MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE CHILDREN'S PERFORMANCES Three Little Pigs April 20, 11:00 am A bilingual (Spanish/English) show about three brothers, one messy, one a daydreamer, and the last who always has a plan for the future. They are Pig Scouts, the pride of youthful swinedom, and they must set up camp to earn their merit badges. Now, who is that unfamiliar scout master who will be judging their work? It's the Wolf, Big Bad to be specific, that's who! Produced by Express Children's Theatre Swing, Jive and Pop! Into Dance April 21, 11:00 am Watch dance of all styles and eras explode onto stage to engage, entertain and enlighten students of all ages. Swing in to the 30s, tap to "Singin' in the Rain," Hand Jive through the 50s and Electric Slide into today! Students participate in an energy filled hour of dance, music, costumes and learn fun historical tidbits of information on fashion, games, and toys. Produced by Houston Metropolitan Dance Company A Way Home: Opera to Go! May 3 – 6, 11:00 am HGOco presents the world premiere performances of Las Mariposas (The Butterflies): A 3,000 mile journey begins following a magical transformation. How does a butterfly find the home it has never seen, but that its ancestors have inhabited for thousands of years? Presented as part of Song of Houston and in conjunction with the anniversaries of Mexican Independence and Revolution in 2010. Music by Ethan Frederick Greene, Libretto by Irene Keller. Produced by Houston Grand Opera, HGOco Swing, Jive and Pop! Into Dance May 12, 11:00 am Watch dance of all styles and eras explode onto stage to engage, entertain and enlighten students of all ages. Swing in to the 30s, tap to "Singin' in the Rain," Hand Jive through the 50s and Electric Slide into today! Students participate in an energy filled hour of dance, music, costumes and learn fun historical tidbits of information on fashion, games, and toys. Produced by Houston Metropolitan Dance Company Hear Ye! Hear Ye! June 7, 11:00 am Experience the artists of tomorrow – Young geniuses ages 4 – 18 perform for your entertainment. Musicians are chosen from over 350 applicants. In order to be a Houston Young Artist, the featured musicians compete against the best young artists in the Houston area. They will captivate your heart with their passion for their instruments. Audience members will have an opportunity to participate in the performance! Produced by Houston Young Artist's Concert Series Disney's My Son Pinnochio Jr. June 9 – 11, 11:00 am The classic tale of an aging toymaker and his puppet, Pinocchio, takes on timely issues in Disney's My Son Pinocchio. Grammy Award-winner and master melodist Stephen Schwartz adds a compelling score of original songs to the beloved classics "When You Wish Upon a Star" and "I've Got No Strings." Join the Blue Fairy, Stromboli and a lively cast of characters as Geppetto journeys beyond the Toy Shop to discover what makes the "perfect child." This family-friendly musical is appropriate for all audiences and is a magical mix of heartwarming fairytale and action-packed adventure. Audiences will love following Pinocchio's journey from an awkward wooden puppet to a real, live boy and will be charmed by Geppetto's transformation from demanding creator to a real, live father. Produced by Theatre Under The Stars: TUTS Humphreys School Hear Ye! Hear Ye! June 21, 11:00 am Experience the artists of tomorrow – Young geniuses ages 4 – 18 perform for your entertainment. Musicians are chosen from over 350 applicants. In order to be a Houston Young Artist, the featured musicians compete against the best young artists in the Houston area. They will captivate your heart with their passion for their instruments. Audience members will have an opportunity to participate in the performance! Produced by Houston Young Artist's Concert Series Sounds Like Fun June 22, 11:00 am The Houston Symphony's Sounds Like Fun concerts return to Miller Outdoor Theatre with musical magic that will captivate audiences young and old. Produced by The Houston Symphony Children's Hilltop Festival Three Billy Goats Gruff July 20, 11:00 am All the three billy goats want to do is get across the bridge so they can eat the grass on the other side, but there's a grumbly, grouchy, bully of a Troll under the bridge who is determined not to let them pass. A rollicking musical production by Kevin M. Reese, directed by Alex Gardner. The True Story