Old World Elegance: Symphony’s Viennese Ball a Beautiful, Million-Dollar Smash
Priscilla Dickson and Daniel Ortiz
Feb. 1, 2024
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
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Media Personality Zavala Teams with Pioneering Source Vitál Apothecary to Create Unique, Natural Skincare Aid
Bryan Anderson
Feb. 2, 2024
A BEAUTIFUL HOUSTON media personality and one of Houston’s top body care and aromatherapy companies have partnered “to make the everyday skincare routine simpler,” the company says.
Source Vitál Apothecary has introduced the Courtney Mask, teaming with broadcast pro and influencer Courtney Zavala. The mask, says a rep, is “a custom, all-in-one cooling face mask that appeals to all skin types and simplifies your daily skincare routine.”
Source Vitál, in the biz since 1989, was a pioneer of the then-new practice of aromatherapy, helping introduce essential oils into the spa and beauty industry. For her part, Zavala became a fan of the all-natural products and found herself becoming a regular. When the opportunity arose to partner up and create a great new product, the media star, always eager to support and promote Houston-based businesses, leaped at the chance.
“As a businesswoman and mom of two busy boys, the last thing I have time for in the morning or at night is a lengthy skincare routine,” says Zavala. “I wanted to create something that was simple, yet effective, and could apply to women — or men — of all walks of life. The fact that this product is made of a blend of 100 percent natural ingredients is just the cherry on top.”
According to press materials, “the lightweight, multifunctional Courtney Mask features laminaria to restore and soothe skin, niacinamide to retain moisture and minimize pores, antioxidant-rich coffee extracts to promote ageless skin appearance, and other all-natural ingredients suitable for all skin types.” Zavala insists the product is clean, approachable and affordable.
Source Vitál’s Sabrina Colgin and Sophia Peon-Levya worked closely with Zavala throughout an eight-month process to create the mask. “We love collaborating with people passionate about clean beauty with a point of view,” Colgin says. “The Courtney Mask represents the perfect fusion of Source Vital Apothecary’s commitment to natural ingredients and Courtney’s discerning eye for effective, time-efficient skincare. Her input allowed us to delve into fun, natural ingredients we were curious about and inspired us to create the perfect product for people who love makeup, want to nourish their skin and have limited time due to busy lives.”
The Courtney Mask “is perfect as my last step at night,” explains Zavala. “It works while I sleep. My skin wakes up nourished, plump and glowing. I also love this product under my makeup as a primer too.” The product is available in both one- and two-ounce sizes, for $25 and $45.
Courtney Zavala and Product Lead Sophia Peon-Levya
The Courtney Mask
Formulating The Courtney Mask
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