Please don't swoon: George Clooney is heading to Houston

George Clooney — the man who makes women (and plenty of men too) from the ages of 20 to 88 swoon, the guy who Time magazine's dubbed "The Last Movie Star" — is coming to Houston. To lecture.

Clooney will be speaking at the Wortham Center on May 3. It's the latest coup of the Brilliant Lecture Series, the non-profit which has brought speakers such as Sidney Poitier, Maya Angelou, Julie Andrews and Joan Rivers to H-Town.

 "He's one of the most recognizable people in the world," Brogan says of the Clooney coup. "This is his first time doing such a speaking engagement in North America." 

And now Clooney, who arguably carries the biggest star power of all.

"Oh sure," Brilliant Lecture Series founder and director Scott Brogan tells CultureMap when asked if buzz over the Clooney visit (which is only starting to get publicized) is extra high. "He's one of the most recognizable people in the world.

"This is his first time doing such a speaking engagement in North America."

A major part of the impetus of Clooney's visit is the chance for the mega movie star  and director to talk about the world causes far beyond Hollywood close to his heart, particularly his quest to end the genocide in Darfur.

Brogan hopes that many young people turn out to hear the actor's passion to do something and be involved. "That's why our tickets start at $25," Brogan says. "It's especially intended for young people to see these type of iconic people and how they carry themselves and approach things in life."

Tickets to Clooney's lecture — billed as A Conversation With George Clooney — will run from $25 to $150.

Getting face time with the mega star will cost much more.

A VIP Reception and Benefit Dinner quickly shifts things into major dollars. The reception? That will cost you a grand to attend. The dinner? It's $2,500 to sit down at the same meal as Clooney.

"We're a nonprofit and in order to keep these things for $25, we rely on the support of the good corporate citizens of Houston and some individuals," Brogan says of the higher-dollar events.

Hey, it's Clooney. He could have another Oscar on his mantle by May for The Descendants. This is one dinner that's not going to have any trouble drawing interest.