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
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.

Keep Reading Show less

Houston Ballet dancers Danbi Kim, Estheysis Menendez, Gian Carlo Perez, and Chase O'Connell

IT WAS AN evening of style, flavor and celebration as guests filled Caracol for Houston Ballet’s signature spring event, Raising the Barre. Co-chaired by Duyen & Marc Nguyen and Dr. Tatiana Sorkin & Michel Coret, the dinner brought together 160 supporters and raised $110,000 for the Ballet’s performances, education programs and artistic initiatives.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

Nancy Gonzalez, Denise Reyes, Christina Jack, Destiny Fernandisse (photo by Emily Jaschke)

WHEN THE GRANDE dame of Houston philanthropy steps up to chair the annual gala for one of Houston’s most elite cultural institutions, expect high elegance to abound and big bucks to roll in.

Keep Reading Show less