“The Big Easy” Rolls Into Town for Performing Arts Houston’s Kaleidoscope Ball

“The Big Easy” Rolls Into Town for Performing Arts Houston’s Kaleidoscope Ball

The French Quarter was on full display as 375 excited “krewe” members gathered at Wortham Theater Center for the annual Performing Arts Houston Kaleidoscope Ball. This event was the first gala under the new name, rebranded from the previous Society for the Performing Arts.

Arriving guests were welcomed into Fish Plaza for the New Orleans-style garden party cocktail reception and treated to hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a second-line procession which finally led them upstairs into the Grand Foyer to experience the evening program. Upon arrival into the ballroom, jaws dropped at the ambiance created by the genius of Bergner & Johnson, whose décor choices of Tivoli lights, hanging vines and real Spanish moss intertwined with tea lights, and floral centerpieces in colors of orange, peach and lime green set the tone for an authentic French Quarter affair!

Emcee Linda Lorelle introduced chairs Mignon and Steve Gill and honorees and longtime supporters Linda and Willie Chiang to great applause for their efforts, as over $600,000 was raised for the organization’s good works. The ovation was followed by a delectable Creole fare and “lagniappe” from Jackson and Company, along with jazz entertainment by students from Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

Meg Booth, President and CEO of the organization, said, “It takes many contributors to bring such a wealth and diversity of world-class artists to Houston. We are fortunate to have a wonderful community of supporters who are committed to providing quality arts and arts education programs in Houston.”

The Davenport Lounge, a hotspot within New Orleans Ritz-Carlton, sent its jazz trumpeter namesake Jeremy Davenport, who entertained the attendees post-dinner. The evening was far from over, as the After-Party rolled in with everyone “Laissez les bon temps rouler” to D.J. Corey Greene until the wee hours!

Socially present (not previously mentioned):  Amy and Rob Pierce, Rachelle and Jeff Ball, C.C. and Duke Ensell, Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin, Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro, Maria and Omar Alaoui, Margaret and Brian Bravo, Jay Jones and Terry Wayne Jones, Cheryl Byington, Kim Padgett, Janet and Bill Swanstrom, Corina and Armando Perez and Dr. Bhakti Khatri and Monsterville Horton