Houston Young Professionals Remember Barbara Bush With a Dance Party: A Jungle Book Boogie

What: Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Young Professionals Group fourth annual Jungle Book Gala

Where: The Revaire

PC Moment: The late Barbara Bush would have loved this gala evening in which young professionals banded together in party mode in support of her foundation’s literacy programs. For starters, the turnout of 400 was a new high. And with the fun quotient off the charts, supporters could expect this golden opportunity for schmoozing with up and comers can expect even greater results with the fifth annual.

Setting the “jungle book” stage, exotic animals on stilts sauntered through the Revaire ballroom and a tiger-costumed aerialist swirled overhead and poured champagne into guests, glasses, and of course posed for photos. A Fare Extraordinaire catering provided the light bites that included miniature jalapeño cheddar grilled cheese sandwiches, bacon-wrapped poblano duck, pumpkin seed and pistachio chicken satays, and a variety of sliders.

KHOU Channel 11 meteorologist Chita Craft handed emcee duties and introduced foundation co-chairs Maria and Neil Bush and gala chairs Amy and Kyle McCully, Morgan Stautzenberg and Cameron Stubbs. Headlining as honorary chairs were Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch and his wife, Erin.

As Austin’s Matchmaker Band cranked up the tunes, the energy vibes soared so that later in the night the dance floor was packed with guys and gals wearing glow bracelets and crowns and shaking their booties. By the time the lights were blinked indicated the party was over, close to $300,000 had been raised for childhood literacy initiatives.

Gone wild: Julie Baker Finck and Ron Finck, Pierce and Sarahbeth Bush, Robbie Andrews and Robbie Derrick, Whitney Mercilus, Alan Carnrite, Lane Craft, Sarah and Jeff Watts, Stephanie and Frank Tsuru, Catherine Tramuto, Gwen and Wade Parks, Emily Smith, Mark Latham, Nikki Ellis, Michale Fertitta, Allison and Preston Schultz, Anthony Tarantino, Marshall Bush, and Verr and Derek Soltes.