The Woodlands Symphony Orchestra will perform a free concert of Grateful Dead music at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with no ticket required.
The program, "Dead Symphony: The Music of Grateful Dead and More," features American composer Lee Johnson's reimagining of Grateful Dead melodies arranged for a full symphony orchestra. Johnson will serve as guest conductor for the piece, according to Hello Woodlands. Fans of the band will hear orchestral takes on "Blues for Allah," "Sugar Magnolia," "China Doll" and other favorites.
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Pavilion, located at 2005 Lake Robbins Drive.
Before the main program, the Woodlands Symphony will open with its own montage of progressive rock music. The orchestra, led by artistic director Darryl Bayer, bills itself as "100% Homegrown," with musicians who live and work in the communities surrounding The Woodlands. The ensemble includes professional players, music teachers and university musicians.
The concert is the second of two Woodlands Symphony appearances at the Pavilion this season. The first, "Game On! A Symphony of Sport," took place July 15. When the orchestra announced its Season 13 lineup on X on July 13, it invited audiences to "Expect the Unexpected."
Dead Symphony is part of the Pavilion's 2026 Performing Arts Season, which offers all events free of charge with no tickets needed. The season is presented by The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, a nonprofit organization led by president and CEO Jeff Young.
More information is available at woodlandscenter.org.
Upcoming free events at the Pavilion:
- Wednesday, Sept. 9 — "When Instruments Roamed the Earth" with the Houston Symphony (gates 6 p.m., show 7:30 p.m.)
- Tuesday, Sept. 29 — "Dead Symphony: The Music of Grateful Dead and More" with The Woodlands Symphony Orchestra (gates 6:30 p.m., show 7:30 p.m.)
