Donors Celebrate to their Hearts' Content at Unbeatable Ball

Daniel Ortiz and Wilson Parish
Donors Celebrate to their Hearts' Content at Unbeatable Ball

Jorge and April Salazar

SUPPORTERS OF THE American Heart Association gathered at the Post Oak Hotel for an evening of dinner and dancing ahead of the organization's 100th anniversary.


Taking place on Valentine's Day weekend, naturally, the event was themed "Every Beat, Everywhere," and included fun plays on the word "beat" like hip-hop violinist Demola, who accompanied cocktail hour. After a gourmet dinner — Chilean sea bass, herb-roasted tenderloin — guests took to the dance floor and boogied to the beats of Manhattan Band. Throughout the night, emcee Khambrell Marshall introduced speakers such as Olivier Le Peuch and Doug Lawson, as well as an emotional video testimony featuring an 11-year-old heart disease survivor.

An exciting live auction touting items such as a Hawaiian vacation and a getaway to Puerto Vallarta helped the total till top $1.2 million. Can't beat that!

Demola the Violinist

Casey Brand

Pam and Jim Wells

Debbie and Jack Moore

Khambrel Marshall and Sabirah Rayford

Daniel Penny and Yuliya Veretennikova

Doug Lawson and Carla Guzman

Jeff and Bonnie Houston

Anne Neeson and Jim Postl

Manhattan Band

Kim Williams and Chuck Pyle

People + Places
Fall Philanthropy Report: March of Dimes’ ‘Signature Chefs’ Event Coming in November

What year was your organization launched? 1938

What is your mission? March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, to combat polio. The name “March of Dimes” was suggested by entertainer Eddie Cantor as a way to encourage people to donate even a small amount, like a dime, to help fight polio.

Keep Reading Show less

Lauren Anderson and Fady Armanious

EVER A GLAMOROUS event, the Houston Ballet's annual black-tie ball was a glimmering affair at the Wortham, where 500 guests joined event chairs Kristy and Chris Bradshaw and Melissa Juneau.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

Gayla Gardner, Jacquie Baly and Julie Baker Finck

THE DOCTOR IS in! One of Houston’s most engaged civic leaders, Jacquie Baly, has a new title after earning her Doctorate in Education and Organizational Change & Leadership from USC. And some of the city’s heavy hitters turned up for a swanky reception at Tony’s to congratulate her. “Education and community leadership go hand in hand,” said Dr. Baly. “This honor fuels my continued mission to create meaningful change.”

And they weren’t alone in their admiration. Both the City of Houston and the State of Texas declared the day of the to-do “Dr. Jacquie Baly Day,” complete with official proclamations.

Keep Reading Show less
Style+Culture