MERCURY CELEBRATES RESILIENCY OF HOUSTON COMMUNITY WITH A FREE COMMUNITY CONCERT AND FUNDRAISER AT MILLER OUTDOOR THEATER

Houston, TX – Hurricane Harvey won’t prevent Houston’s period-ensemble from sharing music with the broader Houston community. Mercury’s annual free community concert at Miller Outdoor Theater, cancelled due to Hurricane Harvey, has been rescheduled for Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 7:30 pm.

“In honor of the Houston community’s strength and resilience, we have created a new program that will include joyful music by Vivaldi, Bach and Handel,” stated Artistic Director Antoine Plante. We hope you will join us in celebrating the ‘can do’ spirit of Houston.”

“We are also pleased to have this concert serve as a way to support the flood relief fund established by Mayor Turner,” said Mercury Executive Director Brian Ritter. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with those terribly impacted by the storm, and it is our hope this concert can bring relief and raise funds to help through music.”

The program will also be performed at UHCL Bayou Theater on Thursday, September 14th at 8:00 pm as part of its Performing Arts Series to benefit the UHCL Student Storm Relief Fund. Last week, Mercury musicians volunteered their time to give an impromptu concert at the George R. Brown Convention Center, where thousands of displaced Houstonians were being sheltered.

Mercury’s principal performance venue, The Wortham Center, suffered much damage during the storm. Teams are working hard to restore the building, but currently performances at the Wortham Center have been suspended through mid-October. Details about relocating Mercury’s first concert of the 2017-2018 Downtown Series at the Wortham Center, scheduled for October 7, 2017, will be forthcoming in the coming days. Ticket buyers are encouraged to check Mercury’s website or Facebook, or call 713.533.0080 with any questions.

ABOUT MERCURY

Innovation, accessibility and dynamism are just three of the distinguishing characteristics of Mercury, the critically acclaimed Houston-based period instrument ensemble that continues to redefine the orchestra experience. Now in its 17th season, Mercury celebrates the power of music – from the Baroque period and more – serving the Houston community and beyond through teaching, sharing and performing with passion, intimacy and excellence.

In addition to performances in multiple venues throughout the Houston area, including its flagship series at Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater, Mercury continues to invest in the community. It offers free community performances annually, including the community concert at The Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park, and the public concerts in the Crain Garden at Houston Methodist Hospital. Recognized for its award-winning education outreach programs comprising classroom music education and performances in Houston area schools, Mercury also presents master classes for school orchestras. Active in the recording scene, to date, Mercury has released eight albums on its own label, featuring works by Corelli, Mozart, Schubert, Rameau, Vivaldi, Piazzolla, and Handel.

Mercury gratefully acknowledges the following organizations and corporations for their ongoing support: the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, Houston Endowment Inc., Texas Commission on the Arts, the Wyatt Foundation, the Ting Tsung and Wei Fung Chao Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Additional information on Mercury, its events and concerts, directions to the venues, and to learn more about its recordings, please visit www.mercuryhouston.org