Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1405910
Symphony Ball dancers Rachel & Warren Ellsworth at Wine Dinner Honorees Vicki West, Ralph Burch at Wine Dinner Lauren Paine Allie LaForce-Smith Marla Hurley at Wine Dinner Eric Lindsey & Lisa Rydman at Wine Dinner Leslie Siller Maureen Higdon at Wine Dinner Elia Gabbanelli at Wine Dinner Chairs Ann & Jonathan Ayre at Wine Dinner Gia Jenner Sean Jamieson at Wine Dinner A SUITE OF CLASSICAL EVENTS STARTS THE SOCIAL SEASON — ADAGIO. Shelby Hodge joins the parties. Photography by Wilson Parish. OVERTURE W i t h a c e r t a i n timidity, patrons of the Houston Symphony were the first of the city's cultural arts supporters to don black tie and ball gowns in 2021 as the city's dormant social life slowly awakened post-COVID 19. Precautions were taken at the Symphony Ball with face masks required, temperatures checked, and tables for the mere 115 guests widely spaced across the Post Oak Hotel ballroom. As this evening was an early re-entry to public outings, gala chairs Rini and Ed Ziegler were among those, as yet not vaccinated, who opted to tune into the virtual presentation from home. Two months later, the pent-up desire for substantive socializing found an outlet in the Houston Symphony Wine Dinner & Collector's Auction that filled The Astorian with obvious jubilation. Ann and Jonathan Ayre helmed the black- tie evening that honored symphony patrons Vicki West and Ralph Burch. For this 20th anniversary of the wine dinner, Jackson & Company was tapped to provide the five-course gourmet meal. Accompanying wines were selected by symphony board president John Rydman, who heads Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods. THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY'S Elizabeth & Alan Stein at Symphony Ball 66