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.
Michelle Kobelan, from left, Kristin Kruse and Katie Chachere at the Houston Symphony's Young Professionals Backstage (YPB) party.
