Dramatic HGO Opening Night Performance and Al Fresco Dinner Nets Nearly Half a Mil. No Bull!

Dramatic HGO Opening Night Performance and Al Fresco Dinner Nets Nearly Half a Mil. No Bull!

Warren and Rachel Ellsworth and Betty and Jess Tutor

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA officially opened its first live season of shows in two years with a bold, colorful presentation of Bizet's Carmen followed by a fabulous crimson-tented dinner on Ray C. Fish Plaza just outside the theater.


The show, kind of a Fatal Attraction for the 1800s set amid the bullfights of Spain, stars Carolyn Sproule in the title role; veteran Broadway director and choreographer Rob Ashford directed. Before the curtain went up, new HGO general manager and CEO Khori Dastoor made welcome remarks to the black-tie crowd at the Wortham.

The dinner after was fabulous. "Chairs Betty and Jess Tutor welcomed guests to an alluring setting by The Events Company bursting with the same jewel tones of Ashford's production and accented with touches of black Spanish lace — a nod to Carmen's femme fatale dress," said an HGO rep. "City Kitchen Catering presented a colorful three course feast inspired by Carmen's Seville setting — poached shrimp and jumbo lump crabmeat salad with piquillo pepper remoulade [and] pan-roasted Red Bird Farms chicken breast with apricots, pistachios and a Madeira reduction."

For dessert: a tarta de Santiago with almonds, white chocolate mousse and coffee ice cream. Sherry was also served.

The event netted nearly $500,000, with VIP guests including Margaret Alkek Williams, Lynn Wyatt and Hallie Vanderhider.

Andi and Stephen Berkman

Lynn Wyatt

Brian Bunham and Allyson Pritchett

Brittany Williams and Leslie Siller

Cheryl Byington, Beth Wolff and Cynthia Wolff

Chuck Silverman and Maria Victoria Varagas

Jeff and Pat Sheets

Joe and Claire Greenberg

Khori Dastoor and Patrick Summers

Rich and Stephanie Langenstein, Sandra and George Sneed

Sina Tazehzad and Priscilla Revis

Parties
‘Culture of Service and Accountability’ Supports Mission of Orion EMS

Gerard O’Brien, President/CEO & Founder, and Sumi Patel, Vice President

HOW DID YOU get where you are today? The EMS industry, quite literally, never stops. Our staff and units are called to serve our community every hour of every day; there are no weekends, holidays, or “days off.” Obviously, the demands of EMS are not for the faint of heart, and we have established a culture of service and accountability that is different than nearly every other organization. Our leadership team sets this culture by exhibiting their passion for this industry daily. Their tireless dedication makes a better experience for our staff when they come to work and for our patients and clients when they call on us to transport their loved ones.

Keep ReadingShow less

David Adickes and Bun B

SOME OF THE CITY'S most influential VIPs gathered at Steak 48 in River Oaks District for the annual toast to CityBook’s “Leaders & Legends,” a recurring franchise for the publication whose past honorees have including a Tony and Grammy winner, a Nobel laureate, a member of Congress, an Olympic medalist, multiple billionaire business moguls, TV stars, artists and scientists of every sort, and the city’s most glamorous and generous socialites.

Keep ReadingShow less
Parties

Tay Butler’s Lawndale installation, spring 2023

DESPITE ITS PAIN and pitfalls, there’s no denying that the pandemic inspired artists like never before. This season, one of the most ambitious public-art projects to emerge from the Covid years comes to a close.

Keep ReadingShow less
Art + Entertainment