Houston’s Presidential Luncheon Takes Over a Posh Enclave
Volunteer of the Year Given Her Due
BY Shelby Hodge // 06.28.19Ann Ayre, Jennifer Gravenor, Leah Rausch, Georgeta Teodorescu (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)
What: The Houston Symphony League‘s President’s Luncheon
Where: The Briar Club
PC Moment: Classical music, fabulous jewels, fine fashions and a midday feast, could there be a more posh conclave? As Maureen Higdon glides into her second year as president of the symphony league, more than 120 symphony patrons gathered to celebrate her tenure and the continuing volunteer work of the league. In fact, guests were encouraged to peruse the volunteer fair in the club ballroom.
Entertainments included a tempting display by Tenenbaum Jewelers and informal modeling from Alchemia and while dessert was consumed, two of the symphony’s community-embedded musicians, violinists Rainel Joubert and Patricia Quintero, performed. Two guests went home with enviable door prizes courtesy of the jeweler and retailer. Organizing the swank affair were luncheon chairs Chelsea Ingram and Fran Fawcett-Peterson.
The program included presentation of the Ellen Kelley Volunteer of the Year Award to Jennifer Gravenor, who for more than a decade has held numerous leadership roles and is currently co-chair of the Houston Symphony’s Young Associates Council. If her name is familiar, you might recognize her as a board member of Houston Ballet and the Hermann Park Conservancy. Add a speaking role by symphony executive director and CEO John Mangum.
PC Scene: Mary Lynn Marks, Susan Hansen, Lilly Andress, Mady kades, Vicki West, Ann Ayre, Betty Tutor, Jacqui Baly, Susan Osterberg, Connie Kwang Wong, Farida Abjani, Patti Murphy, Barbara McCelvey and Cheryl Byington.
Elizabeth Anthony
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