Symphony Supporters Party with Marilyn and Audrey, Raise $1.1 Mil

Johnny Than
Symphony Supporters Party with Marilyn and Audrey, Raise $1.1 Mil

Bill Stubbs, Betty Tutor and Kurt Grether

THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY ushered in Hollywood’s Golden Age at its annual black-tie gala, this year chaired by Brigitte Kalai, Farida Abjani, Cheryl Boblitt and Bill King.

The 400-plus guests arrived via a red carpet, dotted with 1920s-era photographers and reporters giving paparazzi vibes. Once inside the Post Oak Hotel, attendees mingled with Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe — courtesy of J&D entertainment — with wine in hand. (The Rydman family of Spec’s fame selected the evening’s pairings.)

Chef Jean-Luc Royere prepared mouthwatering, inventive hors d’oeurves — risotto lollipops, pan-seared crab cakes — and an excellent dinner of herb-roasted tenderloin and shrimp with a black-truffle-potato purée.

Another red carpet led from dinner tables to the black-and-white dance floor, above which Justin and the Swing Beats played from a bandstand. The night brought in $1.1 mil for the Symphony’s community and educational programming.

Tammie and Andy Johnson

Anne and Albert Chao

J&D Entertainment

Bill King, Cheryl Boblitt, Brigitte Kalai, Fardia Abjani and John Mangum

Miya Shay and Roslyn Bazelle

Margaret Alkek Williams and Hallie Vanderhider

Eric and Lisa Lindsey

Sparkling dessert

Gretchen and Jay Watkins

Leslie Siller and Cynthia Wolff

Laurie and Tracy Krohn

Korrine and James Whipkey

Barbara Burger and Ian Mayton

Parties

FOR ANNA SWEET, the hunger for sugar, carbs, and fat is much like the art world’s hunger for art — especially art made by attractive, colorful, larger-than-life individuals.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

An aerial shot of River Oaks District (photo by Shannon O'Hara)

ACROSS 610 FROM his Post Oak Hotel at Uptown, Tilman Fertitta has just purchased the 14-acre mixed-use River Oaks District development. The acquisition is his second luxury-property purchase in recent months; the Rockets owner bought the Montage Laguna Beach for $650 million in November 2022.

Keep Reading Show less
Style