Wild Things!

The Houston Zoo’s annual gala this year took on the theme of Flights of Fancy, celebrating the fascinating world of birds and raising funds for the organization’s forthcoming Avian Conservation Center and its other ongoing preservation efforts. And what a high-flying event it was! Hundreds packed the Zoo’s Masihara Pavilion, which was transformed into an elegant ballroom for the evening. They mingled with special guests like Fiesta the llama, then enjoyed a colorful dinner by City Kitchen. Silent and live auctions, which included such prizes as the chance to name the Texas Wetlands exhibit’s three new alligators, helped bring the night’s total till to nearly $800,000.

Wilson Parish

John Stauffer & Melissa Stauffer

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Leaving a Legacy

The prolific generosity of philanthropists Lester and Sue Smith was felt at the Stages Repertory Theatre gala. In one of his last great acts of giving, Lester, who passed away at press time, presented a surprise gift of $2.5 million to complete funding for Stages’ sprawling new campus, named after their friends Glenda and Russell Gordy and slated to open in January 2020. The “Night Garden” gala was the most-attended and highest-grossing in the theater’s history.

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Having a Ball

The biennial Gala on the Green, celebrating a decade of Discovery Green, was tree-rific! The black-tie evening highlighted the park’s dedication to the arts and featured performances by Two Star Symphony, Archie bell, The Allen Oldies Band and others. … The Junior League of Houston’s two-night Charity Ball event raised $750,000. … Galveston’s oldest krewe, the Knights of Momus, celebrated the first weekend of Mardi Gras with its Coronation Presentation and Ball, this year adopting a “fiesta” theme. … Houston Children’s Charity’s annual gala took place at the Post Oak Hotel, where a call for donations of five handicap-accessible vans was heeded — and matched by Jana and Richard Fant. The crowd celebrated to the sounds of Styx!

Bollywood performance at ‘Green’

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