Shelby's Social Diary

Gigi Huang plays Santa while Bruce Springsteen and Gene Autry sing along forJoyful Toyful

Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Middle school students from Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Joyful Toyful beneficiary,entertain party guests.
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain

With the aromas of Chinese dumplings and Return of the Phoenix Chicken filling the air at Gigi's Asian Bistro & Dumpling House, it was just a little hard to get your arms around Gene Autry's version of "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and Bruce Springsteen's "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town."

But that incongruous mix was the background for Sunday night's Joyful Toyful fundraiser, hosted by Gigi Huang, that raised funds and collected holiday toys for needy children.

What began as a come-and-go cocktail buffet 22 years ago, when founded by Andy Delery and the late Carmen and David Bridges, was transformed into a spirited seated dinner where waiters carried in course after course for the 200 guests. The open bar and what seemed like an open kitchen were completely underwritten by Gigi so that all proceeds could benefit the five selected charities supported by Joyful Toyful.

While this year was a ticketed fundraiser, partygoers continued the tradition of bringing in armloads of spanking new toys for the underprivileged.

Celebrating the evening's success — $140,000 was raised and loads of shiny toys were collected — were dinner chairs Brenda and Tom Koch, KTRK Ch. 13 morning news anchor.

Among the Santa's elves kicking in to help were Joyful Toyful board president Fred Wahrlich, Janet Wahrlich, Elizabeth and Grant Harvey, Carol and Dr. Tom Sawyer, Kim Padgett, Chris Kase and Edie and Rob Saville.

Soaking up the holiday cheer were Doe and Henry Florsheim, Isla and Tommy Reckling, Laura and Dave Ward, Celina Hellmund, Julie and Dr. David Brown, Beverle Gardner and Marc Ostrofsky and Sandy and Dr. Barney Barrett.

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Shopping Fantasia

Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker preview party sets new donation record

Houston Nutcracker Market Preview Party 2025

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Houston Ballet Academy Dancers.

The Houston holiday season doesn’t officially begin until the Nutcracker Market throws open its doors, and this year’s Wells Fargo Preview Party felt like stepping into a snow globe set on extra. Like more is more.

Somewhere between the cheeky stocking stuffers and the Dior-kissed repurposed couture, guests needed an actual map to conquer the sprawling shopping fantasia.

Held November 12 at NRG Center, the 45th anniversary celebration of the Houston Ballet shopping fête welcomed more than 5,000 eager shoppers, all ready to sprint through aisles lined with more than 280 merchants. Helmed by chairs Susan Binney and Jennifer Kushner, along with preview party chairs Leslie Alston, Kaylon Phillips, and Casey Rowe, the evening shimmered with nostalgia. Guests showed up in themed attire ranging from glittery holiday chic to coordinated squads that looked like flash mobs armed with credit cards and a mission.

Houston Ballet’s new executive director Sonja Kostich arrived for her very first Nutcracker Market, greeting supporters and soaking in the community’s devotion to a beloved tradition that fuels the Ballet’s mission and scholarship programs. Houston Ballet Academy students glided through the party in costumes from Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker, creating photo ops. Principal dancer Harper Watters and Houston Ballet icon Lauren Anderson also made appearances.

Festive cocktails, champagne flutes, and a parade of hors d’oeuvre and desserts satisfied while the David Caceres Band kept the energy high. By the end of the night, the Preview Party had raised nearly $1.5 million in ticket sales and commissions — a record for the Market.

Moreover, more than 104,000 shoppers showed up during the November 13-16 festivities. All in, ticket sales surpassed $24 million and raised more than $6 million to directly support Houston Ballet, its Academy and scholarship program.

Showing their holiday spirit were Kristy Bradshaw, Ann Bean, Wendy Burks, Anne Chao, Gay Currie, Tom DeBesse, Arcy Muñoz Marshall, Sharon Erskine, Ann Graham, Twana Griffith Faykus, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Jay Jones, Julie Kent, Deborah and Edward Koehler, Chad Libertus, Desrye Morgan, Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, Jennifer Sommers, S. Shawn Stephens, Allison Thacker, Cynthia Wolff, Deborah Duncan, Ghada Ali, Carolina Oliveira, Catarina R. Gonzales, and Miya Shay.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Houston Ballet Academy Dancers.

fundraisers houston ballet shopping nutcracker market