Photos by Samantha Jane Beatty
Styling by Todd Ramos
Model Jerry Raines for Neal Hamil Agency
Grooming by Briana Dai
Photography assistance by John Lewis
Styling assistance by Tyler Treadwell
Shot on location at The Barn at Four Pines Ranch in Crosby
Tom Herrick, Allison Pfeiffer, Ashley Coombs, Michael Hogan
This year’s ball boasted the world-premiere of a cirque-style Alice in Wonderland-inspired show — ribbon dancing, acrobatics, even a burlesque-y partial striptease-while-juggling number — to delight the 180 guests of chairs Alicia and Garrett Gordy (yes, that same Gordy family) between cocktail hour and dinner.
The meal, which featured wines chosen by ardent Stages supporter Chris Shepherd, included melon ball gazpacho with jumbo lump crab and cucumber ribbons. The soup was followed by medallions of beef tenderloin with cabernet-caramelized shallot glaze, mascarpone polenta and wilted greens.
Popular items in what turned out to be a record-breaking silent auction included “a True Yellow Experience with a stay at Double Arrow Ranch nestled between the Crazy Mountains and the banks of the Yellowstone River, an authentic cattle drive, and plenty of trout fishing,” per a Stages rep. “Other top items included an 18K Gold necklace from acclaimed jewelry creator Robert Wander; a private dinner at the home of James Beard Award-winning Chef Chris Shepherd; and a VIP Astros experience.”
Notable guests included Glenda and Russell Gordy, George Lancaster; Charles Walker, Stages board chair Myrtle Jones, James and Nicole Lassiter and Marnie Greenwood.
In all, the gala raised $550,000 for Stages’ important mission.
Alicia Gordy, Christopher Mitchell, Glenda Gordy
Brandon Weinbrenner and Mauri Oliver
Cabrina and Steven Owsley
Charles and Kerry Walker
Garrett Gordy, Chris Shepherd, Russell Gordy
George Lancaster, Myrtle Jones
Jerry Barnett and Michael Byars
Jill Roth and Ben Lipson
Kalinda Campbell and Sledge Leonidas
Katie Maltais, Beth Lane, Lindsey Brown, Stacy Soefer Gomar
Lauren and Bob Hagerich
Marnie Greenwood, Alicia Gordy, Alexandra Bruskoff
Rick Pasqualone and Denise Fennell
Rina and Ryan O'Malley, Garrett Gordy, Rich Bruskoff
Lauren Leal, New Orleans Saints and former University of Houston defensive end Payton Turner, Dalton Witherspoon, Davis Beal
Former Houston Texans players Earl Mitchell and Darryl Sharpton made the scene, along with New Orleans Saints defensive end and former UH Cougars standout Payton Turner. They gridiron group joined media personalities Maggie McKethan, Lauren Leal, Marco Torres, Kayla Dalati, Riel Samantha Huang, Christina Autry, Magda Hernandez, Tiffany Haagen and Chandler King.
“A lively and well-heeled crowd gathered at Houston’s newest social gathering hub, The Heights Social, to celebrate its opening,” gushed a rep for the new watering hole. “Located on the popular W 20th Street strip, the suave and sophisticated bar treated guests to cultivated cocktails and a selection of offerings from its elevated kitchen menu.”
A DJ spun as signature espresso martinis and hibiscus palomas, both available on tap, poured. Under a huge, crystal-dripping chandelier, colorful custom Champagne carts made the rounds, as well.
Heights Social jones an increasingly bustling Houston Heights strip, hoping to elevate the ice-house/sports-bar vibe there. It boasts W 20th Street’s first fully indoor bar and features a full kitchen, TVs, 46-foot LED wall, Happy Hour specials, martinis and cocktails on tap, and tableside champagne service during weekend brunch, the rep said.
Former Houston Texans defenders Earl Mitchell, Darryl Sharpton
Samantha Huang
Kyndal Lilly, Tiffany Haagen, Victoria Fuselier
Ford and Casey Scott, Reina and Shan Patel
Taylor McDaniel, Mechelle Tran, Crystal Del Toro
Russ Roberts, Darby Rosen, Henry Garcia
Andrew and Christe Konopotski
Brandon Huynh, An Le
Angela Boudreaux, Taylor Schaff
Kayla Dalati, Samuel Mitchell
Magda Hernandez, Melissa Mizerik
Crystal Del Toro, Taylor McDaniel, Mark Monsma, Stan McCorkle
