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32 THE POINTE OF IT ALL HOUSTON BALLET EMBRACES A HOME AWAY FROM HOME. Shelby Hodge is on her toes. Photography Wilson Parish. A h, the best-laid plans of ballerinas and balletomanes, thrown into disarray by the vagaries of Hurricane Harvey. There was to have been a Houston Ballet gala opening- night performance and inaugural dinner on stage at Wortham Theater Center in early September. But less than a week before the curtain was to rise on the season premiere, the ballet's home was under water. Adjustments had to be made. Seven weeks later, the performance and party took place in the ballet's temporary home at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. "So here we are late, but better than never," said Houston Ballet artistic director Stanton Welch as he congratulated the evening's chairs, S. Shawn Stephens and James M. Jordan and Beth and Nick Zdeblick, for their flexibility and determination in carrying on with the inaugural dinner. Soon after the final curtain, 250 ballet patrons ascended to the Sarofim Stage for a dinner from Jackson and Company. With an assist from The Events Company, the stage was transformed into an elegant dining salon where the très chic ensemble helped raise more than $170,000, surpassing expectations for this first-time event. APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE: Honorees Melza and Ted Barr, Houston Ballet managing director Jim Nelson, Richard Lapin, ballet board chair Phoebe Tudor and Bobby Tudor, board president Allison Thacker, John and Becca Cason Thrash, Hallie Vanderhider, Leigh Smith, Jean May, Susan and Jack Lapin, Margaret Alkek Williams, Beth Muecke, Jo and Jim Furr, Cabrina and Stephen Owsley, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Courtney and Bill Toomey, and Ginni and Richard Mithoff. See more Shelby Hodge at PaperCitymag.com. Houston Ballet Opening Night Onstage Dinner Stanton Welch, Phoebe Tudor, Allison Thacker, Jim Nelson Chair Beth Zdeblick Chair S. Shawn Stephens Hallie Vanderhider, Fady Armanious Diane Lokey Farb Jo & Jim Furr Bill & Courtney Toomey Kristy & Chris Bradshaw Steven & Cabrina Owsley Connor Walsh, Jean May Kevin Black, Tony Bradfield Honorees Ted & Melza Barr