ASIAN MAGNIFICENCE

ASIAN MAGNIFICENCE

by | Sep 1, 2024 | R.S.V.P. HOUSTON, Fall/Winter 2024

Asia Society Texas’ Tiger Ball Triumphs In $1.5M Evening

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Daniel Ortiz and Wilson Parrish

THE SETTING: The Asia Society Texas venue in Houston was the recent setting for one of the city’s most anticipated and best social events of the year. Over 550 of the city’s most notable sociables, art patrons, philanthropists, and community leaders turned out for Tiger Ball 2024. The night’s theme, Celebrating Magnificent Asia, was magnificently reflected with fabulous people, beautiful décor, and scrumptious food to make this a night to remember in the city. 

THE STYLE: The black tie and internationally dressed crowd was dazzled from the moment they stepped into the stunning tent over the grounds of the parking lot. Its floor plan and design were built to incorporate the live trees underneath the tent’s floor. At precisely 8:00 P.M., the drapes at the back of the room opened so guests could take their seats in this part of the tent. It had been transformed into a majestic, garden-like atmosphere that expertly mixed design with the naturally occurring trees. Diners were then treated to an exquisite meal, courtesy of City Kitchen, while engaging in delightful conversation with their tablemates. The evening was capped off with an after party where revelers returned to the front of the tent, where the dessert stations were located and filled with every treat imaginable, including bananas flambé, so patrons could satisfy their sweet tooth after the savory meal. After dessert, the action then moved to the dance floor, where the fun continued well into the evening, as guests danced the night away to the tunes of DJ Alx of Karma DJs.

THE PURPOSE: The Tiger Ball 2024 was co-chaired by Chinhui and Eddie Allen, Heidi and David Gerger, with Sultana and Moez Mangalji and Sue and Randy Sim serving as honorary chairs. Also, in the program, Sabria and Kevin Lewis were honored for their longtime and tireless support of the organization. The event raised over $1.5 million for Asia Society Texas, an educational institution that provides programs in the fields of arts, business culture, education, and policy to celebrate the vibrant diversity of Asia. The 2025 Tiger Ball will be held on March 7, 2025. For more information, visit AsiaSociety.org/Texas.

THIS SIDE OF PARADISE

THIS SIDE OF PARADISE

by | May 30, 2020 | Summer 2020, Parties, Houston

Asia Society Tiger Ball Creates More Success

By Jennifer Roosth       Photography by Daniel Ortiz and Leah Wilson

THE SETTING:  Asia Society’s 2020 Tiger Ball, Celebrating the Elegance of Japan, honored Texas’ iconic and beloved champion of the arts, legendary philanthropist Lynn Wyatt. Welcoming 725 guests, it was more people than at any other event since the building opened in 2012. The Events Company created a Japanese-inspired spring paradise, transporting attendees to another world and season. A pink carpet lined with Japanese cherry blossom trees and special lighting served as a lovely pathway into the venue, which is itself an award-winning work of art, created by famed Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi.

THE STYLE:  The evening was indeed an exquisite celebration of the elegance of Japan. An entire truckload of Japanese cherry blossom branches decorated the Center and the Gala Pavilion, plus white Phalaenopsis orchids, roses, pink orchids, Vanda orchids, magnolia Japonica, fringed tulips, Asclepias, and a new breed of tulip known as the Leo spider tulip. Flowers were sourced from Thailand, Holland, and Oregon, and totaled approximately 10,000 blooms. Japanese taiko drummers led the way into the lavishly decorated 80’x181’ gala pavilion that transformed the Asia Society’s exterior space. Dozens of origami-inspired cranes and white rice paper and feather lanterns dotted the ceiling. Several oak trees outside the venue were adorned with cherry blossom branches to add to the Japanese springtime ambiance. A sumptuous Japanese-inspired menu, created by City Kitchen was served, featuring okonomiyaki pancakes with smoked duck, as well as tuna tartar, Wagyu beef tataki, spring rolls, edamame and jasmine rice cake, jumbo lump crab with melon, miso-glazed sea bass, and kabocha squash timbale. 

THE PURPOSE:  Kathy and Marty Goossen, and Akemi and Yasuhiko Saitoh co-chaired the event. Honorary chairs Kathy and Glen Yoshiaki Gondo, Wendy and Jeff Hines, Stephanie and Frank Tsuru, Brenda and Marc Watts, Donna Fujimoto Cole, and Shota Kondo were also recognized. A total of $1.34 million was raised in support of Asia Society’s programs in arts and culture, business and policy, education, and community outreach to enrich and engage the vast diversity of Houston.

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