Houston Newsmakers: Houston mayoral candidate Amanda Edwards says her experience makes her right for the job

Houston Life Correspondent Melanie Camp busted down the stage door and broke in backstage at Hobby Center to chat with Houston Symphony Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke ahead of his show with artist Common.

The Houston Symphony celebrates the return of the holiday season with Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada leading the orchestra with highlights from favorite pieces of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” starting on Dec. 3-5.

Fans of the 2018 Marvel Studios hit “Black Panther” have a chance to see it in concert in downtown Houston.

The Houston Symphony is honoring the Bayou City’s rich Hispanic culture by bringing its annual Fiesta Sinfónica concert to Jones Hall.

On January 14 through 16, Harry Potter is returning to the Houston Symphony; tickets are available at houstonsymphony.org.

Itzhak Perlman, the world-renowned violinist who will make a stop at Jones Hall this weekend, will hold an open rehearsal on Friday.

A world-renowned violinist will make a stop to Jones Hall with a performance honoring Ludwig von Beethoven.

HOUSTON – The Houston Symphony has announced its programming from January, which will include two Classical Series programs that will celebrate Beethoven’s 250′s birthday, according to a news release. “Houston-based vocalist and saxophonist David Caceres—who makes his Houston Symphony debut—is featured in the program full of big band standards,” according to the release. Jan. 29-31Guest conductor Paolo Bortolameolli will lead the symphony in a performance that will continue the celebration of Beethoven’s birthday. The symphony’s Principal Cello Brinton Averil Smith will take center stage for the performance of Hayden’s Cello Concerto No. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets for the live performance or live stream can visiting the Houston Symphony’s website.

HOUSTON – This season of The Voice features not just one but two Houstonians, and the latest superstar got all four judges to turn in her blind audition while singing Un-Break My Heart by Toni Braxton. Desz’s mom suffered an aneurysm just months later and she performed for the first time during her funeral. The 30-year-old musician went on to perform all throughout college at Prairie View A&M University with the university’s choir, the Houston Ebony Opera and the Houston Symphony. She eventually made her way to Los Angeles, where she became a part of Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir. To keep up with Desz’s musical journey, follow her on Instagram @deszmusicofficial or Facebook at DeSz Music.

HOUSTON – The Houston Symphony performs in its first concert Friday since the COVID-19 pandemic and in front of a small live audience. The musicians rehearsed on stage on Friday morning preparing for the first concert of the season. They’ll notice hand sanitizing stations and signs reminding them to wear their masks and social distance from others. Starting Saturday night and every Saturday, people can pay $20 to watch a live stream of the concerts on houstonsymphony.org. No word on when they’ll be able to offer tickets to the public.

KPRC 2 has launched the Stronger Houston, a series of reports that started this week focusing on how the inequities impact those who live in the Houston area. This week, the focus is on the disparity in the way COVID-19 impacts the communities of Gulfton and Bellaire. Nonprofit organizations around the community are figuring out a way to pivot to operate to continue to make a difference where its most important, said Reliant President Elizabeth Killinger. Symphony CEO John Mangum says while its not quite like being in Jones Hall the live stream production brings you right into the action. Jones Hall, Home of the Houston Symphony (Houston Symphony)

The Houston Symphony is returning to the stage for a new concert series. The symphony announced the series Live from Jones Hall will offer an intimate concert experience. The new series will introduce audiences to diverse and engaging programs during an hour-long live stream from Jones Hall at 8 p.m. each Saturday night in July and Saturday, Aug. 1. “I think it will be emotional for all of us when our incredible musicians return to the Jones Hall stage after a more than three-month absence. Virtual attendees can gain access to the private live stream performances by purchasing a $10 ticket online.

The Houston Symphony announced it is now forced to make layoffs and other budget cuts to offset its projected $11 million deficit in the 2020-2021 season as the organization prepares for a reduction of sales due to capacity limitations. With COVID-19-based limitations on earned and contributed income, there are no revenue-based paths toward reaching a balanced budget in 20202021, officials for the Houston Symphony said. The symphonys staff count will be reduced by 21 positions, from a full- and part-time staff total of 83 to 62. Despite taking immediate pay cuts in March, staff members will now take on additional cuts to salary and benefits. Symphony musicians are working with management to identify what their contribution will be to finish closing the deficit.

By Briana Edwards/KPRC ContributorHOUSTON - The Houston Symphony is hosting its annual Fiesta Sinfónica concert on Sunday as it celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. The free event starts at 6 p.m. at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts. Fiesta Sinfónica will mark Laguna’s debut at the Houston Symphony. The concert is free to the public. Advanced tickets are sold out and stand-by tickets to the event will be made available onsite at the Jones Hall box office.