of The Tortoise and The Hare July 21, 11:00 am A roving reporter just happens to be in the forest looking for a breaking story when she stumbles upon what appears to be the TRUE story of the Tortoise and the Hare. Young Henrietta Hare is looking for someone to race and Grandpa G, the Tortoise is happy to oblige. An original musical adaptation by Kevin M. Reese, directed by Vincent Victoria. The Three Little Pigs July 22, 11:00 am A bilingual (Spanish/English) show about three brothers, one messy, one a daydreamer, and the last who always has a plan for the future. They are Pig Scouts, the pride of youthful swine dom, and they must set up camp to earn their merit badges. Now, who is that unfamiliar scout master who will be judging their work? It's the Wolf, Big Bad to be specific, that's who! Jack and the Beanstalk July 23, 11:00 am Enter an enchanted world of dancing cows, hysterical chickens, a singing harp, magical beans, and a Giant who lives in a castle in the sky. Poor Jack can't seem to do anything right. He sells the cow for beans, climbs the beanstalk, gets caught trying to steal the Giant's Golden Goose, and has trouble finding his way back home. By the end of this special tale, the cow is returned, the chicken learns how to lay golden eggs and the silly Giant teaches Jack a valuable lesson about dealing with others. A new musical adaptation, written and directed by Harold J. Haynes. Produced by Express Children's Theatre Learning about China Dance of Asian America August 10, 11:00 am Open your eyes to the rich cultural heritage of China through authentic Chinese dances. Classical and folk dances are a precious part of China's cultural heritage and serve as a wonderful tool for learning about its many various traditions, history, and culture. Each dance performed includes authentic Chinese costumes, music, and detailed information. This interactive performance involves audience members with dance props and dance movements. Presented by Young Audiences of Houston Texas, Alive with Music Paragon Brass Ensemble August 12, 11am View the sweeping pageantry of Texas history through music. From early Spanish exploration and the first settlement by American frontiersmen to the Battle for Independence and the Civil War, music has given voice to the land of Texas. Listen and learn as Paragon Brass traces this epic saga with musical selections relating Texas' journey from colonization to independent nation to the Lone Star State. Presented by Young Audiences of Houston Discover Korea's Rich Cultural Heritage Ari Rang Korean Folk Dance Group August 16, 11:00 am Discover Korea, the Land of Morning Calm, through the richness of its dance and music. The performance of Korean classical and folk dances features colorful costumes, traditional music and instruments including exciting drums and vibrant gongs. Interactive components offer the audience a chance to learn traditional dance and drumming. Presented by Young Audiences of Houston You Don't Need Words to Tell a Story Texas Mime Theatre August 17, 11:00 am Character, plot, conflict, and setting are Texas Mime's Theatre's "silent partners" in this creative program that combines the art of pantomime with a lesson on the elements of stories. Imagination, wit, and surprise mark this engaging program, which presents mime as a highly expressive storytelling medium. Such classic sketches as "The Library," "The Bakers," and "Fishing" entertain as they educate. Students might find themselves on stage as members of the "orchestra"! Presented by Young Audiences of Houston The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe A.D. Players August 19, 11:00 am The life and death struggle for Narnia brought to life from the page to the stage! The Great Lion takes on his archenemy in the cosmic battle of the ages as the classic literature of C. S. Lewis comes to life on stage. Join in the triumph of good over evil in this exciting and imaginative production of this famous children's classic. Presented by Young Audiences of Houston Ballet Folklorico: Travels Through Mexico and Panama September 11, 11:00 am Energetic, exciting performances will transport the audience to a wonderful cultural adventure of Mexico and Panama. Lively mariachi and rhythmic Panamanian musicians and performers will have audience members singing and moving to the beat of the music. Produced by Ambassadors International Ballet Folklorico Swing, Jive and Pop! Into Dance