BELLE OF THE BALL

BELLE OF THE BALL

by | Dec 28, 2022 | R.S.V.P. SAN ANTONIO, 2023 January February, Parties

Chrysanthemum Ball Celebrates With 67th Gala

By Alexandra Del Lago Photography by Jenna Beth Lyde

THE SETTING: The Charity Ball Association of San Antonio celebrated its 67th Chrysanthemum Ball at the Witte Museum. The evening was inspired by the idea of a Tuscan Italian evening by President Lee Anne Hendry. It was designed by Danny Cuellar of Trinity Flowers and Decorations Vice President Elizabeth Roberts. Guests were greeted by large ornate wrought iron candelabras lavishly ornamented in lemon leaves, and a beautiful Italian fountain adorned with a profusion of orchids and chrysanthemums, assorted greenery, and topped with a pyramid of lemons. The guests were offered Limoncello martinis and spritzers, roasted grape and goat cheese bruschetta, mozzarella, smoked chicken arancini, and vegetable stromboli roulades, all while enjoying cocktails in the garden and admiring the Gold Prize Jaguar generously donated by Cavender Jaguar Land Rover.

 

THE STYLE: As the guests entered the Mays Family Center, they were delighted by the beautiful décor.  Large trees sat upon the dining tables and were decorated with bright yellow lemons, lemon leaves, and sparkling lighting. At the tree bases were arrangements of white cymbidium orchids, yellow and citrine-colored chrysanthemums, yellow roses, and assorted greenery. The tables were adorned with green malachite-patterned tablecloths accented with varying height tapered candles and accompanied by gold Chivari chairs. The ceiling was covered in beautiful lemon leaf greenery accented with ambient lighting. 

 

Stephen Cavender, this year’s emcee, welcomed everyone and introduced Lee Anne Hendry, the organization’s president. Kim Peacock, the vice president of prizes, orchestrated the many prize drawings and giveaways as the guests enjoyed a fabulous dinner of Duo Caprese Ensalata, Tenderloin Rosa de Parma, and Amalfi Lemon Delight by The RK Group. A night of dancing followed with music from Blind Date of Austin.

 

THE PURPOSE: The evening celebrated the $1,200,000 raised for the many grants given to the children of Bexar County. With Patrons Vice President Anna-Laura Block at the helm, The Charity Ball Association celebrated their wonderful patrons, including the Diamond Chrysanthemum Patrons: The Charity Ball Legacy Foundation, Kittie Nelson Ferguson Foundation, Mays Family Foundation, and Mary West and Richard Traylor. The CBA has given over $25 million to the children of Bexar County since 1954.

FLORAL FANTASY

FLORAL FANTASY

by | Feb 28, 2022 | Invite, 2022 March April, San Antonio

Charity Ball Association Celebrates Million-Dollar Fundraising Evening

 

By Jake Gaines      Photography by Jenna Beth Lyde

 

THE SETTING: The Charity Ball Association (CBA) of San Antonio’s 66th Chrysanthemum Ball was held at the Witte Museum’s Mays Family Center, with a record-breaking $1 million of funds raised by the almost 600 supporters in attendance. With pandemic protocol in place, the black-tie clad and elegantly attired guests, arrived on a 100-foot-long red carpet through a floral fantasy arch. They were then ushered into the Zachery Garden for a cocktail reception while the talented Youth Orchestra, San Antonio (YOSA), played in the background.

 

THE STYLE: Guests entered The Mays Family Center, greeted by a 15-foot-tall ice sculpture, in the shape of a birdcage, by award-winning Buddy Rasmussen. It mimicked the invitation design created by Elizabeth Roberts and was framed with floral details and jeweled butterflies, which encircled the base of the sculpture with magenta lighting highlighting the etched ice. Magenta, which represents universal harmony and emotional balance, was selected as the evening’s primary color palette by CBA President Terrie Musselman and Décor Chair Gayle Embrey. Complementing magenta were additional shades of lavender, green and white represented in the floral arrangements, along with jeweled butterflies that dotted the room.

 

The décor and floral design by Danny Cueller of Trinity Flowers was perfection with the ballroom’s beautifully adorned tables covered with oversized vases supporting a burst of colorful flowers. The centerpiece arrangements included magenta flowers, Pink Floyd roses, green hydrangeas, Queen Anne’s lace, green amaranth, curly willow, silver dollar-seeded eucalyptus, and the organization’s signature logo flower, green chrysanthemums. Meanwhile, a giant pergola of a floral effusion was installed over the dance floor.

