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    party watch

    Broadway superstar Idina Menzel wows adoring crowd at $1.3 million TUTS gala

    gregg harrison
    Apr 1, 2019 | 4:32 pm
    TUTS gala Idina Menzel
    Dancing the night away.
    Photo by Gregg Harrison

    What: Theatre Under the Stars 50th anniversary season gala

    Where: The Post Oak Hotel

    The scoop: Beloved Broadway superstar Idina Menzel "let it go" in a standout, private concert as part of Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) 50th Anniversary Gala. Co-chairs Leticia and Steve Trauber and Cheryl and Louis Raspino welcomed over 550 theatre supporters and helped raise more than $1.3 million for the local theatre company's programming and mission.

    The black-tie affair was packed with TUTS benefactors, board members, supporters, and local students from The River Center for the Performing Arts and Humphreys School of Musical Theatre. At the start of the gala, an emotional video paid tribute to deceased founder, Frank Young, highlighting the past 50 years as well as his vision through moving photographs.

    After a sumptuous, three-course dinner and immensely successful live auction, the curtain lifted to welcome Menzel, who was accompanied by her pianist. After her first song “Don’t Rain on my Parade,” the star strolled off stage and into the audience — chit-chatting, quipping, schmoozing and looking for local talent. She kept the audience laughing while she was blown away by our local black-tie talent singing “Take Me or Leave Me” from the smash hit Rent (an original investment show by TUTS years ago).

    Locals Lainey Balagia, Michelle Lowther, and Christina Wells, (who is a local America's Got Talent semi-finalist) shared the stage with Menzel. Then came the highly anticipated "Let It Go" from the smash, Frozen. Still full of surprises, Menzel welcomed some of the children of Humphreys School of Musical Theatre and The River Center for the Performing Arts to sing along to the iconic hit. Tears flowed when the kids belted out the anthem. She then signed an original Wicked album — which quickly became a hot auction item — before making her exit.

    The auction brought in major donor money with auction items such as: “The Tony’s Insider Experience in New York City,” “A private villa in Baja, Mexico, and “Custom Dinner with Dan Knechtges, Artistic Director of TUTS.” After the dinner and mind-blowing concert, party-goers danced until midnight to the Georgia Bridgewater Orchestra.

    Who: Margaret Alkek Williams, Leticia and Steve Trauber, Amy and Rob Pierce, Cheryl and Louis Raspino, Marsha and David Taylor, Sherri Zucker, Vivek and Ishwaria Subbiah, Joanna Marks, Sofia Adrogue, Donae and Rob Chramosta, Dan Knechtges, Hillary Hart, Mady and Ken Kades, Paul-David Van Atta, Bill Stubbs, Jeff Gremillion, Amber Elliott, Roselle and Dennis Baldwin, Lisa Foronda Harper and C. Gregory Harper, Patricia and Sig Cornelius, Roselle and Dennis Baldwin, Sandy and Randy Stilley, Tricia and Alan Ratliff, Gracie and Bob Cavnar, Mary Ann McKeithan, Regina and John Mangum, Valerie and Tracy Dieterich, David Peck, and Michelle Phillips.

    Gina and Devinder Bhatia.

    TUTS gala Idina Menzel
      
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    Gina and Devinder Bhatia.
    celebritiesgalasfundraisers
    news/society
    series/houston-charity-guide

    Mission Continues

    Spirit of Spring Gala honors 30 years of healing and hope in Houston

    Joel Luks
    Jun 6, 2025 | 12:45 pm
    Children’s Assessment Center Gala 2025
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    Ed Emmett and Adrian Garcia.

    The ballroom at The Houstonian welcomed more than 400 guests gathered for the Spirit of Spring 30th Anniversary Gala, celebrating the enduring mission of The Children’s Assessment Center (The CAC). The evening proved both a tribute to three decades of service and a forward-looking pledge, culminating in a fundraising total that exceeded expectations.

    Children\u2019s Assessment Center Gala 2025
      

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    Ed Emmett and Adrian Garcia.

    Chaired by philanthropic duo Sam and Kasteena Parikh, the night began with a swirl of activity. A lively social hour offered a kaleidoscope of attractions — raffles, a photobooth, a caricature artist, and coveted wine and jewelry pulls — designed to loosen up wallets while lifting spirits. It was a lighthearted start to an evening rooted in something far more profound: the protection and healing of children affected by sexual abuse in Harris County.

    Former sports broadcaster Lisa Malosky emceed the program, guiding the audience through stirring testimonials and community honors. More than 20 individuals and partner organizations were spotlighted for their unwavering support of The CAC’s work over the past 30 years, a testament to the collaborative muscle it takes to protect the most vulnerable.

    “We are grateful to our dedicated community partners and individual supporters for their unwavering belief in our mission, collaboration and support of our services,” said Kerry McCracken, executive director. “Our vital work can only be sustained through the generosity of all those who deeply care about the children and families we serve. With their help, we can continue to bring hope to children who have experienced sexual abuse in Houston.”

    In attendance were Russell and Glenda Gordy, Christopher DeClaire, Elaine Stolte, Honorable Ed Emmett, Ken and Kathy Wells, Lisa Helfman and Lee Haverman, Mike Lowenberg, Rob Wilson, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Adrian Garcia, Joan Huffman, Teneshia Hudspeth, Honorable Ted Poe, Honorable Julian Ramirez, Honorable Bruce Bain, Kieth Seaous, Brady Crosswell, Adam Peters, and David Key.

    fundraiserschildren's assessment center
    news/society
    series/houston-charity-guide
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