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    Raising the Barre

    Houston's hottest chefs and ballet stars play together in the kitchen: And young professionals eat the spoils

    Joel Luks
    Apr 1, 2015 | 11:29 am

    We all know that Houston Ballet dancers can bust a move. The question is: Can they cook?

    It's this pickle that was on the plate at the fifth annual "Raising the Barre" dinner Sunday at Brennan's of Houston. So much so that demand for seats blew the lid off expectations, engendering Houston Ballet young professionals to snatch all 180 tickets within three weeks of being available for purchase. That's a good problem to have, thought party chairs Ting and John Bresnahan and Crystal and Randy Wright.

    The Ballet Barre throng that this season is led by chairmen Hannah Lonergan and Mary Nichols Patton — always chic, always poised — savored once again the delicious five-course choreography that happens when ballerinas and cavaliers play in the kitchen alongside top local toques.

    The second floor of the restaurant was packed solid with spirited chit chatter as Hell's Kitchen winner and Corner Table chef Ja'Nel Witt passed a trio of apps inspired by principal dancer Yuriko Kajiya's provenance. With a nod to the Land of the Rising Sun, this duo offered Japanese togarashi tuna tartare, blistered shinto peppers and tempura takos — yes, with a "k" and not with a "c." Champagne? Arigatoo gozaimasu.

    Applause was well deserved for this soirée that raised $84,000 to support ballet programs, performances and community engagement ventures.

    Act two included the collaborative efforts of soloist Soo Youn Cho, from Korea, and Coltivare chef Ryan Pera, who became friends with the Bresnahans soon after the couple moved from Virginia to Houston six years ago. As a special favor to Ting, Pera participated for the first time in this fundraiser and created a Gulf Coast Bo Ssam — smoked oysters, crispy pork belly and kimchi wrapped in a soft lettuce leaf.

    The following courses included a butternut squash ravioli thanks to chef Olivier Ciesielski and first soloist Jared Matthews, Texas red snapper and crawfish over mascarpone grits courtesy of host chef Danny Trace and demi soloist Christopher Gray and a tangy sweet finish in the Meyer lemon tart crafted by Rebecca Masson with soloist Allison Miller.

    Applause was well deserved for this soirée that raised $84,000 to support ballet programs, performances and community engagement ventures. Doing their duty were Harry Cullen, who won a vintage 2002 bottle of Dom Pérignon in the silent auction, and Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, bidding $7,500 during the live auction on a similar dinner at home with the evening's culinary team. With a $12,000 bid, Linsay and Jeremy Radcliffe won a private dinner for 12 in the James Beard House in New York City.

    Balletomanes in the crowd alongside artistic director Stanton Welch, executive director Jim Nelson and sponsor BB&T's representatives Heather and Tom O'Connor and Courtney and Bill Toomey included Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Divya and Chris Brown, Christine and Chris Transier, Beth and Nick Zdeblick, Mary and Ben Patton, Annette and Anthony Brissett, Erin and James Stewart, Jaquel and Jeremy Andrews, Gina and Devinder Bhatia, Margaret and Brian Bravo, Mary Rebecca Dick and Jakeen and Garfield Johnson.

    Mary Patton, left, and Hannah Lonergan.

      
    Photo by © Michelle Watson CatchLightGroup.com
    Mary Patton, left, and Hannah Lonergan.
    unspecified
    news/society

    Hearts of Gold

    Celebrity hunting trip powers Houston kids charity’s record-breaking night

    Joel Luks
    Apr 30, 2025 | 6:00 pm
    Sky High for Kids Better in Boots 2025
    Photo by Quy Tran
    Brittany Franklin, Iris Shaftel, Payton Angelle, Laura Angelle, and Danny Shaftel.

    Sky High for Kids soared to new heights at its annual Sporting Clay Tournament and Better in Boots Gala, raising a record-breaking $1.6 million over two days of festivities dedicated to children battling cancer and other life-threatening conditions.

    The action kicked off on March 27 at the Greater Houston Sports Club, where participants took aim at sporting clays in a lively tournament. Held in honor of the late Gary Price, whose passion helped launch Sky High's first Houston clay shoot in 2008, the day culminated in an awards ceremony featuring live music and Texas-worthy eats.

    On March 28, the boots got shinier and the cause even closer to the heart as more than 500 guests donned Texan Cocktail attire and gathered at The Revaire for the Better in Boots Gala. Under twinkling lights and rustic-chic decor, the evening unfolded with a silent auction showcasing 49 enticing packages, followed by a seated dinner curated by A Fare Extraordinaire. A live auction offer 12 premium packages, including a hunting trip with Conroe-based country music star Parker McCollum that generated $300,000. Presenting sponsor JD Fields, honored as the Giavanna Sponsor, led the charge for the evening named in tribute to young cancer warriors.

    Co-chairs Erica Parker and Lindsey Boatman were celebrated with a touching painting gifted by young fighter Payton. Emcee Taylor Sass kept emotions higher as he recognized guests of honor Iris and Danny Shaftel, with an address from Danny's father, Keith, "the original diamond man." The emotional centerpiece came when Kaelan Brennan, father of cancer warrior Hadley, shared a raw, personal story of their pediatric cancer journey, followed by a stirring Q&A between Sass and young fighter Demy.

    The event also made history with the largest gathering of cancer warriors yet, as 10 families joined the celebration, putting faces and stories to the mission that fuels Sky High for Kids.

    Among those in the crowd were Jay Fields, Leonard and Abbie Botello, Lolo Lester, Iris and Danny Shaftel, Keith Shaftel, Texas Mattress Makers owner Youval Meicler, and former Houston Texans running back David Johnson.

    Sky High for Kids Better in Boots 2025
      

    Photo by Quy Tran

    Brittany Franklin, Iris Shaftel, Payton Angelle, Laura Angelle, and Danny Shaftel.

    fundraiserssky high for kids
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