striking a chord

Strings and style blend at Houston Symphony League celebration

The newly redecorated ballroom at The Junior League set the stage for a stylish and heartwarming afternoon as the Houston Symphony League gathered for its annual Fall Membership Luncheon and Fashion Show. Co-chaired by Cynthia Wolff and Paige Cawthon, the affair on Sept. 18 was a testament to the league’s dedication to blending panache with purpose, a counterpoint of community spirit, fashion, and music in harmony.

The artistry extended beyond the runway. A violin performance by Houston Symphony violinist Sophia Silivos drew attention. The musician’s playing punctuated the afternoon with a melody of sophistication, serving as a reminder of the league’s commitment to fostering a love of music in the Houston community.

This year, the spotlight wasn’t just on fashion but also on the volunteers who form the organization’s backbone. President Heidi Rockecharlie set a new tone of gratitude as she welcomed Houston Symphony Board of Trustees president Barbara Burger and this year's league board members. With a sense of appreciation, Rockecharlie’s remarks underscored the importance of those who give their time, energy, and passion. She unveiled a series of strategies to boost fundraising while reducing costs—highlighting Baccarat crystal membership gifts donated by league president-elect Leslie Nossaman and generous sponsorships, all of which promise to strengthen their collective impact.

“Only three months into the season, and we’re already seeing the rewards of our community’s generosity,” Rockecharlie noted. “We’ve managed to cut costs for some of our key projects by nearly half, all thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and sponsors.”

When it came time for the runway, designer Christy Lynn's fall collection added a note of modern elegance. Lynn’s commitment to supporting the arts shone through, not just in her designs but in her donation of show costs and a percentage of sales to the Houston Symphony League.

Among the distinguished crowd were Saks Fifth Avenue general manager Heidi Turney, Beth Wolff, Lesha Elsenbrook, Betty Tutor, Elsie Eckert, Saula Valente, Nancy Willerson, Helen Shaffer, Sharon Brier, Kirk Kveton and Daniel Irion, Karen Payne, Mary Sage, Seema Sharma, Teresa Cox-Reading, Alecia Lawyer, Diane Gendel, Alex Blair, Christina Sacco, Hasina Stark, Libi Lebel, Jerre Parsons Williams, Nick Rockecharlie, Alicia Jansen, Anna Dean, Astrid Van Dyke, Deborah Laws, Sandra Porter, Kim Padgett, Helen Balensiefen Bow, Kirin Wells, Harriet Gertner, and Amy Glenn Becke.

Houston Symphony League fashion show 2024

Photo by Jacob Power

Saula Valente takes a selfie with Kelly Anzilotti and Jackie Smooke.

performing-arts fundraisers houston symphony fashion show

Party Watch

Contemporary Western art shines at Galveston museum fundraiser

Photo by Jacob McCready

Ryan Horton, Meredith Peebles, Taylor Crowder, Kara Przybyl McIver, and David McIver.

What: Art Untamed, A Night of Contemporary Western Art

Photo by Jacob McCready

Ryan Horton, Meredith Peebles, Taylor Crowder, Kara Przybyl McIver, and David McIver.

Where: The Lancaster Hotel

The Scoop: With cowboy boots traded for cocktail attire, more than 115 artists and art lovers moseyed into downtown for Art Untamed, an evening that lassoed the spirit of the West with a modern twist.

Now in its fourth year, the fundraiser benefiting The Bryan Museum was steered by a dedicated committee including Christine Glover, Linda and Bill Reeves, and Guylene and Jay Lendrum. The event spotlighted 32 Southwestern artists featured in the Visions of the West exhibit.

Guests sipped and mingled during cocktail hour, sizing up 73 pieces ranging from luminous landscapes to storytelling textiles. The live auction, led by crowd-favorite auctioneer Randolph Holford, delivered a flurry of paddles in the air, especially for Bob Stuth-Wade’s radiant Santiago Peak from Chalk Draw, Nathaniel Garza’s moody Three Reasons, and Echo Ukrainetz’s intricate batik honoring cowgirl trailblazer Lucy Mulhall.

The weekend kicked off at The Lancaster Hotel, where partner Jay Shinn hosted artists and VIPs at a reception in the historic property set to celebrate its centennial next year. During the festivities, museum founder JP Bryan captured the mood best.

“A collection is an expression of a soul; it speaks to where our heart is,” he said. “That is why the museum was founded, to share the important story of Texas and the American West through a world-class collection, outstanding exhibitions, and educational programming.”

The evening raised nearly $100,000 to support educational programming and outreach at The Bryan Museum.

Who: Lori Leal Wedemeyer and Barkley Wedemeyer, Sassy Stanton, Bill Pinckard, Mike Glover, Shara Fryer, Barry Silverman, Frank Rynd, Deborah and Monte Stavis, Kelly and Luis Zúñiga, Kara Przybyl McIver and David McIver, Dianne Reynolds, Stephanie and Brent Kindle, Penny and Townes Pressler, Linda and Jerry Dickson, Bob Leibrock, Paulina Padilla, Nocona Burgess, Vickie McMillan-Hayes, Ricardo Robles, and Bob Stuth-Wade.

museums fundraisers bryan museum visual-art