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.

Robin Angly, Miles Smith.

Photo by Wilson Parish

Robin Angly, Miles Smith.

Big Hat Energy

Derby glam takes over Houston at Bo’s Place’s signature fête

Photo by Jacob Power

Patrick and Maddy Moffitt, Carol Lee and Allen Lyons, and Christina and David McAllen.

A rainbow of fascinators fluttered, linen suits caught the breeze, and guests sipped mint juleps as if Churchill Downs had taken a stylish detour through the Galleria. More than 350 partygoers turned out at the Post Oak Hotel for Bo’s Place’s ninth annual Hats, Hearts and Horseshoes at the Houston Polo Club, a Derby day celebration as vibrant as a jockey’s silks.

And one that raised a record-breaking $362,000.

The afternoon affair was chaired by Christina and David McAllen and Maddy and Patrick Moffitt, who set the tone for a day full of festivity, philanthropy, and a touch of Southern pageantry. A full slate of honorary chairs turned out in support, including Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin, Amanda and Terry Boffone, Julie and Stephen Chen, Megan and Luke Hotze, Jayne and Garrett Johnston, Alice and J.W. Lodge, Carol Lee and Allen Lyons, Alissa and Kevin Maples, Hannah and Cal McNair, Sheridan and Robert Plumb, Millette and Haag Sherman, Christie and Mark Sullivan, Hallie Vanderhider, and Kelli and John Weinzierl — all helping to crown Bo’s Place as a winning cause.

Inside, the decor nodded to bluegrass charm with racing-themed tapestries, umbrellaed garden tables, and a life-size horse draped in a lush blanket of red roses. H-E-B’s red rose centerpieces bloomed from every table, and the whole space shimmered with a “wait, are we still in Houston?” energy.

The crowd, decked in full Derby dazzle, leaned into the theme.

Wide-brimmed hats, feathered fascinators, and seersucker suits made the room look like a couture-clad stampede. Sunshine poured through as guests clinked glasses, placed friendly bets at the racing wall, and delighted in games like “Heads or Tails,” where one lucky winner trotted off with a 14k diamond bar bracelet from Christina Greene.

David McAllen took a quiet moment to present Carol Lee and Allen Lyons with the Champion of Hope Award, a poignant pause in an otherwise high-spirited afternoon. Lee shared her moving story of how Bo’s Place supported her and her daughter two decades ago, reminding attendees why they came dressed to the nines.

Emcee Stephen Lewis, ever the crowd favorite, kept things rolling while attendees bid on auction packages and cheered on their Derby picks. And when Sovereignty sprinted across the finish line to win the 2025 Kentucky Derby, the cheers could have shaken the chandeliers.

Among those spotted beneath the plumes and pastels were Debbie and Mark Gregg, Rick Smith, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Julia and Harvin Lawhon, Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook, Gaye Lynn and Stuart Zarrow, Lauren and Rob Gray, Tammie and Andy Johnson, Jenn and Nick Altman, Kaci and Abraham Garza, Heather and Wade Clark, and Jordan and Cliff Vaughn.

Photo by Jacob Power

Patrick and Maddy Moffitt, Carol Lee and Allen Lyons, and Christina and David McAllen.