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Old World Elegance: Symphony’s Viennese Ball a Beautiful, Million-Dollar Smash

Priscilla Dickson and Daniel Ortiz
Old World Elegance: Symphony’s Viennese Ball a Beautiful, Million-Dollar Smash

David Krieger, Devorah Rose, Chita and Lane Craft

THE SPRING SOCIAL season is off with a crescendo! On a chilly night in late January, one of Houston’s most elegant and memorable galas, the annual Symphony Ball, boasted a white-tied crowd of 400 at The Post Oak Hotel — not to mention at till of more than $1 million for the company’s community engagement initiatives. Talk about a high note!

The theme was all Old World opulence — Vienna Fête Impériale. “Fashioned by Richard Flowers of The Events Company, the décor perfectly blended Vienna’s and America’s culture with crystal chandeliers, candelabras and tables covered in custom linens filling the room with varying sizes of floral arrangements, all assorted shades of pink,” noted a Houston Symphony rep. Special entertainment included professional ballroom dancers performing — what else? — the Viennese waltz.

Dinner was as posh as the environs. The menu highlighted a grilled radicchio Caesar salad, roasted filet mignon with demi-glace and potato puree, and, for dessert, tiramisu with amaretto cream. After the meal, guests crowded the dance floor as Q the band played a mix of standards, Motown and other party faves.

The ball was chaired by Tammie Johnson and physicians Charles Johnson, Alice Mao Brams and Matt Brams. The honorees, all glittering and grateful, were recognized; they included Brigitte and Bashar Kalai, Sippi Khurana, and Betty and Jesse Tutor, the latter feted for lifetime achievement. Other VIPs afloat in the ballroom included Margaret Alkek Williams, Joanne King Herring, Hallie Vanderheider, Bobbie Dees, Kristy Bradshaw, Daniel Irion, Kirk Kveton, John and Lindy Rydman, Reggie and Paula DesRoches, Vicki West and Ralph Burch, and Alicia Smith.

Betty and Jesse Tutor

Brigitte and Bashar Kalai

Co-Chairs Dr. Charles and Tammie Johnson and Drs. Alice Mao Brams and Matt Brams

Dancers performing Viennese Waltz

Bill Stubbs and Kurt Grether

Dr. Alice Mao Brams, Ann Ayre and Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell

Hallie Vanderheider and Bobby Dees;

Joanne King Herring and John Magnum

Kristy Bradshaw and Carey Kirkpatrick

Margaret Alkek Williams and John Mangum

Quentin and Aerin Smith

Ralph Burch and Vicki West

Sippi and Ajay Khurana

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

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

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.

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Chef’s Kiss! Hundreds Feast in Celebration of Urban Harvest’s 30th

Daniel Ortiz

Diana Madero, Thea Pheasey, Alejandra Peterman, Hillary Jebbitt

EIGHT CHEFS, THIRTY years — and one big dinner! Urban Harvest rang in its fourth decade of community gardens, farmers markets and food access at their annual farm-to-table dinner cooked up by some of the most notable chefs in town.

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food

Amalfi Ristorante Invites Wine Lovers to Explore Campania with a Special Six-Course Dinner

The inspired menu at Amalfi emphasizes fresh seafood and, on right, Giancarlo Ferrara

THIS WEDNESDAY, AMALFI Ristorante will transport guests to the sun-soaked shores of Southern Italy’s Campania region, home to the glamorous island of Capri, with a six-course dinner. The menu, curated by Executive Chef Giancarlo Ferrara, will be paired with wines from Agricola Bellaria Winery, one of Campania’s most celebrated estates.

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Food