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    Out of this world

    Symphony patrons hit high notes with Carnegie Hall celebrations

    Shelby Hodge
    Jan 30, 2010 | 12:05 am
    • The Houston Symphony performs The Planets - An HD Odyssey at Carnegie Hall.
      Photo by Nicholas Phillips
    • Hans Graf, left, and Bobby Tudor thank supporters at the post-concert receptionat Carnegie Hall.
      Photo by Nicholas Phillips
    • Ron Girotto, left, and Dr. Dick Stasney
      Photo by Nicholas Phillips
    • Houstonains toured the Juilliard School of Music, including rehearsal halls, aspart of the New York visit.
      Photo by Nicholas Phillips
    • Jesse and Betty Tutor
      Photo by Nicholas Phillips
    • Todd Frazier and Elizabeth Wareing
      Photo by Nicholas Phillips
    • Margaret Williams, left, and Ginger Blanton
      Photo by Nicholas Phillips
    • Melvyn Wolff, from left, Connie Weil, Ron Girotto, and Dr. Tony Gotto
      Photo by Nicholas Phillips
    • Dancie Ware and Nicholas Phillips
      Photo by Nicholas Phillips
    • Vicki West, left, and Lilly Andress
      Photo by Nicholas Phillips
    • Roxann Neuman, left, and Sharon Adams
      Photo by Nicholas Phillips
    • Phoebe and Bobby Tudor
      Photo by Nicholas Phillips

    Champagne toasts flowed in the Rohatyn Room of Carnegie Hall Thursday night when Houston Symphony patrons celebrated the orchestra's New York presentation of The Planets — An HD Odyssey.

    As many as 100 symphony fans were clearly on a cultural high as they ascended the curving staircase to the private room for the post-concert dessert party. The night crowned several days of partying for a number of Houstonians, who found the concert the perfect reason to play in NYC.

    With a handful of Houston's creme-de-la-creme looking on Thursday night, Houston Symphony Society president Bobby Tudor and symphony music director Hans Graf heaped praise and thanks on the various entities responsible for the stellar concert evening. (See the New York Times review.)

    Former symphony executive director Matthew VanBesien was recognized for his vision of marrying NASA technology with classical music, inspiration that resulted in the concert program. (VanBesien now departs for Australia to take up his post as head of the Melbourne symphony.)

    The Methodist Hospital and the hospital's Center for Performing Arts Medicine was applauded for its partnership that funded the New York presentation of The Planets. That contingent included Methodist Hospital president and CEO Ron Girotto, center founder Dr. Richard Stasney and center director Todd Frazier.

    Linn Energy was thanked in equal measure for its participation – funding of the Duncan Copp film of planet images. Carol and Michael Linn, Linn Energy founder, headed the oil company contingent that included Julia and Mark Ellis, Kolja Rockov, Charlene Ripley, Clay Jeansonne and Paula Beasley.

    Savoring the Big Apple hospitality in spite of the bitterly cold weather were Margaret Alkek Williams (the Alkek Foundation underwrote the party), Elizabeth and Peter Wareing, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Diane Lokey Farb, Dancie and Jim Ware, Gib Walton, Nicholas Phillips, Sharon Adams and one-time Houstonian, retired CBS news anchor Dan Rather. Houston Endowment president Larry Faulkner, former University of Texas president, and wife Mary Ann were among the notables.

    More parties

    The schedule was packed for those traveling in the Methodist contingent. Thursday afternoon, all were invited to tour the newly-renovated Juilliard School of Music with alumni Todd Frazier as personal guide. Juilliard president Joseph Polisi welcomed the Houstonians, who visited studios and classrooms and rubbed elbows with the parents of students auditioning for the coveted drama spots.

    Early evening, before the concert, Ginger and Jack Blanton hosted an intimate cocktail reception, in the building where they have a Manhattan pied-a-terre, for the Methodist group and symphony supporters. Weill Cornell Medical College dean Dr. Tony Gotto, a prominent figure at Baylor College of Medicine for two decades, was among the New Yorkers on hand.

    Across town at NOBU Fifty Seven, Carol and Mike Linn hosted a six-course dinner for corporate friends. The feast began at 5:30 so that guests could make the concert in time.

    On another note

    The Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau took advantage of the concert to promote the Bayou City. With GHCVB CEO Greg Ortale at the helm, the Houston team entertained 100 New York decision-makers at a swank pre-concert cocktail party at the St. Regis Hotel. Wooed by bounteous servings of American caviar, foie gras and Kobe beef sliders, top-level meeting planners and non-profit execs were also offered tickets to the Carnegie Hall concert.

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    news/society

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    Astros wives and fans rally at all-star fundraiser for Houston girls

    Joel Luks
    May 8, 2025 | 12:15 pm
    Girls Inc Houston 2025 fundraiser
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    Kat Pressly, Treopia Cannon, Janet Gurwitch, Sheila Gurwitch, and Sue Rogers.

    A sea of pink and red flooded Union Station at Daikin Park on April 17, as nearly 400 guests turned out for All Stars Night: A League of Her Own, benefiting Girls Inc. of Greater Houston. The annual event, chaired this year by Kat Pressly and her mother, Sue Rogers, blended baseball spirit with bold ambition, raising more than $345,000 to empower young girls to be strong, smart, and bold.

    Girls Inc Houston 2025 fundraiser
      

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    Kat Pressly, Treopia Cannon, Janet Gurwitch, Sheila Gurwitch, and Sue Rogers.

    Pressly, wife of former Houston Astros and current Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Pressly, brought major-league energy to the cause, with a roster of supporters that included Astros wives and longtime friends like Kara McCullers, Maria Hader, Pam Espada, and Monica Alvarez. The lively crowd embraced the festive spirit early, snapping selfies in front of a balloon-framed photo backdrop and vying for Cracker Jack boxes, each hiding a surprise prize inside.

    Inside, the atmosphere was a heady mix of camaraderie and purpose. Treopia Cannon, president and CEO of Girls Inc. of Greater Houston, took the stage to share the organization’s powerful mission of creating safe spaces, building long-term mentoring relationships, and equipping girls to take charge of their futures. She introduced this year’s honorees, each exemplifying what it means to be a true game-changer.

    Corporate powerhouse Janet Gurwitch, an executive and Houston Astros investor, was named the Strong, Smart, and Bold Honoree, recognizing her role in mentoring future leaders. Perry Homes was applauded as Corporate Champion for its commitment to community empowerment, while the Melanie Gray Vanguard Award, named for one of the organization’s most dedicated advocates, was presented to Estefania Torres.

    Familiar Houston face Julia Morales kept the program lively as emcee, while auctioneer Johnny Bravo whipped the crowd into a bidding frenzy during the live auction. A dazzling jewelry piece from Shaftel Diamonds became the evening’s hot-ticket item, inspiring a flurry of competitive paddle-raising.

    As the night drew to a close, Pressly introduced a surprise performance by the Astros Shooting Stars, drawing a standing ovation. Guests ended the night on a sweet note, gathering for desserts and final goodbyes under Union Station’s soaring ceilings.

    In the crowd were Anita Sehgal, Dana Barton, Emelda Douglas, Alan and Tricia Ratliff, Courtney and Zac Harmon, Leah Christman, Chelsea Collmer, Kristen Collins, Chree Boydstun, Laurie and Bret Sanders, Meghan Cornelius, Krystal Crane Thompson, Adrienne Crane, Whitney Kuhn Lawson, Kristen Cannon, Mandy Moffitt, Regina Rogers, and Jeannie Gardner, president of the board.

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