Event Date: April 12-14, 2024
Location: Bayou Bend Collections and Gardens
Event: Three-day event with Luncheon, Children’s Event and Gala
Beneficiary: Bayou Bend Collections and Gardens
No. in attendance: Luncheon-210; Children’s-320; Gala-250
Money raised: $1,000,000
Chairpersons: Luncheon-Janet Gurwitch and Meredith Flores Barker; Children’s-Ashley Sneed Dillard and Louise Turner Carter; Gala-Susie & Mel Glasscock and Shelli & Steven Lindley
Décor: The Events Company
Entertainment: Gala-Anthony Caceres
Photography: Jenny Antill Clifton and Wilson Parish
A Bayou Bend Weekend Even Ima Hogg Would Have Been Proud to Host!
One of Houston’s most treasured homes, Bayou Bend, was donated to MFAH in 1957 by renowned philanthropist Ima Hogg. This 14-acre mansion and grounds sit quietly off Memorial Drive in a wooded enclave and is organically maintained by the Museum through support from the community. One of the most anticipated fundraisers for this glorious estate occurs annually over a cool April weekend, with three events on the marquee. They begin with Bayou Bend Fashion Show & Luncheon, followed by Bayou Bend Children’s Party and ending with Bayou Bend Garden Party. Almost $1 million was raised over the three-day affair.
Bayou Bend Fashion Show & Luncheon began on Friday, April 12th, which coincided with the 100th anniversary of MFAH’s opening in the Museum District. The luncheon, chaired by Janet Gurwitch and Meredith Flores Barker, was held on the lawn in a stunning garden tent, and guests were welcomed with remarks from Museum Director Gary Tinterow. Forty-five stylings were showcased by Neiman Marcus during the fashion show, and those attending were wowed by The Events Company’s décor and the cuisine presented by City Kitchen.
On Saturday, more than 320 families gathered for Bayou Bend Children’s Party, themed “Bayou Land” and chaired by Ashley Sneed Dillard and Louise Turner Carter. Happy parents and children toured “Barbie Land,” “Lego Land,” “Sports Land,” “Farm Land,” and “Bubble Palace.”
Bayou Bend Garden Party, held on Sunday, finished off the exciting weekend. The event, celebrated as “Moonlight Sonata,” was chaired by Susie & Mel Glasscock and Shelli & Steven Lindley. Under a tent at twilight, over 250 guests joined the festivities and enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, more décor from The Events Company, City Kitchen cuisine, and live music from Anthony Caceres. Introduced at the lavish moonlit gala was Daniel Ackermann, the new Bayou Bend Collections and Gardens Director.
A weekend even Ima Hogg would have been proud to host!
In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned): Irma Castor, Jenny Harris, Whitney and Jim Crane, Mindy Hildebrand, Kate Upton, Phoebe Massey, Lexi Sakowitz Marek, Lily Schnitzer, Gillian Sarofim, Julia Morales, Joan Schnitzer, Michelle and Frank Hevrdejs, Anne Duncan, Jeanie Kilroy Wilson, Sharyn and Jim Weaver, Laura Arnold, Jennifer Segal, Elyse Lanier, Aliyya Stude, Anne Chao, Carolyn Chao Sabat, Kathy Leigh, Krissi and Taylor Reid, Polly and Murry Bowden, Rachel Bagwell, Sima Ladjevardian, Amee and Karthik Revana, Adrianne and Justin Colborg, Ellen and James Bookout, Louise and Park Carter, Wes Dillard, Elizabeth McIngvale-Mackey, Sarah and Bradley Bracewell, Lilly Cullen, Grace and Will Grundy, Mark and Maddison McConn, David and Debbie Dacus, Kari Dagley, Moti Ferder, Josh Gaynor, Cecily Horton, Stuart Winston, Denise Wynne, Colleen and John Kotts, Cynthia and Anthony Petrello, Nancy and Rich Kinder, Lynne and Joe Hudson, Laura and Keefer Lehner, Alexandra and Jeffrey Butt, Susie and Skip McGee, Nancy and Butch Abendshein, Lisa and Downing Mears, Lisa and Ralph Eads, Ric and Maureen Campo, Jenna Lindley, Matthew Lindley
