The Symphony Toasts Its Most Successful Wine Dinner Ever!

Priscilla Dickson
The Symphony Toasts Its Most Successful Wine Dinner Ever!

Darrell and Kim Ward, Chloe and Andrew Gilmore

WINE, WHISKEY AND Champagne sorbet took center stage at Jones Hall last Friday during the Houston Symphony's annual wine dinner and auction.


More than 300 supporters turned out for the sold-out event, chaired by Bobbie Nau and Bob Weiner. Naturally, there was no shortage of sips and spirits, beginning with the cocktail hour, during which guests admired the springtime blooms courtesy of The Events Company.

Dinner by City Kitchen began with a twice-baked parmesan-and-goat-cheese soufflé and a refreshing salad, then grilled sea bass, then pan-seared duck breast — all followed by a palate-cleanser of cucumber-basil-Champagne sorbet between courses. What a feast!

Throughout the evening, tickets were sold for the raffle prize of five bottles of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon, and bids climbed for bottles of rare and spectacular vino and other spirits. In total, the night raised a whopping $1.12 million, which will go toward the Symphony's Education and Community Engagement efforts.

Bryan Price, Taylor Cooper, Aerin Smith, Sean Jamison

Vicki West, Ralph Burch, Bobbie Nau

Elia Gabbanelli, Alejandra de la Fuente

Tracy and Valerie Dietrich

Ellie Francisco, Deedee Marsh

Shannon Richards and Nathan Hale

Fady Armanious, Bill Baldwin

Robert and Joan Duff

Hallie Vanderhider, Betty Tutor

Lydia Gold, Karen Gold

Heather Almond, Cheryl Byington

John Mangum with Chairs Bobbie Nau and Bob Weiner

Lindy and John Rydman

Parties
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.

Keep Reading Show less

Lady Stephanie Kimbrell, Cory McGee, and Butler Studio artists, Ani Kushyan, Alissa Goretsky and Elizabeth Hanje (photo by Michelle Watson)

ALL OF THE top performing arts organizations in Houston have now officially opened their 2024-2015 seasons, now that Houston Grand Opera has bowed with a stirring performance of Verdi’s Il trovatore at The Wortham followed by a lavish al fresco dinner in a tent on the plaza out front.The Houston Ballet and the Houston Symphony held their own grand opening night festivities earlier in the fall.

Keep Reading Show less
Art+Culture

Photo by Lynn Lane

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA’S second fall repertoire production is Gioachino Rossini’s Cinderella. The colorful, commedia dell'arte-inspired production opens Friday, Oct. 25, and stars Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard — a breathtaking brunette beauty, even when doused in soot — in bel canto role of Angelina, known to her mean step-sisters as “Cenerentola.”

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment