Pink Out

Memorial Hermann luncheon serves up razzle dazzle compliments of Angelina Jolie's jewelry box

What: Razzle Dazzle 3D Pink Luncheon benefiting the Bobetta C. Lindig Breast Care Center at Memorial Hermann Memorial City.

Where: Westin Houston Memorial City Hotel.

The scoop: Talk about giving them the old razzle dazzle. The seventh annual fundraiser luncheon was another pink out, breaking records and raising more than $400,000. Chairs Kristina Somerville and Hallie Vanderhider welcomed 560 women and a few dapper gentlemen to luncheon that is always an emotional, uplifting and humorous.

Jewelry designer and philanthropist Robert Procrop brought two very special sets of earrings for the live auction during the luncheon, one belonging to actress and breast cancer advocate Angelina Jolie. The duo collaborate on the Style of Jolie collection, which donates 100 percent of all proceeds to the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict.

With KHOU 11 anchor Chita Craft leading the auction, the bidding came down to Susan Sarofim, who won 37.38-carat tourmalinated quartz square bezel earrings set in 18 karat rose gold for $25,000, and Vanderhider, who scored the 33.32 Blue Moonstone, sapphire and diamond earrings for $12,000.

The Razzle Dazzle luncheon honored Mayor Pro Tem Ellen R. Cohen and community leader Mary Ann McKeithan. Both women are breast cancer survivors and advocates for early detection and education.

Author Elin Hildebrand had the crowd of women, many of whom were cancer survivors, laughing and shaking their heads in understanding as she recounted her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. The author of more than 20 books including The Rumor and The Matchmaker, created #MamaStrong as a support system for women diagnosed with cancer.

Who: Philamena Baird, Sandy Barrett, Ann Cazalot, Donna Moylan Chu, Yvonne Cormier, Christine and Kimberly Falgout, Kelli Cohen Fein, Stacy Johnson, Mady Kades, Bobetta Lindig, Kelly Krohn, Susan Sarofim, Lauren and Marcie Zlotnik, Kelli Weinzierl, DeeDee Marsh, Lesha Elsenbrook, Suzie Johnson and Julie Voss.

Honoree Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Cohen, author Elin Hildrebrand, Mary Ann McKeithan, Julie Voss.

Memorial Hermann Razzle Dazzle lunch Honoree Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Cohen, author Elin Hilderbrand, Mary Ann McKeithan, Julie Voss

Catchlight Group

Honoree Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Cohen, author Elin Hildrebrand, Mary Ann McKeithan, Julie Voss.

jewelry

Raising the Barre

Chris Shepherd honored as Houston Ballet wows diners at annual dinner

Photo by Annie Mulligan

Rench Soriano, Alyssa Springer, Marianne Geagea, Lenni Burke, Sayako Toku, and Saul Newport.

A dozen diners once gathered around chef Chris Shepherd at Catalan on Washington for what felt like a charming experiment. Fast-forward to April 26, and Houston Ballet’s Raising the Barre arrived at Navy Blue in full bloom, now one of the city’s most coveted culinary tickets.

Photo by Annie Mulligan

Rench Soriano, Alyssa Springer, Marianne Geagea, Lenni Burke, Sayako Toku, and Saul Newport.

The sort of invitation where, once the next date is announced, seasoned regulars simply buy first and ask questions later.

More than 150 guests in cheerful spring attire filled the chic Rice Village eatery for the annual fête benefiting Houston Ballet. Co-chaired by Lenni and Bill Burke and Marianne and Joe Geagea, the evening honored Shepherd for his longstanding partnership with the ballet and years of helping this delicious institution pirouette forward. In a sentimental gesture, Shepherd held a photo from that very first gathering.

Because some of the best traditions begin modestly, then grow legs. Preferably in heels.

The now-signature format paired top chefs with Houston Ballet dancers to create a four-course dinner inspired by heritage, hometowns, and personal taste. Opening the menu, Chef Chris Williams teamed with Demi Soloist Rench Soriano for lumpia with talong-style black-eyed pea relish and house-made sweet and sour sauce, a tribute to Soriano’s Filipino roots and his father.

Chef Seth Siegel-Gardner with Soloist Sayako Toku, serving takoyaki arancini with roasted bone marrow — playful, rich, and rooted in Toku’s Japanese background. Chef Aaron Bludorn and Soloist Alyssa Springer delivered a surf and turf inspired by their shared West Coast ties. Dessert landed with a sweet wink courtesy of pastry chef Jared Adams, representing Rebecca Masson, paired with Corps de Ballet member Saul Newport. Their New Zealand-inspired Hokey Pokey Sundae was vanilla bean ice cream heaven with house-made honeycomb and honey caramel.

The event raised more than $100,000 in support of Houston Ballet’s performances, artistic excellence, and education initiatives. While Shepherd’s wife, Lindsey Brown, one of the original architects of the event’s concept, couldn’t be there in person, a few of us managed to say hello via FaceTime.

CultureMap seen were Sonja Kostich, Julie Kent, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Leigh and Reggie Smith, Susan Binney, Michelle Jeffery, C.C. Conner, Jo Furr, Terry Wayne Jones, Jane DiPaolo, Marguerite Swartz, Mary Sage, Mitchell George and Stanley Curtis, Jr., Victoria Gutierrez and Nick Pierce, Beth Muecke, Kristen Cannon, Dannika Simpson, Shawn Stephens and Jim Jordan, Ileana and Michael Treviño, Allison and Troy Thacker, Christine and David Underwood, Zoe Cadore, Gina Bahr and Anthony Bahr, Sasha Davis and Geoffry Oshman, and Akemi Saitoh.

fundraisers galas houston ballet anderson