party watch

Sumptuous sounds and divine dance mark Houston Symphony's opening night

What: Houston Symphony Opening Night Concert & Gala

Where: Jones Hall and The Corinthian

The scoop: The Houston Symphony’s 2018-2019 Opening Night Concert & Gala, chaired by Donna and Max Chapman, raised more than $750,000 for the Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement Programming. ConocoPhillips served as the Concert Sponsor and Lead Gala Corporate Underwriter for the 32nd year. Daniela and Manolo Sánchez served as honorary chairs.

A 275-key piano, stretching in front of the doors of Jones Hall, welcomed more than 1,000 guests as they made their way into the concert. The evening featured renowned pianist Yuja Wang. Conductor Gustavo Gimeno led the musicians of the Houston Symphony in a concert program that featured Ravel’s virtuosic concerto followed by Barber’s Overture to The School for Scandal.

The night of musical magic ended with Prokofiev’s vibrant, impassioned rendering of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Following the performance, 400 black-tie party-goers continued the evening at The Corinthian for a spectacular seated dinner catered by Jackson and Company.

The décor, created by The Events Company, focused on the musical aspect of the evening. Tables were dressed with black and silver reversible sequined linens adorned with centerpieces of red roses in black and white vases, like the keys of a piano.

Dinner began with La Salade Rue Saint-Benoit, a salad composed of green leaf lettuce, walnut halves, watermelon radish, frisee and walnut oil dressing, wedges of meadow creek dairy Grayson and Roquefort with a variety of toasts. The main course included filet mignon served with Béarnaise sauce and asparagus, tomato Provencal, roasted whole baby new potatoes and sliced baguettes. Accompanying the meal were wine pairings provided by Spec’s Wine, Spirits, & Finer Foods. The dessert was a chocolate piano filled with chocolate mousse and raspberry garnish.

The highlight of the evening was the auction of a new Steinway Spirio Model M piano signed by the star of the evening, Yuja Wang. Jo Dee and Cliff Wright walked away the winners of the prized possession.

The Royal Dukes Band then took the stage, commencing the late-night party that had guests dancing into the wee hours of the morning.

Who: Regina and John Mangum, Janet Clark, Margaret Alkek Williams, Courtney and Bill Toomey, Catherine and Brian James, Ralph Burch, Vicki West, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Joella and Steve Mach, Anne and Albert Chao, Jo Dee and Cliff Wright, De la Rey Venter and Rialda Venter, Reymundo Ocanas and Orlando Manzo-Ocanas, Katie and Bob Orr, Maureen Higdon, Ishwaria and Vivek Subbiah, James Bell, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Gina and Devinder Bhatia, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, Farida Abjani, Kevin Black and Tony Bradfield, Alex and Daniel Gottschalk, Joanne King Herring, Rochelle and Max Levit, Alie and Dave Pruner, Jeff and Rachelle Ball.

Cheers at the 2018 Houston Symphony Opening Night and Gala.

Jenny Antill

Cheers at the 2018 Houston Symphony Opening Night and Gala.

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Twinkling Nights

Houston sneaker heads gather on the bayou for a night of conservation

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Rich and Nancy Kinder, Mayor John Whitmire.

Under a canopy of twinkling lights and to the hum of bird song, a spiffy throng of Houstonians in sneaker-chic threads lauded the green revitalization accomplishment of Buffalo Bayou Partnership. The nonprofit’s 2024 Gala, aptly themed “Belonging on the Bayou,” was a vibrant reminder of the city’s roots and a celebration of the al fresco spaces that bridge the past, present, and future.

Held at The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park on November 7 and chaired by Julie and Seth Barrett and Marie Louise and David Kinder,the evening unfolded with a casual meet-and-greet reception where supporters, nature lovers, and visionaries convened, all committed to the mission of cultivating welcoming parks, trails, and public spaces that unite the city along the historic bayou.

Guests mingled over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as the Houston Groove Society set the sunset mood with jazzy tunes, and artist Texas Tim entertained with custom caricatures. Guided tours were offered to Rachel Rossin’s immersive art installation, Haha Real, tucked away in the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern—a captivating installation that invited reflection.

As dusk turned to evening, the crowd moved upstairs to The Brown Foundation Lawn, where a grand tent adorned with greenery, wooden chandeliers, and a projection of birds welcomed them. Tables were decorated with nature-inspired florals donated by H-E-B, each arrangement an artistic nod to the bayou’s flora and fauna.

Emmy-award-winning Derrick Shore of KPRC’s Houston Life took to the stage as emcee. Mayor John Whitmire shared thoughtful remarks on the bayou’s impact on the Bayou City’s identity and growth. Marie Louise Kinder underscored the significance of the organization's ongoing work, envisioning a future where more Houstonians feel at home.

Funds raised will support continued work on projects that expand and improve Houston’s green spaces, including upcoming efforts to enhance pathways and recreational areas. Buffalo Bayou Partnership will continue to bridge neighborhoods, and connect communities.

Familiar faces included board chair Gaynell Floyd Drexler, Nancy and Rich Kinder, Sis and Hasty Johnson, Houston Parks and Recreation Department director Kenneth Allen and wife Delaina, Mike Garver, Liz and Andrew Ziccardi, Bolivar “Bo” M. Fraga, Julie Peak and David Hightower, Emily Keeton, Cabrina and Steven Owsley, Monica and Bradley Radoff, Regina and Frem Reggie, Jessica Feinstein and Taylor Chapman, and partnership president Anne Olson and husband Tom.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Rich and Nancy Kinder, Mayor John Whitmire.

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