Could it have been the '70s hipster theme, or the air-conditioned party tent or the three vivacious chairs that made the Glassell School benefit and auction such a smashing success? Rave reviews are still pouring in for the "Friday Night Fever" bash chaired by Aliyya Stude, Martha Long and Kirby McCool.

Glassell director Josef Havel and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston interim director Gwen Goffe had high praise for the energized evening that brought in close to $430,000. Thanks to the contributions of local artists including Arthur Turner, McKay Otto, Libbie Masterson and Julie Alexander, the silent auction brought in almost half of the proceeds at $212,000.

A '70s esthetic reigned from the decor (love the rotating disco ball overhead) to the spins of DJ Hector (Bee Gees, Commodores, Gloria Gaynor et al) to the costuming. Brad Bucher, for example, pulled a pair of bell-bottomed jeans from the back of his closet for the recommended costuming — "Saturday Night Fever or Simply Chic" attire, according to the invitation. Alfred Glassell III garnered plenty of winks with his geo-patterned shirt while Marli Andrade arrived in a sparkling multi-colored pantsuit with hot pink feather boa and daring sequined eyelashes.

Others making vintage fashion statements included Core program patron Reid Sutton in maroon velveteen pantsuit and matching jacket and Judy Nyquist in a silver and black brocade pantsuit that was her mother's.

Highlight of this event, each year, is announcement of the Meredith J. Long Award, a $10,000 prize presented to a Core program resident. The 2011 honor was given to Steffani Jemeson.

Among the 216 guests seated for dinner (another 106 arrived later for dancing) was a contingent that had come to Houston for the Charles LeDray exhibition, which opened at the MFAH over the weekend. That small group included the artist himself and David Lieber, director of Sperone Westwater gallery in New York where LeDray shows.

The night's disco divas included Cornelia and Meredith Long, Courtney and Christopher Sarofim, Leslie Bucher, Scott Nyquist, Cabrina and Steven Owsley, Kelli Kickerillo and Todd Forester, Sima Ladjevardian, Carla Knobloch and Rania and Jamal Daniel.