The Houston social calendar officially kicked off the New Year and New Season with the most elegant evening celebrating the 2024 Houston Symphony Ball, themed Vienna Fête Impériale. Over 400 guests in their finest white tie and over-the-top elegant fashions filled the ballroom of the Post Oak Hotel, raising over $1 million to benefit the Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement Program. The ballroom thanks to the talents of Richard Flowers of the Events Company converted the room through its decor to a perfect blend of Vienna and American culture. Crystal chandeliers, candelabras and tables covered in exquisite linens were the perfect setting for the most elegant and beautiful display of florals arrangements in varying sizes and shades of pink very much in keeping with the theme of old world Europe.
This year’s Symphony Ball was exquisitely chaired by Tammie & Dr. Charles Johnson and Drs. Alice Mao Brams & Matt Brams. The Honorees of the evening recognized by the Symphony were Brigitte & Bashar Kalai for the Houston Symphony Philanthropy Award, Dr. Sippi Khurana with the Stewart Orton Golden Baton Award and Betty & Jess Tutor with the Houston Lifetime Achievement Award. All of this year’s honorees were recognized for their continued philanthropic constributiions to the arts and impact on the Houston community.
Inspired by the Ball’s theme, guests we’re welcomed by a dazzling debutant Viennese Waltz opening and orator, both adding to the fanfare of the evening.
Attendees mixed and mingled in this beautiful setting while enjoying a scrumptuous dinner of ceasar salad and filet mignon and sipping on wine pairings meticulously selected by Lindy and John Rydman of Spec’s Wines, Spirits and Fine Foods. The evening definitely went to a next level when the band for the evening, Q the Band took to the stage and got everyone out of their seats and onto the dance floor. They were so amazing in their play of popular songs but with the appropriate addition of the ladies playing violins/strings to these classic pop songs……definitely adding to the evening’s festitivites!
Alice Mao Brams, Anne Ayer, Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell
Scene in the Crowd: John & Regina Mangum; Hallie Vanderheider; Bobbie Dees; CC & Duke Ensell; Ann & Jonathan Ayre; Elia Gabinelli; Kristy Bradshaw; Daniel Irion & Kirk Kveton; John & Lindy Rydman; Reggie & Paula DesRoches; Vicki West & Ralph Burch; Margaret Alkek Williams; Aerin & Quentin Smith; Mary Fusillo, Heidi Rockecharlie, Susan & Dick Hansen, Danny Ward, Nancy Ames, Fady Armanious, Bill Baldwin, Alicia Smith, Bill Stubbs; Heather Almond;
PHOTO CREDITS: Daniel Ortiz and Priscilla Dickson