Halloween Concert a Family Favorite

Houston Symphony Performs Hocus Pocus Pops at

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Oct. 26

bring the entire family to the “spooktacular” Hocus Pocus Pops at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. The night is filled with tricks, treats and enchanting music featuring the world-renowned Houston Symphony under the direction of Rebecca Miller. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Lawn seating is free courtesy of H-E-B.

The program for Hocus Pocus Pops includes such Halloween classics as the Theme from “Batman,” Johann Strauss Jr.'s Overture to “Die Fledermaus” (The Bat), Berlioz's “Symphonie Fantastique,” Williams' Suite from “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” “March of the Dwarfs” from Grieg's Lyric Suite and more.

Miller was a prize winner at the 8 th Leeds Conducting Competition in England. She is praised by reviewers in such UK publications as The Times, The Strad and Musical Opinion for her “new insights into old works,” innovative programming and broad-ranging repertoire. Miller returns to The Pavilion with the Houston Symphony for this magical, spine-tingling program.

Daddies, mummies and all the little ghosts and goblins are invited to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes. The first 75 children in costume to check in at the main stage between 6 and 7:30 p.m. can march in the Goblin Parade during Herbert's March of the Toys from “Babes in Toyland.” H-E-B's mascot, H-E-Buddy, leads the festivities.

Before the concert, children are invited to participate in an array of free hands-on Halloween activities, including:

• Pumpkin decorating, pluck-a-duck and Buddy toss sponsored by H-E-B
• Ghost-making at The Pavilion P art ners tent
• Designing your own mini-Halloween Goody Bag with Woodlands Online
• Halloween tattoos, candy, spider rings and other frightening treats
• Shaking hands with the Chick-fil-A cow and H-E-Buddy
• Spinning a wheel of prizes with Chick-fil-A
• Meeting the Radio Disney Party Patrol Team, playing games and dancing to your favorite songs
• Interacting with spooky costumed characters such as Count Wakula, a giant spider and more
• And other “hauntingly” fun activities for the whole family.

Pre-concert activities take place in the Fidelity Investments Plaza starting at 6 p.m.

Concertgoers are invited to register to win one of two great prizes donated by H-E-B and The Pavilion. All you have to do is bring an H-E-B receipt for $50 or more from October 2007 to Hocus Pocus Pops . Receipts must be brought to H-E-B's booth in the Fidelity Investments Plaza between 6 and 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 26. The drawing takes place from the main stage before the concert.

Tickets for Hocus Pocus Pops are $15 for covered seating and $10 for uncovered seating. Free Lawn seating is courtesy of H-E-B. Bring the entire family and have a picnic on the hill . Picnics are welcome; keep in mind that beverages cannot be brought into The Pavilion.

Reserved seating tickets can be purchased at The Pavilion Ticket Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on event days through intermission. The Ticket Office is located at the north entrance to The Pavilion at 2005 Lake Robbins Drive in The Woodlands. Tickets also are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.com .

Although lawn seating is free , tickets or vouchers are required for admission and are available at the following locations: The Pavilion Ticket Office, the Community Associations of The Woodlands, select Chick-fil-A, H-E-B and Woodforest National Bank locations, Montgomery County libraries, The Woodlands Recreation Center and other locations in The Woodlands and the surrounding area. Visit www.woodlandscenter.org for exact locations.

Preferred parking is available in the on-site Town Center Garage located along Six Pines Drive. Parking is $5 per vehicle for this and most performing arts events. Tickets for on-site parking can be purchased in advance at all Ticketmaster locations, at www.ticketmaster.com and The Pavilion Ticket Office. Guests also can park in any of the five free parking lots on the southwest side of The Pavilion. The free, color-coded lots are connected to The Pavilion by corresponding pathways with signs leading across The Woodlands Waterway.