 

The dinner began with entertainment by a dance orchestra. This year’s program was emceed by Albert Steves, assisted by his wife and sponsor member, Tricia Steves, with Carrie Catalani orchestrating an elaborate and exciting presentation of Prizes & Prize drawings. As the night progressed, guests savored decadent hors d’oeuvres, all by Rosemary’s Catering. Wine pairings were an elegant and perfect accompaniment to the gourmet meal. The evening was capped off by entertainment by the band, Blind Date of Austin.

 

THE PURPOSE: The special, unique, and memorable night was helmed by CBS Chairman of the Board Lynn Ziegler, President Terrie Musselman, and the many committees that orchestrated the festivities. The 2020 and 2021 combined gala Diamond Chrysanthemum Patrons were the Betty Stieren Kelso Foundation, Charity Ball Legacy Foundation, Kittie Nelson Ferguson Foundation, and the Mays Family Foundation. Even with the unusual year in 2020, the Charity Ball raised over one million dollars under the chairmanship of the 2020 Vice President for Patrons, Kelly Kennedy, and then again raised over one million dollars in 2021 under the Vice President for Patrons, Ellen O’Gorman.

 

The organization is so very grateful for The Charity Ball Legacy Foundation, which made a significant contribution of $125,000 in 2020 and an increased donation in 2021 of $180,000 to The Charity Ball Association. During these past two years, under the guidance of Sharon Seal, Vice President of Charities, a rigorous process was developed to determine the 36 charities to be funded in Bexar County. As a result, many needs were met for these children, such as food, shelter, clothing, safety, education, disabilities (both intellectual and developmental), and improved playground facilities.

 

The Charity Ball Association graciously acknowledged decades of giving by Cavender Cadillac. The Charity Ball Association of San Antonio supports the children of Bexar County by distributing grants each year since 1954, now totaling more than $24 million. The organization’s tenet is Children Benefit Always.

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FRENCH FOLLIES

FRENCH FOLLIES

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

Can Can-Themed Party Honors Melanie Vaughan

 

By Jake Gaines      Photography by Jenna Beth Lyde, Parish Photography

THE SETTING: A Touch of Folly was the theme for An Evening in The Moulin Rouge recently, with pandemic protocol in place for honoree Melanie Vaughan, hosted by her parents, Karen and Curtis Vaughan. Guests arrived at The St. Anthony Hotel to discover massive red windmills in front welcoming them a la Moulin Rouge.

The party celebrated the Queen, Princess, and Duchesses named as part of the Court of Parisian Splendour, Fiesta 2021. The Fiesta celebration was cancelled last spring due to COVID-19, so the Vaughan family hosted a party in honor of the girls this April, post-vaccines.

THE STYLE: Everywhere guests looked, French flair was abundant. The event was produced by San Antonio-based Billinda Wilkinson of Wilkinson Rhodes Events, who designed and orchestrated the party with her team from Dallas, Las Vegas, and beyond. The balcony in the Anacacho Ballroom of the hotel was covered in red and black ostrich feather fans accented with black and white butterflies.

Rouge performers, brought in from Las Vegas, performed four choreographed dances throughout the evening worthy of the French theatrical landmark. The buffet stations were designed in the Art Nouveau style of the famous French architect, Guimard. The Peraux ballroom featured a stunning rotating red windmill bar while Roonie G, a video D.J., performed throughout the evening to keep the action going.

THE PURPOSE: Fiesta San Antonio, through the support of its participating member organizations, presents a safe, educational, annual celebration of the diverse heritage, culture, and spirit of San Antonio for its residents and visitors.

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COLORADO CHIC

COLORADO CHIC

by | Feb 28, 2020 | 2020 March April

Camilla Kampmann’s Colorado-Themed Debutante Party In San Antonio

By Alexandra Del Lago          Photography by Jenna Beth Lyde

For German Club debutante Camilla Kampmann, her parents, Abigail and George A. Kampmann, Jr., hosted a Christmas in Colorado-themed party to honor their daughter. Held on a beautiful evening the weekend before Christmas at the Principle Auto BMW dealership in San Antonio, the venue was transformed for the evening into a holiday ball. This magical night, full of dancing and fun provided lasting memories for a lifetime for Camilla, a student at the University of Texas, and her friends.

Walking into the venue, anyone familiar with the BMW dealership can agree it was completely transformed. From its usual backdrop that catered to top-of-the-line German engineering, the tone had dramatically changed with the large lighted Camilla sign, the waterfall of lights over the drive, and red carpet into the main entrance. As guests entered, hundreds of Aspen leaves flanking the corridor inside set the stage for the size and scale of the main ballroom.

