All That Jazz: With ‘Moonlight’ Theme, Mercury Mixes Up Musical Medley, Goes Glam for 2025 Gala

Jacob Power
All That Jazz: With ‘Moonlight’ Theme, Mercury Mixes Up Musical Medley, Goes Glam for 2025 Gala

Ally Shell and Martijn van Koolwijk

BLAME IT ON the Moon! Mercury Chamber Orchestra’s 2025 gala at the Thompson hotel — themed “Moonlight Serenade and chaired by Ally Shell and Martijn Van Koolwijk — was a night of glamour and big band vibes, raising more than $350,000 for the company.


“The event featured a spectacular night of live music, exquisite dining and generous philanthropy,” said a rep for the orchestra. “Mercury musicians, along with performers from Houston Jazz Orchestra, delighted the crowd with a unique fusion of classical and jazz influences, bringing fresh energy to the orchestra’s signature style.” The theme was a nod to Glenn Miller’s iconic “Moonlight Serenade.”

Johnny Bravo led the auction, scoring big bucks for items such as golfing adventures and a fabulous Mexico getaway. A yellow gold necklace with diamonds and yellow beads was raffled off.

“This year’s gala was a true testament to the power of music to unite and inspire,” said Antoine Plante, Artistic Director of Mercury.

Bucks raised at the posh affair will support Mercury’s concerts, community engagement programs, and educational initiatives, which reach thousands of students across the Greater Houston area each year, Mercury says.

Jen Grigsby, Kimberly Rawlins, Anna Winter, Vanessa Weeke and Sherry Weiner

Shane and Marissa Gilroy

Antoine Plante

Kim Padgett, Sarah Leftwich and Donae Chramosta

Mary Foster and Don DeSimone

Brian Ritter, Steve Barth, June Barth and Antoine Plante

Art+Culture
Consistent Focus on the Patient Is What Sets Montrose Med Spa Apart

Owner Maricela Olivo and Montrose Med Spa

WHAT MAKES MONTROSE Med Spa stand apart from the competition? We set ourselves apart from the competition by being consistently focused on one thing: the patient. With that focus, we will succeed in a successful and healthy experience and loyalty to Montrose Med Spa. Staying true to our message of intentional wellness is a point of difference where I see other spas being unclear and distracted in their direction. By listening to our patients, we ensure we meet and exceed their expectations. We continually stay on top of the market by offering the best innovative body sculpting and skin treatments that invigorate and energize and are specifically designed to restore balance and strength and renew youth to the body. We also utilize a number of marketing programs to stay on the minds of our guests, including radio, TV, direct mail, email blasts, and unique invitations for exclusive treatments. One element that helps to establish the bar and sets us apart from our competition is our emphasis on providing a complete medical gym experience—from the varied treatments with Emsculpt Neo to a personalized health and wellness and skin evaluation for each individual by our certified staff. We also provide a noninvasive, pain-free, and needle-free facelift through EMFace in addition to offering monthly beauty memberships that create a commitment to the overall wellbeing of the patient.

Keep Reading Show less

Gold high-low tulle mini dress, $698, by Chloe Dao, with diamond-and-pearl necklace, diamond earrings, diamond-flower bracelet, and diamond rings, all vintage Buccellati, and Macri cuff bracelets, from $32,000, by Buccellati, all at Tenenbaum Jewelers.

IN THE WARM glow of the holidays, festive frocks, elegant resort looks and baubles from Houston’s finest jewelers take on a regal new light.

Keep Reading Show less
Style

Casey Axelrod, Stacey White, Christy Robinson, Laura Lewis and Mia Oliva

PETE BELL'S COTTON Holdings company, known for never doing anything halfway when it comes to parties, celebrated the return of the of the A&M-UT football game after a 13-year hiatus with the most lavish tailgating more gridiron fans have ever seen.

Keep Reading Show less
Style+Culture