Society / The Seen

Major Society Galas Canceled with Houston in No Party Mood: But the Flood Devastated Alley Theatre Fights On

BY // 09.07.17

Even for those who weren’t personally impacted, it’s almost impossible to think about dressing up and stepping out in the wake of the Harvey floods. A certain sorrow extends across Houston as we share our neighbors pain. And, God knows, many among us have been eating and drinking enough to put our waistlines and livers in jeopardy. Fritos and vodka, anyone?

In the wake of the widespread tragedy and water damage in the Theater District, the social slate has been temporarily wiped clean. Both the Houston Ballet and Houston Symphony opening night galas, originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday, respectively, have been canceled. Time will determine whether the ballet event is rescheduled. Not so for the symphony which had planned a grand evening with mezzo soprano Susan Graham.

The symphony is suggesting that patrons donate the value of their tickets back to the symphony or exchange them for future performances. The Jones Hall presentation for Fiesta Sinfónica has also been canceled.

The ballet has canceled all season-opening performances of “Poetry in Motion,” originally scheduled for September 8 to 17. Executive director Jim Nelson tells the Chronicle  that the company will stage four performances of Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s “Mayerling” September 22 through 24 at the Sarofim Hall in the Hobby Center for the Performing arts. It also will stage two performances of its postponed “Poetry in Motion” mixed repertory program there October 26 and 27.

On Thursday, Houston Ballet announced that the opening night, on-stage dinner celebration has been rescheduled to Thursday, October 26.

In the spirit of the show must go on, the Alley Theatre, which suffered serious flood water damage, is moving forward with the world premiere on September 15 of Rajiv Joseph’s Describe the Night at the Quintero Theatre on the University of Houston campus. And the theater’s young supporters group, Scene, will boogie as planned on Friday night with its “Opening Act Party!”  However, the location has been moved from the Alley to LIFE HTX, the luxury event space in Montrose.

The launch party for Theta Design Weekend, scheduled for September 12, at the Four Seasons, has been postponed while the kickoff for AVDA’s Home Safe Home gourmet evening, also scheduled for that date, has been canceled. Likewise, the kickoff for Medical Bridges’ “One People. One World.” has been scratched. Note that all three of the actual events will take place as planned.

The chichi dinner, set for Thursday, featuring the art and the presence of Sir Anthony Hopkins has been canceled though a portion of sales from his paintings will still go to Houston Children’s Charity.

By the end of next week, the charitable social season should be running somewhat back to normal. The Junior League of Houston is going forth with the annual fall fashion show events on September 15 and the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is readying their artists’ glasses for the annual “Martini Madness” bash scheduled for September 15 at the craft center.

However, due to water damage in Wortham Theater Center, Legacy Community Health is changing its annual luncheon, originally scheduled for October 3 in the Wortham Grand Foyer. The fundraiser will now be a cocktail party with musical entertainment in the posh River Oaks home of Elizabeth and Gary Petersen.

The animal lovers of PetSet have decided to reschedule the annual Fierce & Fabulous Soiree, moving it from September 22 to November 30. The wrath of the Harvey storm is extending even into October as the Society for the Performing Arts is rescheduling its October 11 “A Taste of SPA.” That evening featuring prominent chefs will be moved to a later date.

This article will be updated as more schedule changes come in.

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