Photos by Julie Soefer
Produced by Kate Stukenberg
Styling by Rene Garza
Styling assistance by Molly Jodeit
Photo assistance by Claudia Casbarian and Harry Dearing III
Grooming by Tisha Hughes for Neal Hamil
Shot on location at the Inn At Dos Brisas
Dr. Edward Lee and Nuveau
His latest treatment to unveil at Nuveau is UltraClear. It is the latest in anti-aging treatment taking the aesthetic industry by storm. UltraClear is the world’s first cold ablative fiber laser utilizing proprietary 3DIntelliPulse technology to optimize ablative and coagulative energy while minimizing collateral thermal impact.
This breakthrough technology enables providers to address a wide variety of aesthetic and dermatologic conditions. It is the all-in-one solution for lunchtime “prejuvenation” with 3DMIRACL, to skin quality improvement and deep collagen remodeling, and to the latest anti-aging advancement, Laser-Coring.
UltraClear Laser-Coring delivers quick laser pulses to remove micro-channels of skin. Featuring novel precise energy control, many patients experience shorter healing time and noticeable improvement after a single treatment. Laser-Coring is easily incorporated with UltraClear Resurfacing Treatments to address multiple signs of aging and enhance your rejuvenation outcomes. Moreover, Dr. Lee believes in multi-modal therapy to deliver the best possible results so that each and every patient can look and feel her best. As such, he routinely combines surgical and nonsurgical treatments, such as a combination of facelift, eyelid surgery and UltraClear laser treatment, which can be performed together to minimize recovery and downtime.
Meet with Dr. Lee and the team at Nuveau today!
Ally Shell and Martijn van Koolwijk
“The event featured a spectacular night of live music, exquisite dining and generous philanthropy,” said a rep for the orchestra. “Mercury musicians, along with performers from Houston Jazz Orchestra, delighted the crowd with a unique fusion of classical and jazz influences, bringing fresh energy to the orchestra’s signature style.” The theme was a nod to Glenn Miller’s iconic “Moonlight Serenade.”
Johnny Bravo led the auction, scoring big bucks for items such as golfing adventures and a fabulous Mexico getaway. A yellow gold necklace with diamonds and yellow beads was raffled off.
“This year’s gala was a true testament to the power of music to unite and inspire,” said Antoine Plante, Artistic Director of Mercury.
Bucks raised at the posh affair will support Mercury’s concerts, community engagement programs, and educational initiatives, which reach thousands of students across the Greater Houston area each year, Mercury says.
Jen Grigsby, Kimberly Rawlins, Anna Winter, Vanessa Weeke and Sherry Weiner
Shane and Marissa Gilroy
Antoine Plante
Kim Padgett, Sarah Leftwich and Donae Chramosta
Mary Foster and Don DeSimone
Brian Ritter, Steve Barth, June Barth and Antoine Plante
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