In H-Town's social milieu, there are kick-off parties and then there are KICK-OFF parties. Asia Society Texas Center threw one of the latter Tuesday night when a swell group of 200 partied through the elegant Southampton home of Y. Ping Sun and David Leebron, Rice University president, in advance of the annual Tiger Ball.
With "Enchanting China" as the central theme of the March 12 gala, always a glamorous affair, who better to chair than the Sun/Leebrons along with noted philanthropists Anne and Albert Chao. As the gala doubles as a celebration of the center's 35th anniversary, longtime board chairman Charles Foster and Lily Chen Foster will be gala honorees.
The glamour notes began early with this cocktail reception where the buzz was all about the gala and the focus. Asia Society executive director Bonna Kol announced that Chevron had signed on as presenting sponsor. Chevron's Joni Baird joined the toasts, praising Asia Society for its work.
Among the glitterati attending were consular officials from China, Japan and Korea; former Tiger Ball chairs Judy Nyquist and Sushila and Durga Agrawal; plus Lynn Wyatt, Leslie and Brad Bucher, Phoebe Tudor, Karen and John Bradshaw, John Bradshaw Jr., Rania Daniel, Leigh Smith, Jereann Chaney and Chinhui and Eddie Allen.
Divya Brown, from left, Betty and Steve Newton and Judy Nyquist.
