Entertainers performing in the spotlight, check. Caterer serving plentiful light bites, check. Bars in full operation, check. More than 300 partygoers enjoying plenty of elbow room in the dramatic setting, check.

All systems were go Saturday night at the Houston Ballet Center for Dance where the Houston Downtown Alliance kicked off the 2011-12 Houston Theater District season with its "Raising the Curtain" party on the eve of the Theater District open house.

There were plenty of proud partners in the house including HDA president Andrew Huang; Houston Ballet managing director C.C. Conner, who spearheaded the Center for Dance project; and Jim Furr of Gensler, architects for Houston Ballet's dazzling new home.

Honorary chairs of the evening were Capital One Bank's Frances and Bill Herrington and Dephny and Freddie Raines. Capital One Bank was the sponsor of the evening and the Theater District Open House on Sunday.

While noshing on hors d'oeuvres from Smith & Wollensky and schmoozing through the setting, guests were intermittently entertained by talent representing several of the theater district members. Guitarist Blake Shepard kicked off the brief performances by singing two Beatles numbers in a salute to Broadway Across America's November presentation of Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles and the Houston Symphony Pops presentation of Live & Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney, also in November.

Performances followed by dancers from Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre, soprano Rebecca Kier representing Houston Grand Opera and performers from Masquerade Theatre.

Stepping out on this culturally-rich evening were Alley Theatre managing director Dean Gladden and wife Jane, Central Houston Inc. president Bob Eury and wife Gayle, Masquerade Theatreboard chair Paula Smith, Victoria and Marshal Lightman, Katharine and Stephen Newman, Jo Furr, Reyne Hirsch and Bellaire City Councilman Corbett Parker, Tammy Dowe, Miya Shay and Gene Wu and Cary Byrd.