Leaving a Legacy

The prolific generosity of philanthropists Lester and Sue Smith was felt at the Stages Repertory Theatre gala. In one of his last great acts of giving, Lester, who passed away at press time, presented a surprise gift of $2.5 million to complete funding for Stages’ sprawling new campus, named after their friends Glenda and Russell Gordy and slated to open in January 2020. The “Night Garden” gala was the most-attended and highest-grossing in the theater’s history.

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Having a Ball

The biennial Gala on the Green, celebrating a decade of Discovery Green, was tree-rific! The black-tie evening highlighted the park’s dedication to the arts and featured performances by Two Star Symphony, Archie bell, The Allen Oldies Band and others. … The Junior League of Houston’s two-night Charity Ball event raised $750,000. … Galveston’s oldest krewe, the Knights of Momus, celebrated the first weekend of Mardi Gras with its Coronation Presentation and Ball, this year adopting a “fiesta” theme. … Houston Children’s Charity’s annual gala took place at the Post Oak Hotel, where a call for donations of five handicap-accessible vans was heeded — and matched by Jana and Richard Fant. The crowd celebrated to the sounds of Styx!

Bollywood performance at ‘Green’

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Mardi Gras Madness

While the Fertitta family’s San Luis Salute is typically one of the social season’s hottest tickets, this year’s Mardi Gras bash was downright sizzling. A VIP kickoff reception — Veuve Clicquot and margs, naturally — near Tilman’s yacht gave way to the colorful main event at the island’s convention center, which included numerous photo ops against backdrops of paper flowers, oversized puppets, festive dancers and more. The entire night culminated with a concert by Usher, who packed the dance floor by singing hit after hit for over an hour!

Dave Rossman and Gary Fountain

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