Diamonds and Emeralds and Rubies, Oh My — Houston Ballet Ball’s Launch Party is Awash in Serious Jewels

It was surely no accident that many of the femmes attending the Houston Ballet Ball launch party were glamorously dressed in jewel-tone frocks. After all, the theme of the 2022 ball is “Jewels” in an homage to George Balanchine’s three-act ballet of the same title.

Emeralds, rubies and diamonds are each featured in one of the ballet’s acts.

Former ball chair Beth Zdeblick, ballet patron Jo Furr and Best Dressed honoree Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell stepped out in various frocks in shades of emerald green while Susan Binney and Patti Murphy gave a fashion nod to rubies. Diamonds? Those were worn impressively on the ring finger of Kelli Weinzierl, who with her husband John Weinzierl co-chairs the February 19 gala along with Stephanie and Frank Tsuru.

Continuing the jewel tone theme during the evening at the Margaret Alkek Williams Dance Lab at the Houston Ballet Center for Dance, Weinzierl was among several women who dressed more in the sapphire spectrum along with Cheryl Byington and former Ballet Ball chair Beth Muecke.

Interesting background on the ballet which the Houston company will be performing in 2022, according to the George Balanchine Trust: “Balanchine was inspired by the artistry of jewelry designer Claude Arpels, and chose music revealing the essence of each jewel. He explained: ‘Of course, I have always liked jewels; after all, I am an Oriental, from Georgia in the Caucasus. I like the color of gems, the beauty of stones . . .’ ”

As a nod to the theme, Diamonds Direct contributed a sparkling pair of petite ruby and diamond earrings for a drawing among guests. No one was more surprised at the winner than the winner herself, Lynn Wyatt. It was with great glee that she accepted the earrings from Kelli Weinzierl.

Richard Flowers and The Events Company transformed the dance center into a classy cocktail party setting just as the company will work its magic when the ball takes place in Wortham Theater Center. Jackson & Company provided the party fare just as it will serve the ball dinner.

In introducing the 2022 ball, Houston Ballet executive director Jim Nelson and Weinzierl filled guests in on those particulars and announced that New York City-based Gen 8 will deliver the dance tunes.

PC Seen: Jay Jones and Terry Wayne Jones, Shawn Stephens and Jim Jordan, Ileana Treviño, Ann Trammell, Jennifer Kushner, Dannika Simpson, Angel Rios, and Jerry Woodfin Costa and Victor Costa.

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