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    Bi-Partisan Party

    Houston celebrated as a gateway to the world: It's flags, swords and bigwigs for this international gala

    Heather Staible
    Heather Staible
    Oct 17, 2013 | 3:40 pm

    The national government would be wise to take a few cues from the bi-partisan spirit felt at the Houston Consular Ball. The event celebrated Houston’s Consular Corps, represented by the 92 countries that have consulates in the city, while highlighting Houston with the theme “Houston: Gateway to the World.”

     

    It’s not easy to transform the vast non-descript concrete spaces of the George R. Brown Convention Center into a grand ballroom, much less the interior of an airplane, but as guests ascended the GRB, the gala decor didn’t disappoint.

     

    Flags of the world served as colorful backdrops on each floor leading to the gala. Blue velvet curtains parted to reveal a ballroom that looked like the interior of an airplane with curved concave floor-to-ceiling video screens lining the walls.

     

    The Consular Ball blended innovative decor with tradition, pomp and circumstance. Each consul general and guest were introduced by the evening’s host KHOU Channel 11’s Greg Hurst as they walked through Texas A&M’s Ross Volunteer Company saber arch salute. Leading the way was gala host Mayor Annise Parker, accompanied by her partner Kathy Hubbard. Serving as event chair was Ric Campo.

     

    The Mayor's Office of Protocol and International Affairs and the newly formed Houston International Initiatives office created an elegant evening with video messages from former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, Consul General of Italy Fabrizio Nava and U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz.

     

    The Mayor addressed the audience and invited guests to stand and join her for a champagne toast honoring the consulates. Parker informally mingled throughout the night, stopping to chat and pose for pictures.

     

    The airplane theme really took flight during a video presentation on the curved walls and a video screen in front of the ballroom showcasing the Texas Medical Center, the Museum District, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Port of Houston and other defining landmarks.

     

    Even though the ball was formal and the dress code white-tie and decorations, the mood was lively. Between courses of cheeses, champagne mousse pate, herb-roasted tenderloin, pan-seared sea bass and chocolate caramel cake, gala-goers flowed from the tables to the silent auction and onto the dance floor where the Richard Brown Orchestra played all night.

     

    The heady guest list was a potpourri of local, national and international names including Geoff Connor, Cammie Jones, Joanne King Herring, Honorary Consul General of Iceland Mica Mosbacher, Jorge Valdés, Patricia Nuñez, Rod Nelson, Stephanie Nelson, Renu and Suresh Khator, Jorge Valdés, Edward Sanchez and Kim Padgett.

    Pablo and Adriana Leon, from left, Maria de la Paz Rio de Malpica and Dr. Luis Malpica y de Lamadrid at the Consular Ball.

    223 Pablo and Adriana Leon, from left, Maria de la Paz Rio de Malpica and Dr. Luis Malpica y de Lamadrid at the Consular Ball October 2013
      
    Photo by © Roswitha Vogler Photosbyrovo.com
    Pablo and Adriana Leon, from left, Maria de la Paz Rio de Malpica and Dr. Luis Malpica y de Lamadrid at the Consular Ball.
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    Stories Preserved

    Texas stories shine at record-setting San Jacinto fundraiser

    Joel Luks
    Jul 8, 2025 | 3:30 pm
    San Jacinto Museum fundraiser dinner 2025
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    The Pitt Family (Sarita Francis , Stephen Pitt, Sr , Stephen Pitt, Jr, and Allegra Hawkins) with Mike Lamb and Sarita Hixon.

    Timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto, the San Jacinto Day Dinner gathered history buffs, philanthropists, and community leaders for an evening of reflection and celebration at the Houston Country Club.

    As the San Jacinto Museum’s largest annual fundraiser, the April dinner set a new record, raising more than $300,000 in support of the museum’s operations and educational programming.

    The evening honored two standout contributors to Texas historical preservation. Brandon Seale received the inaugural Brandon Seale Award, which recognized his impactful work in sharing Texas stories through writing, scholarship, and public history. Seale also delivered the evening’s keynote, offering thoughtful insight into the forces that shaped the state, blending humor, historical depth, and storytelling to forge a compelling connection between past and present.

    The Pitt Family was also celebrated for their enduring support of the museum and their commitment to preserving the state’s historical legacy. Their recognition underscored the importance of ongoing efforts to protect and promote Texas’ complex narrative.

    Among those in attendance were Coble Jorgensen, Mike Lamb, Nancy Burch, Sarah J. Pitt, Sarita and Jake Francis, Allegra and Hunter Hawkins, Stephen Pitt Jr., Stephen Pitt Sr., Katie and Paul Barnhart, Anne and Stephen Brollier, Mia Brous, Kimberly and Austin Davis, Rachel and Austin Gilbert, Windi and David Grimes, Coble and Jeff Jorgensen, Lisa and Will Mathis, Kathleen and Townes Pressler, and Carson and Arthur Seelingson.

    San Jacinto Museum fundraiser dinner 2025
      

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    The Pitt Family (Sarita Francis , Stephen Pitt, Sr , Stephen Pitt, Jr, and Allegra Hawkins) with Mike Lamb and Sarita Hixon.

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