Sharon Torres, Elia Gabbanelli and Maritza Gonzales at ‘Latin.'
Ernest Hunter at ‘JDRF.’
Eric Best, Skylar Campbell, Kellen Hornbuckle and Zoe Lucich
Some 200 ballet fans, wearing bright springtime attire to match the room’s colorful florals in hues of peach and coral, dined on a menu that began with chef Chris Williams and soloist Eric Best’s lamb stew. “The stew featured sweet potato puree, coconut collard green pesto and was garnished with roasted peanuts,” noted a Ballet rep. For the next course, chef Aaron Bludorn and Corps de Ballet dancer Zoe Lucich served herbed ravioli with carrot-ginger puree and fresh gremolata, all inspired by Lucich’s love of vivid color and her Californian roots.
Chef Hugo Ortega partnered with principal dancer Skylar Campbell to offer an entrée of Pacific halibut with ginger broth and puya peppers. “Chef Hugo and Skylar both love the Pacific Coast, more specifically a quaint seaside town in Mexico called Puerto Nuevo, thus inspiring Pacific halibut for the entrée,” said the company rep.
The dessert, as imagined by Fluff Bake Bar’s Rebecca Masson and demi soloist Kellen Hornbuckle, was maple bacon crème brûlée. Wines were paired with each course by chef and oenophile Chris Shepherd, a longtime Ballet supporter.
The event was co-chaired by Heidi and Marcus Smith and Roslyn and Derrick Mitchell. Guests included Kristy Bradshaw, Lindsey Brown, Jesse H. Jones II, Terry Wayne Jones, Patti Murphy, Beth Muecke and Ileana and Michael Treviño.
Kristy Bradshaw and Lindsey Brown
Ada Agbor and Zoe Cadore
Derrick and Roslyn Mitchell and Heidi and Marcus Smith
Michel Coret and Tatiana Sorkin
Heidi and Marcus Smith
Laura and Brannon Robertson
Lenni and Bill Burke
Michael and Ileana Treviño
Mignon and Stephen Gill
Susan Binney, Susan Lehmann, Ann Bean and Amy LeBlanc
Terry Wayne Jones and Jay Jones
Victoria Gutierrez and Nick Pierce
Wayne and Tammy Nguyen
Emily and Allen Capps and Ashley and Christian Nelly
The “Hear Our Voices” event, presented at River Oaks Country Club, featured live performances by Nashville singer-songwriters Phillip White, Mark Nesler, Leslie Satcher and Jenn Schott — all with No. 1 hits! Luke Morace also performed, and Johnny Bravo served at emcee.
Live auction items included “a one-of-a-kind guitar signed by many country music legends and handwritten lyrics from Rascal Flatts smash hit ‘I'm Moving On’,” notes a rep for Avondale. Paintings by Avondale House’s adult residents were also auctioned, along with two adorable white lab puppies from Dog Lab TX.
Emily and Allen Capps and Ashley and Christian Nelly chaired the event. Guests included Cadence Bank Chairman and CEO Dan Rollins, who accepted an award for the banks’s long support of Avondale House. Other guests included Rob and Amy Pierce, Greggory Burk, Nicole Davis, Craig and Jennifer Vaughn, Megan Hotze and Semmes Burns.
Per the nonprofit, Avondale House was established in 1976 by a group of parents of children with autism that recognized the vital need for high quality support and care for their children and others alike. From its humble beginnings in a residential section of Montrose, the organization has expanded to nearly eight acres near NRG Stadium. The facility is specifically designed to address the unique sensory, educational and developmental needs of folks with autism.
Amy and Rob Pierce
Avondale House CEO, Steve Vetrano and Cadence Bank Chairman and CEO, Dan Rollins
Craig and Jennifer Vaughn
Greggory Burk and Nicole Davis
Jay and Lisa Salitza
Megan Hotze and Semmes Burns
Sannam Warrender and Amy Pierce
Tim and Stacie Williamson and Dan and Becky Rollins