Houston Symphony Gala Celebrates Season
By Jennifer Roosth Photography by Wilson Parish
THE SETTING: The 2021 Houston Symphony Royal Phoenix Ball was hosted at the celebrated Post Oak Hotel Uptown Houston. With pandemic protocols in place, the event immersed guests both in-person and virtually into its theme of the Royal Phoenix. Upon entering the venue, guests’ temperatures were taken to comply with the event’s health and safety protocols. Once cleared, attendees were greeted by the living phoenixes, visited the Dragon Fly Bar, and sipped on the event’s signature cocktail, The Singapore Sling. More than 114 in-person guests attended the limited capacity, socially distanced occasion and over 70 households (over 140 attendees) supported the event virtually.
THE STYLE: The décor, created by Richard Flowers of The Events Company, transformed the main ballroom at The Post Oak Hotel to this season’s ravishing theme. As the dinner chimes rang, masked guests made their way to their tables covered with magnificent floral arrangements. Phoenix murals, inspired by the theme, hung on the walls and were draped with red curtains. Executive Executive Chef Jean-Luc Royere prepared an exquisite dinner including a light and delicate heirloom tomato salad with marinated feta, pickled onions, watercress, micro basil, and balsamic vinaigrette, accompanied by a savory combination of filet mignon and roasted red snapper with corn and smoked bacon polenta, roasted sweet peppers, asparagus. It was finished with a flaming piquillo pepper sauce, and the Flaming Phoenix dessert, an almond tart topped with strawberry ganache, strawberry jam, and gold leaf.
THE PURPOSE: The event was chaired by Rini and Edward Zeigler and honored Robin Angly, Miles Smith and John Neighbors. It raised more than $800,000 for the Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement Programming. Phillips 66 served as the presenting sponsor for the seventh year in a row to support the artistic organization.
