A concert at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is always an unforgettable experience. The Pavilion holds up to 16,000 fans, yet somehow, the show’s atmosphere feels like a cozy gathering of like-minded friends. You can enjoy performances from chart-topping superstars inside the tent or outside on lawn chairs under the night sky.
The Pavilion was the lifelong dream of Cynthia Woods Mitchell, The Woodlands’ founder George Mitchell’s wife. Cynthia had a great passion for the arts, and she dreamed of a world-class performing arts facility in The Woodlands. In April 1990, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion opened its doors for a star-studded weekend with Frank Sinatra opening the show.
Jeff Young has been there since the beginning. Mr. Young, the recently appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, has a long history with The Pavilion and remembers the venue’s first moments.
“I started working at The Pavilion in 1990 and my first job was Operations Assistant. I did all sorts of odd jobs, from pressure washing to painting and picking up trash. I also worked with the backstage security, so I got to meet the bands and artists that came to the venue. The highlight for me was getting to know the Mitchell family and seeing their vision come to fruition,” said Young.
Cynthia Woods and George Mitchell at Opening Night of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Star-Spangled Salute at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Young was hired full-time in 1994 and he worked his way up to Chief Operating Officer. On March 1, he became the new President and CEO of the venue, following Jerry MacDonald's 20 year tenure.
“There’s no better place to be than sitting under the stars and listening to a world-class performance from the Houston Symphony, Dave Matthews Band, Imagine Dragons, or Kenny Chesney,” said Young.
The Pavilion is a non-profit organization with a mission to make the arts accessible to everyone. The venue offers free seating on the mezzanine and the lawn for arts for performing arts events. There are free performances from the Houston Symphony and the Houston Ballet to attend throughout the year, too. Over the years, The Pavilion has grown to become one of the world’s greatest outdoor music amphitheaters, welcoming artists from every musical genre.
“It’s hard to pick one, but my top concerts of all time are Chris Stapleton, Radiohead, and Bruce Springsteen,” said Young.
This year, the line-up is bigger than ever, with more dates still to be announced. The calendar for the upcoming season includes Noah Kahan, Dave Matthews Band, Kenny Chesney, and Alanis Morrisette.
“I’m most looking forward to working with our gifted team at the venue,” said Young. “The future is very bright.”
Originally from Scotland, Annierose is a freelance features writer. After many years creating content for the Scottish tourism industry, she is now based in The Woodlands and spends her time writing about travel, lifestyle and culture. She loves exploring all that The Woodlands has to offer and enjoys hiking in nature, dining out and discovering the live music scene.
