the Arts
August - September 2012
Volume 13, Issue 3
Fall in Love with Latin American Music
Under the Stars with Johannes Brahms
September 6 • 8 p.m.
September 21 • 8 p.m.
Join us for a Latin American-style concert featuring the works of Manuel de Falla, Joaquín Rodrigo and Silvestre Revueltas at Latin American Classical Sept. 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for orchestra seating. Mezzanine and lawn seating are free courtesy of The Wortham Foundation. Tickets are not required for free seating. Gates open at 7 p.m.
Celebrate the best of Johannes Brahms, one of the leading musicians of the Romantic period, with an evening dedicated to three of his greatest works at Evening with Brahms Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for orchestra seating. Mezzanine and lawn seating are free courtesy of The Wortham Foundation. Tickets are not required for free seating. Gates open at 7 p.m.
Photo by Tyler Boye
Conducting the symphony is Hans Graf who enters his final season as Music Director of the Houston Symphony. The Symphony’s 201213 season will be Graf’s grand finale after 12 years at the helm of this world-renowned orchestra. Joining the symphony is Jason Vieaux on guitar. Vieaux is cited as one of the “youngest stars of the guitar world” by The New York Times.
The concert features Suites No. 1 and 2 from Falla’s “El Sombrero de tres picos,” a ballet performed with full orchestral music. Falla was influenced by traditional Andalusian folk music. The mezzo-soprano songs are examples of cante jondo singing which typically accompanies flamenco music and tells a sad story. Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar and Orchestra is a composition featuring classical guitar. The second movement is the best known of the three, marked by its slow pace and quiet melody, introduced by the English horn, with a soft accompaniment by guitar and strings. Revueltas’ “Sensemayá,” a poem by the Cuban poet Nicolás Guillén, was adapted as an orchestral work by Revueltas and became one of his most famous compositions.
Hans Graf
Pre-concert activities for Latin American Classical begin at 7 p.m. in the North Plaza. Children and parents can visit The Pavilion Partners Arts & Crafts Booth and Instrument Petting Zoo as well as activities by Woodforest National Bank, Renewal by Andersen, Century 21 Realty Partners, Market Street—The Woodlands and Audi of America, official automobile of The Pavilion. Guests also can register-to-win Tommy Bahama’s “Best Seats in the House,” participate in Fidelity’s Seat Exchange, and enjoy a performance by The Woodlands Show Chorus from 7-7:45 p.m. Get insight into the evening’s program with Pavilion Talk, a free pre-concert discussion led by noted music scholar and former college professor Ira Black from 7:15-7:45 p.m.
The program, under the baton of Maestro Hans Graf, features “Variations on a Theme of Haydn,” Concerto in A Minor for Violin, Cello and Orchestra and Symphony No. 4 Brinton Averil in E minor. “Variations on a Theme of Haydn” consists of a theme in B-flat Smith major, eight variations and a finale. The work was published in two versions: one for two pianos and one for orchestra. The orchestra version is better known. Brahms’ Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra was written for cellist Robert Hausmann and estranged friend and violinist Joseph Joachim. Symphony No. 4, one of Brahms last symphonies, is scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones and strings.
Photo by Bruce Bennett
Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna where he was a leader in the musical scene. He composed for piano, chamber ensembles, symphony orchestra and for voice and chorus. He premiered many of his own works and worked with some of the leading performers of his time, including pianist Clara Schumann and violinist Joseph Joachim. Special guests joining the symphony are Frank Huang, violinist, and Brinton Averil Smith, cellist.
Frank Huang
Photo by Jeff Fitlow
Jason Vieaux
Starting at 7 p.m., guests can enjoy pre-concert activities in the North Plaza sponsored by Fidelity Investments, Market Street—The Woodlands, Renewal by Andersen and Century 21 Realty Partners, featuring activities by The Pavilion Partners, Woodforest National Bank, CASA and Audi of America, official automobile of The Pavilion. Guests also can register-to-win Tommy Bahama’s “Best Seats in the House,” which includes dinner for four at the next performing arts event and a $100 gift card from Market Street. Enjoy the sounds of The Woodlands High School Chamber Orchestra performing from 7-7:45 p.m. Come early for Pavilion Talk with Ira J. Black, noted music scholar and former college professor, from 7:15-7:45 p.m. Pavilion Talk is a lively and insightful free pre-concert discussion about the evening’s program.
Hocus Pocus Pops
Tricks, Treats and a “Spooktacular” Essay Contest October 12 • 7:30 p.m
Photo by Ted Washington
A magical evening awaits you at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion’s Hocus Pocus Pops featuring the Houston Symphony Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for orchestra seating. Mezzanine and lawn seating are free courtesy of H-E-B. Tickets are not required for free seating. Gates open at 6 p.m. This event also is sponsored in part by Houston Family Magazine.
