pratham goes virtual

International celebrities star in Pratham Houston's virtual gala

CNN's Fareed Zakaria will appear at the Pratham Gala.

Photo by James Kegley

Each year, the elegant Pratham Gala celebrates the best and brightest in the Indian and South Asian communities, while also shedding light on how to help underprivileged and under-educated children in India.

But like so many other events, the Houston gala has been affected by the pandemic, and so organizers are pivoting to a virtual gala. The virtual fundraiser will feature CNN Host and Washington Post columnist, Fareed Zakaria; actor and producer, Anil Kapoor; and singer, lyricist, and composer, Shaan. The event will take place on Saturday, July 18 at 7:30 pm local time.

The virtual soiree, dubbed “Making Learning Limitless,” will continue the 20-year tradition of bringing the Houston community together to support Pratham’s work, according to a release. “Especially during these times, it is imperative that we do not lose sight of the importance of education and its role in lifting generations out of poverty,” said Dhiren Shethia, president of Pratham Houston, in a statement.

“Unlike here in the US, these families do not have any safety net and they rely on Pratham for support. These interventions are very cost-effective and as little as $500 can fund learning for 100 children.”

Pratham’s gala features a virtual evening of entertainment, including celebrity appearances, who will support the group’s mission of “every child in school and learning well.” For those interested in contributing: A donation of $5,000 will fund the establishment of a digital library in 10 communities in India, enabling 1,000 children to access digital learning. Meanwhile, $10,000 will provide 25 female dropouts a second chance to earn their high school diplomas.

To assist during the COVID-19 crisis, Pratham has been offering daily lessons and homeschooling support for parents through a variety of low-tech mediums⁠ — Zoom, WhatsApp, text messages, radio, even phone calls ⁠— to ensure that children in 12,000 Indian communities remained focused on learning.

For more information on the Pratham Gala, visit the official website.

galas

Intimate Musicale

Tunes fill River Oaks mansion in support of Miller Outdoor Theatre

Miller Outdoor Theatre Piano Noir fundraiser 2024

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Lynden Unger, Jacob Stein, Elizabeth and Alan Stein.

In a night that struck all the right notes, Robin and Danny Klaes opened their storied River Oaks home on November 10 to host an intimate soirée benefiting Houston’s beloved Miller Outdoor Theatre. Draped in sophisticated black and white cocktail attire, circa 40 arts patrons gathered for an evening of charming performances, fine cuisine, and meaningful chit chat — all with an eye toward supporting Miller’s mission of making the arts accessible to all.

The setting? An exquisitely decorated Kirby Drive home steeped in local lore, famously tied to the true-crime bestseller Blood and Money by Thomas Thompson, which added an intriguing layer to an already memorable evening. Was the ghost of Joan Robinson Hill roaming around? Perhaps.

Guests first mingled in the quaint, canopied courtyard, enjoying Chef Smirnov Catering’s hors d’oeuvres before being whisked into the grand ballroom on the second floor. With its baroque-inspired decor and ceiling murals, the space provided the allure of yesteryear, a theatrical backdrop for amicable chamber music.

St. John Flynn as emcee introduced performances by flutist Victor Kendall and the American Zeitgeist Chamber Ensemble, including Quantz’s Flute Concerto in G, Claude Bolling’s Suite for Jazz Flute, and Barber’s String Quartet. Adding a soupçon of modern flair, vocalists from the Music Box Theater — Rebekah Dahl, Brad Scarborough, and Austin Biel — offered their signature blend of cabaret and comedy.

Amid the musical interludes, Claudia de Vasco, managing director of the Miller Theatre Advisory Board, advocated for the nonprofit’s ongoing capital campaign. She spotlighted a recent key purchase: a grand piano specifically built to withstand Houston’s unpredictable outdoor elements. De Vasco invited attendees to become the official Miller Outdoor grand piano sponsors and make their mark on the amphitheater's enduring legacy.

Since stepping into her leadership role, De Vasco has ushered in a fresh energy around Miller Outdoor Theatre’s mission, focusing on how to better serve Houston’s diverse communities. The nonprofit’s free programming continues to be a gateway for Houstonians to experience everything from world-class symphonies to vibrant cultural showcases.

Guests in attendanceincluded Lance Jones and Allen Ueckert, John Edwards, Gabriel Olson, Carey Kirkpatrick, Lisa and Stan Duchman, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, Gretchen Gardener and Jack Watson, Lynden Unger, Jacob Stein, Karla and Romulo T. Cisneros, Senator Borris L. Miles and Cydonii Fairfax Miles, and Philamena and Arthur Baird.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Lynden Unger, Jacob Stein, Elizabeth and Alan Stein.

performing-arts fundraisers miller outdoor theatre