THE SETTING: A record-breaking crowd of more than 700 Houstonians dressed in black tie, gowns, and glamour joined together for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of 100 years of the Houston Zoo. Guests met and mingled among live animals, including a North American porcupine, a tarantula, and an American alligator, before entering the tented Masihara Pavilion, which had been turned into a gorgeous and elegant al fresco ballroom. City Kitchen served a delectable, multi-course dinner, which was followed by a spirited live auction.
THE STYLE: The evening was filled with sentiment and animal love as Houston Zoo President and CEO Lee Ehmke expressed how truly remarkable it was for the Houston Zoo to reach its centennial anniversary and, above all, to celebrate the momentous occasion with the zoo’s closest friends and supporters. He honored Kathrine McGovern for always seeing the Zoo’s potential and turning dreams into reality. He emphasized how the smiles and laughter of Zoo visitors, especially children, are a powerful reminder that her generosity will bring joy and inspiration for generations to come. The after party was chaired by Chita and Lane Craft, with the Georgia Bridgewater Orchestra keeping revelers dancing past midnight.
THE PURPOSE: This year’s sold-out event, hosted by co-chairs Kelli and John Weinzierl and Kelley and Stephen Lubanko, and honoring Kathrine McGovern, raised $2.3 million to support the Houston Zoo. Highlights of the live auction included naming rights for the Zoo’s Galapagos tortoise, which sold twice for $47,000 after a lively bidding war.
Mike and Carol Linn, Susan Sarofim, Alvin Abraham, Cody Johnson & DeeDee and Wallis Marsh
Grand Champions For TEACH Wrangles Big Win for To Educate All Children (TEACH)
By Jennifer Roosth Photography by Priscilla Dickson, Daniel Ortiz and Jacob Power
Tim and Tammy Andreas & Donna and Norman Lewis
Applause, Applause…for Grand Champions for TEACH! The annual fundraising event celebrated its 10th year with more than 700 guests packed into the ballroom at The Post Oak helping raise a record-breaking $1.9 million to advance To Educate All Children (TEACH)’s mission of creating positive learning environments for all children.
Shaun and Natalie Hodge
The Texas-chic-themed gala had everyone decked out with boots and bling to support TEACH, the locally based independent nonprofit that works with more than 1,800 educators and serves more than 20,000 children. Wildflower arrangements upon all the tables, along with murals from the legendary Gruene Hall and Luckenbach, were the perfect backdrop for photo opportunities. An intimate concert by award-winning country-music superstar Cody Johnson had supporters singing along and tapping their boots. A short interview, led by event Co-chair Wallis Marsh, showcased some of Johnson’s career, which has included competing on the rodeo circuit as a bull rider. A standing ovation at the end of his performance capped the night.
Brady and Zane Caruth
Co-founders Susan D. Sarofim and Mary Yenik and Co-chairs DeeDee and Wallis Marsh and Carol and Mike Linn were cheering to the event’s huge success. The organization will net the entire amount raised, thanks to the late Fayez Sarofim, a generous, long-time TEACH supporter, who underwrote the entire event with a surprise check received the week after he passed away.
Kristina Somerville, Cody Johnson and Paul Somerville
This year’s event honoree was the Houston Livestock and Show and Rodeo, which for more than 90 years has been an ardent supporter of public education in Houston. Brady Carruth, chairman of the board, and Chris Boleman, president and CEO, accepted the honor on behalf of the organization, which also received the inaugural annual Fayez Sarofim Champion for TEACH 2022 award. A fast-paced video on the rodeo garnered more applause to complete this festive evening.
Houston Symphony Opening Night Concert And Gala’s Grand Style
By Jennifer Roosth Photography by Priscilla Dickson and Daniel Ortiz
THE SETTING: Recently, over 300 guests, donning their finest black tie attire, attended the Houston Symphony’s Opening Night concert and gala. Upon arrival at Jones Hall, partygoers enjoyed champagne and hors d’oeuvres on the Mezzanine level before making their way into see concert. The evening featured Juraj Valčuha leading the orchestra and Houston Symphony Chorus, alongside soprano Ana María Martínez, mezzo-soprano Marina Prudenskaya, tenor Jonathan Tetelman, and bass Dmitry Belosselskiy. Following the performance, guests were transported to the Corinthian Houston for a spectacular seated dinner catered by Jackson and Company. Following dinner, guests enjoyed musical entertainment by the David Caceres Band.
THE STYLE: The Corinthian ballroom was donned with crystal chandeliers and greenery cascading across the balcony, all designed by The Events Company. The elegant tables that filled the room, covered in green linens, were topped with varying high and low-profile floral arrangements in shades of white and green.
