Spring 2025 marks an exciting new chapter for Escape Spa! We'll be opening the doors to a significantly expanded space, designed to elevate your wellness journey. With an additional 1,200 square feet, the spa will feature a dedicated yoga and meditation room, providing a tranquil haven for mindful and therapeutic practices. Our guests can also look forward to an array of recovery options, including innovative therapies and treatments to rejuvenate your mind, body and well-being including Yoga + Mediation, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and a Cryotherapy Sauna. The expansion also includes more treatment rooms, ensuring a personalized experience for every guest. This larger, more versatile space allows us to enhance our services and create an even more immersive and transformative “Escape” for you.
My vision has always been to create a sanctuary where you can disconnect from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with your inner self. This expansion brings that vision to life in a whole new way, providing a haven of reset, and restoration with a wider array of therapies for body and mind. We're committed to providing a space where you can prioritize your wellbeing and embark on a journey of self-discovery.
And speaking of journeys, I'm embracing my own path of seeking a deeper connection with oneness and truly focus on intention setting. Every morning, I take a few moments to pray and set clear intentions for the day ahead. It's a powerful practice that helps me stay focused, grounded and aligned with my goals. Intention setting is more than just wishful thinking; it's about consciously directing your energy and attention towards what truly matters. By setting clear intentions, you create a roadmap for your day, your week, or even your year. It's a way to invite positive change and attract all that you desire. Give it a try — start by setting small, achievable intentions and observe the positive impact it has on your life. Remember, your journey is unique and personal. Embrace it, nurture it, and allow Escape Spa to support you along the way.
Vichy shower at Escape Spa
Couples treatment room at Escape Spa
Relaxation lounge at Escape Spa
SpaceX Crew - Scott Poteet, Sarah Gillis, Anna Memon, Jared Isaacman
Set against a celestial backdrop, the outer-space-themed gala launched with a cocktail reception that sparkled with star power. VIPs—including the Polaris Dawn space crew—mingled with St. Jude families and supporters while sipping the evening’s signature cocktail: the Miracle Mule, a shimmering purple twist on the classic.
After floating through a constellation of silent auction items, the crowd made their way into the ballroom at The Revaire for a program hosted by event chairs Erika and Neil Billingsley-Michaelsen. One of the night’s most moving moments came as Amal Zakhem Nassar was presented with the Mission Maker Award, lovingly introduced by her daughters, Natalia and Daniella.
Emotions continued to soar as Shane and Shari Anne took the stage to share the journey of their son, Slater, a St. Jude patient. Diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma at age 4, Slater’s odds were daunting—but thanks to therapies pioneered by St. Jude, his survival rate increased from 51% to an astounding 74%. As Slater and his brother Sawyer joined their parents on stage, the crowd was reminded exactly why they were there.
The lively auction included a Polaris Dawn jacket with St. Jude patient artwork and a space-flown flight tag selling for $30,000. A luxury watchmaking class for four, paired with an exclusive IWC timepiece, clocked in at another $30,000.
The celebration turned festive as the band Infinite Groove took the stage. The UH vs. Duke game was projected on two large screens and the second big cheers of the night erupted when the Cougars beat the Blue Devils.
George Zakhem and Amal Zakhem Nassar
Aliza Dutt, Laura Mafrige, Debbie Pakzaban
Steve Froelich
Sarah Pappas and Julia Wang
Neil & Erika Billingsley-Michaelsen
Norman Abdallah, Andy "Riggs" Riggle, Rea Foster and Joe Sauger
Dr. Tze Lyn Stephanie Tseeng & Brian Gallagher
Rea Foster, Matt & Ann McCabe
Suzy Godwin & Tamara Mannen
Phoebe and Bobby Tudor
The big win seems to have had a lot to the with the honorees for the evening, philanthropy all-star Y. Ping Sun and husband, David Leebron, the former president of Rice. Leebron was also recently honored by CityBook as one of the media company’s 2024 “Leaders & Legends.”
As an Asia Society rep noted: “Led by Ball Chairs Shawn Stephens and Jim Jordan and Michelle and Rishi Varma, alongside Honorary Chairs Nancy C. Allen, Anne and Albert Chao and Margaret Alkek Williams, the record-breaking event welcomed 600 guests into a breathtaking showcase of red and gold.
A VIP hour for the honorees and society leadership led off the night, before the gala began in full. “Guests arriving for the main event were welcomed to the red carpet by Hanfu performers dressed in vibrant traditional Chinese attire and the rhythmic sounds of drummers stationed outside the Gala Pavilion,” noted the rep. “Inside, the Pavilion glittered in shades of rich crimson and gold with Chinese lanterns suspended above the dance floor. Taking up a large portion of the AST parking lot, the Pavilion encompassed the area’s live trees adorned with red Bougainvillea blossoms that complemented a copious amount of strikingly draped red fabric floating over dinner tables laden with bouquets of roses, tulips, amaranthus and hydrangeas.”
The food never disappoints at the Tiger Ball. This year, with inspiration from Shanghai, passed apps included tea smoked salmon on wasabi potato cakes, duck crepes with hoisin and scallions, and spicy Hunan minced quail with walnuts and orange zest on endive. For dinner, guests enjoyed a starter of five spice-roasted duck with yams, Sichuan pepper and wood ear mushroom; the entree was pan-seared sea bass with forbidden rice, scallion-braised fava beans and carrots with ginger and honey. For desset: A lavish buffet of sumptuous sweets meant as a fuel for the dancing the night away to the beats of DJ Alx.
Boldface names in the crowd included Gracie and Bob Cavnar, Theresa and Peter Chang, Anne and Albert Chao, China and Roberto Contreras IV, Molly and James Crownover, Lily and Charles Foster, Renu and Suresh Khator, Leigh and Reggie Smith, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, and Ileana and Michael Treviño.
Asia Society Texas’ mission is to advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world, the organization says.
Margaret Alkek Williams and Shawn Stephens
Dancing the night away at the Tiger Ball
Harlee McCourt, Tuu and Jim Teague, and Nathalie Roff
Durga and Sushila Agrawal
Robert Gondo and Jaewon Kang Gondo
Anant Shankar
Charles and Lily Foster
David Leebron and Y. Ping Sun