'Enchanted' Evening Garners $800K for Junior League

'Enchanted' Evening Garners $800K for Junior League

Elizabeth Kendrick, Ashley Seals, Amanda Hanks Bayles

EVENT CHAIR ASHLEY Seal looked like a princess as she welcomed more than 500 guests to the Junior League's weekend-long Charity Ball fundraiser. Fitting, since the gala's theme was "Enchanted: An Evening Once Upon a Time."


The affair kicked off on Thursday night, with an intimate "Into the Woods" reception featuring dealing pianos and tunes courtesy of DJ Mohawk Steve. The party continued at the Junior League's Briar Oaks Lane venue on Friday, with dinner and a live performance by Radio Live, as well as Saturday, featuring five-piece Texas band Satellite.

Between not one but two Big Board auctions — contested items included vacations in Belize and Colorado, custom boots and jewelry, and shopping sprees — and a paddles-up segment, the Junior League of Houston certainly got its happily ever after: The Charity Ball raised more than $800,000 for the organization's 32-plus community projects and mentorship programs.

“Our Charity Ball would not be possible without the 40 women on the Charity Ball Committee who selflessly and tirelessly volunteered their time over the last 12 months," said League President Amanda Hanks Bayles in a statement. “We are so grateful to those who attended and supported this event! For every dollar raised, the Junior League of Houston is able to triple its value by pairing funding with trained volunteers.”

Ashley Konikowski and Chase Zalman

Ross and Natalie Irvin

Dancers from The Lockin Keez Dance Company and singers Kaitlyn Stuart and Roslyn Bazelle-Mitchell

Randi Blashke and Kolbi Blanchette

Sarah Cloos, Lindsey Davis, Kristiann Rushton, Melissa Reihle

Radio Live singers

Diana Skerl

Gary Hellings and Lavinia Boyd

Monica Carter, Megan Hotze and Alexis Caruselle

Parties

Houstonian Kral, photographed at Lynn Wyatt Square across from HGO’s home at the Wortham

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA closes its critically acclaimed 2023-24 season of warhorses, Wagner and commissions with the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, The Sound of Music (April 26-May 12).

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

Badolina Bakery in Rice Village (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)

WHAT MAKES A restaurant patio great? Beauty, comfort, uniqueness? Check. Stellar food? Check. The feeling that you got away from it all? Triple check. Whether you’re looking to whet your whistle, grab a bite in a treehouse, dine under the stars, or catch a sunset over the urban landscape, Houston is rich with patios, balconies and rooftops. Get some air and celebrate the glorious season at these newbies and stalwarts.

Keep Reading Show less