EVERY TWO YEARS, some of Houston's best-known names and most generous patrons descend upon Downtown's Discovery Green park for a night of dinner, dancing and art-admiring.
This year, the Kinders, Tudors and several former or current mayors joined the crowd of 500-plus at the butterfly-themed event, which took flight with an al fresco cocktail hour on the Brown Promenade. The signature Monarch Margaritas were a hit, and were especially enjoyable under the wings of Atlas by Jen Lewin, the park's winter art installation.
The party continued under a glam tent erected on the lush lawn. Illuminated butterflies fluttered gracefully above, and Encore Strings along with harpist Alex Martinez provided a dreamy soundtrack as the black-tie-clad galagoers filtered into the space.
Emcee Derrick Shore kept things lively, and current Discovery Green president Kathryn Lott gave a meaningful tribute to a past president, Guy Hagstette, who was the night's honoree. “The gala is a celebration of the metamorphosis that transformed a parking lot into a gorgeous outdoor cultural center and green space,” said Lott. “The evening is also a celebration of transformations that take place over generations with the new president honoring the first president alongside the children and grandchildren of the park’s founders.”
Chaired by sisters-in-law Kara Kinder Vidal and Maria Vidal Morales, the night also included tunes by Skyrocket! and a live painting moment by Taft McWhorter; his work was among many of the coveted auction items that contributed to the evening's total till, which topped $1 million. Talk about flying high!
Anat and Jay Zeidman
Tommy Pepper, Kathryn Lott
Cody and Kusum Patel
Thomas Kent, Lauren Griffith
Curtis Flowers, Andrea Ashford
Taft McWhorter
Derrick Shore, Brandon Bourque
Skyrocket
Laura Murillo, Sandra Smith-Cooper
Scott and Judy Nyquist
Eduardo Morales, Maria Vidal Morales, Kara Kinder Vidal, Ulises Vidal
Roxann Neumann, Kara Neumann, Tim Neumann
Jaime Loera, George Johnston
Jay and Allie Fields
Portia and Chris Hopkins
Joe and Bri Martin
Phoebe and Bobby Tudor
Paula and David Law
Michael and Ellie Francisco
Nancy and Rich Kinder
Mark Sullivan, Greg Fourticq, Patsy Fourticq
Melanie Camp, Anthony Yanez, Rebecca Yanez, Nicole Jones, Nick Jones
- New Playground at Discovery Green Finally Unveiled ›
- From Paul Wall to Putt-Putt, Here's What's Happening at Discovery Green This Spring ›
- With Live Tunes and Theme Parties, the Rink Is Ready to Roll at Discovery Green ›
- At Chic Gala Under a Chandeliered Tent, a Surprise $2 Mil Donation Was Discovery Green's 15th Birthday Gift ›