Shelby's Social Diary

Move over, Art Basel? Houston Fine Art Fair launch party brings heavyweight buzzand future talk

Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Hall C at Reliant Center pulsated as the epicenter of H-Town society — in all ofits manifestations.
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012

Somehow we had the misconception that Thursday night's preview party launch of the Houston Fine Art Fair would in fact be all about the art. And surely that was the intent. But with such a commanding turnout of the city's top rung movers and shakers, the night was as much about social interacting as it was about artful shopping.

No one was complaining, however, as Reliant Center practically buzzed with enthusiasm for the new venue and the expanded selection of artworks. Practically everyone was praising the second annual HFAF, much to the pleasure of Rick Friedman, HFAF president, and to Melissa Grobmyer and Janet Hobby, the MKG Art Management duo who are serving as fair advisors. Interestingly, the excitement was as much for the rich and vast selection of art offered as it was for the boost that this event gives the city.

Discussion in some corners centered on the possibility that Art Basel was losing some of its art world clout due to the relentless emphasis on lavish partying that dilutes its focus.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston director Gary Tinterow and partner Christopher Gardner were among early arrivals as was Joe Havel, director of the MFAH Glassell School, its Core Program beneficiary of preview party ticket proceeds.

Marshal Lightman, last year's president of the Houston Arts Alliance, involved in organization of the first HFAF, and Victoria Lightman, co-curator of this year's Core Factor exhibition highlighting top Core Program alumni, relished the palpable verve. Houston Arts Alliance CEO Jonathon Glus and partner Alton LaDay were among the early arrivals as were University of Houston Architecture Dean Patricia Oliver, former city councilman Peter Brown and collectors Jereann Chaney and Mary and Roy Cullen.

Despite the social push on this particular evening, discussion in some corners centered on the possibility that Art Basel Miami Beach, the country's premier art fair, was losing some of its art world clout due to the relentless emphasis on lavish partying that dilutes the focus of the fair. Hello, Houston with a tighter sensibility. Some see a growing opportunity for H-Town.

The bustling preview party crowd included Bevin and Dan Dubrowski, Mary Haus and Willard Holmes, Ann Duncan, Betty and Stephen Newton, Don Mafridge, Greggory Fourticq, Elena Cockrell, Rania Daniel, Sima Ladjevardian, Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff, Divya Brown, Jennifer Roosth, Yvonne and Scott Zeigler and Jo and Jim Furr.

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Shopping Fantasia

Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker preview party sets new donation record

Houston Nutcracker Market Preview Party 2025

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Houston Ballet Academy Dancers.

The Houston holiday season doesn’t officially begin until the Nutcracker Market throws open its doors, and this year’s Wells Fargo Preview Party felt like stepping into a snow globe set on extra. Like more is more.

Somewhere between the cheeky stocking stuffers and the Dior-kissed repurposed couture, guests needed an actual map to conquer the sprawling shopping fantasia.

Held November 12 at NRG Center, the 45th anniversary celebration of the Houston Ballet shopping fête welcomed more than 5,000 eager shoppers, all ready to sprint through aisles lined with more than 280 merchants. Helmed by chairs Susan Binney and Jennifer Kushner, along with preview party chairs Leslie Alston, Kaylon Phillips, and Casey Rowe, the evening shimmered with nostalgia. Guests showed up in themed attire ranging from glittery holiday chic to coordinated squads that looked like flash mobs armed with credit cards and a mission.

Houston Ballet’s new executive director Sonja Kostich arrived for her very first Nutcracker Market, greeting supporters and soaking in the community’s devotion to a beloved tradition that fuels the Ballet’s mission and scholarship programs. Houston Ballet Academy students glided through the party in costumes from Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker, creating photo ops. Principal dancer Harper Watters and Houston Ballet icon Lauren Anderson also made appearances.

Festive cocktails, champagne flutes, and a parade of hors d’oeuvre and desserts satisfied while the David Caceres Band kept the energy high. By the end of the night, the Preview Party had raised nearly $1.5 million in ticket sales and commissions — a record for the Market.

Moreover, more than 104,000 shoppers showed up during the November 13-16 festivities. All in, ticket sales surpassed $24 million and raised more than $6 million to directly support Houston Ballet, its Academy and scholarship program.

Showing their holiday spirit were Kristy Bradshaw, Ann Bean, Wendy Burks, Anne Chao, Gay Currie, Tom DeBesse, Arcy Muñoz Marshall, Sharon Erskine, Ann Graham, Twana Griffith Faykus, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Jay Jones, Julie Kent, Deborah and Edward Koehler, Chad Libertus, Desrye Morgan, Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, Jennifer Sommers, S. Shawn Stephens, Allison Thacker, Cynthia Wolff, Deborah Duncan, Ghada Ali, Carolina Oliveira, Catarina R. Gonzales, and Miya Shay.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Houston Ballet Academy Dancers.

fundraisers houston ballet shopping nutcracker market