Conductor Robert Franz leads the audience through a haunted maze of musical enchantments including “Waltz from the Masquerade Suite,” Suite No. 1 from “Peer Gynt,” Opus 46, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” “Harry Potter: Children’s Suite/Prince of Azkaban,” “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and more. Your entire family is invited for a night out dressed in your spookiest costumes. The first 100 boys and “ghouls” to check in at Hocus Pocus Central in the North Plaza fully costumed get the chance to march in the Goblin Parade across the stage during the concert. Arrive before the moon comes out for some “spooktacular” pre-concert activities in the North Plaza, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, Market Street—The Woodlands, Renewal by Andersen and Century 21 Realty Partners, starting at 6 p.m. Jump on the Great Pumpkin Express as it leaves the station to sweep you away on a tour of The Pavilion’s grounds. Stumble upon some favorite Halloween characters roaming around The Pavilion, from Beetle Juice to Frankenstein. Little witches and zombies can wander the “BOOths” with activities offered by Woodforest National Bank, Houston Family Magazine, Montgomery County Food Bank, H-E-B and Audi of America, official automobile of The Pavilion. Creep into the House of Blues Hospitality Tent for Radio Disney’s Graveyard Smash Dance Party featuring the Radio Disney Boo Crew from 6-7:15 p.m. for “fangtastic” dancing, prizes and plenty of tricks and treats!
Photo by Sandy Langford
Celebrate
Published by The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands
Feel free to pack a picnic to sink your fangs into, but keep in mind that outside potions (drinks) can not be brought into The Pavilion. For “monsterous” prizes, register to win one of two gift baskets provided by H-E-B and The Pavilion by bringing any H-E-B receipt from October 2012 to Hocus Pocus Pops. Receipts must be brought to Hocus Pocus Central in the North Plaza prior to the performance (between 6 and 7:15 p.m.) on Oct. 12. The drawing takes place on the Main Stage before the concert. For those who dare, tell us your spookiest story or Halloween tale for The Pavilion’s Hocus Pocus Pops “Spooktacular” Essay Contest. It can be purely fictional or based on personal experience. Get creative! The contest is open to all students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Grade categories for the contest are: kindergarten, first and second grade, third and fourth grade, fifth and sixth grade, seventh and eight grade, and ninth to 12th grade. The essay contest begins Sept. 3 and ends Sept. 20. One winner chosen from each grade category receives $50 in gift cards, four VIP tickets to the Houston Symphony’s Hocus Pocus Pops Oct. 12 and has their essay printed in the program for the event. Winners are notified Oct. 5. One Grand Prize winner will be chosen at random from the six finalists and announced at Hocus Pocus Pops. The grand prize winner receives a “fangtastic” prize and has their essay printed in The Courier and The Villager newspapers. Each participant in the contest is entered into a drawing for a variety of prizes.
Scan the code to answer some Halloween trivia. The winner will receive a “terrorific” VIP ticket package to Hocus Pocus Pops.
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion’s 2012 Performing Arts Season
Presented by The Woodlands Development Company and sponsored by Audi of America, official automobile of The Pavilion, The Pavilion Partners, The Wortham Foundation, and United Airlines, official airline of The Pavilion. The North Plaza is sponsored by Fidelity Investments, Market Street—The Woodlands, Century 21 Realty Partners and Renewal by Andersen.
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.
TETRA Technologies, Inc.— A Montgomery County Community Partner
Our 23rd season is shaping up to be one of our busiest at The Pavilion. We have already hosted seven soldout concerts including Buzzfest 28, Dave Matthews Band, Jimmy Buffett, One Direction, Weenie Roast, Pitbull and KISS/Mötley Crüe. Our performing arts events, including the Houston Symphony and Houston Ballet, are attracting more guests than ever. One of our signature events, the Star-Spangled Salute July 3 featuring the Houston Symphony, had nearly 11,000 guests in attendance. Bugs Bunny at the Symphony on July 26 proved to be a huge family event with more than 9,000 attendees. Houston Ballet performed a full-length Giselle program earlier in May attended by more than 4,000 guests. Our performing arts events are expanding and attendance is increasing. Thanks for supporting these special events for all ages. In late May and June, we hosted five high school graduations including The Woodlands and The Woodlands College Park high schools, as well as Spring, Dekaney and Westfield high schools, with a total of 3,470 graduates walking across The Pavilion stage in front of more than 35,000 guests. A major entertainment publication, Pollstar, recently ranked The Pavilion No. 3 in total tickets sold for the first half of 2012 compared to the top 50 amphitheaters in the world. This July, The Pavilion had an unusual experience at one of our events. During the encore of Slipknot at Mayhem Festival, The Pavilion event and medical staff delivered a healthy baby boy in our south plaza. Mother and son are doing just fine. The mother decided to name the baby boy Corey, after Slipknot’s lead singer Corey Taylor, and give him the middle name Mitchell, in honor of his birthplace. This was a first for me in my 36 years’ experience of managing entertainment venues! We are half way through our season with many more wonderful events scheduled through December. There are four more Houston Symphony concerts at which we provide free mezzanine and lawn seating, as well as free lawn chair rental. Come out and bring the family, enjoy a picnic on the lawn and listen to one of the country’s greatest symphonies. I look forward to seeing you at The Pavilion.
Jerry MacDonald President and CEO
Contact Information For information about season tickets, joining The Pavilion Partners or participating in our educational outreach programs, call 281-364-3010. Visit www.woodlandscenter.org for details.