The great room, with its 32-foot ceilings, was grounded by the centerpiece: massive hand-carved ice sculptures on each of the four sides of the J Bar with twenty-foot tall birch trees. Other bars included the Little Nell, Mountain Social at the St. Regis, and Cloud 9 at Highlands, all keeping with the Colorado theme. Another highlight of the room was the twenty-foot cherry tree, bathing the Cloud 9 bar in a pink glow. This pink theme was cleverly played throughout, with the bar only serving champagne and rosé champagne. In fact, in every glass of the No.3’ Grand Cru Rosé from André Clouet, fresh sliced strawberry and cherry garnishes completed the libation. Rosemary’s Catering provided the evening’s cuisine.

For entertainment, the Piano Punch dueling pianos set the tone for the night’s festivities, with the pianists taking crowd suggestions. Across from the pianos, guests lounged on leather chaises and enjoyed coffee, hot chocolate and warm desserts from Paradise Bakery. Later in the evening,  the Limelight band entertained over 800 guests with their high-energy approach and style. This 13 piece party band out of Dallas provided a musical range that spans decades of standards and classics, to the current hits of today, which guests danced to until the party closed.

while guests dined with Rosemary’s Catering. The food areas featured exquisite cuisines like fried quail and fried oysters from Jimmy’s Bodega. Meats from the Pine Creek Cookhouse including oryx, elk, and Père David from the Double G Ranch & Niglai from the King Ranch, were carved to order along with exotic mushrooms and grilled vegetables. The St. Regis area featured salmon, imported cheeses and a walking salad display. In addition, Mezzaluna served various pizzas and La Cantina hosted enchiladas to round out the dinner offerings.

For the late-night options, stations from Boogie’s, Ajax Tavern & Hickory House featured sliders, truffle fries, and biscuits with sausage. Trays full of Brandy Freezes and milkshakes circulated for guests interested in sweeter drinks. The photo booth, complete with a full-sized ski lift chair and ski equipment as props, made every guest feel a little closer to the slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

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FLORAL FLOURISH

FLORAL FLOURISH

by | Dec 31, 2019 | 2020 January February, Events, Parties, San Antonio

Charity Ball Association Celebrates Million Dollar Fundraising

By Leanne Raesener Photography by Jenna Beth Lyde

THE SETTING: The Charity Ball Association (CBA) of San Antonio’s 65th Chrysanthemum Ball was held at the Witte Museum’s Valero Great Hall and Mays Family Center, with a record-breaking $1 million of funds raised by the almost 600 supporters in attendance.

The black-tie clad and elegantly attired guests arrived on a 100-foot long red carpet through a floral fantasy arch. They were ushered in by formally attired stilt walkers and entertainers while listening to the amazing sounds of the Youth Orchestra San Antonio (YOSA).

THE STYLE: The décor, inspired by the CBA’s 65th anniversary commemorative scarf, was designed by award-winning artist Stuart Seal, and featured blue sapphires, gold chains, acanthus leaves, cut crystal, and colorful chrysanthemums, all centered by The Charity Ball Association of San Antonio’s 65th anniversary logo.

The floral design by Danny Cueller of Trinity Flowers was the perfect pièce-de-résistance with the ballroom’s beautifully adorned tables covered with oversized glass vases supporting a burst of colorful flowers that paid homage to that scarf’s colorful palette. A 15-foot tall ice sculpture by award-winning Buddy Rasmussen framed with opulent florals greeted guests as they entered The Mays Family Center.

As the night commenced, guests savored decadent hors d’oeuvres, including a beef carpaccio crostini, house-made salmon mousse topped with Bowfin caviar and fried Parmesan artichoke hearts before arriving at a three-course meal that included brown butter and seared thyme filet paired with a seared scallop atop a creamed Gruyere spinach, all by Rosemary’s Catering. Wine pairings were an elegant and perfect accompaniment to the gourmet meal.

THE PURPOSE: Sharon Seal, CBA vice president of decorations, created a special, unique, and memorable evening, while CBA President, Lynn Ziegler, orchestrated the festivities. The Association celebrated the founders of the Association. Gala attendees enjoyed a video of past CBA grant recipients, and a slideshow of historical photos, archived Rotogravure books, and newspaper clippings that delighted all, especially those who saw their beloved grandmothers, parents, relatives, and family friends through the decades.

Part of the fun included the moment Billy Cavender drew the winning Gold Ticket for the new Cadillac that was given away, and the Charity Ball Association graciously acknowledged decades of giving by Cavender Cadillac. The Charity Ball Association of San Antonio supports the children of Bexar County by distributing grants each year since 1954, now totaling more than $21 million. The organization’s tenet is Children Benefit Always.

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