THE JOY OF LIFE

THE JOY OF LIFE

by | Jun 30, 2021 | 2021 July August, R.S.V.P. HOUSTON, Parties

Houston Symphony’s 20th Anniversary Wine Dinner And Collector’s Auction

By Jennifer Roosth     Photography by Wilson Parish

THE SETTING: The 20th Anniversary Symphony Wine Dinner and Collectors Auction, Joie de Vivre: A Celebration of Wine and Music, was held at Houston’s chic and contemporary Astorian, which was completely transformed in blush hues of pink and gold for the lively springtime event. More than 215 guests attended the limited capacity, socially distanced occasion. Upon arriving at the venue, guests’ temperatures were checked to comply with the event’s safety protocols. Attendees then entered the venue, viewed the evening’s silent auction items spread across the room, and enjoyed the champagne reception with Roederer Philippe Starck Brut Nature 2009.

THE STYLE: The décor, created by Taylor DeMartino Design Group, transformed the venue into this year’s blushing theme. As the dinner chimes rang, guests made their way to the tables that displayed delicate floral arrangements consisting of subtle blush pink and champagne-colored roses. The gourmet, multi-course meal prepared by Jackson and Company was paired with wines introduced by Steven McDonald, Master Sommelier of Pappas Bros. Steakhouse. Selections included Gerbais Extra Brut Grains de Celles Rosé, R de Rieussec Bordeaux Blanc 2017, and Henri Villamont Chassagne Montrachet 1ER Morgeot 2016 for the second course, followed by Jerome Castagnier Chambolle Musigny 2017/Pierre Labet, VV Gevrey Chambertin 2018, and Chateau Guiraud Sauternes 2013.

THE PURPOSE: The Joie de Vivre evening raised over $550,00 for The Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement programs. The evening was chaired by Ann and Jonathan Ayre, with honorary chairs Vicki West and Ralph Burch. This year’s auction included rare wines and spirits, luxury experiences, and many other coveted items, including trips to vineyards in California’s wine country, was thanks to Wine Auction Chair Bob Weiner. And the thoughtfully selected wines paired with the dinner was thanks to John and Lindy Rydman and Lisa Rydman of Spec’s Wines, Spirits, and Finer Foods.

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WORLDY PURSUITS

WORLDY PURSUITS

by | Apr 29, 2021 | R.S.V.P. HOUSTON, 2021 May June, Parties

Houston Museum Of Natural Science Celebrates With Gala

By Jennifer Roosth   Photography by Daniel Ortiz and Mike Rathke

THE SETTING: Wide open spaces of the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Morian Hall of Paleontology and the second-floor Paleontology Overlook provided the perfect socially-distanced pandemic protocol setting for the museum’s annual fundraising event. The theme of the evening, Tour the World, offered guests an extraordinary variety of exhibits. The Hall of Ancient Egypt, stunning Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals, George W. Strake Hall of Malacology, and the Frensley/Graham Hall of African Wildlife, to name a few, delighted guests as they were able to explore the museum throughout the evening’s event.

 

THE STYLE: Houston Museum of Natural Science’s gala was a smashing success. Guests celebrated the organization on a beautiful evening, exploring the vast exhibitions and bidding on one-of-a-kind treasures in the evening’s silent auction. The auction boasted magnificent fossils, rare gems and jewelry, and unique HMNS experiences. The most popular items ranged from a 6-feet long Komodo Dragon skeleton, one of the heaviest and deadliest lizards on Earth, to an exceedingly rare 2.34-carat red emerald ring to a Murder Mystery dinner party in the HMNS Death By Natural Causes exhibit. The auction also showcased five vintage automobiles, including a pristinely restored 1966 Shelby GT350 and a sleek 1973 De Tomaso Pantera.

 

City Kitchen provided the night’s delicious fare, and The Events Company adorned the museum spaces and presented brightly-colored floral arrangements on the tables for a beautiful, inspired look. Complementing the after-dinner musical entertainment provided by Hybrid 7 were late-night treats–brandy freezes and sweets. Macaron party favors were passed out on floating balloon trays as guests left for the night.

 

THE PURPOSE: Chairman Bobbie Nau greeted nearly 250 guests and broke all prior HMNS records, bringing in over $2 million in proceeds. The museum took thoughtful measures to ensure the evening’s success. These included the option to valet or self-park; contactless check-in and temperature reads; asking all guests to wear masks; providing additional on-theme masks as party favors; and ensuring that hand sanitizer was readily available throughout the museum with individual hand sanitizers also given to each guest.

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