A Modern Rock Star and Old Hollywood Turn the Opera Ball Into a $1.25 Million Night: White-Tie Glamour in Houston’s Hottest New Hotel
BY Shelby Hodge // 04.16.18American Contemporary Ballet performs Astaire Dances
Once again, The Post Oak at Uptown proved to be a splendid venue for larger-than-life galas. Saturday night’s Houston Grand Opera Ball fairly glowed with a dazzling presentation of entertainment, beautiful people, grand decor and a $1.25 million windfall. “An Evening in Old Hollywood” was the theme that inspired playful moments and glorious junctures.
The swell contingent of more than 500, attired in white-tie formality, arrived via red carpet to the HGO Bel Canto Club where 14-foot tall gilded palm trees soared and a glittering stage backdrop proclaimed “Old Hollywood.” And in keeping with old style glamour, when the champagne was served, it bubbled in oh-so-chic coup glasses.
Reigning over the sensational setting, created by The Events Company and Richard Flowers, were ball chairs Drs. Liz Grimm and Jack Roth who enjoyed court side seats for the array of singing and dancing that provided a convincing old-style supper club tableau. Special guest was Graff USA president and CEO Thomas Bouillonnec, who brought along a special pair of diamond earrings for Grimm’s Cinderella evening.
Not only did the 23-piece Richard Brown Orchestra (and talented singers) provide mood music that swept guests into another era, but also performers from Los Angeles-based American Contemporary Ballet presented “Astaire Dances” with talents swirling across the vast 40-foot dance floor á la Fred and Ginger. They danced while guests dined on fare from The Post Oak culinary team, led by executive chef Jean Luc Royere.
In a 180 from traditional HGO ball entertainment, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer David Lee Roth (Van Halen lead singer and cousin of Jack Roth) took the stage for a mini-set where he belted out hits including “Just a Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody.” With the first notes of the Van Halen mega-hit “Jump,” notice was given that Encore, the highly-charged after-party, was about to launch.
Drs. Ishwaria and Vivek Subbiah chaired the second act of the ball that began with champagne dessert and wound on into the night as guests, younger than springtime, boogied to the sounds of DJ RAMALAMA.
Elizabeth Anthony
The walk of stars: Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Sue and Lester Smith, Whitney and Jim Crane, Karen and Mel Payne, Hallie Vanderhider and Fady Armanious, Lynn Wyatt, Bobbie-Vee and Jerry Cooney, Kevin Black and Tony Bradfield, Celina Hellmund, Becca Cason Thrash and John Thrash, Anne and Albert Chao, Lora and Dr. John Clemmons, Rini and Edward Zeigler, Hector Villareal and Patty Sturion, Dr. Katherine Roth and Lincoln Jones, Laura and Brad McWilliams, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Elwyn Lee, Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia and HGO head honchos Patrick Summers and Perryn Leech.
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