a fond farewell

Longtime leader of Houston's beloved holiday extravaganza closes up shop after 34-year run

Patsy Chapman Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market

Patsy Chapman (pictured with a dapper bear) directed the Market's exponential growth.

Photo courtesy of Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market

The beloved chief of Houston’s unofficial start to the holiday season is closing up shop after more than three decades. Patsy Chapman, CEO of the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market, announced her retirement on Thursday, August 11, marking the end of a 34-year tenure. Chapman will officially depart after this November’s event.

Under her direction, the ballet’s Nutcracker Market — known by locals and savvy shoppers simply as “Market,” has generated more than $80 million for the ballet and has seen more than 2.3 million shoppers, according to a press release.

Chapman has overseen the spectacle of the retail therapy extravaganza, which greets energized buyers with the trademark, Christmas-red carpet, ruby-hued carpet, twinkling lights, and larger-than-life Nutcrackers. She is credited with transforming the event with exponential growth. When she took the lead in 1989, the Market’s net revenue was approximately $289,000.

Fast forward to 2019, the Market’s 39th year, where more than 100,000 shoppers filled NRG Center, spent over $22.3 million, yielding a net contribution to Houston Ballet of more than $5.4 million, per the ballet.

A noted innovator, Chapman spearheaded the Market’s see-and-be-seen Wells Fargo Preview Party and the Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue fashion shows and luncheons. Houston holiday shoppers will forever be grateful to Chapman, who, in 2019, launched the long-discussed idea for Nutcracker Market SPRING — a vibrant, sunny iteration of the holiday version.

Both Market events help fund the ballet’s education and community outreach programs, as well as classes at the acclaimed Center for Dance.

“When I look at all that Patsy has managed to accomplish with the Market, it is fair to say that I am in awe,” said James Nelson, executive director of Houston Ballet, in a statement. “Patsy seized every opportunity to make the Market an exceptional experience for shoppers and merchants alike, all to the immense benefit of Houston Ballet and the local arts community. She approached each November with an incredible sense of excitement, energy, and effort. Her contribution to Houston Ballet is almost beyond measure and we are deeply grateful to her and proud of what she has accomplished.”

shopping holidays

Two-Stepping Bash

Country tunes and Houston's charitable hearts rock for Dec my Room

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

A bustling crowd kicked open the doors of the House of Blues for the Eighth Annual "Kick Up Your Boots for Kids" bash, all in support of Dec My Room. The night was set ablaze by the toe-tapping tunes of country stars Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen, transforming the venue on October 24 into a jitterbug jamboree and creating an atmosphere brimming with joy.

Event chairs Laurel Bashaw and Dodi Willingham and founders Kendall Plank and Susan Plank were thrilled about how the extra funds will turbocharge their mission. Since 2007, Dec My Room has adorned nearly 18,000 hospital rooms across 178 institutions, delivering personalized coziness like a warm blanket to pediatric and young adult patients.

Emcee and auctioneer David Ackel kept the energy high as generous Houstonians vied for coveted treasures. Standouts included rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon bottles and a glimmering necklace from Lugano. A wine and whiskey dinner hosted by Federal Grill’s Matt Brice saw bids skyrocket, leaving winners over the moon. The grand finale was a private management hunt at Sycamore Springs Ranch in Kerrville, Texas.

With over 250 attendees two-stepping and $350,000 raised, the event proved to be a night where generosity danced hand in hand with a rockin’ good time. In the crowd were Laurie and Tracy Krohn, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Mike Plank, Rachel and Tom Regan, Ericka Bagwell, Aimee and Wynne Snoots, Carley and Mike Stasney, Grace and Steven Ward, Monica and Jed Skeet, Marie and Joseph Flanigan, Jessica and Ryan Getz, Denise and Brett Mears, Kiki Wilson, Peggie and Kyle Pentecost.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

dec my room fundraisers