Event Date: November 17, 2023
Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Event: Gala
Beneficiary: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
No. in attendance: 425
Money raised: $2,079,000
Chairpersons: Nicole and Evan Katz
Sponsor: Van Cleef & Arpels
Underwriters: Mrs. Fayez S. Sarofim, Nicole and Evan Katz, Hildebrand Fund, Nancy Sarofim Foundation, Fayez Sarofim & Co., Joan Weingarten Schnitzer, Anne S. Duncan, Lynne and Joe Hudson, Mrs. Cornelia Long and Margaret Alkek Williams
Décor: The Events Company
Cuisine: City Kitchen
Entertainment: Brandon Wattz and Bun B.
Photography: Jenny Antill Clifton and Wilson Parish
An “Iconic” Evening for Patrons at MFAH Grand Gala Ball
Hot pink drapery, a gold chandelier, a diamond-shaped bar and works of art by Andy Warhol greeted 425 guests entering the Van Cleef & Arpels-sponsored tent for the MFAH Grand Gala Ball: Icons reception. Underwriters Mrs. Fayez S. Sarofim, Nicole and Evan Katz (also serving as chairpersons), Hildebrand Fund, Nancy Sarofim Foundation, Fayez Sarofim & Co., Joan Weingarten Schnitzer, Anne S. Duncan, Lynne and Joe Hudson, Mrs. Cornelia Long and Margaret Alkek Williams welcomed those attending to what would be an “iconic” evening.
The Events Company once again worked its décor magic by transforming the Museum’s Cullinan Hall with baroque crystal chandeliers, black acrylic tables mixed with tables with black shimmer linens adorned with hot pink centerpieces consisting of peonies, lilies, orchids, roses, and other florals. The Museum walls displayed iconic MFAH collection artwork.
City Kitchen was tasked with creating an iconic menu, which included a poached lobster salad, an entrée of beef tenderloin and leek-wrapped bread pudding, followed by an old-fashioned pecan ball and shortbread cookie. The empty plates showed their culinary success at the meal’s close.
Entertainment included a visit to Houston from L.A.-based singer Brandon Wattz who treated the crowd to his unique stylings, and a surprise performance by Bun B., who provided party-goers with a late-night snack of his infamous Trill Burgers, which were grilled on site.
An iconic evening should end with an iconic total raised, and the Museum’s operating budget was increased by an iconic $2,079,000!
In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned): Alan May, Julie Crampe, Bernie Cantu, Holly and Steve Radom, Nancy and Rich Kinder, Paula and Reggie DesRoches, Franci Neely, Susan Sarofim, David Wuthrich, Jonathan and Lily Schnitzer, Rose Cullen, Lynn Wyatt, Lynne and Joe Hudson, Laura and Keefer Lehner, Lisa and George Dodd, Anne and Albert Chao, Meredith Flores Barker and Mason Barker, Phoebe Massey-Cholnolky and TJ Cholnolky, Laurie Morian, Kari Dagley, Mona and Andrew Sarofim, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Kathy and Marty Goossen, Bobbie Nau, Ann and John Bookout, Jay Jones and Terry Wayne Jones, Lane and Jeb Bowden, Dan Zimmerman, Carol and Mike Linn, Whitney and Jim Crane, Tony and Cynthia Petrello, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, Hunter and Paul Bell, Sara Dodd-Denton and Will Denton, Winnie Scheuer and Kevin Bonebrake, Jerod and Asasia Pierce, Anu and Shirish Lal