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is pleased to highlight a new sponsor of the 2012 Performing Arts Season, TETRA Technologies, Inc. As a proud member of the Montgomery County community for more than 30 years, TETRA enthusiastically supports The Pavilion’s efforts to engage, enlighten, and enrich lives by making the arts accessible and by providing educational outreach programs. “The Pavilion uses the appeal of live performances to introduce children and youth, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or socio-economic status, to the world of performing arts. Some form of music, dance, drama, or song can capture the attention and engagement of all young people,” said Eric Beylier of TETRA. “Consequently, The Pavilion has developed programs to support fine arts students, offer academic and social incentives, foster new audiences, and provide community enrichment opportunities. Additionally, The Pavilion offers thousands of complimentary tickets for its performing arts events to economically challenged students and families within the Greater Houston area, as well as to numerous charities and senior citizen organizations every year,” he added. “TETRA is proud to be associated with such a great proponent of the arts in our community.”
TETRA Technologies, Inc. is a geographically diversified oil and gas services company focused on completion fluids and other products, after-frac flow back and production well testing, wellhead compression, and selected offshore services including well plugging and abandonment, decommissioning, and diving. TETRA is a global company with employees and operations on six continents. For more information, visit www.tetratec.com.
Off Stage
CISD Recognized for Music Education with Help from Pavilion Partnership by Pat Paris, CISD Fine Arts Coordinator
The Conroe Independent School District was recently designated by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as a 2012 Best Communities for Music Education. The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry. The Foundation acknowledges communities across the country for their commitment to and support of music education in schools. This distinction is quite relevant to the partnership in education that exists between The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and CISD. This partnership represents the efforts and commitment from the board, staff and volunteers at The Pavilion and CISD. This partnership is made possible through the leadership and guidance of Jerry MacDonald, president and CEO of The Pavilion, and Dr. Don Stockton, superintendent of CISD. The Pavilion provides amazing experiences for our students through its educational outreach programs, including Musical Scores, Fine Arts Education Day, Music in Motion and Children’s Festival. Fine Arts Education Day boasts an attendance of more than 5,000 for an annual performance by the Houston Symphony that introduces CISD fourth grade students to orchestra before they enter fifth grade and have to choose an elective.
attend a special event at The Pavilion by displaying model behavior and achieving specific scholastic goals. The students also receive complimentary Musical Scores T-shirts for their achievement. More than five CISD schools participated in this program in 2012. Music in Motion is a program that connects CISD high school band and orchestra students with musicians from the Houston Symphony through master classes where student musicians receive personal instruction from the professional musicians to prepare for All-State competition. Children’s Festival is designed to educate and entertain children of all ages. The festival features award-winning performers of puppetry, music, pantomime, theater, humor and original songs who incorporate educational messages into each performance. The first two days of the festival are devoted to school field trips. CISD schools are regular participants in the festival each year. Other opportunities for CISD students include The Pavilion Partners Fine Arts Scholarship Program that awards graduating high school seniors majoring in the fine arts. The awards are based on talent and academic performance. The Pavilion also provides CISD students access to the many Houston Symphony concerts throughout the season. Our partnership has led to other beneficial opportunities, such as with the Houston Symphony, The Woodlands Waterway Arts Council, Ear Candy Charity and more.
Woodforest Bank Club and House of Blues Hospitality Tent To book your next meeting or event, call 281-363-0900.
Guests with Disabilities For information on guests with wheelchairs, hearing or visual impairments, call 281-364-3010.
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This spirit to serve the community aligns well with TETRA’s dedication to “give back.” Along such lines, TETRA has the honor of being the No. 1 fundraising company for the Montgomery County Heart Walk for the last four years and is committed to reaching that goal again this November. TETRA also is proud ® to hold company food drives for the county’s Food Bank and toy drives for CASA, as well as to support other community organizations, such as the Boy Scouts. TETRA is especially proud of the number of TETRA employees who “Give the Gift of Life” at blood drives that are periodically held at its headquarters in The Woodlands by Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. TETRA’s desire to become a sponsor of The Pavilion aligns with all of these communitybased initiatives that reinforce its values.
Sixth grade band and orchestra students from CISD also are invited. The concert demonstrates where their studies could take them if they continued their pursuit of music in junior high. Musical Scores is a program that primarily serves academically at-risk middle school students who earn the privilege to
According to Gerald Ford, former president of the United States, music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them – a world of work, culture, intellectual activity and human involvements. The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music. The partnership between CISD and The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is a unique collaboration that has made our community one of the nation’s best for music education!
