GAME PLAN

GAME PLAN

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

Witte Museum’s 49th Annual Witte Game Dinner Breaks Records

By Leanne Raesener – Photography by Greg Harrison

THE SETTING:  The 49th Annual Witte Game Dinner, presented by Naylor Ranch, and held at the Susan Naylor Center, Mays Family Center, and Zachry Family Acequia Garden, is the Witte’s largest fundraiser. The lively crowd of over 1100 guests included notable multi-generational Texans and those filled with overflowing Texan pride. All eagerly participated in one-of-a-kind silent and live auctions and took delight in a country music concert with none other than the Josh Abbott Band. The evening kicked off with the 2nd Annual Texas Heritage Awards, honoring Mary West and Richard Traylor, and Valero. The awards honor supporters of the museum who are outstanding stewards of San Antonio and Texas and have values and a personal brand that aligns with the mission and vision of the Witte Museum.

 

THE STYLE:  This year’s theme, Branded by Time, celebrated the Witte’s extensive timeline narrative of Texas, from millions of years ago to today and honored those who have made an impact on the Witte’s past, present, and future.

Guests at the event also experienced a true Texas culinary experience provided by Rosemary’s Catering, which included Texas game stations with perfectly roasted and smoked meats, such as herb-roasted Veal and Lamb Racks to Texas BBQ beef ribs, all carved to order, a Texas Quail Showdown with chicken-fried quail and ancho-honey grilled quail, a Texas slider bar, a Hungers TexMex station with venison enchiladas, a Gordita station, a Texas Coastal Area with a seafood boil, blackened redfish, and a Paella station, and last but not least, an array of specialty desserts served in the South Texas Heritage Center. Bolner’s Fiesta Products served as the culinary sponsor.

THE PURPOSE:  The 49th Annual Witte Game Dinner ushered in an all-time fundraising record of over $1.2 million to support the museum’s operations, educational programs, and exhibitions. The event co-chairs, Kathy and Jeff Bolner and Anna and Robert Sigman, selected the theme, Branded By Time, for this year’s event.

Everyone joined together to enjoy the most cherished traditions of Texas, while also raising over $190,000 in field trip funding for students to visit the Witte Museum. All proceeds from the event raised essential funds that will also allow the museum to continue its mission to inspire people to shape the future of Texas through transformative and relevant experiences in nature, science, and culture.

 

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FASHIONABLE JEWEL

FASHIONABLE JEWEL

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

Women’s Symphony League 65th Annual Jewel Ball And Luncheon Features Brooke Shields

By Rob Giardinelli  –  Photography by Darcie Westunderland

 

THE SETTING: The Palmer Events Center in Austin was the recent setting for the Women’s Symphony League’s 65th Annual Jewel Ball and Luncheon. Over the course of two days, nearly 1,700 of Austin’s social, fashion and philanthropic dynamos were a part of the festivities, which included the presentation of this year’s debs with a special appearance by fashion icon Brooke Shields.

THE STYLE: The first day of events commenced with the fashion show luncheon featuring over 600 of Austin’s top fashionistas. The cocktail-chic patrons began the festivities with a VIP reception where adoring guests had the opportunity to take their photo with the guest of honor, Brooke Shields. The fun then moved into the main auditorium for lunch and the afternoon program. Highlights of the luncheon included a fashion show featuring the season’s top looks from Julian Gold as well as a conversation with Brooke Shields that was effortlessly moderated by Rank & Style CEO Jamie Chandlee.

The pageantry continued into the second day of events culminating with the 65th Annual Jewel Ball presentation. Over 1,000 black-tie patrons began their evening with a cocktail hour where  conversations flowed and families mingled, while also bidding on their favorite  silent auction items. The fun time continued as the crowd took to their seats for the main jewel ball presentation, which in addition to the Austin debs featured eight visiting Jewels from Texas and beyond. The evening concluded  as the Jewel’s and their families danced the night away, capping off an incredible two days that those on hand  will not soon forget.

THE PURPOSE: The Jewel Ball Fashion Luncheon was co-chaired by Lisa Barton and Kerri Ann Chambless, while The Jewel Ball was co-chaired by Christy Merritt and Christy Werner. Proceeds from the events benefited the Women’s Symphony League of Austin  and the Austin Symphony Orchestra, the oldest continually performing symphony in Texas, with a presence in the state for over 100 years.

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