COASTAL VIBE

COASTAL VIBE

by | Aug 31, 2020 | Galveston, 2020 September October, Parties, Houston

San Luis Salute Event Wows Crowd  

By Jennifer Roosth   Photography by Gary Fountain and Dave Rossman

THE SETTING: Before COVID-19, the 24th annual San Luis Salute, hosted by the Tilman Fertitta family of Houston, was once again lauded with praise as almost 2000 revelers from across the country gathered for this year’s Mardi Gras! Galveston celebration. From the VIP pre-party on the boardwalk by Fertitta’s yacht to the stilt walkers, silver Elan dancers, and dueling DJs, the guests experienced a jaw-dropping night they will never forget at the Galveston Island Convention Center.

THE STYLE:  Gala designer Richard Flowers of the Events Co. brought the effervescence of a Scandinavian-inspired Royal Ice Garden to life for  partygoers who while marveling at the icy cool décor (including an ice tunnel entrance and life-sized ice sculptures of Nordic Vikings), sipped cocktails from a lavish ice bar and enjoyed Nordic Grogg―alcohol-infused sorbets perfectly frozen at -321ºF. The highlight of the night was when the Grammy® Award-winning duo, The Chainsmokers, took the stage for a 75-minute performance. The global superstars performed a variety of their platinum and multi-platinum smash hits during the stellar show, packing the black and white checkered dance floor.

The San Luis Salute Duchess Royal Court included Maddy Barlow, Arabella Benevidas, Samantha Bennett, Bailey Black, Natalie Crowder, Ally Day, Allison Denman, Jenna Faulkner, Mackenzie Finklea, Bella Garofalo, Abby Grant, Kathryn Hamilton, Madelyn Hilyard, Mandy Hutchings, Kate Kemple, Laura Kobs, Holly Kurisky, Frannie Kusnerik, Olivia McGuire, Haley Patterson, Heather Patterson, Nicole Shanks, Hannah Sukkar, and Annie Titterington.

THE PURPOSE: The gala evening honored Professor and Director Dr. Jeff Temple, of the newly launched Center for Violence Prevention at The University of Texas Medical Branch, and benefitted the UTMB at Galveston.

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GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

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

2020 Houston Ballet Ball Celebrates the 50th Anniversary

By Jennifer Roosth             Photography by Alida Bonifaz, Gary Fountain, Jacalyn Lawton, Wilson Parish, and Dave Rossman

THE SETTING:  For the first time since Hurricane Harvey, The Houston Ballet brought its annual event back to the Wortham Theater Center, its performance home, to celebrate an unforgettable golden 50th anniversary Ballet Ball. More than 400 guests clad in black tie made their way through Fish Plaza, with its shining runway covered in red carpet and lined with spotlights into the Wortham Theater. The room had been transformed into a glamourous golden palace, a nod to the 50th anniversary, by Richard Flowers of The Events Company. Tables covered in a mix of sparkling gold linens and mirrors lit the room. The look was elegantly completed by lush cream floors that paralleled crystal and custom gold chandeliers delicately suspended throughout the room.

THE STYLE:  Upon entering the theater, guests were greeted by Houston Ballet Academy dancers who donned gold costumes from classic Houston Ballet performances. The dinner, prepared by Jackson and Company, began with a golden caviar French macaron, black truffle and potato panna cotta followed by Lobster Bisque hand-poured by the servers–an elegant touch. The main course was a perfectly aged Angus beef tenderloin with haricots verts, rainbow baby carrots, polenta with caramelized shallots, and a gorgonzola tart.

For dessert, guests enjoyed Chocolat a la Margaret, a gold-painted chocolate sphere filled with chocolate mousse, hazelnut dacquoise, and glacé raspberries in honor of the tireless support of longtime patron Margaret Alkek Williams for her dedication, leadership, and commitment to the organization. As dessert was served, company dancers emerged from their seats and surrounding entrances surprising guests with a choreographed piece by Houston Ballet First Soloist, Oliver Halkowich. Guests were captivated by this moment and erupted in applause when Artistic Director Stanton Welch and Executive Director Jim Nelson joined the surprise performance. As the impromptu production came to an end, the dancers rolled out a commemorative nine-foot cake, adorned with 50th anniversary candles, onto the dance floor before the gold confetti grand finale.

THE PURPOSE:  Beth and Nick Zdeblick chaired the event this year, while Phoebe and Bobby Tudor served as honorary chairs. The annual event raised nearly $1.8 million for the Houston Ballet, making it the most successful Ballet Ball in its history, and this over-the-top golden anniversary event will not soon be forgotten.

 

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LOOK, LISTEN & LEARN

LOOK, LISTEN & LEARN

by | Oct 31, 2019 | 2019 November December, Parties, Houston

Holocaust Museum Of Houston Celebrates Expansion

By Jake Gaines  –  Photography by Dave Rossman

 

THE SETTING: Recently, the Holocaust Museum of Houston hosted an elaborate gala for 800 attendees to celebrate its $34 million expansion by hosting a First Look celebration for major donors, Holocaust survivors, dignitaries and special guests. Patrons enjoyed cuisine from around the world and music on each floor as they toured the new 57,000-square-foot, fully bilingual facility at the champagne-filled gathering.

THE STYLE: The event’s décor was provided by Dede Loughran of Acme Rental who expertly placed some of HMH’s collection of handmade butterflies throughout the silver-lined tables to give a personal touch to the overall look. The floral décor was created by The River Oaks Plant House. Chef Smirnov Catering provided the Kosher culinary array representing old world Asian, Japanese, Israeli, Russian and Italian delicacies. Music was staged on each floor with Moodafaruka playing in the first floor’s Garden of Hope, Divisi Strings on the second floor, next to the three-story high Butterfly Loft, and John Acevedo playing Flamenco jazz guitar on the third floor near the board room with its assorted desserts.

THE PURPOSE: Tali Blumrosen, former museum chair and current board member, coordinated the evening’s event in conjunction with the Holocaust Museum Houston’s Managing Director Tamara Savage. More than doubling in size, the new facility will rank as the nation’s fourth largest Holocaust museum. The new three-story structure will house a welcome center, four permanent galleries and two changing exhibition galleries, classrooms, research library, café, 200-seat indoor theater and a 175-seat outdoor amphitheater.

 

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