24th Annual Transcanada Theater District Open House previews 2017-18 Performing Arts Season on August 27
Experience Houston’s Theater District with free performances, family activities, ticket deals and more
Theater District Houston hosts the 24th Annual TransCanada Theater District Open House on Sunday, August 27, 2017, from noon to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
photo by Amitava Sarkar
Marking the official launch of the fall performing arts season, the event is a free, family-friendly festival that takes place at five venues in the Theater District in Downtown Houston: the Alley Theatre (615 Texas), the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby), Jones Hall for the Performing Arts (615 Louisiana), Revention Music Center (520 Texas) and Wortham Theater Center (501 Texas).
“Open House presents a unique opportunity for visitors to fully experience Houston’s performing arts scene,” said Kathryn McNiel, CEO of Theater District Houston. “From free performances in the theaters to outdoor art-making activities to special one-day-only ticket deals, there is truly something for everyone at this free, family-friendly festival.”
Theater District Open House features an array of free programs, performances and activities that highlight the best of dance, music and theater on tap for the upcoming season.
Guests are invited for exclusive behind-the-scenes opportunities including backstage tours, demonstrations, performer meet-and-greets, Taiwanese calligraphy lessons, photo ops and more.
photo by Morris Malakoff
Families with children will enjoy the Houston Symphony Instrument Petting Zoo, Storybook Opera with HGOco, arts and crafts with Society for the Performing Arts and creative movement mini-classes taught by Houston Ballet Academy instructors.
The schedule is packed with free performances including:
- Bria Skonberg, the 2017 Juno Award Winner for Best Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, presented by Society for the Performing Arts
- The New York Philharmonic String Quartet, kicking off Da Camera of Houston’s Beethoven for All initiative
- The BBVA Compass Broadway at the Hobby Center Showcase, a musical revue featuring songs from shows in the 2017–18 season
- A spotlight on Uniquely Houston® in Zilkha Hall and much more.
The festival concludes with two free performances at 4 p.m.: a concert by the Houston Symphony at Jones Hall, led by Houston Symphony Associate Conductor Robert Franz, and an onstage class and rehearsal by the Houston Ballet II in the Cullen Theater.
A partial lane closure of streets in the Theater District will allow festival-goers to walk freely between venues, enjoying outdoor pop-up performances and tasting food trucks along the route. Trolleys will be available to transport guests wishing to ride rather than walk between venues. The Buffalo Bayou Partnership will provide free boat rides from Fish Plaza at the Wortham Theater Center, offering visitors an alternative view of the Theater District.
courtesy of SPA
This annual festival presents an opportunity for arts-lovers to secure special ticket offers and also seeks to educate all Houstonians about the performing arts organizations that call the Theater District home: Alley Theatre, BBVA Compass Broadway at the Hobby Center, Da Camera of Houston, Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Symphony, Society for the Performing Arts, Theatre Under The Stars and Uniquely Houston®. Together, these organizations present more than 1,000 performances each year and draw more than two million visitors annually.
Visit www.theaterdistrictopenhouse.com for more information, including the full schedule of events and details about special ticket offers.
Featured Photo by Morris Malakoff