Nestled in verdant Hermann Park, Miller Outdoor Theatre — now 100 years old —  is the only free, open-air theater of its kind in the country and regularly attracts internationally known performers.

The Greater Southeast Management District, commonly called Houston Southeast, sponsors some of the exciting shows every year.

“Houston Southeast has been a sponsor of performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre for a number of years, providing much-needed funding for performances that appeal to a broad audience, with emphasis on those who live in the District,” said Cissy Segall Davis, managing director.

“Houston Southeast was the sponsor of Forever Motown, May 25 through 27,” she added. “This touring production featured Motown royalty — Glenn Leonard, original lead singer of the Temptations; Theo Peoples, lead singer of both the Four Tops and the Temptations; and Traci Robinson, former lead singer of The Marvelettes, plus an all-star company of singers and musicians who performed the popular hits from legendary Motown artists. The three performances drew 16,700 enthusiastic Motown fans (and) 6,800 people for the live (video) stream — some of the largest audiences of this 100th anniversary season!”

Such high-visibility performances and diverse audiences spotlight many of the people, attractions and businesses in the management district, which stretches east-west for five miles from the Texas Medical Center to the University of Houston and Old Spanish Trail/South Union area.

The wide-ranging performance schedule continues into November, with theater performances, dance performances and music from many cultural traditions and ranging from classical to reggae and from Tejano to jazz.

Go online to reserve some of the installed seats under the theatre’s canopy for the wide-ranging entertainment line-up list below.  Or just bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy hillside seating under the stars. You can bring a picnic (no glass containers allowed). A concession stand next to the theatre offers food and beverages. No pets and no smoking allowed.

2
September
MOZART BY MOONLIGHT
PRODUCED BY
MERCURY CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
8:00pm

8
September
LAKECIA BENJAMIN
AND PHOENIX
PRODUCED BY DACAMERA
8:00pm

9
September
THE MUSIC OF SAM COOKE-
A CHANGE IS GONNA COME
STARRING BRADD MARQUIS AND THE MAGNIFICENTS
8:00pm

15
September
EL GRITO AT MILLER
FEATURING
MARIACHI NUEVO TECALITLÁN
7:30pm

16
September
THE HOUSTON JAZZ FESTIVAL
PRODUCED BY
HOUSTON JAZZ COLLECTIVE
8:00pm

21
September
DANCE OF THE INSECTS
PRESENTED BY
YOUNG AUDIENCES OF HOUSTON
11:00am
Details

22
September
SHINYRIBS
8:00pm

23
September
ROMANTIC MASTERPIECES
PRODUCED BY
TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER ORCHESTRA
8:00pm

29
September
ROCO IN CONCERT:
SEISMIC
PRODUCED BY ROCO
7:30pm

30
September
SALSA Y SALYD
PRODUCED BY
FOUNDATION FOR MODERN MUSIC
7:30pm

5
October
THE 44TH ANNUAL
FESTIVAL CHICANO
FEATURING
DAVID LEE GARZA Y LOS MUSICALES
7:00pm

6
October
THE 44TH ANNUAL
FESTIVAL CHICANO
FEATURING
LOS PALOMINOS
7:00pm

7
October
THE 44TH ANNUAL
FESTIVAL CHICANO
FEATURING
LITTLE JOE Y LA FAMILIA
7:00pm

9
October
KATIE:
STRONGEST OF THE STRONG
PRODUCED BY
HOUSTON GRAND OPERA
11:00am

10
October
KATIE:
STRONGEST OF THE STRONG
PRODUCED BY
HOUSTON GRAND OPERA
11:00am

11
October

KATIE:
STRONGEST OF THE STRONG
PRODUCED BY
HOUSTON GRAND OPERA
11:00am

13
October
DIA DE LA HISPANIDAD:
IDA Y VUELTA
PRODUCED BY
THE INSTITUTE OF HISPANIC CULTURE
7:30pm

14
October
AN EVENING WITH
LOS LOBOS
6:30pm

17
October
A STORY, A SONG,
AND A DANCE
PRODUCED BY
YOUNG AUDIENCES OF HOUSTON
11:00am

19
October
MARIA’S MAGICAL MUSIC
ADVENTURE
PRODUCED BY
EXPRESS CHILDREN’S THEATRE
11:00am

20
October
REGGAE VIBRATIONS FEATURING
THE LEGENDARY WAILERS,
THIRD WORLD,
& THE SKATALITES
7:00pm

21
October
ASIA TO THE WORLD
PRODUCED BY
DANCE OF ASIAN AMERICA
7:30pm

23
October
PANTO COMPANY U.S.A.
PRESENTS
CINDERELLA
11:00am

24
October
PANTO COMPANY U.S.A.
PRESENTS
CINDERELLA
11:00am

25
October
DANCE UNIVERSE
PRODUCED BY
YOUNG AUDIENCES OF HOUSTON
11:00am

27
October
CALAVERA CON CALAVERA
PRODUCED BY
FLAS
7:30pm

28
October
CITY OF STARS
PRODUCED BY
HOUSTON CHAMBER CHOIR
7:30pm

3
November
CIRQUE MECHANICS:
ZEPHYR
7:00pm

4
November
BEIJING DANCE THEATER:
THREE POEMS
7:00pm

11
November
BELLA GAIA AND
WILLIAM CLOSE &
THE EARTH HARP COLLECTIVE
7:30pm

More info at www.milleroutdoortheatre.com

— by Marene Gustin