bene fête
Fabulously French Junior League of Houston gala celebrates joie de vivre
From champagne girls dressed in Marie Antoinette costumes delivering magnums of bubbly, to a Louis XIV-inspired show, the Junior League of Houston’s 70th annual charity ball captured the spirit of its theme, “Une Belle Nuit” (“A Beautiful Night.”)
The two-night extravaganza, held in the ballroom at the League's River Oaks-area building, featured silent and live auctions, plus entertainment each night.
Auction items included a VIP Indy 500 experience donated by A.J. Foyt Enterprises, a private tour of the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Cockrell Butterfly Center, a Houston Astros’ package featuring dinner in the Diamond Club with the team’s president of business operations, Reid Ryan; and artwork by Patti Stenson, who painted her auction piece during the first evening of the gala.
The French-inspired fête went late-night, as guests enjoyed after-party night caps, desserts, and DJ spins.
Chaired by Jayne Sheehy Johnston, the gala raised $800,000 for the Junior League of Houston. Since its inception in 1925, the League has served the city by developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
Celebrating the event were League president Sarah Snyder; and her husband Greg Snyder; Jennifer Howard; Mitra Woody; Selby Bush; Jayne and Garrett Johnston; Amy Dunn; Whitney Walsh; Alicia and Robert Kimmel; Rachel Regan; Shannon Wiesedeppe; Marian Hilpert; Stephanie and Ryan Fleck; Abbey Roberson; Julie Danvers; and Soraya and Scott McClelland.