The Peking Acrobats soar into The Pavilion on April 22

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Experience thrilling Chinese acrobatics paired with classical symphony sounds at The Peking Acrobats with the Houston Symphony April 22 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for orchestra seating. Mezzanine and lawn seating is free courtesy of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. Tickets are not required for free seating. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.

The Peking Acrobats is a troupe of China’s most gifted tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists and gymnasts. Since their Western debut in 1986, The Peking Acrobats have redefined audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs; they are experts at trick-cycling, precision tumbling, somersaulting and gymnastics. They also defy gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility and control and push the envelope of human possibility with astonishing juggling dexterity and incredible balancing feats. Quin Shaobo, a member of the Peking Acrobats, was featured in the Ocean’s Trilogy with George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

The company blends their unique brand of acrobatic artistry with the majestic sound of the Houston Symphony. The Peking Acrobats orchestra is also featured, playing traditional Chinese instruments as the acrobats inspire audiences with their powerful maneuvers in a multi-cultural, multi-media spectacular.

Starting at 6 p.m., kids are invited to join the fun at the Hats Off to Reading Celebration, a free event in The Pavilion’s House of Blues Hospitality Tent. All children receive a free book and can participate in activities such as a book walk, hat-making, face painting, fishing for prizes and a coloring contest. Sponsors of this year’s Hats Off to Reading event include Dr. George and Diane Kaufman, Scholastic Book Fairs, Junior League of The Woodlands, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Chick-fil-A of The Woodlands, Conroe Independent School District, Montgomery County Memorial Library System, St. Anthony of Padua Library and Lamar Elementary School PTO.

Pre-performance activities begin at 6:30 p.m. in the North Plaza, including a performance by the aerial artist team from The John Cooper School. Under the direction of Elizabeth DeMonico, the students perform on silks, bringing this unique art form to life. Children and parents can visit The Pavilion Partners Arts & Crafts Booth and Instrument Petting Zoo as well as activities by Woodforest National Bank, Renewal by Andersen, Century 21 Realty Partners and Audi of America, official automobile of The Pavilion. Guests also can register-to-win Tommy Bahama’s “Best Seats in the House” and participate in Fidelity’s Seat Exchange. Guests can hear more about the evening’s program with Pavilion Talk, a free pre-concert discussion led by noted music scholar and former college professor Ira J. Black from 7:15- 7:45 p.m. in the North Plaza.

At the performance, guests are welcome to have a picnic in their seat or on the hill. Keep in mind that beverages cannot be brought into The Pavilion. Sitting on the hill? Lawn chairs also are provided free for this event!

Preferred parking is available in the on-site Town Center Garage, located along Six Pines Drive. Parking is $10 per vehicle for this and most performing arts events. Tickets for on-site parking can be purchased in advance at all Ticketmaster locations and The Pavilion Box Office. Guests also may park in any of the five free parking lots on the southwest side of The Pavilion. The free, color-coded lots are connected to The Pavilion by corresponding pathways with signs leading across The Waterway.

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion's 2015 Performing Arts Season is sponsored by Huntsman, Live Nation, Texas Children’s Hospital – The Woodlands, The Wortham Foundation, The Woodlands Development Company, United Airlines, official airline of The Pavilion, Audi of America, official automobile of The Pavilion, and The Pavilion Partners. The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion acknowledges the financial support of The Woodlands Township that is generated by the Event Admissions Tax for its performing arts and educational outreach programs.

If you would like more information about The Pavilion, please visit www.woodlandscenter.org. Look for The Pavilion on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram, or download The Pavilion’s iOS or Android app.