High School for the Performing and Visual Arts at Discovery Green October 17, 2008

High School for the Performing and Visual Arts at Discovery Green
Honoring Nancy G. Kinder

Talented students will perform in a free event on Friday, October 17

Houston’s best young musicians, actors, dancers and singers from the internationally renowned High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) will dazzle audiences in a free event on Friday, October 17 at Discovery Green. The event is a tribute to Nancy G. Kinder, former Board Chair, Discovery Green Conservancy. Made possible by generous support from Andrea and Mayor Bill White, this annual event will take place every year until 2010 and will honor Mrs. Kinder for her dedication and commitment to the Discovery Green Conservancy. As a respected member of the community and skilled fundraiser, Mrs. Kinder spearheaded an initiative to raise more than $52 million in private donations for the opening of Discovery Green. This annual event will show appreciation for all her time and financial contributions to the park.

Since its opening last April, Discovery Green has placed a strong emphasis on supporting cultural and educational themes in its programming. The first public event at the park, “One for Doc” was a salute to HSPVA and its longtime jazz director, Dr. Robert (Doc) Morgan, and its distinguished jazz alumni that returned to perform. The October 17 event is an opportunity to pay tribute to Mrs. Kinder and give Houstonians an opportunity to enjoy a lovely evening at the park and be entertained by some of the rising stars of HSPVA.

“The opening of Discovery Green would not have been possible without the tireless efforts and unrivalled fundraising abilities of Nancy Kinder as board chair of the Discovery Green Conservancy” said Andrea White. “HSPVA is a one-of-a-kind institution in our city and I like to believe that Discovery Green holds that same distinction as a park and entertainment destination. We look forward to seeing the stars of tomorrow perform as we show our appreciation to Nancy Kinder.”

The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts of the Houston Independent School District evolved in 1971 from a realization that gifted young artists need highly specialized and rigorous training in the arts to be prepared for the intense competition they will meet in colleges, conservatories, and the professional arts world. The creation of HSPVA represented the first attempt by any public high school in the nation to correlate an academic program with concentrated training in the arts. The school values student individuality and nurtures individual accomplishments and creativity. Former HSPVA students include actress Chandra Wilson, who stars in TV’s Grey’s Anatomy, Jazz Pianist, Jason Moran; Soprano, Camille Zamora and Scott Gertner, who owns and performs at the Sky Bar, one of the most popular jazz venues in Houston.

WHAT: High School for the Performing and Visual Arts at Discovery Green
Honoring Nancy G. Kinder
WHEN: Friday, October 17, 7:00 p.m. - Free Admission
The program will include performances by HSPVA Concert Dancers, Young Performers, Jazz Musicians and the Denney Theatre Company with excerpts from the “Zombie Prom”

WHERE: Anheuser-Busch Stage and Fondren Performance Slope
Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney in Downtown Houston, located across Avenida de las Americas from the George R. Brown Convention Center.
CONTACT: Visit www.discoverygreen.com or call 713.400.7336

MEDIA
CONTACT: Claudia Morlan or Martha Claussen, Elmore Public Relations, 713-524-0661
or [email protected] or [email protected].

About Discovery Green
Located in downtown Houston, Discovery Green is 12 acres of urban green space including one-acre lake, children’s playground area, interactive water features, multi-use amphitheater stage and sloping lawn, small and large dog runs, and two restaurants, the Grove and Lake House operated by Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group.

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Official Website: http://www.discoverygreen.com