parties

From Paris with Love: Inside MFAH's $1.2 Mil Grand Gala Ball

Jenny Antill
From Paris with Love: Inside MFAH's $1.2 Mil Grand Gala Ball

DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM a Renoir painting arriving this weekend for the MFAH's new show, Incomparable Impressionism, this year's Grand Gala Ball felt like it took place within an enchanting Parisian garden.

Black-tie-clad guests were greeted by the beautiful sounds of Divisi Strings and a floral arch in the North Foyer of the Caroline Wiess Law building. Floral motifs were also projected onto the walls of Cullinan Hall, recalling more beautiful Renoir paintings.

The City Kitchen-catered dinner was also, of course, fittingly French, with starters like crab Louis and mini croque monsieurs, and a main course of lamb with chanterelle mushrooms and gougeres.

After dinner, the Jordan Kahn Orchestra took the stage and got the crowd of 300 on their feet. The evening raised more than $1.2 million for the museum. Incomparable Impressionism, featuring works from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, opens Sunday and runs through March 27.

Yvonne Cormier and Claire Cormier Thielke

Albert and Anne Chao with Gary Tinterow

Susan and Fayez Sarofim

Durga and Sushila Agrawal

Franci Neely and Frank Hevrdejs

Jim and Whitney Crane

Margaret Alkek Williams

Janie and Daniel Zilkha

Richard and Ginni Mithoff

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Parties
promoted

Fall Philanthropy Report: Urban Harvest Farmers Market Helps ‘Transform Food Accessibility’

Fall Philanthropy Report: Urban Harvest Farmers Market Helps ‘Transform Food Accessibility’

What year was your organization launched? Urban Harvest’s Saturday Farmers Market started in 2004 with just seven vendors, providing an outlet for local farms, community and backyard gardeners to sell fresh produce harvested directly from their soils. Now in its 20th year, the market has grown to be one of the largest markets in Texas, supporting over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans all from within 180 miles of Houston. The market draws 3,000 customers every Saturday morning and includes many original vendors like Animal Farm, Atkinson Farms, and Wood Duck Farm.

Keep Reading Show less
parties

With Billowing Blooms and Evocative ‘Clowns,’ Williams’ Opera Ball Celebrates $2 Million Take

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
parties

With Olympic-Champ Keynoter, Annual Luncheon Goes for the Gold — and the Pink!

Debbie Festari, Ann Carl, Alicia Smith and Edward Sanchez (photo by Jacob Power)

A FABULOUSLY FASHIONABLE crowd of more than 650 turned up at the American Cancer Society’s annual Tickled Pink luncheon at the Post Oak Hotel. All wearing pink, because of course, they came to raise money for breast cancer research, and also to support some of Houston’s most generous and beloved ladies — chair Sippi Khurana and honorary chairs Leisa Holland-Nelson-Bowman, Donna Lewis, and Beth Wolff.

Keep Reading Show less
Wellness+Giving Back