Mercury Orchestra Blasts Off, with Fun Retro-Space-Age Gala and Supporters Like Lynn Wyatt

Priscilla Dickson
Mercury Orchestra Blasts Off, with Fun Retro-Space-Age Gala and Supporters Like Lynn Wyatt

Mercury Artistic Director Antoine Plante and Lynn Wyatt on the dance floor at the Mercury gala

ONE OF HOUSTON'S most prestigious performing arts organizations, the Mercury orchestra, threw a fabulous “Retro-Futuristic” gala at the Post Oak Hotel, complete with a space-themed musical presentation and a top-tier guest list including Lynn Wyatt.


“The elegant evening raised more than $375,000 for Mercury’s concerts and education programs, with gala décor designed by Art Attack and a sumptuous three-course meal by the Post Oak’s award-winning chef,” said a rep for the ball’s organizers. “Amidst décor that evoked the excitement and adventurous spirit of space travel, the 270 guests dined on a first course of heirloom tomato and burrata salad with quinoa and basil dressing. The main course featured glazed short ribs with mustard spätzle, Swiss chard and braising jus, followed by a delightful crème fraiche panna cotta with pistachio sponge, lemon cream and macerated strawberries.”

But the real dessert was the Artistic Director Antoine Plante and Mercury’s after-dinner concert, which included silent film footage from Voyage de Lune and the scores from 2001 A Space Odyssey, Star Trek and ET, along with ditties such as Fly Me to the Moon and Rocket Man by Wyatt’s bestie Elton John.

Gala chairs Kelly and David Rose and Mercury Executive Director Brian Ritter and his husband Christopher Michael Stribling — the latter duo enjoying their first night out since welcoming a new baby in recent months — greeted guests including Katrina and Nick Peacock, Mindy and Josh Davidson, Mollie and Wayne Brunetti, Lisa and Gary Cohen and retired astronaut Peggy Whitson.

Brynne and Brad Olsen

Kelly and David Rose

Mercury's musicians take the stage

Robert Welsh and Konnie Haynes-Welsh

Katrina and Nick Peacock

Robert Navo, Ginny Hart and Brian Ritter

Scott and Erin Reid

Amy and Kelly Plato

Darin and Gretchen Carroll and Cari and Steve Greenly

Carol and Joe Mohrman

Art + Entertainment
‘Culture of Service and Accountability’ Supports Mission of Orion EMS

Gerard O’Brien, President/CEO & Founder, and Sumi Patel, Vice President

HOW DID YOU get where you are today? The EMS industry, quite literally, never stops. Our staff and units are called to serve our community every hour of every day; there are no weekends, holidays, or “days off.” Obviously, the demands of EMS are not for the faint of heart, and we have established a culture of service and accountability that is different than nearly every other organization. Our leadership team sets this culture by exhibiting their passion for this industry daily. Their tireless dedication makes a better experience for our staff when they come to work and for our patients and clients when they call on us to transport their loved ones.

Keep ReadingShow less

David Adickes and Bun B

SOME OF THE CITY'S most influential VIPs gathered at Steak 48 in River Oaks District for the annual toast to CityBook’s “Leaders & Legends,” a recurring franchise for the publication whose past honorees have including a Tony and Grammy winner, a Nobel laureate, a member of Congress, an Olympic medalist, multiple billionaire business moguls, TV stars, artists and scientists of every sort, and the city’s most glamorous and generous socialites.

Keep ReadingShow less
Parties

Tay Butler’s Lawndale installation, spring 2023

DESPITE ITS PAIN and pitfalls, there’s no denying that the pandemic inspired artists like never before. This season, one of the most ambitious public-art projects to emerge from the Covid years comes to a close.

Keep ReadingShow less
Art + Entertainment