With Marching Band — and Bobby and Phoebe Tudor as Honorees — SPA Gala Fetes Org at Time of Change

Priscilla Dickson
With Marching Band — and Bobby and Phoebe Tudor as Honorees — SPA Gala Fetes Org at Time of Change

Phoebe and Bobby Tudor

FESTOONED IN SPRING pastels — not just the floral centerpieces, but also the shades on the massive chandeliers overhead in the soaring grand foyer of the Wortham Center — the Society of Performing Arts (SPA) gala was a colorful A-List bash, dubbed the Kaleidoscope Ball.


And it was a momentous occasion as guests learned for the first time of the organization’s new name and logo. Shhhhh. The official public announcement comes next week.

After beginning with cocktails on the plaza out front — the Westbury High School Marching Band was a nice, raucous touch — the party moved inside for a rich Jackson & Company meal of short rib and roasted potatoes. During dinner, teen musicians from HSPVA played jazzy tunes, and after dessert, Western swing legends Asleep at the Wheel took the stage. The evening’s honorees, Bobby and Phoebe Tudor, were among those filling the dance floor to two-step the night away.

Carrie and Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl

Linda Lorelle and Lou Gregorgy

Tyson and Tena Faust

Priti and Sammy Virani

Jay Jones and Terry Wayne Jones

Kristina Somerville

Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin

Doug and Reagan Bauer

Margaret Alkek Williams and David Wuthrich

Neal Peeler, Hallie Vanderhider, Janet and John Carrig

Rob and Amy Pierce

Willie and Linda Chiang

Chairwoman Kristina Somerville, a sparkly vision in a sleek sequined original gown by Houston’s David Peck, welcomed a who’s who of arts patrons and society swells to the gala, which raised about $600,000 for the nonprofit. The guest list included Margaret Alkek Williams, Hallie Vanderhinder, Jay Jones, Terry Wayne Jones, Lilly and Harrison Cullen, Amy and Rob Pierce, Bill Baldwin, Fady Armanious, Carrie and Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl and Linda Lorelle, who also served as emcee for the evening.

SPA CEO Meg Booth called the ball “a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate Houston's cultural richness through the arts.”

Parties
Thrive & Inspire: ‘Results for Clients’ in Oil and Gas Drives Michelman & Robinson’s Varnado

Lauren Varnado, Houston Office Managing Partner at Michelman & Robinson, LLP and sought-after oil and gas lawyer

WHAT WAS THE highlight of 2022 at your business? That’s easy, launching Michelman & Robinson in Houston was, for me, the absolute high point of 2022 — and that’s in a year that included so many highlights. Without question, being named the firm’s Houston Office Managing Partner is and was a professional milestone that I’m so very proud of. That I’ve already been able to expand the office to 10 of us (and growing) and significantly move the needle in terms of the firm’s reach within the energy space is icing on the cake.

Keep Reading Show less

The inspired menu at Amalfi emphasizes fresh seafood and, on right, Giancarlo Ferrara

THIS WEDNESDAY, AMALFI Ristorante will transport guests to the sun-soaked shores of Southern Italy’s Campania region, home to the glamorous island of Capri, with a six-course dinner. The menu, curated by Executive Chef Giancarlo Ferrara, will be paired with wines from Agricola Bellaria Winery, one of Campania’s most celebrated estates.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

A model on the runway at the Saks show kicking of the Nutcracker Market

A PAIR OF fashion-show events kicked off the annual Nutcracker Market in support of the Houston Ballet.

Keep Reading Show less
Fashion+Home