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44 ART OF THE BALL By Shelby Hodge Photography Michelle Watson/catchlightgroup.com W hat perfect timing: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's rare retrospec- tive on Degas and his ballet danc- ers, which opened mere days after the Grand Gala Ball: Degas: A New Vision, provided stunning inspiration for the glamorous night, which enriched museum coffers by $1.85 mil- lion. Gala chairs Laurie and Reed Morian — ballet aficionados in their own right — celebrated Degas with 450 near and dear, the museum setting awash in ballet splendor. "Laurie's touch has made this year's event memorable," said MFAH director Gary Tinterow. "Her knowledge and love of ballet has given the evening a special focus, and her passion literally brought our Degas retrospective alive." Consider the duo of ballet dancers striking poses atop a rose-covered pedestal in the museum foyer and mammoth silhouette projections of a modern ballet dancer pivoting across museum walls while the Jordan Kahn Orchestra of Dallas performed. Todd Fiscus and his Todd Events team created the lavish decor that was beautifully shrouded in thousands of roses, hydrangeas, and orchids. All of it donated by the party designer as part of his firm's philanthropic focus. City Kitchen once again presented a remarkable dinner that was extravagantly supplemented by a special selection of wines. Cristina and Lee Hudson donated the white wine from their vineyard in Napa Valley, while Lisa and Ralph Eads contributed red wine from their estate in Bordeaux. SEEN: Nancy and Rich Kinder, Shahla and Hushang Ansary, Diane Lokey Farb, Cherie and Jim Flores, Linda and Dr. Walter McReynolds, Pat Breen, Isabel David, Courtney and Christopher Sarofim, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Nancy and Butch Abendshein, and Janice and Bob McNair. Phoebe Tudor in Oscar de la Renta & Bobby Tudor Hallie Vanderhider in Monique Lhuillier Jim Ware & Dancie Ware in Oscar de la Renta Chairs Laurie Morian in Erdem & Reed Morian Nancy & Rich Kinder Carol & Mike Linn Gary Tinterow & Christopher Gardner Cal & Hannah McNair, Janice & Bob McNair Natasha Oliver Garrett & Krystal Thompson Diane Lokey Farb in Oscar de la Renta Todd Fiscus