“Monet’s Garden” “Impressed” and Inspired at the White Tie Houston Symphony Ball

“Monet’s Garden” “Impressed” and Inspired at the White Tie Houston Symphony Ball

Claude Monet’s impressionist works surely impressed as Houston Symphony celebrated the beauty, texture and color of “Monet’s Garden,” which inspired the annual Symphony Ball, chaired by Zane & Brady Carruth and Brittany & Adam Clark and honoring longtime Symphony supporters Cora Sue Mach and husband Harry Mach, Jr., posthumously, and jeweler Franco Valobra.

Thanks to Richard Flowers and The Events Company, 375 white-tie guests were transported to Giverny, France, as the vibrant floral arches, an elaborate photo backdrop featuring a life-size frame and bridge over a lily pond greeted them in the Post Oak Hotel’s grand foyer. His ballroom décor was another artistic master. Emerald backdrops on stage, floral gazebos, Monet’s Water Lily Pond dance floor, and centerpieces of pink roses and various hues of hydrangeas and greenery filled the ballroom and created the evening’s ambiance.

Attendees mingled to peruse the silent auction offerings, such as “Date Night for a Year at Steak 48” and sip on robust wine pairings hand-selected by Lindy & John Rydman and Lisa Rydman Lindsey of Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods. Newly appointed Executive Director and CEO Gary Ginstling and his wife Marta Lederer traveled masterfully through the excited crowd. He remarked about the artistic excellence of our Houston Symphony at his inaugural Symphony event.

The menu was a French-inspired tribute to the celebrated painter. A French-country salad was followed by Filet Mignon, Potato Gratin, Haricot Verts and Petite Carrotes, all drizzled with Peppercorn Cognac Sauce. The grand finale was a Grand Marnier Pain Perdu. The chef went one step further in the evening program as he included the entire menu, which was written in French! Following this haute cuisine, partygoers hit the Monet dance floor and enjoyed the sounds of Q The Band!

Many remarked at the gala, including those whose attendance has been chronicled for decades, that the gowns and tuxedos worn at the event were the most beautiful in recorded memory. Chairs Zane Carruth and daughter Brittany Clark glowed in FRASCARA and Escada; the always-beautiful Hallie Vanderhider turned heads in a Monet-inspired one-shoulder Monique Lhuillier design; Margaret Williams was radiant in riveting rose Ripetta; Ann Ayre shimmered in an ice-blue ball gown with various shades of green Ginkgo leaves on the skirt by Cyril Verdavainne; Elia Gabbanelli (chairing the upcoming Houston Symphony Wine Dinner) sparkled in a one-of-a-kind golden leather Patricia Viera ensemble; Kristy Bradshaw glowed in a strapless aqua (and incredibly comfortable per Kristy) Carolina Herrera creation.

Monet would have certainly been impressed with the theme, but even more impressed and inspired with the more than $900,000 raised for the Symphony’s on-going efforts.

In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned): Betty & Jesse Tutor, Eric Lindsey, Bobby Dees, Jonathan Ayre, Steve & Joella Mach, Michael Gabbanelli, Chris Bradshaw, Sidney Faust, Elsie Eckert, Daniel Irion & Kirk Kveton, Karen Payne, Lilly & Thurmon Andress, Vicki West & Ralph Burch, Margaret Alkek Williams, Ajay Khurana, Joan & Bob Duff, Maria Moncada Alaoui & Omar Alaoui, Barbara & Pat McCelvey, Rini & Edward Ziegler, Barbara Burger, Nina Magon, Sneha Merchant, Lydia Gold, Janet Clark, Bill & Sharon Bullock, Kirby & David Lodholz, Stacey Swift