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    Springtime perfection

    Young professionals polish off 800 pounds of crawfish at a sunny Buffalo Bayou bash

    Joel Luks
    Apr 16, 2013 | 10:05 am

    What a delightful springtime afternoon for an al fresco shindig Saturday, which is surely why more than 700 young professionals streamed for the Buffalo Bayou Partnership's young professionals party. The "Bayou Bash," hosted by the eco-conscious cluster knows as the Bayou Buddies, baked in the sunshine that made the Sabine to Bagby Promenade a rolling meadow in which to see and be seen.

    But it wasn't a good day for crawfish as more than 800 pounds of steamy crustaceans, provided by Louisiana Foods, were no match for the hungry crowd, who were hanging loose around picnic tables and tents. The only survivors were Speedy, Sunshine and Summer, the three crawly creatures that entertained guests at the Yelp crawfish race.

    It wasn't a good day for crawfish as more than 800 pounds of steamy crustaceans, provided by Louisiana Foods, were no match for the hungry crowd.

    And beer? Who knows how many kegs of Saint Arnold Brewing Company suds were siphoned dry. Barefoot Wine & Bubbly mimosas were just as in-demand.

    A waterside stage was home base for bands Electric Attitude and The Journey Agents to add their lively tunes — not far from the quay from where pontoon boats sailed up and down the gentle currents.

    All the outdoor fun didn't distract from the event's mission, which raised $30,000 through a silent auction that featured goodies such as a Revival Market basket, art by Mei Chang Stansbury and travel packages.

    Basking in the sun with executive director Anne Olson and PR director Trudi Smith were good-doing Young Professionals from Gensler, Frost Bank, Katy Optiks and The Morgan Group, alongside Jason Fuller, Tom Broughton, Meghan Miller, Bill Kelly, Kellie Dupree, Daniel Romero, Bob Fretz, Leslye Weaver, Suzanne Weaver, Jack Blanton, Thomas Thornton, Caroline Urquhart, John Andell, Tony Essalih and Brittany Taggart.

    Amy Langton, from left, Elva Franco, Katie Chachere, Ally Daum and Andrea Mitchell

    Bayou Buddies Bash April 2013 Amy Langton, Elva Franco, Katie Chachere, Ally Daum and Andrea Mitchell
    Photo by Morris Malakoff
    Amy Langton, from left, Elva Franco, Katie Chachere, Ally Daum and Andrea Mitchell
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    Shopping Fantasia

    Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker preview party sets new donation record

    Joel Luks
    Dec 4, 2025 | 2:00 pm
    Houston Nutcracker Market Preview Party 2025
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    Houston Ballet Academy Dancers.

    The Houston holiday season doesn’t officially begin until the Nutcracker Market throws open its doors, and this year’s Wells Fargo Preview Party felt like stepping into a snow globe set on extra. Like more is more.

    Somewhere between the cheeky stocking stuffers and the Dior-kissed repurposed couture, guests needed an actual map to conquer the sprawling shopping fantasia.

    Held November 12 at NRG Center, the 45th anniversary celebration of the Houston Ballet shopping fête welcomed more than 5,000 eager shoppers, all ready to sprint through aisles lined with more than 280 merchants. Helmed by chairs Susan Binney and Jennifer Kushner, along with preview party chairs Leslie Alston, Kaylon Phillips, and Casey Rowe, the evening shimmered with nostalgia. Guests showed up in themed attire ranging from glittery holiday chic to coordinated squads that looked like flash mobs armed with credit cards and a mission.

    Houston Ballet’s new executive director Sonja Kostich arrived for her very first Nutcracker Market, greeting supporters and soaking in the community’s devotion to a beloved tradition that fuels the Ballet’s mission and scholarship programs. Houston Ballet Academy students glided through the party in costumes from Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker, creating photo ops. Principal dancer Harper Watters and Houston Ballet icon Lauren Anderson also made appearances.

    Festive cocktails, champagne flutes, and a parade of hors d’oeuvre and desserts satisfied while the David Caceres Band kept the energy high. By the end of the night, the Preview Party had raised nearly $1.5 million in ticket sales and commissions — a record for the Market.

    Moreover, more than 104,000 shoppers showed up during the November 13-16 festivities. All in, ticket sales surpassed $24 million and raised more than $6 million to directly support Houston Ballet, its Academy and scholarship program.

    Showing their holiday spirit were Kristy Bradshaw, Ann Bean, Wendy Burks, Anne Chao, Gay Currie, Tom DeBesse, Arcy Muñoz Marshall, Sharon Erskine, Ann Graham, Twana Griffith Faykus, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Jay Jones, Julie Kent, Deborah and Edward Koehler, Chad Libertus, Desrye Morgan, Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, Jennifer Sommers, S. Shawn Stephens, Allison Thacker, Cynthia Wolff, Deborah Duncan, Ghada Ali, Carolina Oliveira, Catarina R. Gonzales, and Miya Shay.

    Houston Nutcracker Market Preview Party 2025

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    Houston Ballet Academy Dancers.

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