Lunada, an outdoor concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre, brings the music of the Houston Symphony to Houstonians of all backgrounds—but what is a lunada? From the Spanish for moon, a lunada is a gathering, celebration, or meeting that takes place outdoors on an evening when there is a full moon. This type of event is often popular in small towns (pueblos) in Mexico, where communities come together to share music, poetry, and stories.
Check out these top five reasons to attend Lunada, presented by the Mexican Institute of Greater Houston on Saturday, October 19:
- It’s free. Enjoy an outdoor concert with the whole family and friends for free in the covered seating area (space is limited) or the lawn. Pack a picnic and be entertained by great music under the stars!
- It’s casual. If you have never experienced a symphonic concert, this is the perfect way to listen to the world-class musicians of the Houston Symphony without having to dress up. It is completely appropriate to wear shorts, your favorite t-shirt, and tennis shoes.
- It’s a celebration of our city’s diversity. Houston continues to rank as the most diverse city in the United States, with 37% of the population identifying as Hispanic. The Houston Symphony celebrates our city’s diversity through music by Latin American composers like José Pablo Moncayo, Enrique Soro, and many others who have been inspired by Latin America.
- It features world-class artists. In addition to the Houston Symphony’s wonderful orchestra, guest conductor José Luis Domínguez is one of the most prominent Chilean orchestra conductors. This concert marks his Houston Symphony debut!
- It features great music! This year’s program, featuring classical favorites and music from Latin America, includes the captivating Danzón No. 2 by Arturo Márquez, one of Mexico’s leading composers of contemporary music. This piece is so well loved that it’s often referred to as a second national anthem for Mexico.
Watch our Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada conduct this rhythmic and colorful piece. (Disclaimer: You won’t be able to resist dancing in your seat!)
—Mireya Reyna
