Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1462584
A f t e r t w o y e a r s o f nonexistent or scaled- down galas, the Houston Ballet Ball at Wortham Theater Center was the first to return to absolute fabulousness. Ball chairs Stephanie Tsuru and Kelli Weinzierl rocked the ball's Jewels theme — a nod to the company's production of George Balanchine's ballet Jewels — in, respectively, an emerald-green ensemble by Dallas' Nardos Design and a ruby-red beaded gown by Naeem Khan. Special guest of this evening was Houston Ballet's newest principal, Skylar Campbell, too new to have been included in the larger- than-life paintings of dancers that lined the soaring walls of the theater's Grand Foyer. Richard Flowers and The Events Company provided the paintings and other jewel-inspired decor, while Jackson & Company delivered a beautiful dinner that concluded with a petite and edible jewel box of sweets. Before dancing to the sounds of Gen 8 concluded, the evening had raised $1.4 million. Seen: Leigh and Reggie Smith, Shawn Stephens and Jim Jordan, Lynn Wyatt, Margaret Alkek Williams, Anne and Albert Chao, Jay Jones and Terry Wayne Jones, Becca Cason Thrash and John Thrash, Houston Grand Opera general director and CEO Khori Dastoor and husband BenJoaquin Gouverneur, The Menil Collection director Rebecca Rabinow, Neiman Marcus VP and GM Chris Hendel, Underbelly Hospitality owner chef Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown, and Tootsies owners Donna and Norman Lewis. GLAM IS BACK THE SWANS SET THE STAGE FOR A DAZZLING HOUSTON BALLET BALL. Shelby Hodge raises a glass. Photography Wilson Parish and Dave Rossman. Chairmen Frank & Stephanie Tsuru, Kelli Weinzierl Houston Ballet executive director Jim Nelson Seth & Katie Tsuru Richard Flowers, Lynn Wyatt Becca Cason Thrash Nick & Beth Zdeblick Anne & Albert Chao David & Claudia Hatcher Page Kempner, Chris Johns-Krull Gillian Hobson Reggie & Leigh Smith David Peck, David Bamfold Marc & Duyen Nguyen 38