Water Works

Buffalo Bayou gala unveils major trail expansion to honor $100M gift

Houston’s beloved waterway had its moment in the moonlight.

The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park was the backdrop for the 2025 Buffalo Bayou Partnership Gala. Held in November, the Milestones in Motion soirée evinced that progress looks especially good under twinkling lights and driftwood chandeliers

Chaired by Richard Dawson and Lynn and Ty Kelly, the classy and chill party took full advantage of Houston’s rare perfect fall weather. Upon arrival, attendees sipped cocktails from Giant Texas Distillers and nibbled on City Kitchen Catering hors d’oeuvres while soaking in smooth jazz from Houston Groove Society. Those who arrived early scored exclusive twilight tours of the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, a haunting underground space that feels part art gallery, part time capsule.

Guests then ascended to a tented dinner on the Brown Foundation Lawn, styled by Bergner & Johnson with gauzy fabric and organic textures that nodded to the bayou’s earthy charm. As the sun set and the three-course dinner landed on tables, Collin Cox, BBP chair emeritus, welcomed guests and introduced Mayor John Whitmire, who reflected on the city’s ongoing transformation.

Then came the big news.

In honor of a landmark $100 million gift from the Kinder Foundation, BBP unveiled the new Kinder Trail, a vital connector from US 59 to Lockwood Drive, and Kinder Bridge, which will link Japhet Creek Park to Tony Marron Park. Both projects are centerpieces of the nonprofit’s eastward expansion plan.

BBP board members Gaynell Floyd Drexler, Mary Hinojosa Kelly, and Bo Fraga closed the program by sharing personal reflections on Buffalo Bayou’s history and future as a space that has shaped their lives and the city itself — regardless of the way one might pronounce “bayou” or “bayoh.”

Showing their love partnerships matters were Judy Nyquist, Nancy and Rich Kinder, Sis Johnson, Kenneth and Delaina Allen, Meg and Dick Weekley, Lisa Helfman and Lee Haverman, Emily Keeton, Jay Jones and Terry Wayne Jones, Charlie Jenkins, Carrie and Al Pepi, Christian Menefee, Sallie and Bob Wright, Christina and Matt Altenau, Iris Tian and Tim Latimer, and Anne and Tom Olson.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Representative Christina Morales, Council Member Mario Castillo, and Representative Gina Hinojosa.

parks fundraisers

Operetta Chic

Musical menu delights Houstonians at Gilbert and Sullivan Society gala

Gilbert and Sullivan Society Auction of Arias 2026

Photo by Michelle Watson

Sean Holshouser, Richard Paul Fink, Riley Ortega, Laura Coleman, Meaghan Heath, Catherine Schaefer, Riley Vagis, Julie Hoetzel, and Pantelis Karastamatis.

High notes met high bids and applause for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston.

Photo by Michelle Watson

Sean Holshouser, Richard Paul Fink, Riley Ortega, Laura Coleman, Meaghan Heath, Catherine Schaefer, Riley Vagis, Julie Hoetzel, and Pantelis Karastamatis.

That was the scene at the Doré Commons of the Baker Institute at Rice University for the 11th annual Auction of Arias gala. The event marked the company’s 75th season, drawing more than 120 guests for an evening of musical revelry. At the helm of the evening was event chair Melissa Stonebrook.

The program leaned into the society’s signature charm, with artists from past productions and the upcoming The Gondoliers delivering a blend of Gilbert and Sullivan favorites, operatic showstoppers, and playful departures into musical theater. Leading the welcome was board president Joe White, serving both as emcee and performer.

Through a lively auction-style menu, bidders selected the evening’s soundtrack, prompting renditions of classics like “Three Little Maids” from The Mikado and “Poor Wandering One” from The Pirates of Penzance, alongside crowd-pleasers including “Je Veux Vivre” and “You’ll Be Back.”

Laura Coleman, Richard Paul Fink, Meaghan Heath, Julie Hoeltzel, Sean Holshouser, Pantelis Karastamatis, Riley Ortega, and Riley Vagis offered performances Gilbert and Sullivan would approve — with a wink.

Three video presentations, produced by society member and voice actor John Gremillion, featured alumni like Susan Facer, who went on to star in Phantom of the Opera, Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, and Broadway director Andy Einhorn.

The gala raised more than $130,000, a record-breaking total that will support the group’s upcoming production of The Gondoliers and its scholarship program.

Summoning their inner operetta chic were Victor Stonebrook, John Yabraian, Karen McCarver, Ashly Evans and Clifton Vining, Geoff Copper, Meredith Rice, Sandra Pushkin, Jane Cizik, Marcia Feldman, James Ferrendelli, Barbara Mackey, David Satterfield, Molly and Jim Crownover, Terrilyn Neale, Laura Groppe, Elizabeth Fritschle, Anne and Albert Chao, Cindy and Michael Ma, Jose Ivo, Olga and Orlando Alvarado, and Sharon Birkman.