Tuneful Adventures

Classical music meets digital art at Houston orchestra's immersive soirée

Houston’s ever-adventurous chamber orchestra, ROCO, kicked off its 21st season — aptly dubbed The Season of the Senses — with a soirée that hit all the right notes. On September 27, hundreds of guests gathered at Artechouse, Houston’s high-tech temple of digital and experiential art, to celebrate the orchestra’s boundary-pushing ethos.

Photo by Alida Bonifaz

Alecia Lawyer, Kristen Wolfe Jenson, Nathan Miller, and Brooke Furguson.

Leading the charge were co-chairs Wendy Burks and Jane Johnson, who brought both flair and purpose to the night, raising vital funds to support ROCO’s innovative performances and access initiatives.

Earlier in the evening, guests experienced Feels Like Home, the season’s opening concert at The Church of St. John the Divine, led by conductor Delyana Lazarova and featuring world premieres by composers Kevin Lau, Starr Parodi, Heather Schmidt, and a chamber orchestra arrangement by local Houston composer Mark Buller of Steve Vai’s early work Salamanders in the Sun.

Following the concert, guests made their way to Artechouse, where cocktails flowed as immersive digital blooms danced across the walls. ROCO’s signature warmth was on full display — musicians mingled freely with attendees, creating that rare symphony-world vibe that feels more like a family reunion than a formal gala.

ROCO founder and artistic director Alecia Lawyer took a moment to honor Grammy-winning guitar legend Steve Vai with the Wildcatting in the Arts Award, recognizing his fearless creativity and genre-defying artistry. The Corporate Pillar of the Arts Award went to Kensinger Donnelly, celebrated for its community-focused leadership under Frank Donnelly.

The evening’s ambiance — crafted by Kirksey Gregg Productions and accented by pours from Clos Dubreuil — was as dynamic as the ensemble itself: Innovative, inclusive, and deeply human. Between courses catered by the Ballroom at Bayou Place, guests wandered through the gallery’s vivid Blooming Wonders exhibit, blurring the line between art and audience. The Alexandar David Burnstein Foundation for Musical Performance served as the title sponsor for the gathering.

Seen were Mary Catherine and Bailey Jones, Ali and Frank Donnelly, Cinda and Armando Palacios, Gregory Scott Brown and Taylor Brown, Elizabeth Blanton, Chuck Carlberg, Rachel and Bud Frazier, Jennifer and Todd Frazier, Tami Hiroaka, Kristine and Jeff Bird, Adrianna Buford and Nathaniel Higgins, Gene Wu and Miya Shay, and Leigh Ann and Richard Mann.

Ladies Who Brunch

Sky High for Kids 10th anniversary serves style, smiles and $1.7M

Photo by Quy Tran

The lively event raised $1.7 million.

Brunch, but make it haute couture. That was the vibe as Houston’s chicest do-gooders gathered for the Sky High for Kids Foundation’s 10th Annual “Ladies Who Brunch” at The Revaire. Chaired by Alex Joven and Peyton Wallace, the affair unfolded with champagne, laughter, and a shared commitment to helping children with cancer shine a little brighter.

Photo by Quy Tran

The lively event raised $1.7 million.

Returning favorite artist Tyler Kay splashed the scene with live paintings — her fourth year turning canvases into conversation starters. Meanwhile, the silent auction drew plenty of oohs and ahhs with nearly 100 luxe packages, including a private Dior shopping spree, a wine-soaked escape to Napa’s Stanly Ranch, and a private jet getaway to the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles.

Guests arrived dressed to impress in spring-ready ensembles as the ballroom shimmered in gold — a fitting nod to the milestone anniversary. The decor set the stage for a fashion show co-sponsored by Alchemia and Modern Marla, where the real showstoppers were the Sunshine Kids Cancer Warriors. Walking alongside professional models, they owned the runway with heart, confidence, and smiles.

Dr. Maggie Cupit-Link shared heartfelt remarks that brought the room back to the day’s deeper purpose. Brittany Hebert Franklin, CEO and founder of Sky High for Kids, kept the energy high as auctioneer, inspiring bids on standout items like a framed artwork by Cancer Warrior Faith, dinner with Roberto Coin in New York City, a yellow diamond drop necklace from Shaftel Diamonds, and even an adorable mini goldendoodle.

With the help of more than 650 guests, the event raised $1.7 million to fuel the foundation’s life-changing work. The funds will fulfill pledges to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital.

On the scene were Danielle Dubois, Abbie Byrom-Botello, Kristen Cannon, Logan Lester-Tafelski, Laura Goodson, Danny and Iris Shaftel, Kat Pressly, Jessica Morrison, Liz Grayson Landry, Dr. Makenzi Dooley, Dr. Kriti Mohan, and Sterling Dio.

fundraisers