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COVID-19 Guidelines & Information
We are doing our best to provide a low risk environment for this conference, but we understand that COVID-19 is still a very real threat. For our complete COVID-19 policy, as well as that of our host hotel, please visit this page.
After Hurricane Harvey caused the cancellation of Pride Bands Alliance 2017, the Houston Pride Band board of directors thought long and hard about the possibility of hosting again. We survived a hurricane. What else could go wrong in our next effort to host? Then 2020 said, “Hold my beer,” as it proceeded to unleash political chaos, protests and rioting, viruses, quarantines, murder wasps, flying snakes, a freaking dust cloud, and the crazy Karens.
As the dark cloud of Covid-19 hovers over all of us, the Houston Pride Band remains optimistic and continues to move forward with our efforts to host Pride Bands Alliance in 2021. We are aware that we could potentially face another conference cancellation if the virus isn’t contained in time for our hotel and concert venues to operate safely.
At this time, we can only encourage you to register for the conference as we continue to monitor the situation. Full refunds will follow if, in the worst case scenario, we are unable to host. It is too soon to predict what will follow in the coming months, let alone next summer, but we’ll keep a close eye on the news and make the best decisions as needed for the safety of all our Pride Bands Alliance guests.
It’s been thirty years since our band hosted Pride Bands Alliance on our home turf … not that we didn’t try in 2017. And after the unfortunate cancellation of Portland’s conference, we know that Pride Bands Alliance members are eager to see each other and perform together again.
We pray for an end to our current situation and hope to offer you a weekend of Texas hospitality and a memorable conference experience at the beautiful Four Seasons hotel and a concert performance at the Cullen Theater at the Worthem Theater Center.
We look forward to seeing you all in 2021.
- Russell Ben Williams &
Elizabeth De Los Rios
Conference Co-Chairs
In 2017, the Houston Pride Band was to play host to Pride Bands Alliance for "The Stars at Night" conference, which was a celebration of all things Texas. The conference drew its theme from the first line of the iconic Texas anthem, "Deep in the Heart of Texas". However, mother nature had other plans and the devastation of Hurricane Harvey prevented that concert from going on as planned. As the city cleared and the band moved forward, we wanted to showcase the inspiring story of our city and that Houston was back, better than ever. "Bigger and Brighter" pays homage to that 2017 conference theme and draws its inspiration from the very next line in that anthem. Houston is back, and it is bigger and brighter than ever, and we can't wait to share it with you!
During the conference, you will get a chance to truly experience Houston and our own flavor of southern hospitality. With great workshops, socializing opportunities, and free time to get out and explore, you'll have ample opportunities to see what H-Town has to offer. As the most culturally diverse city and fourth largest, there is something for everyone, be it food, drinks, or cultural activities. And don't forget the pool and renowned air conditioning at the Four Seasons Houston.
Russell is one of the Co-Chairs for the upcoming "Bigger and Brighter" conference. He is a 30-year veteran of the Houston Pride Band, plays euphonium, and serves as the Concert Production Coordinator on the Board of Directors. He served on the Pride Bands Alliance Board as Secretary, President, and VP for Community Outreach in his much younger years and Chaired or Co-Chaired numerous Pride Bands Alliance events including President Clinton's second Inauguration performance, the Millennium March on Washington, Sydney's Gay Games VI, and Chicago's Gay Games VII. Russell works in the wholesale printing industry, enjoys cooking and catering, and lives for camping in the great outdoors.
Elizabeth serves as Co-Chair for the upcoming "Bigger and Brighter" conference. She is currently a saxophone player with the Houston Pride Band and has previously served on the Board of Directors as Marketing Coordinator. Elizabeth currently works at Baylor College of Medicine, School of Medicine as their Accreditation Project Manager. She enjoys spending time with her wife Vanessa De Los Rios, cuddling with their miniature pinscher fur baby, Cody, traveling, the great outdoors, drinking wine and cooking.
Joe is a classically trained musician, receiving a degree in Clarinet Performance and Recording Arts from the Peabody Conservatory in 2008. Though he makes his living as a programmer and graphic and UI designer, he continues to pursue music, regularly performing as the principal clarinetist in the Houston Civic Symphony and in the clarinet section of the Houston Pride Band.
Joe joined the group in the Summer of 2012, but he didn't waste any time getting involved. By the end of his first season, he designed a new website for the band, took on the graphic design duties, and was appointed to the board of directors. Since then, he has made all of the concert art, designed many of the programs, and maintains the band's websites. His latest project includes creating this website for the conference.
Upon re-election in 2014, the Board of Directors appointed Joe to the role of President, where he served through the summer of 2016.
Chris Foster is in his fifth year as the Marching/Pep Band Conductor for the Houston Pride Band. He earned a bachelors degree in music from the University of Houston where he was a conductor for the Cougar Brass pep band and was mentored in marching/pep band methods by Robert Mayes and David Bertman. He also holds degrees in higher education administration, mass communication, and Spanish.
Chris has been a tuba player in the Houston Pride Band since 2013, and is a member of the BrassTax brass quintet. He has served on the HPB Board of Directors for 6 years, including two years as President, and currently is serving as Vice President. For the 2021 Pride Bands Alliance conference, he is filling the role of music librarian, a position he also held for the 2017 conference.
Professionally, Chris is the Curriculum Manager for the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He is also the national chairperson for the Tau Beta Sigma Band Sorority Alumni Association and is a past President of the University of Houston Band Alumni Association. A lifelong Houstonian, he enjoys travel, cooking, college football, watching Star Trek, and miniature golf.
Christopher has been a part of the Houston Pride Band since the early ’90s playing both trumpet and horn. Christopher is serving as the conference Audio/Video Coordinator as well as managing the hotel meeting and rehearsal spaces.
Vanessa joins the conference committee team as Volunteer Coordinator. This is her first involvement with Pride Bands Alliance and the Houston Pride Band. She has been a fan of the Houston Pride Band by attending their performances. Vanessa currently is a licensed master's level social worker who works in hospice. She enjoys time with her wife (Co-Chair, Elizabeth De Los Rios), traveling, riding the Peloton, reading, and playing the keyboard and guitar.
Kevin is responsible for organizing the venue, equipment, section leaders and rehearsals for the conference. Kevin is currently celebrating thirty years of involvement with Pride Bands Alliance and nineteen with the Houston Pride Band, where he has at one time been almost every position on the board. Outside of band, he is a Principal Travel Functional Consultant with SAP Concur. He also loves soccer and attending symphony concerts and the opera with his husband, Michael.
Christopher joins the conference committee team as Program Manager, assisting the conference committee chairs with the day-to-day details and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. Christopher performed with the Houston Pride Band for 4 seasons as a trombonist before moving to Broomfield, CO. He continues to serve remotely on the conference committee team, as well as the HPB Board of Directors Marketing Chair. Outside of band, Christopher is a Professional Electrical Engineer and serves on the Board of Managers for the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Houston and Rocky Mountain Sections. He enjoys the music and theater scene and spends all the time he can with his husband, Kasper, and their dog Delilah.