ShowTime ShowTime is a list of events scheduled for The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, including start times and ticket prices. Information is subject to change. Please check our website for the latest event information. Hans Graf
Linkin Park
Photo by Bruce Bennett
Journey
Def Leppard
Robert Franz
Gotye
Photo by Jeff Fitlow
Train
Florence and the Machine
Aug. 24
Journey • 7 p.m. with Pat Benatar featuring Neil Giraldo & Loverboy $135 Res. Pit / $135, $89.50, $69.50, $59.50 & $49.50 Reserved / $32.50 Lawn
Aug. 28
94.5 The Buzz Presents: • 6:30 p.m. The Honda Civic Tour 2012 Linkin Park & Incubus with MUTEMATH $100.25 GA Pit / $90.25, $80.25 & $50.25 Reserved / $46.50 Lawn
Sept. 1
The Rock of Ages Tour Def Leppard & Poison • 7 p.m. with Lita Ford $125 Res. Pit / $125, $79.50, $59.50 & $39.50 Reserved / $35 Lawn
Sept. 6
Latin American Classical • 8 p.m. with the Houston Symphony Hans Graf, conductor Jason Vieaux, guitar $15 orchestra seating / FREE mezzanine and lawn seating courtesy of The Wortham Foundation
Sept. 7 Kelly Clarkson & The Fray • 7 p.m. $79.50 Res. Pit / $79.50, $49.50, $39.50 & $29.50 Reserved / $20 Lawn
Toby Keith
Kelly Clarkson
Sept. 8 Ford F-Series presents Toby Keith • 7 p.m. with Brantley Gilbert and Thomas Rhett $68.25 GA Pit / $68.25 & $48.25 Reserved / $28.50 Lawn Sept. 14 Train • 7 p.m. with Matt Kearney $65 Res. Pit / $65, 49.50 & $29.50 Reserved / $20 Lawn Sept. 15
Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival • 7 p.m. with Shinedown, Godsmack, Staind, Papa Roach, Adelitas Way, P.O.D., Deuce and Redlight King $89.25 GA Pit / $55.25, $39.25 & $29.95 Reserved / $25.25 Lawn
Sept. 21
Evening with Brahms • 8 p.m. with the Houston Symphony Hans Graf, conductor Frank Huang, violin / Brinton Averil Smith, cello $15 orchestra seating / FREE mezzanine and lawn seating courtesy of The Wortham Foundation
Sept. 29 Florence & the Machine • 7:30 p.m. with The Maccabees $69.50 GA Pit / $59.50, $45 & $35 Reserved Oct. 11 Gotye • 7:30 p.m. with Givers & Jonti $49.50 GA Pit / $43.50 Reserved
Jason Aldean
Oct. 12
Hocus Pocus Pops • 7:30 p.m. with the Houston Symphony Robert Franz, conductor $15 orchestra seating / FREE mezzanine and lawn seating courtesy of H-E-B
Oct. 26 Jason Aldean • 7:30 p.m. with Luke Bryan, Rachel Farley and Dee Jay Silver $58.75 Reserved / $34 Lawn Nov. 10 17th Annual Children’s Festival • 10 a.m. presented by Devon Energy $8 in advance / $10 at door Nov. 11 17th Annual Children’s Festival • 12 p.m. presented by Devon Energy $8 in advance / $10 at door Dec. 7
Holly Jolly Symphony Spectacular • 7:30 p.m. with the Houston Symphony Robert Franz, conductor $15 orchestra seating / FREE mezzanine and lawn seating courtesy of Woodforest National Bank, KPMG, LLP and Black Forest Ventures
Ticket Information Prices do not include service charge. Tickets are available at all outlets, including Fiesta, select H-E-B and Walmart locations and Media Magic, by calling 800-745-3000, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets also can be purchased at The Pavilion Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on event days through intermission. The Box Office is located at the north entrance to The Pavilion at 2005 Lake Robbins Drive in The Woodlands. For more information, call 281-363-3300 or visit www.woodlandscenter.org. Prepaid, preferred parking is available in the on-site Town Center Garage located along Six Pines Drive. Parking is $5 per vehicle for most performing arts events and $15 per vehicle for most contemporary events. Tickets for on-site parking can be purchased in advance at all locations and The Pavilion Box Office. Some service charges may apply. Advance purchase is not required, but guarantees a space the day of the show.
PAVILION by Lauren Tennet
The Pavilion Ranks Third in the World
With the ever-changing online landscape, it’s often hard to keep up. It seems every other day there is a new social media application or website to connect with. Technology changes too, with high-tech mobile phones and tablets on the rise. It’s mind boggling to think that it was odd 10 years ago for a 13-year-old to have a cellphone. As the social and technology spheres continually change, here at The Pavilion, we like to keep up with the times. That’s why we’ve joined one of the fastest growing digital media today: Instagram. Instagram is a very cool mobile application that shares pictures with your connections. Not only that, the application provides pretty filters that can make your photos black and white, sepia toned and more! We’ve already been busy updating our Instagram. You can check out photos we take at events on the mobile application or via our Instagram Facebook photo album. This social application is a great way for us to share our events with you. If you’re in one of the pictures we take, you can even use it as your Facebook profile picture or tweet it to your friends. We’d also love it if you took pictures at The Pavilion and tagged us in them with @ThePavilion_TX. That way, we can see how much fun you are having at our events. If you want to connect with us on Instagram, just search ThePavilion_TX. Secondly, The Pavilion is excited to unveil its new blog! The blog features an array of stories we think you will enjoy. We have reviews of recent shows, artist spotlights, backstage stories, advice from Pavilion employees and interviews with key behind-the-scenes figures. With all of the social media outlets available, it can seem like The Pavilion doesn’t have a face. We’d like to interact with our fans and supporters in a more personal way to show you how much we love the arts and our jobs. A blog is a fun way to showcase everything we do at The Pavilion. Follow us at www.cwmpavilion.wordpress.com. Keeping up with social media trends is daunting, but we think the more outlets we have to interact with you the better. We hope you stay connected with us.
