The Children’s Museum of Houston annual gala is always a hot ticket. This year was especially so as 500 guests filled the ballroom at The Corinthian to celebrate the “Mad Hatter’s Ball" in visually-stunning Alice in Wonderland surroundings.
Partygoers entered the looking glass through shiny silver curtains into a fantasyland as Alice, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts, courtesy of Party Princess Productions, greeted them. The whimsical setting was the work of Bergner & Johnson Design, who brought the evening’s Mad Hatter theme to life. “There are lots of garden elements, top hats, clocks, and hanging elements (including floating playing cards, rampant vines and dazzling chandeliers). We’ve been here working since Tuesday,” Rebekah Johnson told CultureMap.
The interiors were so spectacular that more than 630 people liked a photo that CultureMap posted on its Instagram page Saturday night.
While black tie attire ruled the night, there was no shortage of exuberant hats in every shape and size.
The philanthropic spirit was evident as attendees purchased $50 raffle tickets (to win a Cartier Ballon Blue 36mm stainless steel watch), and bid on silent and big board auction items. Live auction items, including a five-night getaway at The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa in Phucket, Thailand and a Labradoodle puppy, went to the highest bidders, who were inspired to give back.
Jackson & Company’s multi-course menu fueled guests before they hit the chess-inspired dance floor to the tunes of popular band, Skyrocket.
Elva and Truett Akin, and Monica and Greg Meeks chaired the evening which raised $955,000 dollars to further develop the museum’s educational and outreach programs.
Having fun for a good cause were Claire and Jack Blanton III, Leslie and Jack Blanton, Reyne Hirsch, Jennifer Roosth, Children’s Museum of Houston board president Geoff Bracken and wife Shelley Bracken, Bill and Courtney Toomey, Melissa and Michael Mithoff, Lisa and Kevin Barksdale, Kristen and John Berger, Dr. Kelly Coleman, Pam and Stephen Daniel, Julie and Ron Finck, Glen Gonzalez and Steve Summers, Hunt and Allison Harper, and Brad and Lauren Morgan.
Also joining in the fun spirit of the evening were Amy and Zeph Moss, Katherine and Paul Murphy, Winifred and Nicholas Phillips, Mindy and Sean Rice, Rachel and Sebastien Solar, Anabella and Saul Solomon, Candace and Brian Thomas, Ali and Haydeh Davoudi, Carolyn and Chris Dorros, Eleanor and Dan Gilbane, Leigh and Chris Joseph, Claudia Kreisle, Jennifer and Chris Laporte, Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith and wife Tiffany, Krystal Thompson, and Molly and Coert Voorhees.
John Harrell, Caroline Harrell with the Queen of Hearts,left, and Alice, right.
