Moonstruck

Dancing in the moonlight: This unique party has guests seeing stars — and hand-rolled Cuban cigars

Three short nights after the official full moon, Rothko Chapel supporters gathered under the stars on Saturday for the second annual "Moonrise Party on the Plaza," an inspired evening of dining, dancing and stargazing.

This year's event embraced a Cuban theme complete with Cuban-inspired dinner, hand-rolled cigars and dancing to the Cuban sounds of El Rectorado del Son.

While soaking up the handcrafted cocktails, the 300 guests took turns spying the moon or the blue and gold double stars in Cygnus with the help of telescopes and guidance provided by the Houston Astronomical Society.

While celebrating the Rothko Chapel's contributions to civic, artistic and spiritual life, the evening raised a record $60,000. The funds will enable the chapel to remain open year-round and free to the public.

Moonstruck guests included Christopher Rothko, Lynn Wyatt, Gayle DeGeurin, Drs. Linda and Danny Epner, Chinhui and Eddie Allen, Will McCorquodale, Laura Robertson, Francine Ballard, David Houston, Chong Yi, Leslie Hassen and Jill Shull.

Barnett Newman's Broken Obelisk lights up the Rothko Chapel's "Moonrise Party on the Plaza."

Barnett Newman's Broken Obelisk at the Rothko Chapel Moonrise Party October 2014

Photo by © Jenny Antill

Barnett Newman's Broken Obelisk lights up the Rothko Chapel's "Moonrise Party on the Plaza."

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roman chic

Gladiators and aviators take off at Houston Flight Museum’s ball

Houston Flight Museum Jet Setters Ball 2024

Photo by Emily Jaschke

Julie Barker, Tomorrow Thumann, and Nichole Lemasters.

It was a smooth take off and landing for the Lone Star Flight Museum’s annual Jet Setters Ball, presented by CenterPoint Energy. The November 22 fundraiser morphed the museum into a Mediterranean dreamscape, blending a Tuscan-inspired milieu with aviation thrills. The Roman fete honored Scott Rozzell, the museum’s immediate past board chairman, with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of steering the organization through adventurous flight paths.

Guests were greeted by a scene complete with silver-painted living statues that doubled as chiseledgladiator eye candy. You could say chairs Cheryl Boblitt and Bill King, Penny and Dennis Murphree, and Diane and Steve Biegel were delightful pursers, ushering an affair that featured flavorful fare from Churrascos, gelato stations, and specialty cocktails served against a backdrop of historic aircraft.

Houston mayor John Whitmire delivered remarks celebrating Rozzell’s legal career and dedication to the museum. Meaningful highlights included a surprise video tribute from James A. Baker III, a special nod to 99-year-old World War II aviator Lt. William Bayer, who was in attendance, and Rozzell’s daughters, Kimberly McVey and Stacy Murphree, who delivered a heartfelt message of love and appreciation.

Between bidding wars, black-tie party-goers enjoyed hands-on experiences, such as piloting Rozzell’s Fairchild F-24 in a flight simulator and performing daring aerial pirouettes — safely, of course. Supporters explored the museum’s pristine collection of aircraft and STEM-focused exhibits, which showcased the museum’s mission of inspiring the next generation of innovators.

The evening welcomed more than 400 attendees and raised nearly $670,000 to bolster STEM programs and educational initiatives. Among them were former US Congressman Pete Olson and wife Nancy, Susan Bloom, Megan and Jason Ryan, Laura and George Pontikes, Carolyn Pardue, Anne-Laure and Steve Stephens, Denman Moody, and Lenora Sorola-Pohlman. Sponsors included Joan Skipper and Ed Peine, Bette and Ralph Thomas, Anthony W. Hall Jr., and Million Air.

Photo by Emily Jaschke

Julie Barker, Tomorrow Thumann, and Nichole Lemasters.

museums lone star flight museum fundraisers

Moonstruck

Dancing in the moonlight: This unique party has guests seeing stars — and hand-rolled Cuban cigars

Barnett Newman's Broken Obelisk lights up the Rothko Chapel's "Moonrise Party on the Plaza."

roman chic

Gladiators and aviators take off at Houston Flight Museum’s ball

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