Caviar, Vodka and Ice Sculptures
Opulent Ball Brings in $1 Million for the Ballet
By Anne Lee Phillips //
Photography Wilson Parish, Priscilla Dickson
What: From Russia with Love: 2016 Houston Ballet Ball
Where: Wortham Theater Center, Grand Foyer.
Who: Chairs Gina and Devinder Bhatia; honoree Jesse H. Jones II.; band underwriter Diane Lokey Farb; preferred jewelry partner Tenenbaum Classic Jewelers’ Tony Bradfield, Kevin Black and Christina Stith; and art auction curator/gallerist David Shelton.
PC Moment: Move over Bond, James Bond — it was all about the Ball, Ballet Ball. Inspired by the upcoming Houston Ballet production of Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty, the Bhatias selected the Russian theme, which Richard Flowers of The Events Company exquisitely brought to life with layers upon layers of blue organza and up-lighting to transform the Wortham into an icy paradise, complete with an ice sculpture replica of St. Basil’s Cathedral. Revelers — dressed straight out of a Bond film in sharp tuxedos and slinky gowns in hues of black, blue, and red — bid heavily in the silent auction, which included hand-selected ice of the diamond variety courtesy Tenenbaum Classic Jewelers, important art pieces curated by David Shelton Gallery, and getaways to chic locales like Nantucket, courtesy Phoebe and Bobby Tudor. Jackson and Company served up a feast fit for the Russian aristocracy of Royal Transmontana caviar accompanied by ice-cold vodka shots, beef stroganoff served in individual porcelain tureens, and handcrafted Fabergé egg-inspired desserts of Russian Medovik (honey layer cake). Popular Atlanta-based band Party on the Moon was back for a repeat performance (they performed at last year’s ball) thanks again to Miz Farb and kept the dance floor packed with company members and benefactors alike.
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