Jingle Bells of the Ball! Black-Tie Spindletop Soiree Brings Together Energy Execs, Raises $1.1M

Fulton Davenport
Jingle Bells of the Ball! Black-Tie Spindletop Soiree Brings Together Energy Execs, Raises $1.1M

Alex and Allison Sandlin, Holly Krivokapich, Katie Overton

ENERGY EXECS AND industry professionals from all the big players — including ConocoPhillips, Murphy, Transocean and others — came together for a cause. The 49th annual Spindletop Community Impact Partners Holiday Ball took place at the oh-so-festive Post Oak Hotel.


Around 600 partygoers attended the “Jingle Bell Rock”-themed event, which benefits three-dozen organizations that enhance the lives of at-risk youth in and around Houston. Speaking of Houston’s youth, the Ensemble Theatre Young Performers kicked off the night with a special dance number, and Virtuosi of Houston’s small ensemble presented rock’n’roll classics and holiday tunes during dinner.

In addition to the silent auction — which garnered a ton of enthusiasm and dollar signs thanks to prize packages like Houston Astros suites and a dove-hunting trip to Argentina — the night included the presentation of the Spindletop Awards. Those recognized for their commitment to the community included Starlee Sykes of Archaea, Rob Saltiel of MRC Global, and Parker Auld of Kosmos Energy.

The party concluded with Password taking the stage and attendees taking to the dance floor, celebrating the evening’s $1.1M haul.

Beneficiaries of Spindletop’s funding include The Brookwood Community, Houston Children’s Charity, Kids’ Meals, Small Steps Nurturing Center, and many others.

Ann and Alvin Haynes

Veronica and Aaron Foley

Bruce and Laura Miller, Valerie and Nick Tran

Tracy and Laurie Krohn

Casey and Stacy Stewart, Lindsay and Jason Weddle

Steven Bonno and Shelby Hoyt

Ensemble Theatre Young Performers

Virtuosi of Houston Small Ensemble

Jodan and Kaitlyn Zaiser, Kati and Parker Auld

Liam and Gill Mallon, Warwick King

Lisa and Ryan Lance

Signature Rockin’ Sweets Station with Girls Inc. of Greater Houston Decorators

Maggie and Greg Sheridan

Spindletop Award Recipient Starlee Sykes with Dominic Macklon, Lia Vallone and Clay Williams

Parties

Matthew Dirst (photo by Jacob Power)

FOR FANS OF early music — an often scholarly lot who aren’t afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves — bad-boy Baroque-era painter Caravaggio certainly nailed something in his dramatic 1595 painting, “The Musicians.” (Simon Schama talks about this in his TV series The Power of Art.) One look at his masterpiece, and you feel as if you’ve stumbled upon and surprised a roomful of dewy-eyed musicians, their youthful faces swollen with melancholy, with the lutist looking like he’s about ready to burst into tears before he’s even tuned his instrument. So no, you certainly don’t need a Ph.D. to enjoy and be moved by the music of Handel, G.P. Telemann, or J.S. Bach, but a little bit of scholarship never hurt anyone. Knowing the history of this music may even deepen your appreciation of it.

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