Published by The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands April - May 2011 Volume 12, Issue 1 The Houston Symphony Takes Dvorák’s Cello Concerto, “Let the Good Times Roll” with You “Out of This World”! a Classical Masterpiece The Music of Ray Charles April 20 • 7:30 p.m. May 20 • 8 p.m. May 26 • 8 p.m. Three, two, one…lift off! On The Pavilion’s stage, not so far, The Houston Symphony’s performance titled “Let the Good Times Roll” with the Houston Symphony and far away, a symphony orchestra gets ready to launch into Dvorák’s Cello Concerto, under the direction of special guest Ellis Hall May 26 at The Pavilion. Tickets are $15 symphonic space. Buckle up for a visit to the planets and Maestro Hans Graf, comes to The Cynthia Woods for orchestra seating. Free mezzanine and lawn seating are stars at the Houston Symphony’s Out of This World April 20. Mitchell Pavilion May 20, featuring the compos- Michael Krajewski courtesy of Anadarko Petroleum Tickets are $15 for orchestra seating. Mezzanine and lawn er’s impressive final concerto. Tickets are $15 Corporation and Woodforest Robert seating are free. Tickets are not for orchestra seating. Free mezzanine National Bank. Tickets are not Franz required for free seating. Gates and lawn seating are courtesy of required for free seating. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. The Wortham Foundation. Tickets open at 7 p.m. are not required for free seating. Robert Franz leads your voyage Principal Pops Conductor Michael Gates open at 7 p.m. through musical space with stel- Krajewski leads the symphony as lar music from movies like “Star Dvorák’s Cello Concerto is rich in Hall performs music from the Wars” and “E.T.” along with “The expansive melodies, beauti- late, great Ray Charles. A former Flintstones Meet the Jetsons,” ful lyricism and extraordinary Photo by Michael Tammaro protégé of Charles, Hall pays Holst’s “The Planets,” Handfield brilliance. Charismatic cel- tribute to his friend in a concert dedicated to his music and Photo by Jeff Fitlow and Yackley’s “Big Smoke” and list Alisa Weilerstein brings memory with hits like “I Can’t Stop Loving You” and “Hit the Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5.” Special guests Chris Hadfield, her passionate interpre- Road Jack.” Space Station Expedition 35 Commander, and Pearl Hall tation to this masterpiece. Hall was born in Savannah, Ga., and raised in Boston. Having no Elementary Children’s Choir blast off into space with the Weilerstein is a veteran on musical boundaries, he is the quintessential performer, multi- Houston Symphony. the classical music scene, instrumentalist and vocalist with Ellis Hall Chris Hadfield having performed with the na- Before the show, enjoy pre- a five-octave range. Hall also tion’s top orchestras, given recitals concert activities starting made a mark with his incred- in music capitals throughout the U.S. and Europe, and regu- at 5:30 p.m. with the Hats ible ability as a songwriter, ar- larly appeared at prestigious festivals. She also is a dedicat- Off to Reading Celebra- ranger and producer. He has ed chamber musician. Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 also tion in the House of Blues performed, recorded and col- is part of this classical concert. Hospitality Tent. Hats Off Hans Graf laborated with a vast variety to Reading is a free event Arrive early for pre-concert ac- of musical icons. Hall has the sponsored by the Read- tivities in the Fidelity Investments honor of being the only artist, ing Odyssey Committee, Plaza beginning at 7 p.m. other than Ray Charles, to be a community coalition that encourages students to develop with The Pavilion Partners Arts signed to Charles’ label Cross- a lifelong love of reading. Children can take home a free & Crafts booth and Instrument over Records. He performed book and participate in literacy-based activities such as a Petting Zoo, along with ac- and was introduced as Ray book walk, hat-making, face painting, fishing for prizes, a tivities by Woodforest National Charles’ protégé at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Per- coloring contest and more. Bank. Don’t miss, Pavilion Talk, forming Arts where Charles received the National Visionary a free pre-concert discussion Leadership Project Award. Other pre-concert activities in the Fidelity Investments Plaza led by noted music scholar Photo by Bruce Bennett begin at 6 p.m. including The Pavilion’s Partners Arts & Crafts Come early for pre-concert activities in the Fidelity Invest- and college professor Ira J. Black that provides insight into booth and Instrument Petting Zoo, Radio Disney, Fidelity Invest- ments Plaza at 7 p.m. with The Pavilion Partners Arts & Crafts the evening’s program. Pavilion Talk takes place from 7:15- ments, strolling characters and more. Join the fun and cel- booth and Instrument Petting Zoo, along with activities by 7:45 p.m. ebrate reading at