BARC On Broadway

Little Orphan Annie steals the show and finds a good home at BARC on Broadway gala

What: BARC on Broadway Ball.

Where: Junior League of Houston.

The scoop: Houston animal lovers came out in force to support the Houston BARC Foundation at the black-tie affair. More than 200 partygoers walked the red carpet, past a "live" model in a red gown with a long train, into the grand event, chaired by Elizabeth Brock, Elsie Eckert, Sidney Faust and Judi McGee.

Honorary chair Mayor Sylvester Turner praised the evening’s honoree, Carolyn Faulk, as the 2016 Honorary BARC Ambassador and presented her with a proclamation naming October 14, 2016, Carolyn Faulk Day. More than $210,000 was raised to help support the non–profit organization which addresses the needs of animals at the city shelter and funds spay/neuter and community adoptions.

The highlight of the evening occurred when BARC rescue puppy Little Orphan Annie found a permanent home after a spirited live auction. Houston BARC Foundation president Alan Ratliff was the winning bidder for the adorable year-old poodle mix that had been fostered and loved for two months by BARC Foundation board member Julie Dow and promptly gave the pooch to Dow, amid tears of joy.

Songstress Sharon Montgomery thrilled the crowd with Broadway show tunes in keeping with the evening's theme.

Who: Jan Duncan, Lavonne and Denis DeBakey, Carolyn and Kathy Mann, Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Weezie and Bobby Dees, Susan and Dan Boggio, Jo Ann Petersen, Laura and Don Sanders, State Senator John Whitmire, former Houston mayor Annise Parker, and former Houston first lady Elyse Lanier.

Also enjoying the evening were Sofia Adrogue, Sten Gustafson, Suzy Simons, Caroline Baker, Shawn Stephens, Theresa Morales, Lindsay Munoz, Tamara and Dr. James Bonar, Michael Bickham, Lenny Matuszewski, Brian Faulk, and KPRC lifestyle reporter Chip Brewster, who served as event emcee.

Katie Prichard, Brice Waddle.

$Houston, Barc Foundation\u2019s Barc On Broadway ball, Oct 2016, Katie Prichard, Brice Waddle$

Photo courtesy of PPD Studios Photography

Katie Prichard, Brice Waddle.

fundraisers

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.

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