September 14, 11:00 am Watch dance of all styles and eras explode onto stage to engage, entertain and enlighten students of all ages. Swing in to the 30s, tap to "Singin' in the Rain," Hand Jive through the 50s and Electric Slide into today! Students participate in an energy filled hour of dance, music, costumes and learn fun historical tidbits of information on fashion, games, and toys. Produced by Houston Metropolitan Dance Company 16th Annual Weekend of Contemporary Dance September 25, 11:00 am A season of dance in one evening! Many styles! Revivals, premiers and sneak previews by Houston's most exciting contemporary dance companies. Special guests from Austin and beyond. The dance festival showcases a wide range of contemporary choreographic styles set to an eclectic mix of live and recorded music. Produced by Dance Source Houston The Magic Flute – Opera to Go! September 27 – October 1, 11:00 am This updated version of The Magic Flute has all the tunes you love, with a modern technological twist. Don't miss Mozart's tale of good vs. evil, set inside a video game- complete with magical cell phones, notorious name brands, and an unforgettable Queen of the Byte! Produced by Houston Grand Opera, HGOco   Ballet Folklorico: Travels Through Mexico and Panama October 9, 11:00 am Energetic, exciting performances will transport the audience to a wonderful cultural adventure of Mexico and Panama. Lively mariachi and rhythmic Panamanian musicians and performers will have audience members singing and moving to the beat of the music. Produced by Ambassadors International Ballet Folklorico Under the Sea Becky Valls University of Houston Dance Ensemble October 13 11:00 am Travel into the depths of the ocean and experience the phenomenal underwater world. Experience the energetic performance of the University of Houston's Dance Ensemble as they create a science lesson on ocean communities. Their dances take students "into the deep" to explore ocean landscapes, plant life, the species of fish, and the power of waves and tides. A crazy choreographed fashion show with audience participation focuses on fish and other marine animals. Presented by Young Audiences of Houston All About Dance HSPVA Concert Dancers October 18, 11:00 am Explore the world of dance and movement with this company of talented young professionals from HISD's renowned High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). Join the HSPVA Concert Dancers in exploring various dance forms – including ballet, modern dance, jazz, and tap – and their distinct characteristics. Discover the complexity of dance, its many forms, and what training is required to become a dancer. Presented by Young Audiences of Houston Taking It to the Streets Soul Street October 19, 11:00 am They fly through the air with the greatest of ease! They dance en pointe while semi-crouched in high-top sneakers! Soul Street demonstrates the varied styles and discuss the distinctive features and origins of each dance. From Brazil's Capoiera to New York's Break Dance and the multi-component form of hip-hop, learn how these styles developed and evolved. In addition to some exciting participatory activities, find out what happens when today's diverse dance styles meet classical music by 17th century composer Antonio Vivaldi! Presented by Young Audiences of Houston Swing, Jive and Pop! Into Dance October 27, 11:00 am Watch dance of all styles and eras explode onto stage to engage, entertain and enlighten students of all ages. Swing in to the 30s, tap to "Singin' in the Rain," Hand Jive through the 50s and Electric Slide into today! Students participate in an energy filled hour of dance, music, costumes and learn fun historical tidbits of information on fashion, games, and toys. Produced by Houston Metropolitan Dance Company Jack and the Beanstalk October 29, 11:00 am Enter an enchanted world of dancing cows, hysterical chickens, a singing harp, magical beans, and a Giant who lives in a castle in the sky. Poor Jack can't seem to do anything right. He sells the cow for beans, climbs the beanstalk, gets caught trying to steal the Giant's Golden Goose, and has trouble finding his way back home. By the end of this special tale, the cow is returned, the chicken learns how to lay golden eggs and the silly Giant teaches Jack a valuable lesson about dealing with others. A new musical adaptation, written and directed by Harold J. Haynes. Produced by Express Children's Theatre