Dr. Stephen L. Klineberg of Rice University has conducted area surveys about Houston's economy and demographic changes for 31 years. The co-director of Rice's Kinder Institute for Urban Research has compiled a massive amount of data that helps Houston better understand itself while also helping officials plan for the future.

The Changing Faces of Houston
Friday, April 26, activities 6:30 p.m.; presentation 7:30 p.m.
Free
Discovery Green
1500 McKinney St
713-400-7336
discoverygreen.com

It's important work that always gets attention. Last year, Kinder even produced a movie about Klineberg's findings. This year, he gets a party. The Institute is taking over the stage at Discovery Green for a free "celebration" - that's what they're calling it - not just of Klineberg's work but of Houston itself.

On Friday, April 26 - a date night! - Klineberg's findings will move beyond sedate lecture-hall and think-tank confines for a festive outdoor event, complete with gospel, rock and mariachi music and dance performances. Channel 8's Ernie Manouse and Khambrel Marshall from KPRC Local 2 will emcee the program, which will contain testimonials from speakers that include Mayor Annise Parker, KIPP Foundation co-founder Mike Feinberg, award-winning chef Hugo Ortega and others.

And because nothing really happens unless there is a social media component, attendees will be able to tweet questions to Klineberg - that's better than shouting them out, I suppose. Instagrammers are asked to share the experience using  #DGCelebratingOurCity and #DiscoveryGreen.

If Klineberg feels chagrin at all the attention, he's not letting on. "I have always said that the findings from these surveys 'belong to the people,'" he said in a statement. "So we're really happy to be able to share this work with the general public at Discovery Green."