YP Social Datebook

Eleven fall parties that should be on every young professional's social calendar

As you can probably tell, we at CultureMap love our young professionals and applaud them for getting started on the path to philanthropy and community support at an early stage in their careers. This fall they are off to a roaring start in supporting everything from the arts to healthcare.

The season is packed with fun and informative gatherings among the city's burgeoning number of young professional groups and everyone is invited to join the organizations and then join the parties. Herewith, a look at a number of YP gatherings that you won't want to miss in the coming months.

The Ensemble Theatre's Act One Young Professionals, "A Nostalgic Night of Games," Saturday, September 12

In celebration of the group's fifth anniversary, Act One is partnering with Time2Play for a night of fun and games at the theater. Think games like Taboo and Sorry and social games like Twister, Simon Says and Wii Skiing.

Admission: $20. Details here.

The Houston Area Urban League's Young Professionals "Opulence Casino Night," Saturday, September 12

The Rice Mansion becomes casino royale when this lively group takes over for an evening of casino games and bingo complemented by a photo booth and raffle opportunities. Guests will also learn about HAUL's community work and ways to get involved.

Admission: $40 to $75. Details here.

KIPP PALS "Back to School Happy Hour," Thursday, September 17

More than 200 young professionals have already signed up for the blast that will take over Giulietta Sociale on Washington Avenue at 6 pm. KIPP teachers and organizers will be on hand to talk about ways of volunteering with the successful charter school program.

Admission free. Details here.

Houston Grand Opera's Opening Night (ON), Wednesday and Thursday, September 23 and 24

ON joins forces with Houston Young Professionals for the Arts for back to back nights of social mixers following performances of HGO's world premiere of O Columbia. The performance and post-performance mixer take place at Revention Music Center, formerly Bayou Music Center.

Tickets: $20. Details here.

Alley Theatre's Scene Season Kick-Off Party, Friday, September 25

This two-act evening begins with cocktails and a tour of the newly renovated theater and continues with party time in the theater where renowned Underbelly will provide catering and A Fistful of Soul will deliver the dance tunes. Guests will be among the first to see the theater's spiffy facelift.

Tickets: $75 or $50 with a Scene membership. Details: here.

Houston Symphony Young Associates Council season kickoff, Wednesday, September 30

With Ting Bresnahan, Valerie Dieterich, Christine Falgout, Alexandra Gottschalk and Catherine Matthews hosting this mixer at Burberry in the Galleria, you can be assured that this will be one power-packed cocktail party. This is an invitation only event with young community leaders and upcoming philanthropists invited via the Houston Symphony.

Details: Darryl de Mello, 713-337-8529 or darryl.demello@houstonsymphony.org

The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation Young Professionals Group "Jungle Book Gala," Friday, October 16

Party animals with a bent toward literacy will find a wild time at this black-tie dinner and dancing evening taking place at the Houston Zoo's Jaguar Habitat. Organizers promise interaction with the big cats and dancing to a live band.

Tickets: $130. Information is available here.

Houston Ballet's Ballet Barre "Ballet & Bubbles" early evening, Thursday, October 22

This evening provides a sneak peek at the inner workings of Houston Ballet’s rehearsal and artistic process. Participants attend a private company rehearsal at Houston Ballet Center for Dance, followed by a Q&A with artistic director Stanton Welch. Champagne for all!

Admission complimentary for Ballet Barre members, $25 for guests. Information here.

Friends of St. Jude and Young Professionals in Energy "St. Jude Hope Benefit," Friday, October 23

The two YP groups join forces for the Old Hollywood glamour-filled evening replete with food, drink and dancing. The Royal Sonesta Houston is the party site.

Early bird tickets (purchase by October 19): $75, at the door: $100. Details here.

Memorial Park Conservancy Urban Wild's "Bridge Bash," Thursday, November 12

The park's Living Bridge really does come to life when young park supporters gather on the bridge for food, music and fun. Mark Salvie, Nikken Prabanto and Connor Walsh comprise the committee putting the finishing touches on this night under the stars.

Admission: Free for Urban Wild members, $50 for guests. Details: Averil Brannen, 713-863-8403 or abrannen@memorialparkconservancy.org.

Hermann Park Conservancy Urban Green annual fall bash, Thursday, November 19

This event is still in the planning stages but be assured that Urban Green knows how to throw a party. And this will likely be one that you won't want to miss.

Check later for details here.

Hermann Park Conservancy's Urban Green group always parties in the park.

Hermann Park's Urban Green party attendees

Photo by Andrew Richardson

Hermann Park Conservancy's Urban Green group always parties in the park.

unspecified

Curtain Call

Porgy and Bess revival leads stunning launch of HGO’s new season

Photo by Emily Jäschke

The cast of Porgy and Bess with conductor James Gaffigan.

