parties

Ribbon Dancing and Gourmet Wine Pairings Highlight Successful ‘Wonderland’ Gala at Stages

Priscilla Dickson, Quy Tran
Ribbon Dancing and Gourmet Wine Pairings Highlight Successful ‘Wonderland’ Gala at Stages

Tom Herrick, Allison Pfeiffer, Ashley Coombs, Michael Hogan

ONE OF THE CITY'S favorite performing arts orgs — Stages theater company — threw its typically intimate and fun annual gala recently, on its own premises at the still-new Gordy theater complex, raising well more than half a mil to further its creative mission.

This year’s ball boasted the world-premiere of a cirque-style Alice in Wonderland-inspired show — ribbon dancing, acrobatics, even a burlesque-y partial striptease-while-juggling number — to delight the 180 guests of chairs Alicia and Garrett Gordy (yes, that same Gordy family) between cocktail hour and dinner.

The meal, which featured wines chosen by ardent Stages supporter Chris Shepherd, included melon ball gazpacho with jumbo lump crab and cucumber ribbons. The soup was followed by medallions of beef tenderloin with cabernet-caramelized shallot glaze, mascarpone polenta and wilted greens.

Popular items in what turned out to be a record-breaking silent auction included “a True Yellow Experience with a stay at Double Arrow Ranch nestled between the Crazy Mountains and the banks of the Yellowstone River, an authentic cattle drive, and plenty of trout fishing,” per a Stages rep. “Other top items included an 18K Gold necklace from acclaimed jewelry creator Robert Wander; a private dinner at the home of James Beard Award-winning Chef Chris Shepherd; and a VIP Astros experience.”

Notable guests included Glenda and Russell Gordy, George Lancaster; Charles Walker, Stages board chair Myrtle Jones, James and Nicole Lassiter and Marnie Greenwood.

In all, the gala raised $550,000 for Stages’ important mission.

Alicia Gordy, Christopher Mitchell, Glenda Gordy

Brandon Weinbrenner and Mauri Oliver

Cabrina and Steven Owsley

Charles and Kerry Walker

Garrett Gordy, Chris Shepherd, Russell Gordy

George Lancaster, Myrtle Jones

Jerry Barnett and Michael Byars

Jill Roth and Ben Lipson

Kalinda Campbell and Sledge Leonidas

Katie Maltais, Beth Lane, Lindsey Brown, Stacy Soefer Gomar

Lauren and Bob Hagerich

Marnie Greenwood, Alicia Gordy, Alexandra Bruskoff

Rick Pasqualone and Denise Fennell

Rina and Ryan O'Malley, Garrett Gordy, Rich Bruskoff

Parties
promoted

Fall Philanthropy Report: Urban Harvest Farmers Market Helps ‘Transform Food Accessibility’

Fall Philanthropy Report: Urban Harvest Farmers Market Helps ‘Transform Food Accessibility’

What year was your organization launched? Urban Harvest’s Saturday Farmers Market started in 2004 with just seven vendors, providing an outlet for local farms, community and backyard gardeners to sell fresh produce harvested directly from their soils. Now in its 20th year, the market has grown to be one of the largest markets in Texas, supporting over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans all from within 180 miles of Houston. The market draws 3,000 customers every Saturday morning and includes many original vendors like Animal Farm, Atkinson Farms, and Wood Duck Farm.

Keep Reading Show less
parties

Encore! Beloved Gala for Avenue 360’s Omega House Hospice Triumphantly Returns to Center Stage

Daniel Ortiz

Bashar and Brigitte Kalai, and Alicia and Lance Smith

ONE OF HOUSTON'S most beloved charitable galas made a comeback, as the newly renamed “Voices for Hope” in support of Avenue 360 Health and Wellness and its nearly 40-year-old Omega House hospice for HIV patients bowed at River Oaks Country Club.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

Cowboy Cool: Crime Stoppers’ Texas-Themed Gala Raises $2 Mil for Safer Streets in Houston

Michelle and Jonathan Zadok (photo by Jacob Power)

WITH A COWBOY theme and terrific country band — think big hats and big hearts, said organizers — the Crime Stoppers gala was a huge hit and moving evening.

Keep Reading Show less