CROWNING GLORY

CROWNING GLORY

by | Aug 31, 2021 | R.S.V.P. SAN ANTONIO, 2021 September October, Parties

San Antonio Gardenia Club Celebrates Queen’s Coronation And Court Presentation

 

By Jake Gaines   Photography by Jenna Beth Lyde

THE SETTING: Set amid the historical magnificence of the St. Anthony Hotel, the San Antonio Gardenia Club recently held its annual Queens’ Coronation and presentation of the Court. This memorable event, a grand Gardenia Club tradition, was patterned after the first Coronation held there in 1960.

 

THE STYLE: The hotel’s Peacock Alley, with Covid-19 safety measures in place, served as an elegant setting for cocktails and photography to begin the evening under the backdrop of French tapestries and crystal chandeliers. The splendid Anacacho room was the venue for the magical evening for the duchesses and their escorts as they were presented. The hall and ballroom, adorned in shades of lilac flowers, the Queen’s favorite color, was created by the renowned artistry and design of RTC floristry. The Mistress of Ceremonies, Siobhain Anders Buckley, introduced the Court and this year’s newly crowned Gardenia Queen, Chandler Suzanne Simpson. Chandler, a third-generation Gardenia Queen, is the daughter of Suzanne and Brad Simpson and the granddaughter of DeeAnn and Carlton Skinner Simpson.

 

THE PURPOSE: This year’s event chairs were DeeAnn Simpson and Kathleen Mayes. The purpose of the San Antonio Gardenia Club is to further interest in the fine arts by providing recognition to students within the San Antonio area, and the proceeds of the annual fundraiser raise funds for local fine arts students. The San Antonio Gardenia Club was founded in 1960, with the mission of providing fine arts scholarships to deserving students who graduate from Bexar County schools, enabling young scholars to continue their education at local colleges. The club also participates in the annual Fiesta Battle of Flowers, Texas Cavaliers River Parade, the Annual Holiday Parade, and the King William Parade.

[et_pb_flex_gallery gallery_ids=”42992,42993,42994,42995,42996,42997,42998,42999,43000,43001,43002,43003,43004,43005,43006,43007,43008,43009,43010,43011,43012″ show_title_and_caption=”off” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_flex_gallery]
AFTERNOON OF STYLE

AFTERNOON OF STYLE

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

San Antonio Gardenia Club Luncheon Celebrates With Mozart And Margaritas Theme

 

By Jake Gaines   Photography by Jenna Beth Lyde

THE SETTING: With social distancing protocol in place, Mozart & Margaritas served as the fashionable theme that inspireda current event to support the San Antonio Gardenia Club. The fundraising luncheon, colorfully decorated by Feather Fluff and Flings, and style show, featured Julian Gold models adorned in fashions from the elegant boutique as they paraded down the catwalk, inspiring guests for their future stylish looks. In fact, this luncheon was the last Julian Gold style show in 2020 before the pandemic, and this is the first style show they did in 2021.

THE STYLE: The San Antonio Country Club was the setting for the event where guests were transported back to the days of Mozart, minuets, wigged styles, and glorious music. Victorian glamour and decadent floral centerpieces, along with mini margaritas, greeted the masked guests while the symphonic harmonies of Mozart’s piano concertos filled the ballroom. Then, the costumed Melissa Gonzalez channeled her inner diva, and serenaded the audience while accompanied by the Woodlawn Theater Academy performers, ushering the lucky guests back to the days of the Majestic Opera House.

 

THE PURPOSE: This year’s annual luncheon was chaired by Sharron Batchelor and Christi Tidwell, with Laura Humphries serving as the president of the non-profit organization. Emcee Siobhain Buckley helped to steward the event’s proceedings. The proceeds of the annual fundraiser raise funds for local fine arts students. The San Antonio Gardenia Club was founded in 1960, with the mission of providing fine arts scholarships to deserving students who graduate from Bexar County schools, enabling young scholars to  continue their education at local colleges. The club also participates in the annual Fiesta Battle of Flowers, Texas Cavaliers River Parade, the Annual Holiday Parade, and the King William Parade.

