While rains may have recently dampened the party spirit of some young professionals, nature's wrath, in this case, added a vérité to the jungle motif of the Houston Zoo social gathering.
Snakes, giant waxy Peruvian frogs and baby alligators were part of the tropical forest scene in "Scales and Cocktails," held inside the Houston Zoo Reptile House, where more than 150 stylish young philanthropists joined Flock to learn about the conservation efforts of the Houston Zoo.
The celeb of the evening was Smaug, the Komodo dragon, which feasted on small white mice (perhaps as an amuse bouche?) before keepers entered with a blue kong ball that contained white rats. When Smaug slithered trying to get each and every rodent, guests went wild witnessing the untamed feeding.
Adding a touch of class to the fierce habitat was an assortment of Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Merlots donated by new Houston Zoo sponsor Robert Mondavi Private Selection, alongside upscale bites from Triniti. A generous spread of shrimp campechana, tuna sammies and French macarons soaked up Saint Arnold Brewing Co. suds and the mirkwood cooler specialty cocktail, crafted by Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar's Justin Burrow.
Returning to the turntable as Flock's official tunesmith was DJ Little Martin with new disco grooves that kept the chatty throng in good spirits.
Mixing and mingling with senior director of development Nick EspinosawereSam Cole, Ashley Craig, Dani Hochleutner, Kristin Barber, Jared Cox, Selena Sykowski, Nicole Hopkins, Laura Carr, Will Matthews, Beth Hockett, David Rassin, Kendall and Christopher Hanno, Brittany and Ryan Mead, Matthew Bennett and Carey Kirkpatrick.
Jamie Crawford, left, and Lindsay Wilkerson at the Scales and Cocktails Houston Zoo Flock event.
