Shelby's Social Diary

No card tricks required, the Museum of Natural Science gala a winner

Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
The various halls of the museum were playful decorated for dinner in amagician-inspired motif.
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive

To say that the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala was magical would be just too corny for words. So we'll skip that and move on to the basics of the "Do You Believe in Magic" evening at the museum that played off of the current exhibition Magic!

But we do have to say that gala chairs Melinda and Sam Stubbs and Paula and Rusty Walter waved their magic wands to create an energized party that had the 900 guests dancing much of the night away. Thanks went in part to the swell sounds of Yvonne Washington, who performed throughout dinner in the Hall of Paleontology where the mammoth Tyrannosaurus Rex kept an eye on the black-tie scene, and in part to the rocking sounds of Big Ray and the Kool Kats, who performed in a tent after dinner.

And speaking of dinner, guests are still raving about the delish fare from City Kitchen — beef tenderloin, risotto cake, asparagus, cheddar biscuits and chocolate "Magician's Hat" dessert.

In keeping with the magical theme, the museum engaged two magicians to perform on stage in the Grand Hall where they wowed the crowd with their sleight-of-hand antics and two magicians to work the room for up-close-and-personal tricks. During dinner, the talents moved among the tables challenging the imagination of those who might not believe.

The most magical aspect of the evening was that the annual gala raised more than $1.2 million. We'll have another one of those Houdini-tinis (chocolate martinis) to toast that success! Mix one for museum president Joel Bartsch as well.

In the party mix were Randa Duncan Williams and Charlie Williams, Laurie and Reed Morian, Sheridan and John Eddie Williams, Frann Lichtenstein and Jeff Hirschberg, Dana and Trey Strake, Katie and A.J. Brass, Lester and Sue Smith, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, Kristen and Lee Nix and Dorothy and Artie McFerrin.

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$420,000 raised

Health Museum gala honors Houston hero Dr. Peter Hotez

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Dr. Peter Hotez.

What a charming theme for the Health Museum’s annual fundraising bash. “Mysterious Worlds: Unveiling the Wonders of Healthy Living” at the Hotel Zaza on November 2 where the black-tie set and those with a penchant for science mingled. At the helm of this Museum District evening were gala chair Erica Littlejohn Burnette and her daughter Sophia Burnette, who helped craft a dinner party that honored health heroes and supported the museum’s mission to inspire future scientists.

The highlight was a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Peter Hotez, whose vaccine research and public health advocacy have made a global impact. During the pandemic, the co-director of the Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Development and Dean of National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine became against misinformation, sharing his expertise with national and international media outlets and offering clarity in a chaotic time. His ability to translate complex scientific research into simple guidance helped people navigate the tumultuous period and elevated him to the status of Houston’s leading man of science—a trusted figure during an era of uncertainty.

The evening began with an intimate reception where cocktails flowed, and renowned Houston artist Taft McWhorter live-painted his iconic Texas Flag. Guests also clamored a mountain of mystery boxes, which created a whirlwind of excitement as attendees compared their newly-found treasures and encouraged others to join the fun. The hidden prizes, valued at up to $850, ranged from spa getaways to Houston Rockets swag bags. And they sold out in a matter of minutes.

Inside the ballroom, KUHF host Ernie Manouse and Health Museum president and CEO John Arcidiacono welcomed gala goers. Student ambassadors Sophia Burnette and Duro Dina, participants in the museum’s Global Teen Medical Summit, introduced Dr. Hotez, sharing how the program shaped their career aspirations.

Auction co-chairs Dr. James Flowers and Robin French energized the crowd with a live auction offering one-of-a-kind prizes, including Dr. Hotez’s signed lab coat and signature bow ties, a private overnight adventure at the museum, and experiences at the Houstonian Hotel and Spa. The intergalactic afterparty, complete with a surprise dance floor, a DJ booth, and a stilt-walking, illuminated robot, kept guests moving late into the night.

By the end of the night, more than 300 attendees helped raise $420,000. Among the guests were Susan and Ward Pennebaker, Susan Bickley and Robert Scott, Connie Kwan-Wong, Merele Yarborough, Bill Littlejohn, Martha Walton, Carolyn Benton Aiman, Lynn Jones and Ed Jones, Nikhil Nayak, Dr. Kenneth Mattox, and Dr. Margaret Mary Wilson.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Dr. Peter Hotez.

fundraisers health museum museums gala