Shelby's Social Diary

As the curtain is about to officially go up on Asia Society Texas Center, thepartying intensifies

Photo by Jeff Fantich
Photo by Jeff Fantich
Photo by Jeff Fantich
Photo by Jeff Fantich
Photo by Jeff Fantich
Photo by Jeff Fantich
Photo by Jeff Fantich

"Spotlight Asia: Cocktails & Cutural Fusions" was the theme while "chic and trendy" was the mode for the latest in a continuing series of pre-grand opening events for Asia Society Texas Center's spectacular new building in the Museum District. Judy and Scott Nyquist opened their River Oaks Home Thursday night for the gathering of cognescenti primarily in the thirtysomething bracket.

The guest list was comprised of Spotlight Asia committee members with chairs Divya and Chris Brown leading the charge. This group will hold a young professionals grand opening soirée for the new building on April 13. (The high-ticket Tiger Ball gala takes place April 12.) It all happens in and around the 40,000 square-foot Asia Society headquarters designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Yoshio Tanaguchi.

Asia Society executive director Martha Blackwelder spoke to the group of 70 and assured that the April 13 party will be one to remember, one reflecting the city's diversity. Of course, the festivities will continue April 14 and 15 with a two-day open house and First Look Festival brimming with entertainment from various corners of the Asian arena.

Making plans for the Spotlight Asia evening were Suchit Majmudar (representing Spotlight Asia underwriter Charming Charlie) and Reena Patel, plus Heather Pray, Jessica Phifer, Isabel and Danny David, Valerie Dieterich, Audrey Cochran, Claire Cormier-Thielke and Rick Thielke, Maria Vilchez, Rima Paralkar, Janae and Kenneth Tsai, Stuart Rosenberg and Nic Phillips.

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Blooms and Baroque

Vivaldi and vino charm Houstonians at enchanted garden soirée

Prelude Music Foundation Vivaldi in the Garden

Photo by Kit Peltier

Sebastian Godfrey, Ana Treviño-Godfrey, Kimberly Borders, and Charlene Tombar.

In a West University garden scented with jasmine and strung with twinkling lights, Prelude Music Foundation hosted its “Vivaldi in the Garden” soirée, transforming a quiet spring night into a multisensory celebration of music and meaning.

Hosts Sarrah and Jim Petersen opened the gates to their blooming backyard hideaway, where guests wandered through lush layers of hibiscus, hydrangeas, and milkweed before settling in under lantern-lit trellises. Chairs Caroline Reichert and Lauren Sanders curated a romantic tablescape of golden linens, music note napkins, and flickering votives—a nod to the night’s harmonic heart.

The evening’s highlight was an electrifying performance by a sextet from Mercury Chamber Orchestra, led by Jonathan Godfrey on solo violin. From Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to Piazzolla’s smoky Libertango, each piece shimmered with energy and soul. Ana Treviño Godfrey, co-founder of Prelude, spoke passionately about the cognitive magic of early music education, connecting the dots between melody and neurogenesis.

Adding playful charm? Grown-up musical chairs — live-scored, naturally — and the chance to “Take Home the Garden,” with blooms offered for donation. Guests clinked glasses of rosé and filled wine passports from four global vineyards, thanks to sommeliers from Everywine and nibbles from Hungry’s.

Funds raised will support Prelude’s programs at 13 underserved schools, plus Ronald McDonald House Charities and Casa de Esperanza.

Adding sparkle to the soirée were Rachel Regan, Steven Godfrey, Isabel David, Melanie Lawson, Carlos Treviño, Briana and Rachel Conner, Bernadette Verzosa and Len Cannon, Marsha and Michael Bourque, Caroline Le Feuvre and Jeff Shaddix, Lauren and Adam Selwyn, Julia and Michael Hiner, Mary Morgan and Reed Stevens, Gretchen and Ken Penny, Courtney and Jordan Chester, Martha Villanueva and Jordan Gross, Erika Westberry, Kimberly Borders, Katie Koenig and Doug Dirschl, Sarah and Christopher Lewis, Eli Levinowitz and Art Levinowitz, Tricia Monticello Kievlan, Atalia Castro and Chrystian Quinones, Jaime and Matt Titus, and Charlene and Tym Tombar.

Photo by Kit Peltier

Sebastian Godfrey, Ana Treviño-Godfrey, Kimberly Borders, and Charlene Tombar.

fundraisers prelude music foundation