Shelby's Social Diary
Young professionals mambo the night away: This Houston Symphony party is a Latin swing
- Michelle Kobelan, from left, Kristin Kruse and Katie Chachere at the Houston Symphony's Young Professionals Backstage (YPB) party.Photo by © Chinh Phan CatchLightGroup.com
- Jorge Montero teaching the guys some dance moves at the Houston Symphony's Young Professionals Backstage party.Photo by © Chinh Phan CatchLightGroup.com
- Jim Vesterman, from left, Christina Hanson, Tony Prisk and Mark Hanson at the Houston Symphony YPB party.Photo by © Chinh Phan CatchLightGroup.com
- Ken Heil and Bethany McCade at the Houston Symphony YPB party.Photo by © Chinh Phan CatchLightGroup.com
- Sonia Jupiter and Jorge Montero sharing a moment at the Houston Symphony's Young Professionals Backstage (YPB) party.Photo by © Chinh Phan CatchLightGroup.com
- Matthew Strauss and Debi Levi-Strauss at the Houston Symphony YPB party.Photo by © Chinh Phan CatchLightGroup.com
- Allison Conlan and Edet at the Houston Symphony YPB party.OkonPhoto by © Chinh Phan CatchLightGroup.com
- Lesley Sabol and Steven at the Houston Symphony YPB party.ReinekePhoto by © Chinh Phan CatchLightGroup.com
- Kevin Gilbert and Melissa at the Houston Symphony YPB party.SeuffertPhoto by © Chinh Phan CatchLightGroup.com
- Clair Studdard dances at the Houston Symphony YPB party.Photo by © Chinh Phan CatchLightGroup.com
- Jonathan Cohen and Stefanie at the Houston Symphony YPB party.HenriquezPhoto by © Chinh Phan CatchLightGroup.com
- Adam VanDoren and Gira at the Houston Symphony YPB party.DesaiPhoto by © Chinh Phan CatchLightGroup.com
- Rebecca Garfield, left, and Kiju Joh at the Houston Symphony YPB party.Photo by © Chinh Phan CatchLightGroup.com
The Houston Symphony Young Professionals Backstage were front and center for the symphony's performance of the West Side Story score in Jones Hall while the newly-remastered film was shown in high definition. The multi-sensory West Side Story immersion continued even after the music stopped.
They shot short videos that were then turned into animated photo flip books, which doubled as party favors.
Inspired by the Leonard Bernstein score, more than 100 YPs rocked their way down Texas Avenue to the Rice Lofts where they gathered in the Empire Room for the Latin-music themed after party. Specialty cocktails such as "Tony" (bourbon and Coke) and "Maria" (vodka and cranberry juice) and late-night bites from Sambuca fueled the energy that kept this scene going into the wee hours.
The 20- and 30-something crowd grooved with Latin-style swing and salsa dance lessons led by Sonia Jupiter and Jorge Montero of Sonia’s World of Dance. Inspired by the movie, they performed for Anchor Entertainment’s cameras as they shot short videos that were then turned into animated photo flip books, which doubled as party favors.
The late-night revelers included guest conductor Steven Reineke, Houston Symphony CEO Mark Hanson and wife Christina, Melissa Seuffert, Kevin Gilbert, Michelle Kobelan, Kristin Kruse, Katie Chachere, Allison Lott, Adam Van Doren and Gira Desai. Houston Symphony musicians joining the fun included Anthony Prisk, Kiju Joh, Rebecca Powell Garfield, Matthew Strauss, Adam Dinitz and Daniel Strba.