READ BETWEEN THE LINES

READ BETWEEN THE LINES

by | Nov 1, 2020 | 2020 November December, Parties, San Antonio

Landa Gardens Conservancy Celebrates 13th Anniversary Event

By Jake Gaines         Photography by Jenna Beth Lyde

THE SETTING: Circumstances this year prohibited the traditional Landa Nights soiree in the gardens under a starry sky. Instead, guests were invited to celebrate in a safe and down-to earth way–with a gala to go.  Most patrons choose to celebrate at home, while others set up their dinner parties on rooftops overlooking the city or even at Landa Gardens, where the festivities were originally scheduled to take place.

 

THE STYLE: This year’s event, aptly named Landa Nights: Down to Earth, allowed supporters to celebrate in the way they felt most comfortable during the pandemic. More than 200 people participated in the evening through Landa Nights sponsorship packages, which included custom, three-course meals cooked-to-order by favorite local restaurant, Outlaw Kitchens. Several Landa Nights patrons were surprised with an outdoor musical performance by Brad Normandeau, a Sinatra-style crooner who delighted guests and added an old-Hollywood ambiance to the festivities.

 

THE PURPOSE: Rebecca Nathan, a Landa Gardens Conservancy board member, chaired the sold-out event that was extended an extra two evenings due to high demand. The Landa Gardens Conservancy is a non-profit organization dedicated to beautifying Landa Gardens and the five landscaped acres surrounding Landa Library, a branch of the San Antonio Public Library. It is a treasured neighborhood gem that offers enjoyment for all ages with playground structures, walking paths, over 7,000 plants, lush and native landscaping, mature tree varieties, and the cherished Valero Pavilion, a sculptured canopy created by renowned local artist, Carlos Cortés.

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HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD

by | Aug 31, 2020 | 2020 September October, Parties, San Antonio

San Antonio Gardenia Club Luncheon Celebrates With Oscars® Theme

 

By Jake Gaines       Photography by Greg Harrison

THE SETTING: Pre-COVID-19, Red Carpet At The Oscars served as the fashionable theme that inspired a recent event to support the San Antonio Gardenia Club. The fundraising luncheon and style show featured Julian Gold models in fashions they paraded down the catwalk, inspiring the guests for their future stylish looks.

THE STYLE: The San Antonio Country Club was the setting for the event, where guests were transported back to a time of Old Hollywood glamour amongst extraordinary floral decorations befitting the organization’s name. The luncheon attendees walked the red carpet surrounded by golden Oscar® statuettes, while being entertained by the likes of vintage celebrity impersonators such as Marilyn Monroe, amongst others. Upon entering the venue, they merrily toasted one another with champagne and popcorn. Then, the film-worthy song and dance routine by Melissa Gonzalez dazzled, as she channeled her inner Judy Garland, while being serenaded by students from the Woodlawn Theatre Academy captivated all in attendance.

THE PURPOSE: The proceeds of the annual fundraiser raises funds for local fine arts students. This year’s annual luncheon was chaired by Sharron Batchelor and Christy Tidwell, with Carroll Dorsey Walker serving as the president of the organization. The San Antonio Gardenia Club was founded in 1960, with the mission of providing fine arts scholarships to deserving students who graduate from Bexar County high schools, enabling young scholars to continue their education at local colleges. The club also participates in the annual Battle of Flowers Texas Cavalier River Parade, the Annual Holiday River Parade, and the King William Parade.

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WORLDLY PURSUITS

WORLDLY PURSUITS

by | Aug 31, 2020 | 2020 September October, Parties, San Antonio

World Affairs Council Event Lifts City’s International Profile

By Jake Gaines       Photography by Dos Kiwis Studios

THE SETTING: Before COVID-19, the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts was the setting for the World Affairs Council of San Antonio’s 2020 International Citizen of the Year Award dinner. The event honored the Morgan’s Wonderland park’s Gordon Hartman for helping lift San Antonio’s international profile. Morgan’s Wonderland is the first-of-its-kind amusement park that is designed specifically for children with special needs and their families. The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation pursues his family’s dream of helping children and adults with special needs. His daughter Morgan, born with cognitive and physical challenges, was the source of inspiration. Over the past decade, Hartman has been recognized for his innovative designs and ingenuity in opening multiple non-profit fully-accessible theme parks for special-needs individuals.

THE STYLE: The keynote speaker for the gathering was Ambassador Roman Popadiuk, who had served as the first U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine under President George H.W. Bush. Former Ambassador Popadiuk is an expert on U.S.-Ukrainian relations and other national security issues. He is a retired career member of the Senior Foreign Service, and  was executive director of the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation at Texas A&M University. He currently serves as president of the Diplomacy Center Foundation. The event featured an interview with the Ambassador by Dr. Paul D’Anieri,  University of California Riverside professor and expert on Ukraine.

THE PURPOSE: This is the 35th year the organization has hosted the annual event. Founded in 1982, the World Affairs Council of San Antonio’s mission is to promote public understanding of world affairs and United States foreign policy and to enhance the ability of the community and future leaders to participate as global citizens. The Council accomplishes its mission by presenting programs such as the Distinguished Speaker Series, Global Issues Luncheons, Diplomat Salons, the Marshall Memorial Fellows, Young Professional events, and youth engagement outreach. A not-for-profit and non-partisan organization, it is a member of the World Affairs Councils of America.

