MUSIC

A magical evening awaits at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion’s Hocus Pocus Pops featuring the Houston Symphony Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for orchestra seating. Mezzanine and lawn seating are free courtesy of H-E-B. Tickets are not required for free seating. Gates open at 6 p.m. This event also is sponsored in part by Houston Family Magazine and TERTA Technologies.

Conductor for the evening, Robert Franz, leads the audience through a haunted maze of musical enchantments including “Waltz from the Masquerade Suite,” Suite No. 1 from “Peer Gynt,” Opus 46, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” “Harry Potter: Children’s Suite/Prince of Azkaban,” “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and more.

Daddies, mummies and all the little ghosts and goblins are invited to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes for a chance to walk on stage during the concert. The first 100 boys and “ghouls” to check in at Hocus Pocus Central in the North Plaza fully costumed get the chance to march in the Goblin Parade.

Arrive before the moon comes out for some “spooktacular” pre-concert activities in the North Plaza, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, Market Street—The Woodlands, Renewal by Andersen and Century 21 Realty Partners, starting at 6 p.m.

Jump on the Great Pumpkin Express as it leaves the station to sweep you away on a tour of The Pavilion’s haunted grounds. Train rides begin at 5:30 p.m. in The Pavilion’s Gold Lot. Stumble upon some favorite Halloween characters roaming around The Pavilion, from Beetle Juice to Frankenstein.

Little witches and zombies can wander the “BOOths” with activities offered by The Pavilion Partners, Woodforest National Bank, Houston Family Magazine, Montgomery County Food Bank, H-E-B, Market Street—The Woodlands, Fidelity Investments, Century 21 Realty Partners, Shen Yun, Liberty Mutual, Mercury: The Orchestra Redefined, Mommy Gateway and Audi of America, official automobile of The Pavilion.

If you dare, the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Bug Chef David Temple cooks up tasty critters for guests to try. Creep into the House of Blues Hospitality Tent for Radio Disney’s Graveyard Smash Dance Party featuring the Radio Disney Boo Crew from 6-7:15 p.m. for “fangtastic” dancing, prizes and plenty of tricks and treats!

Feel free to pack a picnic to sink your fangs into, but keep in mind that outside potions (drinks) can not be brought into The Pavilion. Sitting on the hill? Lawn chairs also are provided free for this event!

For “monsterous” prizes, register to win one of two gift baskets provided by H-E-B and The Pavilion by bringing any H-E-B receipt from October 2012 to Hocus Pocus Pops. Receipts must be brought to Hocus Pocus Central in the North Plaza prior to the performance (between 6 and 7:15 p.m.) on Oct. 12. The drawing takes place on the Main Stage before the concert.