Having a Ball

A pair of posh parties toasted cool cultural organizations!

Stanton Welch and Phoebe Tudor at Ballet Ball
Stanton Welch and Phoebe Tudor at Ballet Ball

Dominique Sachse and Nick Florescu at the Ballet Ball

The 12th annual Mercury gala, the ballroom of the Post Oak Hotel was transformed into a celestial dreamland. This year's event, once again chaired by Ginny Hart and Robert Navo, adopted the theme of “Under the Nordic Sky." Sweeping swaths of color and lights, recalling the beautiful northern lights, made a picture-perfect backdrop for a moving performance by the chamber orchestra following a seated dinner. An exciting live auction, along with a silent auction, contributed to the night's total till.


Meanwhile, the Houston Ballet marked its 50th anniversary with a glam gala at the Wortham, chaired by Beth and Nick Zdeblick and honoring Margaret Alkek Williams for her longtime commitment to the institution. Richard Flowers drew inspiration for the evening's décor from the “golden" occasion, infusing the space with textured gold light fixtures, linens and mirrors.

An elegant dinner by Jackson and Company started with a French macaron of goldencaviar, naturally, and the final note was a gold-drizzled chocolate sphere dubbed Chocolat a la Margaret. As the mousse-filled desserts were delivered to tables, Houston Ballet dancers performed something of a flash-mob dance, rising from their seats to dance a piece choreographed by the company's own Oliver Halkowich. The performance was capped off by the presentation of a nine-foot-tall commemorative birthday cake topped with 50 candles — and a burst of gold confetti! Guests snagged cookies in the shape of the prop cake on their way out the door.

In all, the Ballet Ball raised a record-setting $1.8 million. What a birthday party!

Parties
Leadership in Action: Entrepreneur Saba Syed of Moroccan Bath Determined to Build ‘Lasting Legacy’

Saba Syed, Founder of Oasis Moroccan Bath

How did you get to where you are today? My journey began with a need to be financially independent and an even a deeper drive to create a lasting legacy. The centuries-old Hammam tradition has always fascinated me—not just for its relaxation benefits, but for its holistic approach to cleansing the body, mind, and soul. So, combining my passion with a vision to bring an authentic yet luxurious Hammam spa experience to Houston, I took the leap less than two years ago to open my own spa.

Keep Reading Show less

Evan and Kate Elsenbrook and Elyse and Drew Tolson

SUPPORTERS OF RONALD McDonald House Charities of Greater Houston gathered for a whimsically fun fete at the Hilton Americas hotel. The 2024 Boo Ball was themed "Once Upon a Time," and it raised a true happily-ever-after amount of $1 million — a new record!

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

Buddy & Kylie Carruth, Margaret & Jay Magness

A RECORD 486 party animals donned their most boo-tiful and spookiest costumes to celebrate the Houston SPCA’s 100th anniversary at its annual Howl-O-Ween Ball.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties