Optional Social Events
Friday, February 9
OE1 24th Annual International Piano Festival (7:30 P.M.)
The International Piano Festival was founded 23 years ago by legendary pianist, and UH Cullen Professor, Abbey Simon. Each festival presents Mr. Simon, and two other distinguished artists in recital. In addition to Mr. Simon, the 2007 festival presents Russian pianist and Houston favorite, Olga Kern, winner of the 2001 Van Cliburn Competition, as well as Uruguayan pianist and international recording artist Enrique Graf. A very limited number of tickets are available for the February 9th Abbey Simon Recital, to be held in the new Moores Opera House, located across the street from the Workshop venue. Mr. Simon will play Schumann's Arabeske, 'ABEGG' Variations, Op.1, Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17; and Chopin's Nocturne, Sonata in B Minor, Op. 58.
Abbey Simon has been hailed as a super-virtuoso whose appearances in the concert halls of the world are eagerly anticipated not only by music lovers, but by professional musicians who come to hear him spin his own particular magic. He is recognized internationally as one of the grand masters of the piano. He has been the recipient of the Federation of Music Clubs Award, the National Orchestral Association Award, and a Ford Foundation Award. Following his debut in Europe, he received the Harriet Cohen Medal and the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Award. Simon's recordings for Philips, EMI, HMV and Vox make him one of the most recorded classical artists of all time. He has recorded all the concertos of Rachmaninoff, the complete works of Ravel, and Schumann's Carnaval and Fantasy. His Chopin collection encompasses some 20 disks. Abbey Simon has served on the faculties of such noted schools as Indiana University and the Juilliard School.
Price: Special discounted price of $15.
Saturday, February 10
OT1 Space Center Houston (9:30 – 3:30 P.M.) - $45.00 USD
Space Center Houston is a must for visitors of all ages! As the official visitors’ center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center, guests to Space Center Houston will experience the thrill and adventure of the manned space flight program first hand. Space Center Houston lets visitors share in the accomplishments of NASA while exploring the past, present and future of space flight. Your tour will include a Special SCES’07 Welcome from NASA/Johnson Space Center, followed by a special IMAX film, shown on the Northrop Grumman Theatre’s 80-foot wide, five-story tall screen. Other experiences include Mission Status Center, to see what is happening in Houston's Mission Control, at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center launch pad, and aboard the actual space shuttle during missions. Starship Gallery provides a journey through the history of space and a view of what the future holds for this exciting field. You will peruse the world’s largest display of moon rocks. You will also take the NASA Tour… boarding a comfortable tram for a guided, behind the scenes tour at Johnson Space Center. View the Mission Control Center used to maintain contact with our astronauts on actual missions. The Space Shuttle Mock Up provides an exact duplicate of the mid-deck and flight deck of the space shuttle. Afterward, try the “Land the Shuttle” simulator. Wrap up your tour in the Gift Shop where unique items are on hand as souvenirs. Boxed lunches (gourmet sandwich, side salad, cookie and beverage) will be served on board for the trip down to Space Center Houston.
Price: $45.00 Your tour includes a knowledgeable tour guide, admission tickets, boxed lunch and assorted soft drinks, juices and bottled water, and transportation in deluxe motorcoaches. Please note that no large backpacks or bags are allowed in the facility for security reasons. Note: This tour requires a minimum of 33 persons in order to avoid cancellation. Destination Houston, Tour Operator
OT2 Houston City Tour (10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.)
Sample the excitement of Houston - a truly international city. From the impressive downtown Theater District to the historic Rice University Campus, the tour highlights some of the green spaces and skyscrapers that coexist in downtown Houston. A stop at the Houston Visitor Center on the ground floor of the recently renovated City Hall offers more than just an opportunity to grab a map or some brochures. You can watch a short Houston overview film in the Center’s theatre or utilize touch-screen computers to locate restaurants, attractions and unique events. The tour passes the affluent River Oaks area, where stunning homes of the rich and famous abound. This neighborhood is often referred to as Houston’s "Satin Slipper Suburb." The tour passes one of River Oaks’ most famous residences, Bayou Bend. It currently serves as the decorative arts wing of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Anchored by The Houston Museum of Natural Science (where you will stop and tour), the Museum District includes 16 different institutions. The tour passes the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Houston Children's Museum, the Museum of Health and Medical Science, and the Houston Holocaust Museum. The "Magic Circle" with the Galleria, a luxurious 3-story shopping extravaganza sporting a center ice-skating rink and the impressive Williams Tower, is another of the city’s highlights. But it is the dynamic 64-foot high "Water Wall" that is the focal point of Williams Park. On this tour you will see some of the diverse neighborhoods, parks, and commercial areas that meld Houston together, forming a fascinating city of contrasts and contradictions.
Price: $45.00 Your tour includes a professional guide, a Texas bandana, a box lunch and beverages, admission to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and transportation in a deluxe motorcoach. Note: This tour requires a minimum of 33 persons in order to avoid cancellation. Destination Houston, Tour Operator
OT3 Houston Rockets vs Charlotte Bobcats - at Toyota Center (downtown Houston) (7:30 P.M.)
National Basketball Association. Join Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets for what promises to be an exciting evening of pro-basketball! (Special Price for 15 or more: $55.00 U.S.; individual seats starting at $60.00 USD.) Check the "Interest" box on the Registration Form and we will contact you with more information.
OT4 Houston Cougars vs East Carolina - at Hofheinz Pavilion (7:00 P.M.)
Conference USA Basketball at Hofheinz Pavilion on the University of Houston Campus. Check the "Interest" box on the Registration Form and we will contact you with more information.