:55PM – Closing Remarks by James Norwood Pratt, Atrium II Stage

5PM-5:30PM – Amanda Vermillion: “Parlez-Vous Thè? A French Tea Tasting”: Get one last tea experience before you bid the world of tea a fond “Adieu” and sample three French teas. (Room 1435). Additional $5 Fee Required, Limit 15 people).

*Schedule subject to change

What People Are Saying About Past Tea Events

Surprised how well it went for a first time festival. Having an August festival indoors with air conditioning was genius which made up for the small venue. There was a mix of both tea related vendors and regular vendors. Enjoyed all the various entertainment provided on stage. Unfortunately, I did not make it to any of the speaker presentations. There were some nice swag bag items. Well done. Dawn W.

Lone Star Iced Tea Festival

Well organized, varied entertainment throughout the day, and a good mix of vendors. For a 1st time event, in DT Houston, on a Sunday, I thought customer flow was OK. I look forward to the next one, because I really think it has great potential! Heather M.

Lone Star Iced Tea Festival

It was a wonderful day with great people. Nancy and her oh so yummy peanut butter fudge was great. Da bomb-a-rang. Lee from Tea for Texas Magazine was awesome and there was a lot of good folk there. Steam punk/Victorian Drew and his crew and a big thank you to Luna Seadragon’s Handmade Treasures & Services for stopping by to say hi. Kitty N.

Lone Star Iced Tea Festival

The Festival was really nice. I didn’t find the white tea I was looking for, but I did buy some yummy apple butter from the baked goods vendor. I still have my cool henna tattoo that I got. The belly dancers were awesome. You always have great belly dancers at your events. The swag bags were filled with all kinds of goodies. Good Job Amanda. Looking forward to the next one. Leda F.

Lone Star Iced Tea Festival

Wasn’t sure what to expect, but was delighted with the whole experience! The parking was easy, the venue was a cool oasis from the August heat. Loretta B.

Lone Star Iced Tea Festival

I just want to thank Amanda for doing a fantastic job in organizing the First Annual Lone Star Iced Tea Festival. I’m already looking forward to the Second Annual Lone Star Iced Tea Festival. Melissa D.

Lone Star Iced Tea Festival

Very well organized festival with good entertainment throughout the day. We had the opportunity to broaden our horizons with regard to the world of delicious flavored teas from the vendors who were there. If you had no idea there is much beyond Lipton then you really missed out! Great way to spend a hot August day indoors. Mike L.

Lone Star Iced Tea Festival

A very well organized and planned festival! And it was indoors! Yay! I am looking forward to next years! Oralia A.

Lone Star Iced Tea Festival

I really enjoyed this festival! It was fun, great entertainment, interesting vendors. I love the honey I bought, and even got a henna tattoo at the festival. I hope next year there are more vendors. Nice way to spend an afternoon! Patricia D.

Lone Star Iced Tea Festival

For a first year festival this one was very well run and had a good selection of tea related guests and vendors. I will be attending next year for sure! Whitney W.

Lone Star Iced Tea Festival

The Lone Star Houston Tea Festival, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Contributions and sponsorships are tax-deductible.

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