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ONE GIANT LEAP

ONE GIANT LEAP

by | May 30, 2020 | Summer 2020, Parties, San Antonio

Supporters Of Ballet San Antonio Raise Funds At Luncheon

 

By Jake Gaines Photography by Rance Ristau

 

THE SETTING:  On a recent afternoon, Ballet San Antonio hosted a fundraising luncheon at the Carlos Alvarez Theater at The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Announced was a new partnership with Haven For Hope, a nonprofit that provides free dance classes for the children of Haven residents. Energetic and longtime supporters of Ballet San Antonio, as well as newcomers to the organization filled the room. The Ballet welcomed Daniel Jones, editor of the Modern Love column for the New York Times as the featured guest. Other speakers included Carla Brozovich, a longtime supporter of the Ballet, Sonya Medina Williams, a new supporter of the ballet and long supporter of Haven For Hope, Ballet San Antonio C.E.O. Evin Eubanks, and Karen Lee Zachry.

 

THE SCENE:  Haven For Hope has a current population of 120 individuals and families, which includes 300 children experiencing homelessness who will be eligible for the Learning That Moves You program beginning in September. The classes will take place on the Haven For Hope campus. Through the establishment of this new program at Haven for Hope, children staying at the center will have access to free lessons in creative movement in a safe space. There they will be able to express themselves and, in doing so, cope and heal from the trauma of homelessness. 

 

THE PURPOSE:  Ballet San Antonio C.E.O Evin Eubanks said the idea for the program originated with Carla Brozovich and Sonya Medina Williams, both enthusiastic supporters of the dance company and co-chairs of the winter luncheon. NuStar Energy and The Greehey Family Foundation have generously underwritten the Haven For Hope program. Ballet San Antonio is the only, and premiere, professional ballet company in San Antonio and resides at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.

 

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A RINGSIDE SEAT

A RINGSIDE SEAT

by | May 30, 2020 | Summer 2020, Parties, San Antonio

Texas Biomedical Forum Hosts Chair-ity Event

 

By Jake Gaines            Photography by Super Q

 

THE SETTING:  Recently, the Texas Biomedical Forum held a unique fundraising event at the home of Gloria and Miguel Dilley. Usually, the black-tie gala celebrating the organization is one of the most important social events in the city. This smaller event, which began in 2017, occurred when The Argyle board decided to donate its chairs to the Forum, giving donors a chance to have a piece of the club’s history. The club was originally founded in 1854 and its incarnation as a private club began in 1955.

 

THE STYLE:  The Argyle contacted the gala’s president at the time, Courtney Percy, who created the idea of getting local interior decorators to put their creative spin on the chairs. The Argyle contacted the Forum’s president at the time, Courtney Percy, who created the idea of getting local interior decorators to put their creative spin on the chairs. Adrianne Frost and Mal Moorman, the 2017 special event chairs, took Percy’s idea and ran with it.

 

The organization is grateful to The Argyle for donating the chairs to the Forum. With Courtney Percy’s vision, the special events chair leaders’ achievements each year, and with the designers who have donated their time and talents, it has proved to be a perfect combination, thus ensuring its success at every event. The recent event was celebrated by so many well-dressed supporters who love the organization’s goals.

 

THE PURPOSE:  With this one-of-a-kind fundraiser, this year was the final event chaired by Gloria Dilley and Triana Grossman. The event has successfully raised over $50,000 in its three years. The Texas Biomedical Research Institute is pioneering and sharing scientific breakthroughs that protect you, your families, and our global community from the threat of infectious diseases.

 

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AS YOU WISH

AS YOU WISH

by | May 30, 2020 | Summer 2020, Parties, San Antonio

Rebecca’s Wish Gala Held At Witte Museum

 

By Jake Gaines        Photography by LNP Photography

THE SETTING:  On a gorgeous night, a lively crowd of attendees gathered to support Rebecca’s Wish. The non profit was founded in 2018 and named for Rebecca Taylor, after her 10-year struggle with chronic pancreatitis and related complications. The gala, which occurred at the Witte Museum, featured keynote speakers, who included Dr. Sandeep Patel and Max Lucado, as well as Taylor herself, shared information about the organization and its goals.

THE STYLE:  A Mariachi band from the city’s Los Dragones Mariachi Southwest High School welcomed the guests. They also experienced a culinary experience provided by the RK Group, which included parmesan-crusted chicken and a creamy chocolate pot de crème with shaved chocolate for dessert. Then, a spirited live auction followed to garner funds for this worthy cause. Singer Elizabeth Latham moved the audience as she gave a poignant performance that spoke to finding a cure for a disease that afflicts more than one hundred thousand children annually. Afterward, as the party continued, The Klocks band performed to the delight of the guests as they danced the night away.

THE PURPOSE: Tracee Feik was the gala chair of the event, while Dina Selva and Jodie Harding served as the auction co-chairs. Christyn Taylor is the president of Rebecca’s Wish. The mission of the organization is to improve pediatric pancreatic research, education, and patient support, as well as find a cure for the disease.

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