Photo by Ted Washington
According to Pollstar magazine, the concert industry’s leading trade publication, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion ranked third in its listing of the top 50 amphitheaters in the world based on the number of tickets sold during the first six months of 2012. The Pavilion’s ticket sales totaled 138,696 for shows played between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2012. “Our 23rd season has been filled with a wide variety of performances and sold-out concerts. We are fortunate to be located in a strong market and have as our partner, Live Nation, the No. 1 concert promoter in the world,” said Jerry MacDonald, president and CEO of The Pavilion. “The venue itself, its location and our staff also contribute to our success.” So far this season, The Pavilion has had seven sold-out concerts including Buzzfest 28 April 21, Dave Matthews Band May 18, Jimmy Buffett June 2, One Direction June 24, Weenie Roast July 28, Pitbull Aug. 2 and KISS and Mötley Crüe Aug. 3. “We are excited about The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion’s third-place ranking at this point in the season,” said Randy McElrath, senior vice president of Live Nation. “The management at The Pavilion really knows their customers and treats them as friends. It is no surprise The Pavilion is one of the leading ticket sellers again this season.” Pollstar magazine provides music business professionals with the most reliable and accurate source of information on the industry.
S U P P O RTING C ST President’s Message
It was Saturday afternoon when I arrived at my table with sheets of white paper and baking pans filled with scraps of construction paper. Before me, I had several dozen children that ranged in age from 4 to 10, with their moms seated in the chairs behind taking a much needed break. I asked, “What should we build today? How about we make some trees?” “Spider-Man!” one boy yelled. My young artists quickly ferreted through the boxes of colored paper shapes and placed them in a maze before me. Our group project for the next 15 minutes was to take the shapes and colors and build The Amazing Spider-Man. This activity would be repeated many times during the afternoon with various ideas for things that we could bring to life out of circles, triangles and rectangles. And with their imaginations, the possibilities were endless.
“Heart of Rock n’ Roll” Event Raises $25,000 for The Pavilion Guests at The Pavilion Partners Pre-Concert Dinner & Fundraiser, “Heart of Rock n’ Roll,” helped raise nearly $25,000 for The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion’s performing arts events and educational outreach programs. The event was held July 21 in The Pavilion’s House of Blues Hospitality Tent prior to the Joe Cocker & Huey Lewis and the News concert. Dudes and dudettes enjoyed a social hour with complimentary beer and margaritas courtesy of Silver Eagle Distributors. Dinner and appetizers were provided by Kim Son Café, featuring its simple Asian cuisine and sushi. “Kim Son Café was excited to provide appetizers and dinner for the guests at The Pavilion’s Pre-Concert Dinner & Fundraiser,” said Julie Derrick, director of catering for Kim Son Café. “We love that the restaurant is located across the street from The Pavilion and that we can help support the venue and the arts in our community.”
My little table was just one of the dozens of activities that make up The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion’s Children’s Festival. Thousands of children visit The Pavilion for fourdays filled with crafts, music, games and fun. It also takes hundreds of volunteers to produce this event. This year, we could really use the help of Partners members. We not only need volunteers who would like to work at the event, but also in the preparation of the activities. It can be something as simple as cutting colored construction paper into shapes and assembling all the supplies needed for a craft activity. For the thousands of children who attend, we need hundreds of volunteer hours performing many tasks. Can you help us out this year with a few hours of your time? I am counting on all our Partners members to support this exciting event. I hope to hear from you soon!
Diane Nielsen The Pavilion Partners President For more information about Partners, please visit www.woodlandscenter.org/partners.
Join the Fun and Volunteer at Children’s Festival
Dana Tyson, Sunny 99.1 Morning Show host, emceed the live auction that included meet and greets with Huey Lewis and Joe Cocker, trips to San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, and Las Vegas, a golf package and two original paintings of Cocker and Lewis. A unique barbecue cookout package from Cunningham Gas Products, Dining Diva Molly Fowler and Dan Pastorini was one of the night’s favorite auction items. Robichau’s Jewelry also donated a beautiful custom-made ring for the live auction. The live auction raised approximately $13,000. “This event was awesome! Guests really enjoyed the rock and roll theme, the venue, food, dessert, photo booth and auction,” said John Robichau, co-chairman of the fundraiser. “We could not have done it without the volunteers, sponsors and guests who came together to raise $25,000 to support the performing arts and educational outreach programs at The Pavilion.”
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion relies on Partners volunteers to make its events successful. The annual Children’s Festival is one of The Pavilion’s staple events and is integral in ensuring that The Pavilion’s mission of providing educational programs to the community is met. It takes approximately 450 volunteers to produce the event. We can’t do it without you, our Partners volunteers! Children’s Festival is a four-day event with school days Thursday and Friday, Nov. 8 and 9, and public days Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 10 and 11. It’s non-stop fun and excitement around every corner. There are a variety of jobs and one to suit each volunteer. On school days, volunteer duties include escorting nearly 4,000 students and teachers each day from their buses to their seats and then back to their buses after the event. All volunteers are provided breakfast and lunch. On the public days, volunteers help in different areas of the festival including face-painting and hat-making booths, arts and crafts, parachute races, kite flying on the hill, information booths, program distribution, stroller parking and more. On the weekend, Partners volunteers are treated to the volunteer hospitality area for a light snack and cold drink. Please consider supporting The Pavilion by volunteering at Children’s Festival. It’s our biggest event of the year! For more information about volunteering for Children’s Festival, please contact Leslie Williams at lwilliams@woodlandscenter.org or 281-210-1125.
