Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/106149
JEFF FITLOW Rhapsodic Russian Kickoff for Symphony Ball Chairmen Phoebe & Bobby Tudor T he launch of the 2013 Houston Symphony Ball, "Russian Rhapsody: A White Night Salute to Hans and Margarita Graf," dazzled guests with a 49th-floor view at Heritage Plaza downtown. Chairmen Phoebe and Bobby Tudor welcomed more than 125 to honor the Symphony's longtime music director, Hans Graf, and his wife Margarita, in recognition of the maestro's farewell season. Staying true to the theme, Russian vodkas courtesy of Spec's accompanied white-night bites from Jackson and Company. Music from the Balalaika Society soundtracked the appetizers and dessert, after which Mark Hanson introduced Symphony violinist Sergei Galperin, who performed a solo. View from the top: Anne and John Mendelsohn, Margaret Williams with Jim Daniel, Barbara and Lance McKnight, Clarease and Cary Yates, Robert Sakowitz, Omana and Sam Abraham, Ting Bresnahan, Katie Flaherty, and Ellie Francisco. (Save the date: Houston Symphony Ball, Friday, March 8, at Rice University.) Matthew Ramirez Margaret Williams, Jim Daniel Christina & Mark Hanson Carlos & Karina Barbieri Mary Fusillo, Donna Chen Sergei Galperin Audrey Cochran, Sarah Cotting Ting Bresnahan Divya & Chris Brown Omana & Sam Abraham Betty Tutor Robert Sakowitz FEBRUARY | PAGE 11 | 2013 Louis Skidmore Katie Flaherty, Jo A. Simmons Kendra Helms Cary & Clarease Yates Josh & Danielle Batchelor