Beyond clever — that biplane spinning over the dance floor as more than 800 partygoers boogied to the beat of the Houston Museum of Natural Science's "Out of Africa" gala. Deliciously successful, the event raised $1 million.
The museum with its intriguing collection of dinosaurs, fossils and gemstones is always a grand setting for the annual fundraiser but the Africa-inspired theme added an extra layer of fun to the evening. Consider the auction items displayed around a mount of two lions and the African-themed menu from City Kitchen.
And then there were the costumes. Guests had the option of black tie or "safari best" and many, including chairs Amy and Hardy Murchison and Jill and Scott Holstead, stepped out in safari costumes circa 1920, inspired by the Meryl Streep/Robert Redford film. Ladies dressed in animal print gowns while gents sported bow ties and cummerbunds with leopard spots.
Let It Fly Events pulled together the African elements including a python that greeted guests as they arrived in the Grand Hall and Serengeti style backdrops for photo opps. While dinner was served throughout the museum, the throng reunited after for dancing beneath that spinning biplane to the sounds of New York's DJ Martial.
Hot ticket of the night that is always filled with enticing auction items was the raffle ticket for the fab amethyst/turquoise/diamond earrings from Bvlgari's Mediterranean Eden collection.
Seen in leopard spots, tiger stripes and zebra prints as well as in more formal party attire were Randa and Charlie Williams, Lacy Baird and Dan Dinges, Amy and Peter Shaper, Mimi and Todd Marix, Laurie and Reed Morian, Celina Hellmund, Stephanie and Ernie Cockrell, Melissa and Doug Schnitzer and Sue and Lester Smith.
Houston Museum of Natural Science "Out of Africa" gala chairs Scott and Jill Holstead and Amy and Hardy Murchison.