Dinner began with an Italian butter lettuce salad with fresh herbs, gulf shrimp terrine, chives, and pickled mustard seed vinaigrette topped with a toasted chickpea crouton and three radish slaw. The main course included a gremolata and breadcrumb crusted black cod, with charred leek and artichoke white wine emulsion, alongside summer squash and white corn rösti, and Romano beans and button chanterelle sauté. Accompanying the meal were wine pairings provided by Spec’s Wine, Spirits, & Finer Foods. After dinner, the dessert was a trio that included coconut sorbet verrine, tiramisu profiteroles, and hazelnut macaroons.
THE PURPOSE: The annual Houston Symphony Opening Night concert and gala, chaired by Drs. Susan and Dennis Carlyle, celebrated the opening of the 2022–2023 season and the tenure of Juraj Valčuha as the Houston Symphony’s 16th music director and holder of the Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair. This year’s event raised more than $540,000 for the orchestra’s industry-leading Education and Community Engagement initiatives. ConocoPhillips served as the Concert Sponsor and Lead Gala Corporate Underwriter for the 36th year.
Hermann Park Conservancy Raises Funds For Green Spaces
By Jennifer Roosth Photography by Priscilla Dickson
THE SETTING: Due to the ongoing Covid-19 safety measures, this year’s Evening in The Park event for Hermann Park Conservancy looked a little different than in the past. To make up for lost time due to the prior gala’s cancellation, instead of dinner, dancing, and the program under one big tent at the Molly Ann Smith Plaza, the event was socially distanced and progressive. The dinner was served in tented pods placed along the Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflection Pool.
THE STYLE: Guests were welcomed with cocktails while they perused photographs on view in Lindsey Plaza. Then, to add an element of fun, many guests opted to take the Hermann Park Railroad from Lindsey Plaza to the Molly Ann Smith Plaza, passing through the beautiful native plants and grounds of the upcoming Commons site. Upon arrival at the Plaza, Conservancy board chair Kristy Bradshaw spoke about the Conservancy’s endeavors including play spaces, natural habitats and plantings, public art installations, gathering areas, and the McWilliams Dog Park. The dog park was the focus of this year’s gala celebration and one of the most requested features by the community. Dinner was then served, and each party headed to their respective pod to enjoy a meal created by City Kitchen. Then, tunes were provided by DJ Mav at the Pioneer Obelisk as guests danced the night away to celebrate an Evening in the Park’s two years in the making.
THE PURPOSE: Event co-chairs Jo and Jim Furr, along with Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell and Derrick Mitchell, worked tirelessly to ensure guests had an entertaining and safe night. This year’s event surpassed its goal and raised $650,000 for the care and improvement of Hermann Park. Thanks to the generous $1 million gift from Laura and Brad McWilliams, this year’s honorees, funds raised at the gala, and a slew of additional donations directed towards the dog park, the Conservancy is $100,000 shy of its $2 million capital campaign. The honoree of the prior canceled Evening in The Park event, Marley Lott, was also in attendance and recognized.
Holocaust Museum Houston Hosts Virtual Silver Jubilee Event Celebrating 25 years
By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Priscilla Dickson
Evan and Nicole Katz & Carl Josehart
THE SETTING: Recently, many of Houston’s most notable sociables and philanthropists gathered at the Hilton Americas-Houston for a VIP Watch Party to celebrate a milestone anniversary of one of the city’s most impactful cultural institutions. The celebration was for the Holocaust Museum Houston, which celebrated their 25th year Silver Jubilee and featured touching words from Holocaust survivors and a series of superstar musical performances.
Jerry Simon, John Hantak and Adam Brennen
THE STYLE: The hybrid event allowed for people to attend the VIP watch party in person or celebrate in the comfort of their own home. Those who opted to attend in person donned their finest cocktail attire. The virtual program began with a timeline showcasing how much the organization has grown and impacted the nation’s fourth largest city over the past 25 years.
Next, after words from Dr. Kelly Zuniga, Carl Josehart, and founding chair Martin Fein, was more about the history of the evolution of the museum with emotional stories of those who survived the Holocaust era and an in-memoriam for Holocaust survivors who passed away in the past year. Highlighting the evening, was a special virtual appearance by Tony AwardÒ-winning actor, Ben Platt, who sang three musical numbers, placed at three different points throughout the program, that helped cap a memorable evening.
Kisha and Jason Itkin
THE PURPOSE: The event raised over $1.1 million dollars for the Holocaust Museum Houston. As the fourth largest Holocaust museum in the country, funds raised from the event will go towards online and in-person Holocaust and human rights educational programming for the students, teachers and the public in Houston…and beyond.
