Kickoff for September gala

Festive Indo American Charity Foundation mixer proves that Thursday is the newFriday

Anu Bala, David Raj
Photo by Melissa Chou Yan
Sonal Bhuchar
Photo by Melissa Chou Yan
Michelle Vargas, Danny Vargas
Photo by Melissa Chou Yan
Sandra Mangini, Juan Mangini
Photo by Melissa Chou Yan
Surender Talwar, Phillip Kloeckner
Photo by Melissa Chou Yan

More than 150 predominantly first generation Indian Americans gathered at the Houston Museum of Natural Science for the Indo American Charity Foundation (IACF) donors appreciation mixer, proving once and for all that Thursday is the new Friday.

On a recent Thursday night, guests sipped fine wines, nibbled on bites catered by City Kitchen and swayed to the music of guitarist Danny Vargas and vocalist Michelle Vargas from David Raj & Friends band. Raj, the foundation's 2012 president-elect, is a man of many talents. A financial advisor, he also has a keen passion for music. His band performs regularly at charity fundraisers.

Houston Museum of Natural Science vice president of marketing and communications (and Raj's niece) Latha Thomas thanked the foundation for its donations to promote the museum’s science programs at the Sugar Land location. "We are extremely grateful to IACF as the museum’s mission is science education,” she said.

Styles of dress varied at the mixer. While some women were adorned in traditional outfits, most were in summer dresses or cocktail attire.

“Not a lot of Indian events are hosted here and so my Uncle David was quite excited hosting the mixer amidst the world’s finest gem and mineral collections," Thomas added.

For over 23 years, the IACF has been the leading charity organization representing the philanthropic outreach of over 150,000 Indian Americans living in Houston. Proceeds from the annual gala are distributed to more than 30 charities, including Literacy Council of Fort Bend, Houston Food Bank, Houston Area Women's Center and Teach for America. IACF raised about $280,000 at the 2010 gala. The goal for this year's gala, on Sept. 16 at the InterContinental Hotel, is $500,000.

Styles of dress varied at the mixer. While some women were adorned in traditional outfits, most were in summer dresses or cocktail attire.

Making an impact were newly elected Sugar Land councilman Harish Jajoo and Shashi Jajoo, FBISD board president Sonal Bhuchar, IACF president Anu Bala, Reji Joseph, Surender Talwar, Meena Dutt, Bobby Singh, Phillip Kloeckner, Pradeep Anand and Vijay Pallod.

Ruchi Mukherjee is a lifestyle journalist based for TV Asia and host of online magazine Lights Camera Action.

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Big Spenders

Retro futurism meets philanthropy as Houston museum gala raises $3.6M

Houston Museum of Natural Science Gala 2026

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Will Lee, Britton Daugbjerg, Ella Fertitta, and Jason Fertitta.

Big spenders to the front, please.

On a night when Houston’s black-tie crowd orbited the worlds of science, style, and a little retro-futurism, the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Futurama: A Stardust Odyssey Gala 2026 felt less like a traditional fundraiser and more like an expedition through the museum’s halls.

Chaired by Randa and Charlie Williams alongside Susanne and Joel Bartsch, the gala welcomed more than 350 guests who arrived ready to lean into the evening’s mid-century futuristic theme. Instead of a traditional program, tables were scattered throughout the museum, an intentional design that encouraged guests to roam. Blooming Gallery’s décor channeled a bright, Jetsons-inspired palette before shifting into a copper-and-marigold Mad Men mood as the evening progressed.

Let’s talk about the Vault Auction, as it had a gravitational force all its own, delivering a treasure trove of museum-worthy marvels and luxury collectibles.

Among the headliners was a jaw-dropping 90–troy-ounce crystallized gold specimen from the Beta Hunt Gold Mine in Western Australia, with a $850,000 starting bid. A Chanel brooch centered on a GIA-certified yellow sapphire had a starting bid of $180,000, while a dazzling pair of earrings featuring Paraiba tourmaline, Mahenge pink spinel, and diamonds was valued between $800,000 and $1.2 million. The crown jewel of the display? “Rocks in a Box,” a museum-quality curated mineral collection assembled by HMNS curators selling for $1.8 million.

Need a ride? We got you. A 1965 Jaguar XKE Series 1 4.2 Coupe donated by Stephanie and Frank Tsuru was up for grabs.

Gulf Coast Entertainment’s Justin and The SwingBeats Quartet filled cocktail hour with jazz standards and retro pop. Later, diners gathered in Morian Hall of Paleontology and the Morian Overlook for a multi-course meal of elevated Southern fare.

After dinner, the celebration shifted into high gear in the Grand Entry Hall. Joystix Entertainment transformed the space into a retro arcade with glowing pinball machines, Donkey Kong cabinets, and pool tables. Flamingo showgirls by J&D Entertainment strutted through the crowd. Guests danced to live music, sipped milkshakes, nibbled late-night mini grilled cheese sandwiches, and even tried their luck at claw machines filled with gemstones and minerals.

The affair became the most successful gala in the museum’s history, raising $3.6 million to support educational programs, exhibitions, and outreach initiatives.

Orbiting the scene were Mary and Ron Neal, Patty and T. Mark Kelly, Caroline and Jack Williams, Nancy and David Pustka, Cynde and Chris Stravros, Mary Helen and Pete Bowden, Meg and Dick Weekley, Al Walker, Joella and Steve Mach, Monica and Fox Benton, Lisa and Mike O’Leary, and Chandos and Ike Epley, alongside many of Houston’s leading philanthropists and community supporters.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Will Lee, Britton Daugbjerg, Ella Fertitta, and Jason Fertitta.