Houston Grand Opera launched its 2025-26 season with a soul-stirring statement — one that blended history, harmony, and high jazzy American style — at the season-opening performance of Porgy and Bess, followed by a celebration dinner that felt more like an all-cast reunion than a buttoned-up black-tie din din.

Photo by Emily Jäschke

The cast of Porgy and Bess with conductor James Gaffigan.

Under the direction of Francesca Zambello, the Gershwin classic unfolded on the Wortham Theater Center’s stage in a performance that was both nostalgic and unflinchingly honest. The lush, jazz-meets-classical score had audiences leaning in, and many found themselves marveling at how many of the opera’s melodies live rent-free in cultural memory.

But it wasn’t just the music that captivated. The emotional weight of the story and the conversations it inspired lingered long after the curtain dropped.

HGO general director and CEO Khori Dastoor opened the evening by reflecting on the company’s legacy with Porgy and Bess, which stretches back to a 1976 production that earned both a Tony and a Grammy. This 2025 revival, nearly 50 years later, brought that legacy full circle, honoring the past while setting a tone for the season’s theme: The light we hold.

The production, which runs through November 15, features a powerhouse cast that includes bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as Porgy and soprano Angel Blue as Bess. Soprano Latonia Moore, making her HGO mainstage debut, appears as Serena. Baritone Blake Denson takes on the role of Crown, and tenor Demetrious Sampson Jr. brings charisma to Sportin’ Life. A poignant full-circle moment came with baritone Donnie Ray Albert, who portrayed Porgy in HGO’s 1976 production, returning to the stage as Lawyer Frazier. Opening night was conducted by James Gaffigan, with Richard Bado leading later performances.

The post-performance celebration on Fish Plaza, chaired by Dina Alsowayel and Tony Chase, transformed the space into an elegant nod to Charleston charm. Creams and greens, soft candlelight, and natural textures made for a timeless scene, but it was the congenial vibe that truly stole the show. The mood was chatty, the energy high, and the mission clear: Reconnect, rejoice, and rally behind the power of opera.

During the dinner, Dastoor and artistic and music director Patrick Summers acknowledged the many supporters who brought this night to life. Dastoor offered a poignant nod to Summers as he begins his final season in his current role, transitioning to music director emeritus next year. She also welcomed Astley Blair as HGO’s newly elected board chair, signaling an exciting chapter ahead.

Weeks later, HGO announced Gaffigan’s appointment as the company’s fifth music director — a major milestone in its 70-year history. Gaffigan, a rising star in European opera houses and orchestras, made his American operatic debut at HGO in 2011 and returned this fall to conduct Porgy and Bess. His connection to Houston runs deep, as an alumnus of Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.

As the night wound down, the cast and creative team received a standing ovation again. And rightly so. The event drew 450 guests and raised $690,000, the second-highest total in HGO Opening Night history.

CultureMap seen were Margaret Alkek Williams, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Sylvia Barnes and Jim Trimble, Vivianna Jolie, Elizabeth and Neil Chapman, Rebekka and Damon Chargois, Jane Cizik, Molly Crownover, Misook Doolittle, Marty Dudley, Elaine Finger, Marianne and Joe Geagea, Claire Liu and Joe Greenberg, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, Alecia Harris, Matt Healey and Denise Reyes, Chris and Morgan Hollins, Elizabeth and Richard Husseini, Teresa and José Ivo, Monica Karuturi and Kumaran Sathyamoorthy, Sarah and Bryant Lee, Karen and Ramon Manning, Nancy McGregor and Neal Manne, Terrylin Neale, Franci Neely, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Rebecca Rabinow and Matt Ringel, Jill and Allyn Risley, Cora and Judson Robinson, Kelly and David Rose, Anita Smith, Dian and Harlan Stai, Ellen Susman, Marguerite Swartz, Charlene Tombar, Nestor Topchy, Jesse, Brooks, and Sherida Tutor, Marcia and Alfredo Vilas, Donna Sims and Frank Wilson, Gretchen Watkins, Mary-Olga and John Warren, Yuichi and Uny Watanabe, Geraldina and Scott Wise, and Kristina and Enoch Woodhouse.

fundraisers houston grand opera

YP Social Datebook

Eleven fall parties that should be on every young professional's social calendar

Hermann Park Conservancy's Urban Green group always parties in the park.

Curtain Call

Porgy and Bess revival leads stunning launch of HGO’s new season

Beloved Houston Italian restaurant bids farewell and more top stories

Washington Avenue's drive-thru only Chick-fil-A sets opening date

H-E-B's new store brings strawberry cups and seafood boils to Katy