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AUGUST | PAGE 14 | 2015 GROOVY GALA TRIFECTA A ROUNDUP OF THREE THROWBACK GALAS AND ODES TO SEQUINED SHARKS, BIG SHOES AND DEEP POCKETS MATTHEW RAMIREZ SUITS UP. PHOTOGRAPHY JENNY ANTILL CLIFTON, MORRIS MALAKOFF. CANDY-COOL Near-midtown's Hyde Park Gallery transformed itself into Willy Wonka's chocolate factory for the Gum Ball celebrating Fresh Arts, complete with Wonka-inspired outfits, a chocolate river, even Oompa Loompas. Avant-garde opera artist Amanda Gregory tantalized with her vocals, while local DJs A Fistful of Soul spun vintage 45s and members of burlesque company Dem Damn Dames sizzled onstage. Nearly $100,000 was raised toward strengthening Houston's art scene via unique creative spaces like Hyde Park. In a world of pure imagination: chairs Chris Goins, Josh Pazda, Lea McKinney, Haig Tcholakian, Jeff Shell, newlyweds Claudia Solis and Matthew Wettergreen; honorees artist and gallerist Sharon and Gus Kopriva, and glass artisan Chris Silkwood. GONZO GALA-ISM The annual Glassell School of Art Benefit and Auction is always an outrageous time, and this year's was no different — they went Gonzo. Chairmen Melissa and Albert Grobmyer summoned more than 300 guests to celebrate at the Texas Medical Center Accelerator, John P. McGovern Campus, in truly psychedelic style. A Fare Extraordinaire cooked up a seated dinner and a munchies bar with comfort-food favorite Frito pies. DJ Kiss on the turntable time-warped patrons back to the '70s, while a sequined shark sculpture by Alex Goss spun overhead. More than 64 artworks were sold, raising $376,000 for the Glassell's coffers. Feelin' the love: MFAH director Gary Tinterow and Christopher Gardner, collectors Jereann Chaney with Norman Ewart, Leslie and Brad Bucher, Betty and Stephen Newton, Lisa and Russell Sherrill, Leigh and Reggie Smith, and Alfred C. Glassell III and wife Marli Andrade; and Art Market's Jeffrey Wainhause and Max Fishko. FAR OUT Young Audiences of Houston's Disco Galaxy Soirée at Rice University's Cohen House was a groovy trip back to shag carpets and leisure suits. This year's honorees were Dr. William E. "Billy" Cohn of Texas Heart Institute at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center and The Boeing Company. The Arts Empowerment Award went to Young Women's College Preparatory Academy and Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men for their integration of arts and science, technology, engineering and math. Pretty young things: Darcie Durham, who accepted the honor for Boeing; YAH board members Austin Baltes and Wells McGee; and guests Bud Frazier, Caroline and Jared LeBlanc, Leslie and Jack Blanton, Dameion Crook, and Monica Bowes. For more party coverage, visit papercitymag.com. Chair Chris Goins Lucy Corona at Fresh Arts Honoree Gus Kopriva Chair Melissa Grobmyer Bud Frazier Honoree Billy Cohn Mishaun Cohn at Young Audiences Harvin & Janet Moore at Glassell Phillip Hudson Don Mafrige Jr. at Fresh Arts Sarah Starry Mendoza Margaret Buescher Jana Phillips at Young Audiences Caroline Starry LeBlanc at Fresh Arts Christian Zaleski Tanisha Cannings Ian Cion Gretchen Cion at Young Audiences Meghan Thrash at Young Audiences Paul Cannings at Young Audiences Steve Dolman at Young Audiences Jennifer Dolman Linda Eyles Alfred C. Glassell III Hiram Butler Judy Nyquist at Glassell Gary Tinterow Christopher Gardner at Glassell Blake Perrin at Young Audiences Jennifer Tashman Amy Anton Drew Anton at Glassell Marli Andrade at Glassell Simon Eyles Honoree Chris Silkwood at Fresh Arts Honoree Sharon Kopriva at Fresh Arts Geoff Wilder at Fresh Arts Betty Newton at Glassell Chair Matthew Wettergreen Geraldina Wise Nealette Douglas Le'Andre Douglas at Fresh Arts Michelle Perrier at Glassell Chair Albert Grobmyer at Glassell Stephen Newton