With Marching Band — and Bobby and Phoebe Tudor as Honorees — SPA Gala Fetes Org at Time of Change

FESTOONED IN SPRING pastels — not just the floral centerpieces, but also the shades on the massive chandeliers overhead in the soaring grand foyer of the Wortham Center — the Society of Performing Arts (SPA) gala was a colorful A-List bash, dubbed the Kaleidoscope Ball.

And it was a momentous occasion as guests learned for the first time of the organization’s new name and logo. Shhhhh. The official public announcement comes next week.

After beginning with cocktails on the plaza out front — the Westbury High School Marching Band was a nice, raucous touch — the party moved inside for a rich Jackson & Company meal of short rib and roasted potatoes. During dinner, teen musicians from HSPVA played jazzy tunes, and after dessert, Western swing legends Asleep at the Wheel took the stage. The evening’s honorees, Bobby and Phoebe Tudor, were among those filling the dance floor to two-step the night away.

Carrie and Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl

Linda Lorelle and Lou Gregorgy

Tyson and Tena Faust

Priti and Sammy Virani

Jay Jones and Terry Wayne Jones

Kristina Somerville

Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin

Doug and Reagan Bauer

Margaret Alkek Williams and David Wuthrich

Neal Peeler, Hallie Vanderhider, Janet and John Carrig

Rob and Amy Pierce

Willie and Linda Chiang

Chairwoman Kristina Somerville, a sparkly vision in a sleek sequined original gown by Houston’s David Peck, welcomed a who’s who of arts patrons and society swells to the gala, which raised about $600,000 for the nonprofit. The guest list included Margaret Alkek Williams, Hallie Vanderhinder, Jay Jones, Terry Wayne Jones, Lilly and Harrison Cullen, Amy and Rob Pierce, Bill Baldwin, Fady Armanious, Carrie and Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl and Linda Lorelle, who also served as emcee for the evening.

SPA CEO Meg Booth called the ball “a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate Houston's cultural richness through the arts.”