Children’s Museum Day of the Dead Gala Brings Plenty of Characters in a $1 Million-Plus Houston Night

Would the characters, and we do mean characters, populating the Corinthian Houston on Saturday night ever sit down?! Well, no. At least not until the ebullient enthusiasm inspired by the “Dia de los Muertos” theme of the Children’s Museum Houston gala waned. And that seemed deliciously unlikely.

With the rousing sounds of  Mariachi Monarcas de Mexico and the bold fiesta-inspired decor (think giant paper flowers, colorful ofrendas, and beaded skeleton heads), the stage was set for the parade of guests chaneling Diego Rivera’s eerily glamorous  La Catrina and El Catrins and ghostly Frida Khalos. And could others among the 550 partygoers have been supporting actors from Pixar’s Coco?

Such was the excitement generated by the theme that many of the youthful museum supporters were calling for a “Dia de los Muertos” redux in 2019. It’s an idea with potential as this evening raised more than $1 million. Applause, applause for  chairs Caroline and Andrew Bean and Caroline and John Harrell and auction chairs Neekie Kashani and Kelly Sklar. (Gracias to BB&T and Phillips 66 for underwriting the gala.)

Children’s Museum favorite Rebekah Johnson of Bergner & Johnson was responsible for the magical decor that included a candle-lined stairway, marigold ceiling projections, strands of orange lights and papel picados stretched overhead between the Corinthian columns. Best of all was the generous arrangement of flat screen TVs that broadcast the Houston Astros playoff game, another contributor to the night’s energy.

Jackson and Company joined the party with a Mexican-influenced dinner of several courses featuring rajas steak with three chili sauce and concluding with desserts including a Mexican wedding cookies, flan and white chocolate skulls filled with tres leches. As the night grew late and Audio House Band filled the dance floor, Jackson’s team returned with its signature chicken empanadas and churros.

Damas y caballeros: Courtney and Bill Toomey, Val and Martial Burguieres, Lyndsey and Brett Zorich, DeeDee and Aaron Howes, Bethany and Dr. Mike McMann, Christie and Mark Sullivan, Lilly and Harrison Cullen, Cassie and John Milam, Drs. Ishwaria and Vivek Subbiah, Elizabeth and Alexander Dwyer, Brittany Sakowitz and Kevin Kushner, and Molly and Matt LaFauci.