Are You a Member of a Community Service Organization? We also are looking for community groups to volunteer at Children’s Festival. Community volunteers enjoy the same perks as Partners volunteers at the event. If your group is interested in supporting the arts by volunteering at Children’s Festival, contact Courtney Galle at cgalle@woodlandscenter.org.
Unique drawings, Classic Rewind and Gotta Wear Shades, offered exciting ways for guests to win tubular prizes. Guests could spin the Classic Rewind wheel for $50 to be entered into a drawing for an autographed Beach Boys guitar. Everyone who spun the wheel was awarded a prize. For $25, partygoers could purchase a pair of sunglasses and be entered into a drawing to win one of three prizes including front row, center pit tickets to the concert, a trip to Galveston or a $200 gift certificate to Sunglass Hut. Money raised from the two drawings totaled more than $4,700. The remaining proceeds were generated from event ticket sales. Before leaving the event for the concert, guests posed for pictures in the fun, vintage photo booth. Everyone took home a photo as a memento of the evening. The photo booth was underwritten by Robichau’s Jewelry.
2012 Members of The Pavilion Partners $1,000-$1,999 Delvin & Joe Ash Barb & Stephen Crain Candi & Gerald Glenn Tricia & Jerry MacDonald Julie & Jerry Mayrant Whitney & Derek McCoy Suzanne & Robert Potter Vicki & Michael Richmond Maryann T. & Timothy Seaman $500-$999 Suzanne & Ed Ellis Lillian & Jess Hargis Judy & Charles Lano JoAnne & Randy Lowry Gayelene & Ralph McIngvale Brenda & John Mizell Sandy & Steve Morrow Janet Wong & Ronald Mullins Arla & Gerald Neuberger Cindy Notarainni Jadzia & Richard Olson Shannon & Brian Wing Melissa & Jeff Young $250-$499 Nancy & Tom Battle Louise & Dr. Henry Bethea Debra & Michael Caliel Dixie & Bret Cope Gaye & Bill Craig Karol & James Dreibelbis Anne & David Dunlap Keith & Grady Ferry Bob Hurt Jan & Greg Jewell Ed Jones Conchita & Eric Ladwig Annice & John Nanninga Shelly & Michael O’Neil Cheryl & Ron Ridlehuber Arlene & Sol Sachs Peg & Tim Welbes $50-$100 Chardelle Adelson Janice & Dale Alexander Amy Botwinis & Rodney Anderson Lisa Arvidson Suzie Baker Judith Bartok Nancy & Mike Becker Nell & Ed Belanger Bunny & David Benditz Jodi Black Cheryl Blair Nelda Luce & Jim Blair Sharon & Tom Bowen Brenda Eames & Alen Braaten Michelle Bridges Carol & Tom Buffa Beth Butler Debbie & Skip Cain Cherry & Jeff Calendar Sharon Callahan Annabelle & Chris Carrillo Alice Castle Barbara Chambers Linda Cisneros Candis Cooper Andria & Gabriel Cuellar Helen & Rocky Del Papa Ruth Dowden Debra & Matt Dozier Cindy & Andrew DuBois Tina Dunne Linda & Rep. Rob Eissler Sarah Epley Sandy Ferguson Lori & Sean Figaro Jane Fisher Beth & Greg Folks Sylvia Forbes Phyllis Frost Angela & Mark Gott Cynthia Gray Nancy Hathaway Peggy & Mitch Hausman Janene Hemmen Vicki Huebler Lyn & Greg Hullinger Marlies Iida Judith & Dickie Jones Meaghan Journey Arlynn & Gregory Kelleher Letty Kelley Cindy Kirk Lisa & Fred Koetting Elizabeth & Bruce Krantz Judy Latour Karen Leiker Linda & Irv Lichtman Dianne & George Lindahl III Karen & Jim Listak Judith Ragsdale & Arlin Maddox Nancy & Terry Mahan Sydney Mark Charmain Martin Christine & Bo McBee Stacey & John McKinley Judy & David Merritt Kelly & Paul Messenger Phyllis Molnar Ann Moore Carmen Mulraney Myron Murphy Patricia Murphy Elaine & Steve Nance Amanda Napp Misty Napp Betty Nelson Linda & John Newbold Diane Nielsen Sandra & Matthew Novak Kathryn Painter Patrick Paris Belinda Patrick Callie Piper Stevie Platt Patricia Harrison & Frank Radik Tom Rafferty Liz Regan Jodi Rehwinkel Joyce & Ken Reynolds Sally & Kyle Richard Rhonda Richardson John Robichau Chip Rocha Lori & John Rubel Sharon Schilling Tom Schnoor Christine & Mark Scully Ann & Dane Sever Chris Steinke Karen Stephens Debbie Stofcheck Candace Strang Stephanie Teed Freda & Ben Thomas Ellen & Nat Turner Maria & Frank Valenzuela Freda & Benny Van Osdell Rhonda & JD Villaseñor Marsha & Sen. Tommy Williams David Wilson Gene Wolfson Carolyn Wong Marla Wulf
Fun is on the Way at the 17th Annual Children’s Festival by Sonny Franks
Mark your calendars for Nov.10-11, when the fun begins at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion’s 17th Annual Children’s Festival. The festival hours are Sat., Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sun., Nov. 11 from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 per person in advance or $10 per person at the door. Children under 2 are admitted free of charge. The daily admission fee includes every show and activity, so parents don’t spend the day dealing with tickets, tokens or endless lines. Kids are in for a real treat with performers on multiple stages and fun characters strolling around the festival. Entertainment spans from local community performances to award-winning children’s performers, meaning you are sure to enjoy the show! Lots of activities are located in the different zones, so every child has something to enjoy. The Wells Fargo Fun Zone features balloons, hat-making, a meet and greet area and performances on the Community Stage. Head up to the top of the hill where the
adventure continues and kids can build and fly kites, run parachute races, pan for gold and play in the sand. Each day wraps up with the Kazoo-Dah Parade that begins and ends in the Wells Fargo Fun Zone. In the Adventure Zone, kids can let their inner scientist come out making slime, or live on the wild side with interactive games, creating their own work of art in the sidewalk chalk area, rocking out with the Radio Disney Road Crew and much, much more. Photo by Ted Washington Arts Alley allows kids to unleash their creative side participating in arts and crafts and learning about the principles of art by creating their own masterpieces. The Activity Tent is the place to be for a train ride and hands-on activities and games organized by local businesses. The Memorial Hermann The Woodlands / Ironman Healthy KidZone promotes health and physical fitness with sports games and activities like Bubble Runners, meeting professional sports teams, exploring an ambulance and more.
