Lauren Anderson and Fady Armanious
This year’s event was inspired by Stanton Welch’s adaptation of Raymonda, a story about Raymonda and the sinister plot by the queen’s advisor to tear her love apart. Gold drapes and vibrant florals inspired by the "Peacock Ballroom" in Raymonda set the tone for the cocktail hour, and galagoers perused silent-auction items like a trip to New York Fashion Week, a chance to be a Houston Rockets ball boy (or girl!), and more.
In the Grand Foyer, Richard Flowers and The Events Company created a lavish and luxe scene with layers of lace and velvet, a black-and-white dance floor and striking chandeliers. Everyone savored the dinner courtesy of City Kitchen, and applauded the night's honorees, Deborah and Edward Koehler, who established a scholarship fund in honor of the inimitable principal dancer Lauren Anderson.
Suddenly, though, 21 ballet dancers stormed the dance floor for a surprise performance set to Harry Styles' "Golden," choreographed by Demi Soloist Jack Wolff and featuring former Principal dancer Lauren Anderson. After gold streamers rained from the sky, guests joined the packed dance floor and boogied to the tunes of party band Stratosphere. The night raised more than $1.65M for the Houston Ballet.
Co-Chair Melissa Juneau, Honorees Edward and Deborah Koehler, Co-Chairs Kristy and Chris Bradshaw
Akemi and Yasuhiko Saitoh
Victoria Gutierrez and Nick Pierce
Ann and Murphy Graham
Troy and Allison Thacker
Dancers Harper Watters and Karina Gonzalez with Ballet supporters
Terry Wayne Jones and Jay Jones
Daniel Irion, Marguerite Swartz, and Kirk Kveton
Gary and Susan Binney
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Suprise Performance to Harry Styles' "Golden"
Henry and Andrea Medina
Steven and Mignon Gill
Henry and Jean May, Stanton Welch
Jim Jordan and S. Shawn Stephens
Sharon Roark, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Leslie Alston
Roslyn Mitchell and Stephanie Tsuru
Phoebe Tudor and Fady Armanious
Jo Furr, Myrtle Jones, Sasha Davis
Margaret and Jonathan Cox
Kristy Bradshaw, Alicia Smith, Melissa Juneau
Co-Chair Melissa Juneau, Honorees Edward and Deborah Koehler, Co-Chairs Kristy and Chris Bradshaw
Akemi and Yasuhiko Saitoh
Victoria Gutierrez and Nick Pierce
Ann and Murphy Graham
Troy and Allison Thacker
Dancers Harper Watters and Karina Gonzalez with Ballet supporters
Terry Wayne Jones and Jay Jones
Daniel Irion, Marguerite Swartz, and Kirk Kveton
Gary and Susan Binney
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Suprise Performance to Harry Styles' "Golden"
Henry and Andrea Medina
Steven and Mignon Gill
Henry and Jean May, Stanton Welch
Jim Jordan and S. Shawn Stephens
Sharon Roark, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Leslie Alston
Roslyn Mitchell and Stephanie Tsuru
Phoebe Tudor and Fady Armanious
Jo Furr, Myrtle Jones, Sasha Davis
Margaret and Jonathan Cox
Kristy Bradshaw, Alicia Smith, Melissa Juneau
Gayla Gardner, Jacquie Baly and Julie Baker Finck
Baly’s doctoral research focused on improving retention and graduation rates for African American college students through mentorship, financial resources, and cultural support.
The doc’s accomplishments in and out of the classroom are impressive, many in the crowd noted. Chair of the Harris County Women’s Commission and a UH prof, Baly has helped secure millions in funding for Texas universities and well as nonprofits such as the American Cancer Society and the YMCA.
Spotted in the crowd: Rosemary Schatzman, Terri Wang, Yvonne Cormier, Julie Baker Finck, Alice Mao Brams, Dexter McCoy, Lesley Briones, Justice Kevin Jewell, Susanna Dokupil, Tonya McLaughlin, Donae Contessa Chramosta, Beth Wolff, Bruce Padilla, Patti Murphy, Beth Muecke, Cheryl Byington, Kim Padgett and Frank Billingsly.
Pitsami Norm, Terri Wang and Thanh Svahn
Mary Sage and Beth Wolff
Kevin Jewell
Terri Wang, James Craig and Rosemary Schatzman
Yvonne Cormier
Alex De Aguiar Reuter, Ann Ayre and Daniel Iron