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26 GOLD RUSH SHELBY HODGE IS BEDAZZLED. PHOTOGRAPHY WILSON PARISH. A ll that glittered at Houston Ballet's 50th anniversary ball was indeed gold: A panoply of golden gowns and lavishly gilded decor at Wortham Theater Center saluted the company's momentous anniversary. Chairs Beth Zdeblick (in a diaphanous gown by Oscar de la Renta) and Nick Zdeblick had envisioned a golden cocoon, which was perfectly executed by The Events Company. Leading ladies did their part to enhance the splendor, with honoree Margaret Alkek Williams regal in her fully beaded brocade gown by Ripetta of Rome, while honorary chair Phoebe Tudor embraced a princess motif in a gilded gossamer gown by Monique Lhuillier. Adding inspired fun to the evening was a surprise company-wide dance number, choreographed by first soloist Oliver Halkowich, which was followed by the presentation of a nine-foot-tall birthday cake with 50 faux candles amid a spray of shimmering confetti. WHO: Houston Ballet executive director Jim Nelson, artistic director Stanton Welch, and soloist Harper Watters in bespoke western costuming; joined by Lynn Wyatt, Stephanie and Frank Tsuru, Kevin Black and Tony Bradfield, Hallie Vanderhider and Bill King, Allison and Troy Thacker, Shawn Stephens and Jim Jordan, Anne and Albert Chao, Elise and Russell Joseph, and Claudia and David Hatcher. See more Shelby Hodge at papercitymag.com. HOUSTON BALLET CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN GILDED SPLENDOR. Bill & Courtney Toomey, Lilly & Harrison Cullen Honorary chairs Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Honoree Margaret Alkek Williams, chairs Beth & Nick Zdeblick Harper Watters, chair Beth Zdeblick Oliver Halkowich Lynn Wyatt, Stanton Welch Stephanie Tsuru, Erika Toussaint, Heidi Smith Marshall Heins, Christina Stith Lyndsey Zorich, Milton Townsend Mary Patton, Michelle Rigo