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20 DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN By Shelby Hodge Photography Michelle Watson CatchLightGroup.com I t was a mad, mad, world at Jones Hall for the storied performance center's 50th anniversary gala. And who would have expected anything less from the "Mad Mid-Century Celebration" that hear- kened back to the hall's opening in 1966. From the Mad Men-style costuming of guests to the retro City Kitchen dinner and the venerable sounds of New York's Lester Lanin Orchestra, it was mid-century déjà vu. While chairs Ali and David Pruner and Jim Postl did their best to channel a retro fashion vibe, Joanne King Herring and Judy Margolis took the prize, wearing the same gowns that they had worn to the Jones Hall debut 50 years ago. (No alterations needed!) The swell event was bookended in a party tent in Jones Plaza where Rebekah Johnson created a Palm Court- inspired foyer that led to an elaborate ballroom with crystal chandeliers and gilded brocade wall coverings. In between cocktail hour and dinner, the Houston Symphony was joined on the Jones Hall stage by Itzhak Perlman. The renowned violinist not only performed on his Stradivarius but also conducted the symphony while mu- sic director Andres Orozco-Estrada played the glockenspiel for a Strauss polka. The soirée musicale raised $1.1 million for the renewal of the revered, if aging, performance hall. The evening saluted the performing arts groups that have called Jones Hall home and the Jesse Jones family and Houston Endowment, which bequeathed the hall to the city five decades ago. SEEN: Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Kim and David Sterling, Christina and Mark Hanson, Estela and David Cockrell, Janiece Longoria and Steve Lasher, June Christensen, Jane and Dean Gladden, Dina Al-Sowayel and Tony Chase, Joella and Steve Mach, Ann and Carl Stern, and Jay Jones with Terry Wayne Jones. See more Shelby Hodge at papercitymag.com. Katherine & Paul Murphy Andres Orozco-Estrada, Robert Johnson Courtney & John Garrett Chris Goins, Marguerite Swartz Christina Stith Joanne King Herring Judy Margolis Chairs Jim Postl, Ali & David Pruner Harry & Cora Sue Mach Tony Bradfield Jim Daniel Margaret Williams Kathy & John Orton Chree Boydstun, Tripp Carter Lauren & Max Barrett, Jana Arnoldy John Jones Lynn Wyatt Phoebe & Bobby Tudor Perryn Leech Lindley Arnoldy David & Estela Cockrell Toby & Itzhak Perlman Robert Johnson & Ariella Perlman Johnson June Christensen Janiece Longoria Kevin Black