Photo by Ted Washington
For more information about Children’s Festival, please visit www.woodlandscenter.org or call 281-364-3010.
Encore The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands would like to thank the following contributors for their financial support of our 2012 Performing Arts Season and Educational Outreach Programs as of Aug. 6 printing deadline.
Sponsor Spotlight
Black Forest Ventures Delivers the Arts to The Woodlands Black Forest Ventures, an ardent supporter of the arts in The Woodlands community, is excited to support the performing arts at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion by providing free mezzanine and lawn seating at The Pavilion’s Holly Jolly Symphony Spectacular Dec. 7. The Woodlands-based asset management company focuses on Commercial Real Estate, Hospitality and Aviation investments. Black Forest Ventures owns the Hubbell & Hudson Bistro & Market near The Pavilion, along with two popular eateries in The Woodlands - Black Walnut Café and the Hubbell & Hudson Kitchen. The Hubbell & Hudson and Black Walnut Café concepts were born in The Woodlands and have become a destination for concertgoers before and after events. “Black Forest Ventures has created more than 500 jobs in Montgomery County by providing great amenities to the community,” said Haydar Kustu, director of marketing and business development for Black Forest Ventures. “Sponsoring The Pavilion’s performing arts events is just one more way we embrace our involvement in the community.” Hubbell & Hudson offers one-of-a-kind catering in The Woodlands and will be part of The Pavilion’s holiday festivities. Black Walnut Café will soon be opening its fifth location in the Greater Houston area on Memorial Drive.
$100,000 - $249,999 Live Nation George P. Mitchell The Pavilion Partners
$1,000 - $1,999 cont. Suzanne & Robert Potter Vicki & Michael Richmond Maryann T. & Timothy Seaman
$75,000 - $99,999 The Wortham Foundation
$500 - $999 Suzanne & Ed Ellis Lillian & Jess Hargis Judy & Charles Lano JoAnne & Randy Lowry Gayelene & Ralph McIngvale Brenda & John Mizell Sandy & Steve Morrow Janet Wong & Ronald Mullins Arla & Gerald Neuberger Cindy Notarainni Jadzia & Richard Olson Shannon & Brian Wing Melissa & Jeff Young
$50,000 - $74,999 The Woodlands Development Company $25,000 - $49,999 Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Audi of America Lindahl Family Foundation Woodforest National Bank $15,000 - $24,999 ARAMARK Sports & Entertainment H-E-B PepsiCo $10,000 - $14,999 Chevron Phillips Chemical Company Devon Energy Insperity KPMG, LLP Linn Energy Wells Fargo $5,000 - $9,999 Aon Hewitt AT&T Becker Family Foundation Black Forest Ventures CB&I Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Entergy Fidelity Investments FMC Technologies Carol & Phil Garner Ironman Foundation John P. McGovern Foundation Memorial Hermann The Woodlands TETRA Technologies, Inc. Union Pacific Foundation Winstead PC $2,000 - $4,999 Century 21 Realty Partners City of Shenandoah EMI Exxon Volunteer Contributions Huntsman Kinder Morgan Foundation Market Street—The Woodlands Renewal by Andersen
Photo by JD Villaseñor KISS performed to a sold-out crowd at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Aug. 3. Mötley Crüe joined KISS for The Tour 2012, one of the biggest rock tours this summer. Pictured with KISS are Steve Lawler, director of production for Live Nation, Jerry MacDonald, president and CEO of The Pavilion, Randy McElrath, senior vice president of Live Nation, Gary Becker, Pavilion board member, Mike McGee, president of BarMac, Jeff Young, vice president of operations for The Pavilion, and Paul Beasley, vice president of sales for LD Systems.
