Party Watch

Sushi, wine, and heartfelt giving mark Jamie’s Hope kickoff

What: Jamie’s Hope Golf Tournament Kickoff Party

Where: Toque Event Space

The Scoop: What began as a simple promotional mixer has quietly grown into a beloved tradition for supporters of Jamie’s Hope. Held at the freshly updated Toque Event Space, this year’s Kickoff Party welcomed guests with stylish surroundings, light bites from Sushi on Post Oak, and a popular wine pull sponsored by 55Seventy Houston.

One of the evening’s most meaningful moments came with the announcement of the foundation’s new executive director, Magen Pastor. A longtime friend of Jamie’s Hope and a familiar face in Houston’s event and nonprofit scene, Pastor spoke about her personal connection to the cause and her vision for continuing Jamie Gilmore’s legacy of hope and healing.

Though all foursomes for the Golf Tournament for a Cure at Sweetwater Country Club are officially sold out, attendees were already making plans to stay involved, whether through sponsorships, volunteering, or entering the crowd-favorite Helicopter Ball Drop.

By the end of the evening, the event had raised more than $50,000 to support Jamie’s Hope’s mission of bringing care and comfort to families affected by cancer.

Who: Amanda and Stan Abiassi, Nadia Nash, Trisha Weisman, Ashley Aigoro, Naureen Malik, Karen Pham, Brian Ching, Charlene Sabonghy, Neera Patidar, Nathaliah Naipaul, Demi McCormack, Joseph Balderas, Stephanie Wilcox, Iraida and Danny Brown, Jean Wilson, Chad Berkan, Kristin Bingham, Karen Eddington, Hannah Burdick, Michele Koss, Kate McGee, Michael Holt, Glenniece Stewart, Patti and Rick Smith, Sonya Joseph, Jason Rosado, Star and Ivan Hand, Timothy Goldman, Laura Gimenez, Frankie Demeris, and Jennifer Zoubok.

$Jamie\u2019s Hope Golf Tournament Kickoff Party$

Photo by Hung L. Truong Photography

Karen Eddingston, Hannah Burdick, Michele Koss, and Kate McGee.

fundraisers jamie's hope

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