The Wortham was Fully “Alive with The Sound of Music and Dance!” at Houston Ballet Ball

The Wortham was Fully “Alive with The Sound of Music and Dance” at Houston Ballet Ball

The Wortham Center was transformed into Royal Vienna for the 500 white-tie-clad guests at the annual Houston Ballet Ball. Using the inspiration from Sir Kenneth MacMillan‘s erotic and morbid tale of Austrian Crown Prince Rudolf, entitled Mayerling, the event transported the excited attendees to Hofburg Palace for an evening of old-world excitement and elegance. Well-earned applause goes out to chairs Cabrina & Steven Owsley and Margaret & Jonathan Cox, honorees Akemi and Yasuhiko Saitoh, sponsors, supporters, and the team at the Ballet for their efforts in raising $1.6 million for this beloved organization.

Famed event designer Richard Flowers and his remarkable group at The Events Company were tasked with recreating the grandeur of Austria and Mayerling’s infamous hunting lodge. Their choice of crystal chandeliers, balconies adorned in floral draperies, twenty-foot custom hand-painted blue and gold panels, and fragrant centerpieces of white tulips, peonies, roses, and hydrangeas atop lacy blue linens were the perfect accompaniment to the theme.

Cocktail partygoers were treated to a delightful instrumental trio, handcrafted cocktails and silent auction items before assembling in the stylish ballroom area. The program began with Artistic Director Stanton Welch and Principal Dancer Yuriko Kajiya warmly greeting the audience and introducing the honorees. The Saitohs are committed to deepening relationships between the Japanese community and Houstonians. Their support of the Ballet’s recent tour to Japan was monumental.

City Kitchen was charged with the evening’s cuisine, and their success was assured by all the empty plates at the tables. Their choices of a delicious Rosso Salad with Apples, Goat Cheese, Dried Cranberries, and Candied Nuts, followed by an appetizing Beef Tenderloin and a delectable Mascarpone Crepe, were highlights of the gala.

Once over, the sumptuous dinner led into a masterfully crafted performance by Houston Ballet Pro students and choreographed by Academy Instructor Hayden Stark. The six formally attired couples danced to music by Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár. Finally, the oval-shaped dance floor was packed with partiers entertained by the melodies of Stratosphere.

The Wortham was fully “alive with The Sound of Music and Dance!”

In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned):  Lynn Wyatt, Margaret Alkek Williams, Rosanette S. Cullen, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Leigh and Reggie Smith, Jim Nelson, Stanton Welch AM, Julie Kent, Deborah and Edward Koehler, Anne and Albert Chao, Beth and Nick Zdeblick, Melissa Juneau, Alicia Smith, Jordan and Dylan Seff, Marguerite Swartz, Stephanie Tsuru, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Richard Flowers and Angel Rios, Marianne and Joe Geagea, Mignon and Stephen Gill, Jeffery and Alex Butt, Chad Libertus, Yana McFatter, Monica and Brad Radoff, Kent and Shara Schaffer, Susan Binney, Zoe Cadore, Twana and Kelly Faykus, Jo Furr, Jay Jones and Terry Wayne Jones, Kelley Lubanko, Kris and Richard McGee, Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, S. Shawn Stephens and James M. Jordan, Ileana and Michael Treviño