Black-Tie Bash Toasts Return to Normal for Houston Theater

Priscilla Dickson and Quy Tran
Black-Tie Bash Toasts Return to Normal for Houston Theater

Russell and Jody Radoff, Bunny Radoff, Brad Radoff

STAGES, WHICH YESTERDAY announced its return to in-person performances at its still-new campus, celebrated a return to normalcy with a black-tie gala at The Gordy. Nearly 200 supporters raised a glass to surviving the tumultuous year, which included plentiful pivots to digital programming and livestream performances by the troupe.


The evening kicked off with entertainment by singers Teresa Zimmerman and John Ryan del Bosque, who serenaded guests as they entered the beautiful building, decked out by Bergner & Johnson in greenery and elements like paper lanterns from floor to ceiling.

Originally scheduled to take place in January of this year, the gala was successfully rescheduled, thanks to the hard work of event chairs Cabrina and Steven Owsley, underwriting chairs Vicki West and Ralph Burch, and auction chairs Jo Dee and Cliff Wright. Speaking of the auction: Packages included trips to Marfa and Costa Rica, and even a walk-on role in Stages' upcoming holiday season's Panto production.

Before dinner, patrons mingled with Stages actors and board members, catching up on the wild year and chatting about the season ahead. The meal of chinois salad and chicken and shrimp with duck-fat-fried rice, courtesy of Wolfgang Puck, was stellar, as was the encore of key lime pie and espresso tiramisu. Guests then made their way outside to The Gordy's Brown Foundation Lawn — the site of a handful of socially distant performances this spring — for cocktails.

The evening raised an impressive $670,000 for Stages, and certainly marked an exciting moment for Houston's fine-arts scene.

Alicia and Garrett Gordy

Brandon McClendon, Ashley Jackson, Chase Brooks

Charles and Kerry Walker

Denise Fennell, Teresa Zimmerman

Dominic Cellitti, Steve Breyfogel

Erica Noll, Mike Cardigan

Glenda and Russell Gordy

Kalinda Campbell, Sledge Leonidas

Isla and T.R. Reckling, Carroll Goodman and John Wessels

Mrytle Jones, Candice Penelton

Ralph Burch and Vicki West

Susan and Neal Hirsch

Tara Simon, George Lancaster, Mauri Oliver

William Finnorn, Cabe Miller

Kenn McLaughlin, Cabrina and Steven Owsley

Parties
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

Symphony Springs to Life with Floral-Fabulous Fete

Jacob Power and Priscilla Dickson

Chairs Brady and Zane Carruth, Brittany and Adam Clark

IT ALREADY FEELS like spring in Houston and the spring social season is here with it! 375 guests donned in white-tie flocked to The Post Oak Hotel for the annual Houston Symphony Ball, one of the city’s most anticipated and A-list galas.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

THE TRUFFLE MASTERS is returning for its 11th year on March 3rd. Now a Houston tradition of sorts, the competition sees top chefs creating a dish using black truffles all benefitting Southern Smoke.

Keep Reading Show less