A lavish cocktail party held at the new River Oaks home of Melissa and Michael Mithoff set the stage for an exciting Houston Ballet season celebrating artistic director Stanton Welch’s decade-long tenure with the company.
The Mithoffs' modern manse served as an ideal backdrop for the Ballet Ambassadors season launch party, allowing guests to float from room to room, taking in Andy Warhol paintings and a spectacular aquarium along the way. The robust crowd was just another sign to Houston Ballet executive director Jim Nelson that the upcoming season was filled with promise.
“This is Stanton’s 10-year anniversary with the ballet, and the year is dedicated to him and all his work,” Nelson said. “Nights like tonight validate our efforts. We have very dedicated patrons and generations who come out to support us.”
This is also a year of firsts. The full company of 75 dancers will perform in Paris for the first time, as well as stopping in New York, Chicago and Montreal. The ballet is also teaming up with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, to co-produce Aladdin, an exciting venture for both companies.
Close to 125 guests noshed on chimichurri basted tenderloin of Angus beef, grilled wahoo with orange basil glaze and crispy leeks and sweet bites for dessert by Elegant Events and Catering by Michael.
Ballet Ambassadors at the event included Lynn Wyatt, Margaret Alkek Williams, Shawn Stephens and Jim Jordan, Ginni and Richard Mithoff, Gary Hollingsworth and Ken Hyde, Jay Jones, Jacqueline Kinloch, Karen and Gene Oshman, Lois and George Starkand, Ann Trammell, Pene Moore and Kristy Bradshaw.
Melissa Mithoff, from left, Ann Trammell and Pene Moore at the Houston Ballet Ambassadors season launch.
