Asia Society Texas Hosts 2022 Tiger Ball
By Jennifer Roosth Photography by Daniel Ortiz and Emily Jaschke
THE SETTING: The Asia Society Texas Tiger Ball 2022 commemorated the 10th anniversary of the opening of its center. Over 620 guests were welcomed into the venue’s Texas Center. The tented Gala Pavilion was filled with an elegant sea of red and gold executed beautifully by Bergner and Johnson Design. Adding a touch of magic to the atmosphere were floating candles suspended from oak trees above tables laden with exquisite arrangements of red roses, tulips, anemones, ranunculus, and hydrangeas.
THE STYLE: The evening celebrated the vibrant cultures and diverse experiences Asia Society Texas represents. During the cocktail hour, guests enjoyed Wagyu tataki and duck crepes while dancers from Dance of Asian America engaged with guests through demonstrations of traditional Chinese dance techniques. Guests perused a variety of luxurious silent auction items, including a Harry Winston Midnight Automatic 36mm timepiece, artworks by Houston-born artist and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient Mel Chin and British-Iranian artist Kour Pour, sets of first-class United Airlines airfare to Asia or Europe, and a five-day luxury Fabergé London experience. The attendees were then treated to a sumptuous dinner by City Kitchen that featured a seared miso-glazed sea bass with white soy and red pepper threads, accompanied by forbidden rice and heirloom cauliflower with mustard seeds and ginger. Following dinner, the guests enjoyed a variety of desserts while celebrating on the dance floor with the lively music provided by DJ ALX of Karma DJs.
THE PURPOSE: The evening raised over $1.6 million, a record for the organization’s event, which was led by Leigh and Reggie Smith and Tripp Carter, the ball’s chairs. The event celebrated Nancy C. Allen and Anne and Albert Chao, the honorary ball chairs, for their enduring commitment to building cross-cultural friendships and visionary spirit that made the Texas Center possible. In special recognition of the center’s 10th anniversary, Tiger Ball 2022 also celebrated three “Trailblazers” who share Asia Society’s dedication to building cross-cultural understanding and friendships: visual artist Tiffany Chung, astronaut Soichi Noguchi, and Chancellor of the University of Houston Renu Khator. The gala’s proceeds support Asia Society Texas’ efforts to advance cross-cultural understanding and build a more inclusive community.
