EVERY TWO YEARS, some of Houston's best-known names and most generous patrons descend upon Downtown's Discovery Green park for a night of dinner, dancing and art-admiring.

This year, the Kinders, Tudors and several former or current mayors joined the crowd of 500-plus at the butterfly-themed event, which took flight with an al fresco cocktail hour on the Brown Promenade. The signature Monarch Margaritas were a hit, and were especially enjoyable under the wings of Atlas by Jen Lewin, the park's winter art installation.

The party continued under a glam tent erected on the lush lawn. Illuminated butterflies fluttered gracefully above, and Encore Strings along with harpist Alex Martinez provided a dreamy soundtrack as the black-tie-clad galagoers filtered into the space.

Emcee Derrick Shore kept things lively, and current Discovery Green president Kathryn Lott gave a meaningful tribute to a past president, Guy Hagstette, who was the night's honoree. “The gala is a celebration of the metamorphosis that transformed a parking lot into a gorgeous outdoor cultural center and green space,” said Lott. “The evening is also a celebration of transformations that take place over generations with the new president honoring the first president alongside the children and grandchildren of the park’s founders.”

Chaired by sisters-in-law Kara Kinder Vidal and Maria Vidal Morales, the night also included tunes by Skyrocket! and a live painting moment by Taft McWhorter; his work was among many of the coveted auction items that contributed to the evening's total till, which topped $1 million. Talk about flying high!

Anat and Jay Zeidman

Tommy Pepper, Kathryn Lott

Cody and Kusum Patel

Thomas Kent, Lauren Griffith

Curtis Flowers, Andrea Ashford

Taft McWhorter

Derrick Shore, Brandon Bourque

Skyrocket

Laura Murillo, Sandra Smith-Cooper

Scott and Judy Nyquist

Eduardo Morales, Maria Vidal Morales, Kara Kinder Vidal, Ulises Vidal

Roxann Neumann, Kara Neumann, Tim Neumann

Jaime Loera, George Johnston

Jay and Allie Fields

Portia and Chris Hopkins

Joe and Bri Martin

Phoebe and Bobby Tudor

Paula and David Law

Michael and Ellie Francisco

Nancy and Rich Kinder

Mark Sullivan, Greg Fourticq, Patsy Fourticq

Melanie Camp, Anthony Yanez, Rebecca Yanez, Nicole Jones, Nick Jones