Oscar Winner Takes Jones Hall

Even Sir Ben Kingsley can't steal the show at Houston Symphony opening night gala

Despite the downpour that threatened the Houston Symphony opening night performance and gala on Saturday, there was an early-evening rainbow shining across the Houston skyline, a portent of the dazzling evening that was ahead.

The rain broke just as guests climbed into luxury motor coaches for transport from the cocktail hour at the Corinthian to the concert at Jones Hall. Only a few satin evening pumps and dainty hemlines were any worse for the wear.

The evening was a celebration of ConocoPhillips' 30th consecutive year of supporting the opening night concert and gala, with a nod given to the energy firm's 45 years supporting the orchestra. ConocoPhillips deputy general counsel Ralph Burch chaired the evening, joining CEO Ryan Lance and Houston Symphony Society board president Steve Mach on stage to thank supporters. Lisa and Ryan Lance served as honorary chairs while Robin Angly and Miles Smith served as underwriting chairs.

Those supporters, many in black-tie for the post-concert dinner back at the Corinthian, ponied up more than $730,000 for the symphony's education and community programming. Despite the oil industry downturn, this evening ranked as the second most successful Opening Night Concert and Gala in the history of the event.

Adding to the spectacular sound of the symphony under direction of Andrés Orozco-Estrada was Academy Award winner Sir Ben Kingsley, who enchanted the Jones Hall crowd with his narration of Prokofiev's whimsical Peter and the Wolf.

The concert finale, Richard Strauss' stirring suite from Der Rosenkavalier, sent the crowd out into the night in remarkably high spirits despite the hellish heat and humidity.

For the after-party dinner, Kingsley joined the head ConocoPhillips table after spending a few moments in an intimate VIP gathering for major table buyers. Then it was show time for Houston Symphony CEO Mark Hanson who welcomed the merry late-night throng.

Far from an ordinary opening night dinner, Jackson and Company provided an elegant three course feast — poached salmon, herb-crusted medallion of beef, and a trio of desserts garnished with a chocolate oil derrick in honor of ConocoPhillips. And then there were the wines — Taft Street Chardonnay and the spectacular Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon.

Those who know their wines were amazed at the selection. Those who know Ralph Burch were not surprised that the wine connoisseur insisted that guests paying as much as $50,000 and $25,000, and everyone else among the 600 guests, were rewarded for their support. No Oak Leaf Chardonnay, thank you.

Among the stunning gents in tuxes and ladies in smashing gowns were Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Betty and Jess Tutor, Ginaand Dr. Devinder Bhatia, Beth Madison, Jan Barrow, Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Francis Marzio, Kelli Cohen-Fein and Martin Fein, Carmen and Butch Mach, Joella Mach, Sue and Chris Conway, Daniela and Manolo Sanchez, and Marian and Gary Beauchamp.

Steve Mach, Joella Mach.

Picnic Chic

Houston toasts nature and leadership at Memorial Park’s annual gala

Photo by Jenny Antil

Chris Ballard, Nancy and Rich Kinder, and Shellye Arnold.

There are gala nights and then there are nights when the trees themselves seem to raise a glass.

On a picture-perfect evening in April, nearly 350 supporters of Memorial Park Conservancy gathered beneath the native canopy of the Clay Family Eastern Glades for The Park Ball, an annual celebration of one of Houston’s greatest natural treasures.

Helping to orchestrate the evening’s blend of elegance and ecology was a roster of event chairs: Julie and Casey Doherty, Betsy and John Garibaldi, Gayle and Richard Hightower, Tammy and Steven Jenkins, Linda Lorelle and Lou Gregory, Gary Moss, Amy and Adam Newar, Carrie and Al Pepi, Carol and John Porter, and Anita and Gerald Smith.

This year’s theme, picnic-chic, was a love letter to the land, a heartfelt homage to the winding trails, sprawling green spaces, and sun-dappled prairies that define Memorial Park’s 1,100 acres. It was also a moment to reflect and to cheer as guests honored Shellye Arnold for more than a decade of leadership and welcomed Chris Ballard as the Conservancy’s newly named president and CEO.

It was springtime, elevated, and distinctly Houston.

Under Shellye Arnold’s guidance, Memorial Park transformed from a beloved local green space into a nationally recognized model of urban parkland — balancing ecological restoration with accessibility and beauty. Her departure was bittersweet, but the love in the air was undeniable. A proclamation from Houston City Councilmember Abbie Kamin officially declared April 10 as Shellye Arnold Day, applauding her tireless work in cultivating a park that serves both people and planet.

The evening flourished with the smooth sounds of the David Caceres Jazz Quintet, whose melodies floated through the canopy as guests strolled the illuminated paths or lingered beneath chandeliers that seemed to twinkle in time.

The night was also a fundraiser, of course — and a successful one. The Park Ball brought in a cool $750,000, every dollar of which will support the everyday magic of Memorial Park: Maintaining the native prairie grasses, protecting wildlife habitats, and ensuring this urban oasis remains a place of escape and exploration for generations of Houstonians.

In the crowd were Chris and Aubrey Ballard, Nancy and Rich Kinder, Veronica Chapa Gorczynski and John Gorczynski, Giles and Andrea Kibbe, Roxann and Tim Neumann, Rogene Gee Calvert, Emily Clay and Bill Schneidau, Kalinda Campbell, Kevin Foyle, Lissa and Farzanah Gangjee, Lisa Helfman, Elizabeth and Tom Howley, George Johnston and Jaime Loera, Chris Newport, Annise Parker, and Dhiren and Anila Shethia.

Photo by Jenny Antil

Chris Ballard, Nancy and Rich Kinder, and Shellye Arnold.

memorial park fundraisers