party people

'Arabian Night' Christens Thompson Hotel, Breaks Fundraising Record for Mercury Orchestra

Priscilla Dickson
'Arabian Night' Christens Thompson Hotel, Breaks Fundraising Record for Mercury Orchestra

Noor Riddle, Ally Shell, Stacey Lindseth, Kendra Smith, Donae Chramosta

EVENT CHAIRS KENNY and Gaby Owen were thrilled to welcome hundreds of Houstonians to Mercury Chamber Orchestra's annual gala, this year held at the brand-new Thompson Hotel off Allen Parkway.

In addition to being one of the first mega events held at the glam newcomer, the fundraising fete, which adopted a theme of An Arabian Night, made headlines for breaking Mercury's fundraising record. It brought in more than $420,000 thanks to an exciting auction (items included a tour of Chinatown led by Chris Shepherd, and a week-long stay at Casa Angelina in Zihuatanejo, Mexico) and a raffle, which featured a pair of DeBoulle diamond earrings.

Divine Décor Design brought in elegant flowers, furniture and more, transforming the Thompson's Vesper Ballroom into a mystique-filled setting that provided the perfect backdrop for a dinner of Moroccan-spiced steak, Mujadara rice, and zaatar asparagus.

After dinner, Artistic Director Antoine Plante led the chamber orchestra in a moving performance of selections from Mozart’s Ronda Alla Turca, Tchaikovsky’s Arabian Dance, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, and Dizzy Gillespie’s A Night in Tunisa.

Linda & Mike DeMasi

Mike & Jo Anne Donovan, Lesley Crawford, Gary Swagerty

Kristen Shults, Kari Dial, Maria Alejandra Nebreda

David & Kelly Rose, Courtenay Vandiver Pereira & Sabata Pereira

Gaby & Kenny Owen

Brian Riter, Gaby & Kenny Owen, Antoine Plante

Brian & Stephanie Dubiski

Mickey & Debi Barret

Mathew & Mya Melton

Robert Navo & Ginny Hart

Shane & Marissa Gilroy

Gilbert Cruz & Natalie Keshemberg, Dahlia Chaudhury & Khalil Bryant

Summer Boots, Gaby Owen, Monica Jhunjhunwala

Rudy & Debbie Festari, Antoine Plante, Daniel Irion, Kirk Kveton

Ralf van der Ven, Megan Hendrix, Justin Garcia

Stephen & Kim Perich

Travelle & Zach Ellis

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Parties
promoted

Leadership in Action: ‘Setting Clear Goals’ Among Secrets of Success for Attorney Jess Bailey

Al Torres
Leadership in Action: ‘Setting Clear Goals’ Among Secrets of Success for Attorney Jess Bailey

How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places
travel

Quick Getaway: Serene but Style-Forward W Punta De Mita Finds its Place in the Sun

The Camino Huichol over the Wet Deck

VERDANT, WINDING BRANCHES arch up and over a pathway as a soundtrack of herons and chachalacas (and the occasional monkey) plays overhead. Concrete rectangles artfully jut up through the green, painted in rays of sunlight. Eventually, the path leads down to the beach, where the streaks of sun create a cinematic moment: A slim, tan couple emerges from the ocean with their surfboards in hand and their dogs at their heels, the scent of the Pacific lingering in the thick, humid air.

Keep Reading Show less
Style
design

Classical Architecture Goes Glam on AIA Home Tour: Go Inside One of Its Most Intriguing Projects

Julie Soefer

THE UPCOMING AIA Houston Home Tour is always an anticipated fall event, a style showcase from some of the city’s best architects, designers and tastemakers. The two-day, self-guided tour includes several custom homes in the area that exhibit design excellence, innovative design solutions, and sustainable features.

Keep Reading Show less
Home + Real Estate