Shelby's Social Diary
Taiko drummers, geishas and dancing lions create an Asian fantasy for theChildren's Museum
The Kaminari Takio Drummers pounded an exuberant rhythm Saturday night as the beautiful people arrived at the Corinthian for the Children's Museum of Houston's "FantAsia" gala. It was a colorful evening that earned more than $900,000 for the museum.
The pan-Asian theme inspired magnificent decor (kudos to Darryl Murchison) and an array of entertainment, including the boisterous lion parade from Lee's Golden Dragon dance troupe and two elaborately-costumed geishas serving "Mandarin martinis," a potent concoction of mandarin orange juice and vodka.
The vibrant fete, drawing a great-looking crowd of 600, was chaired by Kathy and George Britton and Katherine and Paul Murphy with the dinner chair posts filled by Gina Gaston and Mario Elie and Melissa and Michael Mithoff. Taking bows for their roles in the fundraising were auction chairs Marcia Smart and Karen Turbidy.
The Corinthian ballroom has seldom looked more elegant than it did with the red and silver decorative theme executed with massive red rose topiaries that rested atop 2-foot-tall mercury glass urns, with swaths of sheer red fabric soaring overhead and with mirrored tables accompanied by clear acrylic chairs. Red rose bouquets and flickering candles topped tables as well.
Guests sat down to a yummy Asian-inspired dinner by Jackson & Co. that included Yangshuo roasted duck with a plum wine sauce and for dessert a Mt. Fuji molten cake with coconut ice cream and a sweet plum coulis.
Swaying to the after-dinner tunes of Skyrocket were Jennifer and Lance Gilliam, Lisa and Michael Holthouse, Sarah and David Pesikoff, Mary Eliza and Park Shaper, Millette and Haag Sherman, Susan and Mike Plank, Liz and Tom Glanville, Kara and Aaron Howes, Stephanie and Ernie Cockrell, Kristen and John Berger, Hillary and Stan Stratton and Tiffany and Charles Masterson.