[et_pb_flex_gallery show_title_and_caption=”off” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ gallery_ids=”41988,41989,41990,41991,41992,41993,41994,41995,41996,41997,41986,41998,41999,42000,42001,42002,42003,42004,42005,42006,42007,42008,42009,42010,42011″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_flex_gallery]
READ BETWEEN THE LINES

READ BETWEEN THE LINES

by | Nov 1, 2020 | 2020 November December, Parties, San Antonio

Landa Gardens Conservancy Celebrates 13th Anniversary Event

By Jake Gaines         Photography by Jenna Beth Lyde

THE SETTING: Circumstances this year prohibited the traditional Landa Nights soiree in the gardens under a starry sky. Instead, guests were invited to celebrate in a safe and down-to earth way–with a gala to go.  Most patrons choose to celebrate at home, while others set up their dinner parties on rooftops overlooking the city or even at Landa Gardens, where the festivities were originally scheduled to take place.

 

THE STYLE: This year’s event, aptly named Landa Nights: Down to Earth, allowed supporters to celebrate in the way they felt most comfortable during the pandemic. More than 200 people participated in the evening through Landa Nights sponsorship packages, which included custom, three-course meals cooked-to-order by favorite local restaurant, Outlaw Kitchens. Several Landa Nights patrons were surprised with an outdoor musical performance by Brad Normandeau, a Sinatra-style crooner who delighted guests and added an old-Hollywood ambiance to the festivities.

 

THE PURPOSE: Rebecca Nathan, a Landa Gardens Conservancy board member, chaired the sold-out event that was extended an extra two evenings due to high demand. The Landa Gardens Conservancy is a non-profit organization dedicated to beautifying Landa Gardens and the five landscaped acres surrounding Landa Library, a branch of the San Antonio Public Library. It is a treasured neighborhood gem that offers enjoyment for all ages with playground structures, walking paths, over 7,000 plants, lush and native landscaping, mature tree varieties, and the cherished Valero Pavilion, a sculptured canopy created by renowned local artist, Carlos Cortés.

Gallery

[et_pb_flex_gallery show_title_and_caption=”off” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ gallery_ids=”39889,39891,39892,39893,39894,39895,39896,39897,39898,39899,39900,39901,39902,39903,39904,39905,39906,39907,39908,39909,39910,39911,39912,39913″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_flex_gallery]
HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD

by | Aug 31, 2020 | 2020 September October, Parties, San Antonio

San Antonio Gardenia Club Luncheon Celebrates With Oscars® Theme

 

By Jake Gaines       Photography by Greg Harrison

THE SETTING: Pre-COVID-19, Red Carpet At The Oscars served as the fashionable theme that inspired a recent event to support the San Antonio Gardenia Club. The fundraising luncheon and style show featured Julian Gold models in fashions they paraded down the catwalk, inspiring the guests for their future stylish looks.

THE STYLE: The San Antonio Country Club was the setting for the event, where guests were transported back to a time of Old Hollywood glamour amongst extraordinary floral decorations befitting the organization’s name. The luncheon attendees walked the red carpet surrounded by golden Oscar® statuettes, while being entertained by the likes of vintage celebrity impersonators such as Marilyn Monroe, amongst others. Upon entering the venue, they merrily toasted one another with champagne and popcorn. Then, the film-worthy song and dance routine by Melissa Gonzalez dazzled, as she channeled her inner Judy Garland, while being serenaded by students from the Woodlawn Theatre Academy captivated all in attendance.

THE PURPOSE: The proceeds of the annual fundraiser raises funds for local fine arts students. This year’s annual luncheon was chaired by Sharron Batchelor and Christy Tidwell, with Carroll Dorsey Walker serving as the president of the organization. The San Antonio Gardenia Club was founded in 1960, with the mission of providing fine arts scholarships to deserving students who graduate from Bexar County high schools, enabling young scholars to continue their education at local colleges. The club also participates in the annual Battle of Flowers Texas Cavalier River Parade, the Annual Holiday River Parade, and the King William Parade.

[et_pb_flex_gallery gallery_ids=”39292,39317,39316,39315,39314,39313,39312,39311,39310,39309,39308,39307,39306,39305,39304,39303,39302,39301,39300,39299,39298,39297,39296,39295,39294,39293″ show_title_and_caption=”off” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_flex_gallery]