Partying like it's 1699
Going beyond Baroque: Mercury's gala redefined with glow sticks, neon sunglassesand Mohawks
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Were there glow sticks, neon sunglasses, fuchsia wigs and spiked Mohawks in 1699? If the fin-de-siècle Venetian elite had access to such party favors, their social affairs would surely resemble Mercury Baroque's "Party Like it's 1699" gala Saturday night at Wortham Theater Center.
Scratch that: Mercury is no longer just "baroque." For the nonprofit that started over pizza 11 years ago, it's the end of an era as it moves forward to embrace compositions of the Classical and Romantic periods. Alongside gala chairs Sharin and Larry Norman and emcee Len Cannon, artistic director Antoine Plante toasted to new beginnings with the 250 patrons.
Concertmaster Jonathan Godfrey's graceful tunes of yesteryear serenaded guests as they promenaded onto the stage. Some chose to unwind in the theater and bask in the mini musicale. But when Mercury - The Orchestra Redefined emerged from behind a rising theater backdrop, all baroque hell broke loose as musicians in period costumes and edgy hairpieces tore up Vivaldi's L'Estro Armonico and Jean-Féry Rebel's Les Caractères de la Danse.
Amy and Lloyd Kirchner grabbed the opportunity to conduct Mercury in "Blazing Baroque" at Miller Outdoor Theatre in September.
On behalf of honoree Baker Botts, partner J. Denmon Sigler accepted a gift in recognition of the law firm's contribution to Mercury and to Houston's arts scene in general.
Maybe it was the Swarovski crystal-bejeweled custom ranch mink capele by Woody's Furs or the colorful art piece by David Haberman, the silent auction was happening. When the live auction bidding war commenced, Amy and Lloyd Kirchner grabbed the opportunity to conduct Mercury in "Blazing Baroque" at Miller Outdoor Theatre in September.
Good fortune came to Brian McGrath, who won a signature Japanese Akoya pearl bracelet with white gold spacers and white diamonds donated by Franco Valobra, topping the fundraising efforts at $170,000.
Seen on the scene were Lynn and Oscar Wyatt, Joelle and Geoffroy Petit, Ania and Mark Tish, Catherine and Randy Crath, Nancy and Erik Littlejohn, Kristine and Stephen Wallace, Tina Raham and Jonathan Stewart, Deana and Larry Blackburn, Jeff Gremillion, Janine Iannarelli and Susan and Dennis Carlyle.
