Springtime perfection

Young professionals polish off 800 pounds of crawfish at a sunny Buffalo Bayou bash

What a delightful springtime afternoon for an al fresco shindig Saturday, which is surely why more than 700 young professionals streamed for the Buffalo Bayou Partnership's young professionals party. The "Bayou Bash," hosted by the eco-conscious cluster knows as the Bayou Buddies, baked in the sunshine that made the Sabine to Bagby Promenade a rolling meadow in which to see and be seen.

But it wasn't a good day for crawfish as more than 800 pounds of steamy crustaceans, provided by Louisiana Foods, were no match for the hungry crowd, who were hanging loose around picnic tables and tents. The only survivors were Speedy, Sunshine and Summer, the three crawly creatures that entertained guests at the Yelp crawfish race.

It wasn't a good day for crawfish as more than 800 pounds of steamy crustaceans, provided by Louisiana Foods, were no match for the hungry crowd.

And beer? Who knows how many kegs of Saint Arnold Brewing Company suds were siphoned dry. Barefoot Wine & Bubbly mimosas were just as in-demand.

A waterside stage was home base for bands Electric Attitude and The Journey Agents to add their lively tunes — not far from the quay from where pontoon boats sailed up and down the gentle currents.

All the outdoor fun didn't distract from the event's mission, which raised $30,000 through a silent auction that featured goodies such as a Revival Market basket, art by Mei Chang Stansbury and travel packages.

Basking in the sun with executive director Anne Olson and PR director Trudi Smith were good-doing Young Professionals from Gensler, Frost Bank, Katy Optiks and The Morgan Group, alongside Jason Fuller, Tom Broughton, Meghan Miller, Bill Kelly, Kellie Dupree, Daniel Romero, Bob Fretz, Leslye Weaver, Suzanne Weaver, Jack Blanton, Thomas Thornton, Caroline Urquhart, John Andell, Tony Essalih and Brittany Taggart.

Tim Rooney, from left, Capri Miller and Warren Hitchcock

Bayou Buddies Bash April 2013 Tim Rooney, Capri Miller and Warren Hitchcock

Photo by Morris Malakoff

Tim Rooney, from left, Capri Miller and Warren Hitchcock

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Party Animals

Rain or shine, Houston Zoo Ball raises $2.1M for a wilder future

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Zoo Ball chairs Jay and Catherine Goossen, Kathy and Marty Goossen, and Lacey and Matthew Goossen.

Rainclouds may have loomed, but Houston’s social set was undeterred at Zoo Ball 2025, themed Enchanted Forests, the Houston Zoo’s annual black-tie bash that raised an impressive $2.1 million for animal care, education, and wildlife-saving efforts.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Zoo Ball chairs Jay and Catherine Goossen, Kathy and Marty Goossen, and Lacey and Matthew Goossen.

More than 600 guests turned out for the woodland-themed evening chaired by the Goossen family — Kathy and Marty Goossen, Lacey and Matthew Goossen, and Catherine and Jay Goossen — which celebrated creatures great and small and honored former Houston Zoo president and CEO Lee Ehmke.

Despite the threat of rain, organizers and guests came prepared. The zoo’s Masihara Pavilion was transformed into a lush, tented ballroom, complete with covered walkways and just enough sparkle to make the drizzle feel intentional. Stylish Houstonians paired their gala gowns with weather-smart footwear — because a little practicality never hurt anyone.

Partygoers mingled with ambassador animals (including Clark the macaw, clearly the night’s breakout star) before sitting down to a multi-course dinner from City Kitchen. The elegant spread featured haricots verts salad, seared sea bass with roasted grape and basil beurre blanc, and the crowd-favorite Aunt Etta chocolate cake topped with crème anglaise.

During the lively auctions, chaired by Courtney and Bas Solleveld, guests proved generous and competitive. Big-ticket items included a Puerto Vallarta getaway, an Aspen excursion, and naming rights for the Zoo’s newest okapi calf. A paddle raise added $259,000, amplified by a $110,000 matching gift from Dee Methvin, honoring the late Stacy Methvin, and Kerry Galvin.

After dinner, the PNC-sponsored After Party, chaired by Anna Gryska, kept the tempo high and the temperature higher. The Drywater Band packed the dance floor as guests partied well past midnight, heat and humidity be damned. Those who survived the sweaty soirée were rewarded with late-night bites from Armando’s taco truck and Paulie’s cookies — the sweetest kind of sendoff.

Party animals were Houston Zoo CEO Lisa and Alec Peterson, Courtney and Zac Harmon, Carina and Brooks Antweil, Cathy and Joe Cleary, Monica Kuraturi and Kumaran Sathyamoorthy, Dana, Daryl and Olivia Kenningham, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Jordan and Dylan Seff, and Kelley and Steve Lubanko.

fundraisers houston zoo