Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/141341
Shades of Aubergine Houston Ballet Ball's bold and beautiful fête features a side of Texas art. Terrie Hogan Turner Dancie Ware Nick Florescu & Dominique Sachse Jennifer Bosch Shafik Rifaat & honoree Shelby Hodge CATHERINE D. ANSPON SURVEYS THE SOCIAL PIROUETTES. PHOTOGRAPHY FULTON DAVENPORT. Setting the Stage T Donna Bruni alk about reimagining a gala: Chairman Becca Cason Elizabeth Petersen Thrash devised a delicious new theme for this spring's Ballet Ball. The result? The beautiful early spring evening at the Wortham Theater Center — christened "Aubergine," a palette Chairman exceptionally realized by Miz Thrash's Zac Posen ball gown with Becca Cason Thrash its endlesssssssss train — hit, and then wildly exceeded, the million-dollar mark. But there's more than money here to talk about. Miz Thrash, her chair husband John Thrash, and fellow chairs Greggory and Patrick Burk reigned over one of the most imaginative fund-raising fêtes ever for the Houston Ballet. There was even a new component: Art for Art's Sake, an auction of important (mostly Texas) art, overseen by yours truly. More on that in a moment. Other star players upon the social stage included design sponsor Richard Flower's The Events Company, which choreographed the splendid table settings festooned with grapes and profuse florals, and City Kitchen, which concocted the seated dinner led off by Aubergine Blanc (eggplant stuffed with crabmeat and pomegranates). Not to be overlooked were this soirée's honoree, beloved social scribe Shelby Hodge, on the arm of architect husband Shafik Rifaat; co-chairs Sue and Lester Kathryn Smith Smith; Diane Lokey Farb, squired by Mark Sullivan; Margaret Williams, whose name graces a theater in the new Ballet Center for Dance, with Jim Daniel; and Omega's Stephen Urquhart, stepping up as a big table buyer. But the biggest buzz came from talents that were not there, but were represented by giant flashing images projected upon the walls of the Wortham's soaring Grand Foyer — a curated collection of major masterworks donated by artists invited by Mizes Thrash, Burk and this scribe, from a Joe Mancuso abstracted pink blossom that went home with Karen Pulaski to Molly Gochman's photographic self-portrait won by McKay Stephanie & Ernie Cockrell Otto, who also contributed one of his own ethereal canvases to the cause (it was snapped up at the preview party a week earlier at Maison Thrash; stay tuned for our coverage in next month's issue). Besides the fervor around the art, silent-auction heat also came from a collection of dazzling rings designed by covetable jewelers Mark Sullivan including Katy Briscoe, Judith Ripka, Katie Decker and Co-chair Michael Tracy. All told, the art and bauble auction Diane Lokey Farb riches helped raise the barre on this tutu to-do to new heights: $1.4 million, making for Janet Greg & Patsy Fourticq a magnificent pairing of performing and Gurwitch visual talents unequaled in our town. Chairmen Greggory & Patrick Burk Karen Wildenstein Karen Pulaski Greg Fourticq Jr., McKay Otto Neal Hamil Party Query: When and where was the last time you wore a leotard? Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. Chairman John Thrash Greggory Burk: "I had a pale yellow leotard that Ralph Lauren called a 'top' in the early 90s. I rocked it with my wrap skirts at SMU." Patrick Burk: "I don't under-stand, why would I ever wear a leotard?" Karen Payne Ed Becnel, Jeanie Kilroy Mickey Rosmarin Joanne King Herring Bill Caudell Judith Oudt, Wade Wilson Paul-David Van Atta, Joanne King Herring Jessica Collado Oliver Halkowich Haag & Millette Sherman Guyla Pircher Rose & Harry Cullen Brad Marks, Joanna Hartland Melza & Ted Barr Les Ballard Pat Breen