‘Glitter and Be Gay’ Theme Makes This Anything But an Old, Boring Gala

What: Opera in the Heights “Bravissimo 2018: Glitter and Be Gay”

Where: Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Houston building

PC Moment: The gala honored soprano Ana María Martinez while the theme payed homage to Leonard Bernstein in his centennial year and spotlighted the various ways that the company enhances the atmosphere and stature of The Heights, which it calls home. The musical component of the night included Opera in the Heights (Oh!) soprano Kathryn Bowden presenting an extravagant rendition of Bernstein’s “Glitter and Be Gay” and the cast of the company’s upcoming production of Candide performing “Make Our Garden Grow.”

Headlining the evening that began with a Moët Hennessy champagne reception were chairs Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl and Brian McCulloch and auction chair Laurel Flores. The focus of the evening was Oh!’s community involvement and its commitment to helping young opera singers advance their careers. Those points were addressed by emcee Mayra Moreno of ABC Channel 13, board chairman Michael Feldman and Oh! executive director Paige Myrick.

After dinner from Riel, Myrick announced the launch of the Ana Maria Martinez Emerging Artist Fund, which will support artists’ training and performance opportunities. Oh! supporters Jay Rockwell and Paul Marsden made a two-year $30,000 pledge to support the fund. That announcement inspired contributions of an additional $31,00 from those present.

The night closed with dessert bites from The Drink Station and the music of DJ Ramalama.

Hitting the high notes: Oh! artistic director Eiki Isomura, Michael Geary, Maria Casarella, Claudio Gutierrez, Nina Delano and Wirt Blaffer, Yvonne Cormier, Claire Cormier-Thielke, Elia Gabbanelli, Susanne Gealy, Lucile and Bill Hasse, Anna Kaplan, and Cindy and Frank Liu.