$1,000 - $1,999 Delvin & Joe Ash Barb & Stephen Crain Candi & Gerald Glenn Sheryl & Fred Greene Tricia & Jerry MacDonald Julie & Jerry Mayrant Whitney & Derek McCoy
$250 - $499 Nancy & Tom Battle Louise & Dr. Henry Bethea Debra & Michael Caliel Dixie & Bret Cope Gaye & Bill Craig Karol & James Dreibelbis Anne & David Dunlap Keith & Grady Ferry Bob Hurt Jan & Greg Jewell Ed Jones Conchita & Eric Ladwig Annice & John Nanninga Shelly & Michael O’Neil Cheryl & Ron Ridlehuber Arlene & Sol Sachs Peg & Tim Welbes In-Kind ARAMARK Sports & Entertainment Houston Community Newspapers & The Courier Main Event EMS PepsiCo Rico’s Mexican Grill Sweet Tomatoes Tommy Bahama United Airlines The Pavilion Partners Fine Arts Scholarship Donors: $1,000 Charissa & Steve Arizpe Dana & Chris Baker Nelda & Jim Blair Sylvia Caracio Anne & Dave Dunlap Susan & Dan Fordyce Carol & Phil Garner Lisa & Fred Koetting Linn Energy Julie & Jerry Mayrant Arla & Gerald Neuberger Dr. Judith Ragsdale Maryann T. & Timothy Seaman Sheryl & Hank Wood
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion acknowledges the financial support of The Woodlands Township that is generated by the Event Admissions Tax for its performing arts and educational programs.
The Woodlands Center for the Performing Arts 2005 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77380
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID The Woodlands Center for The Performing Arts
CenterStage is a publication of The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, a nonprofit organization and home of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.
The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands Home of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 2005 Lake Robbins Drive • The Woodlands, TX 77380 Phone: 281-364-3010 Fax: 281-364-3011 www.woodlandscenter.org info@woodlandscenter.org
Officers Jeffrey H. Shipley – Chairman of the Board Jerry MacDonald – President and CEO Joseph P. Ash – Vice Chairman Mark E. Ellis – Secretary Jeff Young – Vice President Lori Figaro – Treasurer
Board of Directors John H. Beaird C. Grant Mitchell Gary Becker Steve A. Morrow David D. Dunlap Steven W. Nance Carol P. Garner Diane Nielsen Jeffrey R. Harder Julie Rock Jason K. Harris Maryann T. Seaman Gregory T. Kelleher Larry Shaffer Paul R. Kenworthy, MD Raymond I. Wilcox Daniel E. Kolkhorst Marsha K. Williams George Lindahl III Brian Wing Julie V. Mayrant Janet S. Wong Ralph C. McIngvale Hank Wood
Director in memoriam Cynthia Woods Mitchell (1922 - 2009)
Staff Jerry MacDonald – President & CEO Margaret Jones – Executive Assistant Cindy DuBois – Director of Marketing & Education Courtney Galle – Marketing & PR Manager Lori Figaro – CFO Jenny Lewis – Accounting Assistant Heather Reding – Human Resources Manager Paula Smith – Senior Accountant Christine Scully – Director of Development Leslie Williams – Volunteer & Special Events Coordinator Jeff Young – Vice President of Operations Mike Bevel – Operations Department Collin Bolen – Assistant Box Office Manager Carla DeHart – Administrative Coordinator Isidro Hernandez – Maintenance Department Lead Paula Jauregui – Maintenance Department Victor Maldonado – Maintenance Department Matt Meyer – Assistant Operations Manager Josie Reeves – Box Office Manager Kelly Rich – Event Manager Joey Rincon – Overnight Security Supervisor David Schlauch – Operations Manager Chad Sonnier – Operations Department JD Villaseñor – Director of Premium Seat Sales
Centerstage Cindy DuBois – Editor-in-Chief Courtney Galle – Managing Editor Don Crouch, imagineer
Our Mission Founded in 1990, The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides diverse, high-quality performing arts events for the entertainment and enrichment of a broad regional audience. Through numerous educational and community outreach programs, The Center is a catalyst for attracting new audiences to the performing arts and building strong ties between the arts and educational institutions.
www.woodlandscenter.org
Photo by Ted Washington
Passion for the Arts Lands Internship for Student by Sonny Franks
Student intern Sonny Franks joined the marketing department this summer at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion to gain experience in the marketing field for a nonprofit performing arts center. Franks wrote press releases and articles about the venue and its events, worked on website management, coordinated social media sites, planned special events and more. A rising senior at The John Cooper School, Franks plays an active part in the community’s performing arts scene, having participated in a number of shows through her school as well as through Lone Star College. As a founding member of her school’s Drama Club and as club publicist for the past two years, she has helped strengthen her school’s fine arts program. Franks looks forward to her role as president of Drama Club her senior year. She is on track to be a National Merit Scholar and hopes to attend the University of Alabama where she plans to study public relations, advertising and business marketing. Having received this internship opportunity through the Education for Tomorrow Alliance’s highly competitive placement program, Franks made the most of her time at The Pavilion. She gained valuable skills and experience that she can take with her to college and in all her future endeavors.
Kids wearing bunny ears could be seen all over the North Plaza at Bugs Bunny at the Symphony July 26 as part of the pre-concert activities. A record number of guests, more than 9,000, was in attendance at the concert that featured the Houston Symphony and scenes from Looney Tunes cartoons including Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, Tweety and many more.