parties

A Sparkling Night: Ballet Ball Returns to Wortham with ‘Jewels’ Theme, Collects $1.4 Million

A Sparkling Night: Ballet Ball Returns to Wortham with ‘Jewels’ Theme, Collects $1.4 Million

Bobby and Phoebe Tudor

ALWAYS ONE OF the highlights of the spring social season, the Ballet Ball returned to its home — the Grand Foyer of Downtown’s Wortham Center — for the first time since Covid forced the event virtual. And since, in a couple of the years before the pandemic, the gala was held in a tent outside due to damage the Wortham sustained from Hurricane Harvey, the soaring space decorated by Richard Flowers to match the sparkling “Jewels” them was truly a sight to behold for the more than 400 black-tied guests.

The ball’s bottom line lived up to the posh theme. The Houston Ballet raised a gleaming $1.4 million at the event.

The theme, borrowed from George Balanchine’s ballet of the same name, provided a great excuse for Flowers to bring the bling. “The balconies of the Grand Foyer, adorned with statement necklaces, overlooked a stunning gemstone-shaped dance floor and tables decorated with vivid emerald tablecloths and ruby-red centerpieces,” explained a rep for the events organizers. “Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed one-of-a-kind experiences including a lash and gemstone station.”

Guests dined on a Jackson and Company-created meal of saffron-scented snapper with leek and kumquat emulsion, with sides of poached fennel and potatoes au gratin. For dessert: a little “jewelry box” filled with a blonde brownie covered in white chocolate and caramel mousse.

After dinner, guests took to the dance floor to show off not only their glimmering jewelry — but also their dance moves.

Notables on hand included Margaret Alkek Williams, Lauren Anderson, Lynn Wyatt, Anne and Albert Chao, Leigh and Reggie Smith, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Jesse H. Jones II and Terry Wayne Jones, Rose Cullen, Lilly and Harrison Cullen, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Ann Trammell, Jo and Jim Furr, Beth Muecke, Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin, Susan and Gary Binney, and Ileana and Michael Treviño.

Richard Flowers and Lynn Wyatt

Margaret Alkek Williams, Stanton Welch

Alan May and Elia Gabbanelli

Anne and Albert Chao

Beth Muecke

David Peck and David Bamfold

Dan and Heather Prouter with Chad Libertus

Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin

Frank and Stephanie Tsuru, Kelli Weinzierl, Jim Nelson

Gillian Hobson

Jo and Jim Furr

Lauren Anderson, Edward and Deborah Koehler

Harrison and Lilly Cullen, Keefer and Laura Lehner

Ileana and Michael Treviño

Jerry Ann Woodfin-Costa and Victor Costa

Jordan Seff

Marc and Duyen Nguyen

Nick and Beth Zdeblick

Stephanie Tsuru, Kelli Weinzierl

Troy and Allison Thacker

From Your Site Articles
Parties
promoted

Cool for ‘Schools’! CIS Wants to Transport You to a Whimsical ‘Wonderland’ at Milestone Gala

Cool for ‘Schools’! CIS Wants to Transport You to a Whimsical ‘Wonderland’ at Milestone Gala

CIS 2024 Gala Honorary Co-Chair Judy Tate, Co-Chair Lauren Brollier, Co-Chair Cassie Milam, Honorary Co-Chair Kirby McCool

WHETHER YOU PREFER Alice, the Mad Hatter or the Queen of Hearts, Communities In Schools of Houston’s A Night in Wonderland 45th Anniversary GalaA Night in Wonderland 45th Anniversary Gala is not to be missed! Join in the celebration for a whimsical good time on Thursday, April 4th, at the luxurious Post Oak Hotel.

Keep Reading Show less
music

With New Concept Album, Jacob Hilton Processes Mental-Health Struggles

Dakota Garrett

Jacob Hilton, a.k.a. Travid Halton, at home in his kitchen, where he enjoys cooking as a form of therapy.

PINK FLOYD'S THE Wall. Sinatra’s In the Wee Small Hours. Beyonce’s Lemonade. Three divergent examples of the album as a cathartic, psychological, conceptual work, meant to be experienced in a single sitting. Houston singer-songwriter Jacob Hilton, 37, who records as Travid Halton, a portmanteau of his mother and father’s names, might balk at being mentioned in such company. (This is a thoroughly unpretentious man, who describes himself as an “archaeologist turned singer-songwriter.”)

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment
promoted

Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

Al Torres

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less