Sweet Music Powers a Houston Gala — and a New Award

Da Camera's Big Moment

By Shelby Hodge // May 8, 2019

Photography Priscilla Dickson

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Darrin Davis & Mario Gudmundsson, Robin Angly & Miles Smith at the Da Camera Gala at The Houstonian. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Robert Azencott, Sarah Rothenberg, Claudia & David Hatcher at the Da Camera Gala at The Houstonian. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Chinhui & Eddie Allen at the Da Camera Gala at The Houstonian. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Alisa Magallón, Gabriel & Sara Loperena, Theo Chandler at the Da Camera Gala at The Houstonian. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

David & Heidi Gerger at the Da Camera Gala at The Houstonian. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Elaine & Marvy Finger at the Da Camera Gala at The Houstonian. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Ellie Parker, Laura Buss Sayavedra at the Da Camera Gala at The Houstonian. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Taryn & Lauren Gore at the Da Camera Gala at The Houstonian. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

John & Mary Arensdorf, Nadia & Andrew Alonzo at the Da Camera Gala at The Houstonian. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Marcellus Upshaw, Tiffanee Buffalo at the Da Camera Gala at The Houstonian. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Mike Wilson, Madeleine Hussey at the Da Camera Gala at The Houstonian. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Robert & Mimi Del Grande at the Da Camera Gala at The Houstonian. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Page Kempner, Chris Johns Krull at the Da Camera Gala at The Houstonian. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Matt Hamilton, Sara Mandiola at the Da Camera Gala at The Houstonian. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Paul & Carolyn Landen at the Da Camera Gala at The Houstonian. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

What: Da Camera Houston Gala

Where: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

PC Moment: The foursome that made such a splash helming the 2018 Houston Symphony Ball joined forces once again to put their magic touch on Da Camera of Houston. Applause, applause for chairs Robin Angly and Miles Smith and co-chairs Darrin Davis and Mario Gudmundsson, who led the evening to proceeds of $200,000.

It was a double hitter evening for Laura Buss Sayavedra who was honored not only for her years of support of Da Camera but also with the creation of the Laura Buss Sayavedra Award for Citizen Artistry. The inaugural award was bestowed on saxophonist Ellie Parker, who was recognized for her dedication and leadership in the Da Camera Young Artist program.

Never your ordinary gala fare, the dinner, conceived by Cafe Annie award-winning chef Robert Del Grande, was inspired by the poem Time and the Garden by Yvor Winters. For the 200 guests, the Da Camera trustee ordered roasted pepper salad with Gulf shrimp, white beans, fennel and arugula; roasted loin of beef with polenta crostini and tomato mushroom ragu; and panna cotta with compote of berries and almond tuile.

What would a Da Camera evening be without musical entertainment? Current Da Camera Young Artists Madison Vest, Timothy Krippner, Ellie Parker and Theo Chandler, along with former Young Artists Julia Fox and Brandon Bell, performed during dinner. And just in time for dancing into the night, Klockwork took the stage with a totally different sound.

PC Seen: Da Camera artistic director Sarah Rothenberg and Robert Azencott, Da Camera executive director Toni Capra, Chinhui and Eddie Allin, Mimi Del Grande, Lillie Robertson, Karol Kreymer and Bob Card, Mary and John Arensdorf, Bettie Cartwright, Elaine and Marvy Finger, Karen and David Jewell, Beatrice and Gregory Graham, Claudia and David Hatcher, Page Kempner and Chris Johns-Krull.