parties

Symphony Opening Night Channels New York’s Gilded Age with Dvorak and Glam Gala

Symphony Opening Night Channels New York’s Gilded Age with Dvorak and Glam Gala

Sippi and Ajay Khurana (photo by Thomas Campbell)

IN ITS USUALLY grand way, the Houston Symphony’s Opening Night festivities delighted music lovers and gala goers alike.

Some 300 formally attired guests gathered for champagne in the Jones Hall mezzanine before taking in the season-premiere performance. “The performance featured Juraj Valčuha, music director and Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair, leading the orchestra alongside the Houston Symphony Chorus,” said a rep for the Symphony. “This year’s concert featured Dvorak’s The New World Symphony drawing inspiration from his arrival in New York City in the late 1800’s and showcasing themes of America’s landscapes, traditions and cultural exchanges.”

Per the custom, gala guests were loaded into luxury busses and transported to the Corinthian, the regal two-tiered, marble-bedecked event space done up with crystal-dripping chandeliers and copious florals, a la New York’s Golden Age. Think antique blue hydrangea, light blue delphinium, red hanging amaranth, golden cymbidium orchid and more in varying heights. Table settings included vintage stemware. Live jazz and standards were played all night, thanks to Julie Johnson.

Dinner was elaborate. It “began with a baby arugula salad topped with prosciutto San Danielle, long stem artichoke heart, shaved pecorino Romano, toasted pine nuts and white balsamic vinaigrette,” noted the Symphony rep. “For the main course, guests delighted in pan-seared islandic cod drizzled with a lemon-caper Velouté and accompanied by wild rice pilaf with butternut squash, fennel and almonds, and sauteed haricots verts with roasted red peppers.”

The evening’s festivities were chaired by Mary Lynn Marks, and raised more than $550,000 for the orchestra’s education and community-engagement initiatives. ConocoPhillips served as the concert sponsor and a lead gala underwriter for the 39th year. Other patrons included Lindy and John Rydman and Lisa Rydman Lindsey of Spec’s Wine, Spirits, & Finer Foods, who provided wine paired for dinner.

VIP guests included Margaret Alkek Williams, John and Lindy Rydman, Bill and Sharon Bullock, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Sippi and Ajay Khurana, and Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees.

Ann and Jonathan Ayre (photo by Thomas Campbell)

Margaret Alkek Williams (photo by Jacob Power Photography)

Imani Guillory (photo by Jacob Power Photography)

Tablescapes at The Corinthian (photo by Jacob Power photography)

Betty Tutor (photo by Thomas Campbell)

Marguerite Swartz and Mary Sage (photo by Jacob Power Photography)

Tammie and Charles Johnson (photo by Thomas Campbell)

Juraj Valcuha (photo by Thomas Campbell)

Marguerite Swartz and Mary Sage (photo by Jacob Power Photography)

Steve Marks, Mary Lynn Marks and Elizabeth Condic (photo byJacob Power Photography)

Betsy and Ric Weber (photo by Thomas Campbell)

Joan and Bob Duff (photo by Jacob Power Photography)

The scene awaiting guests after the Opening Night concert (photo by Jacob Power)

Svatopluk Sem, Mariana and Robert Simpson (photo by Jacob Power Photography)

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Parties
promoted

Consistent Focus on the Patient Is What Sets Montrose Med Spa Apart

Consistent Focus on the Patient Is What Sets Montrose Med Spa Apart

Owner Maricela Olivo and Montrose Med Spa

WHAT MAKES MONTROSE Med Spa stand apart from the competition? We set ourselves apart from the competition by being consistently focused on one thing: the patient. With that focus, we will succeed in a successful and healthy experience and loyalty to Montrose Med Spa. Staying true to our message of intentional wellness is a point of difference where I see other spas being unclear and distracted in their direction. By listening to our patients, we ensure we meet and exceed their expectations. We continually stay on top of the market by offering the best innovative body sculpting and skin treatments that invigorate and energize and are specifically designed to restore balance and strength and renew youth to the body. We also utilize a number of marketing programs to stay on the minds of our guests, including radio, TV, direct mail, email blasts, and unique invitations for exclusive treatments. One element that helps to establish the bar and sets us apart from our competition is our emphasis on providing a complete medical gym experience—from the varied treatments with Emsculpt Neo to a personalized health and wellness and skin evaluation for each individual by our certified staff. We also provide a noninvasive, pain-free, and needle-free facelift through EMFace in addition to offering monthly beauty memberships that create a commitment to the overall wellbeing of the patient.

Keep Reading Show less
events

Houston Charity, Guitars for Vets Collaborate to Offer Celeb-Autographed Instruments for a Cause

Dennis Quaid-autographed 'Gordo' guitar by Tra' Slaughter

SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE Prevention Month, and U.S. military veterans are a population that continues to bear disproportionately higher rates of suicide. Nearly one million veterans are afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and more soldiers have committed suicide since 9/11 than have died in actual battle.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment
food news

Save a Buck: Fall for These New Golden Hour Food and Drink Deals

Októ cocktails (photo by Becca Wright)

UPTOWN, DOWNTOWN, GALLERIA, Heights, Bellaire or Montrose — wherever you are, here’s where to take the edge off a long day with gently priced eats and drinks. We threw in a suggestion for safe discounted rides, too. Cheers!

Keep Reading Show less
Food