Out of This World! Woodforest National Bank and Fidelity Investments. A world-renowned symphony and ballet, gifted musicians symphony’s exciting pops concerts that include “Let the all performing arts events or bring a blanket, kick back and from around the world, award-winning children’s perform- Good Times Roll” – The Music of Ray Charles, the annual relax beneath the stars. ers…it’s all in your own backyard at The Cynthia Woods Star-Spangled Salute and Poperazzi, featuring a fabulous With such great performances, consider being a performing Mitchell Pavilion during the 2011 Performing Arts Season. “pop-opera” vocal trio. The Texas Music Festival Orchestra arts subscriber. Subscriptions for the 2011 season are only $150 Free seating at all performing arts events makes experienc- returns to the stage with a free concert featuring more than per seat and include orchestra-level seating to all Houston ing the arts affordable for you and your family. 100 gifted musicians from around the world. Houston Ballet Symphony concerts and Houston Ballet at The Pavilion, VIP takes the stage for a mixed-repertory program titled Con- This season encompasses a journey filled with classical music, on-site parking, admission to the Woodforest Bank VIP club temporary Masters, featuring three very dynamic ballets by dancing, tributes to late, great musicians, patriotic fanfare, for each show and preferred seating and parking for the two three of the top choreographers in the industry. And the 16th Italian pop and more. Eight exhilarating performances by free concerts this season. It’s the best deal in town! Annual Children’s Festival erupts with family fun and award- the Houston Symphony include Dvorák’s Cello Concerto and winning children’s performers in the fall. For more information about the 2011 Performing Arts Season Brahms’ Violin Concerto, two classical masterpieces con- and subscriptions, or a full list of events at The Pavilion, visit ducted by Maestro Hans Graf. Family-oriented concerts, Have a picnic on the hill or in your seat at any of these per- www.woodlandscenter.org. Bring your family to The Pavilion which are great opportunities to bring the whole family, forming arts events. The Pavilion welcomes guests to bring in 2011 and celebrate the arts! include Out of This World and Dancin’ with the Symphony picnics into the venue, but keep in mind that beverages conducted by Robert Franz. Michael Krajewski conducts the cannot be brought in. Free lawn chairs also are available at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion’s 2011 Performing Arts Season Scan with your smartphone Presented by The Woodlands Development Company and sponsored by Audi of America, official automobile of The Pavilion, for ARTS SEASON TICKETS Houston Community Newspapers, The Pavilion Partners, The Wortham Foundation, and United Airlines, official airline of The Pavilion. special offer! The North Plaza is sponsored by Fidelity Investments. Sponsor Spotlight In each issue of CenterStage, we turn the spotlight onto one of our sponsors, a gesture of thanks for their invaluable contributions to the many things we work hard to accomplish. The Pavilion’s “Saturday Night Live” Gala Was a Rockin’ Success Thanks to Major Sponsors The following individuals and companies supporters of The Pavilion. Both have served on helped make The Pavilion’s “Saturday Night The Pavilion’s board and Candi was recently Live” gala a financial success. Administaff, board chairman. Candi and Gerald Glenn and the Lindahl Fam- The Lindahl Family Foundation and George Lin- ily Foundation each sponsored a $50,000 Blues Welcome to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion’s dahl have been supporters of the community Brothers table at the event. Their sponsorships 22nd year of operation and of providing the very and The Pavilion for many years. Lindahl is cur- helped underwrite the cost of engaging The best of fine arts, education and contemporary rently chairman of the board for The Pavilion. programming. We have an exciting season planned Blues Brothers for the event. “We are proud and honored that Administaff, in 2011, and it all kicks off April 20 with a performance Steve Arizpe, executive vice president and the Glenn’s and the Lindahl’s recognize The Pa- by the Houston Symphony. COO of Administaff, is currently a member of The Pavilion’s vilion’s efforts to bring fine arts to our community,” said Chris- Board of Directors. Administaff has been a significant contrib- We will again be providing free mezzanine and lawn tine Scully, development director for The Pavilion. “Their support utor to performing arts events at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell seating for all of our fine arts events thanks to our was instrumental in the fundraising success of the gala and Pavilion for many years. generous sponsors. We will even give you free lawn represents an investment in our future.