Flying High

Once again, Hurricane Harvey can’t stop the generosity or sink the spirits of arts patrons. The Houston Ballet held its biggest ball ever in a tent outside the Houston Ballet Center for Dance, which was outfitted by The Events Company in contrasting black-and-white floors, linens, centerpieces and chandeliers, nodding to the Swan Lake theme. Chair Hallie Vanderhider also channeled the theme, donning a custom Naeem Khan gown — one of several dresses she wore that night — with a skirt of feathers. Even the food was prepared a la Swan Lake, including a Black & White Deconstructed dessert with chocolate ganache and truffles topped with white cake and white chocolate accents. Thanks to a killer silent auction — two weeks at an Italian villa, anyone? — the Ballet Ball raised a whopping $1.4 million.

Jenny Antill, Priscilla Dickson and Wilson Parish


Ellie Francisco, Stuart Zarrow

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Fall Philanthropy Report: March of Dimes’ ‘Signature Chefs’ Event Coming in November

What year was your organization launched? 1938

What is your mission? March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, to combat polio. The name “March of Dimes” was suggested by entertainer Eddie Cantor as a way to encourage people to donate even a small amount, like a dime, to help fight polio.

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Derrick Shore, Tom Mays and Owen Conflenti (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

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RICE VILLAGE JUST got a whole lot tastier.

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