Nancy and Mauricio Dubon
José Altuve, Kyle Tucker and Josh Hader hosted the event — attended by many of their teammates and more than 500 other guests — at Post Oak Hotel and won big for their charities. Tucker supports Hospice care organizations, while Altuve's foundation donates to several groups, including the Sunshine Kids Foundation. And Hader backs foster-care nonprofits like Covenant House and Be a Resource (B.E.A.R.). The Lance McCullers, Jr. Foundation, which raises funds and awareness for pet rescue and adoption groups, also received proceeds from the party.
This year's Team Up bash was more of an expo-style soiree, with an entrance flanked by Rolls Royce and Bentley vehicles and a towering Champagne Wall. With an open bar courtesy of Maven — which is also co-owned by Astros players — and stations serving bites from some of the best restaurants in town, the party was a hit. And who wouldn't want to pet the precious puppies who are up for adoption? Reps from local nonprofits brought their furry friends to promote the cause.
But add in a raucous live auction emceed by Johnny Holloway and touting all-star prizes, and it's no wonder that the Team Up fundraising record of $600,000 was topped! One of the most sought-after items was a private catered dinner with hosts Tucker, Altuve and Hader; the trio also donated autographed gear and custom art created by Skel and signed by the players. There was also the chance to throw the first pitch at a game, and to sit in owner Jim Crane's personal Diamond Club seats to cheer on the 'Stros.
Adonis Braithwaite and Jose Altuve
Trevor and Emily Finnan
Audrey White, Kathy DeLamora and Julie Chen
Tammy and Tim Andreas
Brian Ching and Lindsey Yates
Susan and Mike Plank
Courtney McKinney and Samantha Tucker
Shooting Stars dancers
Craig Biggio
Shelli Lindley, Jenna Lindley, Adonis Braithwaite, Steve Lindley, Amber Braithwaite
Emily George, Lindsey Leigh, Natalie Jobe
Sam and Kyle Tucker
Eugene and Caroline Zhadanov
Rita Shuma, Marian Harper and Jennifer Wisler
Garrett and Jayne Johnston, Jennifer and Scott Allison
Peter and Helen Crain
Jim and Whitney Crane
Nick and Kristin Johnson, Lori Schultz, John and Lindsey Leigh Hohlt
Joe and Pamela Espada
Nancy and Mauricio Dubon
John and Terrie Havens
Morgan Bourque, Jasmine Wilcoxson
Kat and Ryan Pressly
Tootsies models
Katie MaGee, Samantha Tucker, Maria Hader, Lauren Whidden
Mike Lowenberg, Daphne and Stephen Savva
Kyle Tucker, Skel and Johnny Bravo
Michelle and Chris Durham
Matthew Lindley, Jayne Hunt, Peter and Helen Crain
Julie Kent, Lauren Anderson, Stanton Welch
“This year’s spectacular opening night performance, underwritten by Phoebe and Bobby Tudorwith support provided by The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, featured John Neumeier’s interpretation of the beloved classic tale The Little Mermaid,” explained a rep for the company. The show, colorful and surreal, actually hews closer to Hans Christian Andersen’s original dark fairytale than the Disney cartoon.
After the show and remarks by artistic director Stanton Welch, some 230 well dressed ballet fans waited for the stage to be cleared of its sets and a beautiful dinner party to be set up in their place.
“Inspired by the vibrant blue hues of the ocean, the enchanting décor created by Bergner and Johnson transported attendees to the magical world of The Little Mermaid with low and organic arrangements of varying shades of pink and white filled with hydrangeas, astilbe, roses, tulips and other seasonal florals pristinely placed in white shell and capezi vessels,” cooed the Ballet rep. “Taller arrangements adorned with sea leaves sat atop clear glass palace vases and table accents such as air plants and coral added to the unforgettable evening.”
The dinner, chaired by Mignon & Steve Gill and Fady Armanious & Bill Baldwin and honoring the great groundbreaking ballerina Lauren Anderson, raised more than $325,000, a new record for the annual event. It began with a salad of bibb lettuce and Shrimp Louie. The main course of braised beef short rib with cabernet-thyme reduction and parsnip puree preceded a dessert of panna cotta with melon sorbet. Per the custom at the Ballet’s lavish events, charming young dancers from the company were sprinkled through the party, seated at every table.
Notable attendees included choreographer Neumeier, along with the Ballet’s Jim Nelson and Julie Kent; John Neumeier. Other VIPs included Stephanie and Frank Tsuru, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Laura Robertson, Hallie Vanderhider, Bobby Dees, Margaret Alkek Williams, Jo Furr, Jay Jones, Terry Wayne Jones, Martha Finger, and Duyen and Marc Nguyen.
Chris and Kristy Bradshaw
Connor Walsh, Chae Eun Yang
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Phoebe and Bobby Tudor
Margaret Alkek Williams and David Wuthrich
Nick Pierce, Victoria Gutierrez
S. Shawn Stephens, Leigh Smith, Ileana Treviño, Kelley Lubanko, Martha Finger
Stephanie and Frank Tsuru
Tony Bradfield, Marguerite Swartz, Mary Sage, Rahul Ramdas
Yuriko Kajiya, Akemi Saitoh