Go Inside Houston Ballet's 'Golden' Evening that Raised $1.65M!

Dave Rossman and Melissa Taylor
Go Inside Houston Ballet's 'Golden' Evening that Raised $1.65M!

Lauren Anderson and Fady Armanious

EVER A GLAMOROUS event, the Houston Ballet's annual black-tie ball was a glimmering affair at the Wortham, where 500 guests joined event chairs Kristy and Chris Bradshaw and Melissa Juneau.


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

Art + Entertainment
Leadership in Action: ‘Setting Clear Goals’ Among Secrets of Success for Attorney Jess Bailey

How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places

Symphony Springs to Life with Floral-Fabulous Fete

Jacob Power and Priscilla Dickson

Chairs Brady and Zane Carruth, Brittany and Adam Clark

IT ALREADY FEELS like spring in Houston and the spring social season is here with it! 375 guests donned in white-tie flocked to The Post Oak Hotel for the annual Houston Symphony Ball, one of the city’s most anticipated and A-list galas.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

THE TRUFFLE MASTERS is returning for its 11th year on March 3rd. Now a Houston tradition of sorts, the competition sees top chefs creating a dish using black truffles all benefitting Southern Smoke.

Keep Reading Show less