James Flowers and Robin French
THE HEALTH MUSEUM hosted its annual fundraising dinner at the Four Seasons hotel Downtown, where a Casablanca-themed evening had everyone moving, grooving — and raking in nearly $300K for the museum!
Chaired by James Flowers, the event celebrated the institution's mission to inspire the next generation of healthcare workers, via its Discovery Camps, field trips and the groundbreaking DeBakey Cell Lab. A fantastic multi-course dinner, provided by the hotel's Toro Toro restaurant, was a great way to start off the night. A live auction featured items like a pamper-rific weekend at the Houstonian's Bush Suite, a private party dubbed "Night at the Museum," and more; a paddles-up segment also contributed to the evening's total till.
A string trio from party band Doppelganger segued into a livelier set with the full band, and guests hit the dance floor all night long!
Bill and Heather Gilmer
Front: Jennifer Kristoff, Arti Patel, Maggie Chapman, Madalyne Smith; back: Ryan Viviano, Jamie Porter, Philip Porter
John Arcidiacono
Dancing to Doppelgänger
Shayne Hutsen, Michael Beard, Maggie Chapman, Shay Butts, Scot Morgan
Alicia and Robert Jackson
James Flowers, Tonda Beard Chapman and Michael Beard
Dancing to Doppelgänger
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Hip-Hop, Trill Burgers, Lynn Wyatt and Warhol! Go Inside MFAH’s $2 Million Gala Night!
Jenny Antill Clifton and Wilson Parish
Nov. 22, 2023
Bun B performing
AS THE FALL social season begins to overlap the holidays, one of Houston’s grandest blue-chip galas unfolded in the The Caroline Wiess Law Building at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — raising well over $2 million!
MFAH’s annual Grand Gala Ball, with Van Cleef & Arpels ballyhooed as underwriter, “drew more than 425 guests, entering through a tent adorned with hot pink drapery, and a gold chandelier,” said a museum rep. “Upon entering the cocktail space, a diamond shaped bar greeted guests, flanked by works by Andy Warhol.” The Warhols and urbane vibe underscored the “Icons” theme, as championed by chairs Nicole and Evan H. Katz.
Baroque crystal chandeliers, black acrylic tables, a huge movie screen showing clips of Texas-made movies, and a racy mix of red- and pink-hued florals lent to the sexy-than-the-average-gala vibe. Dinner included, to start, a cold poached lobster with baby arugula, shaved fennel, olives, toasted pistachio and grilled artichoke salad; beef tenderloin accompanied by a savory leek-wrapped bread pudding made a sophisticated, hearty entrée. For dessert: an old-fashioned pecan ball with chocolate sauce, an iconic Houston favorite to be sure.
Entertainment for the affair was varied and at times stirring. LA-based Brandon Wattz crooned love songs and jazzy pop numbers throughout a dinner. A dashingly tuxedo’d Bun B took to the mic afterward, giving guests a surprise hip-hop show. Mr. Bun’s Trill Burgers also took over a museum terrace, with cooks grilling up delicious smash burgers for a raved-over midnight snack!
Per usual, a who’s-who of city society and top philanthropists showed up to support MFAH, including Nancy and Rich Kinder, Susan Sarofim, Joan Weingarten Schnitzer, Rose Cullen, Lynn Wyatt, Margaret Alkek Williams, Anne and Albert Chao, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Dan Zimmerman, Whitney and Jim Crane, Tony and Cynthia Petrello, Ron Franklin and Janet Gurwitch.
Franci Neely, Margaret Alkek Williams, Phoebe Tudor
Nancy and Rich Kinder
Andrew and Mona Sarofim
Richard Flowers, Lynn Wyatt, Angel Rios
Anne and Albert Chao
Gary Tinterow and Christopher Gardner
Bun B and Queenie with chairs Nicole and Evan Katz
Laura Stokes with a Trill Burger
Jonathan and Lily Schnitzer
Amy Doherty and Alexandra Butt
Bun B performs at the 2023 Grand Gala Ball
Trill Burgers at the gala
The cocktail area
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