The Most Beautiful Gala Ever

The beloved Brookwood Community celebrated its biennial gala with “An Evening in the Gardens of Japan” theme that saw Houston Country Club transformed into an exquisite floral setting replete with cherry blossoms and shoji screens depicting Japanese landscapes. Amid the beautiful setting and heartfelt enthusiasm for the community, guests raised close to $500,000 for programs directed to adults with disabilities.

Taking bows as chairs of the beautiful and successful fundraiser were Denise Bush Bahr, Kelli Cohen Fein and Kristina Hornberger Somerville. Serving as honorary chairs were Molly Crownover and Diana Hawkins, who chaired the 2015 “Gardens of Jaipur” benefit.

The evening honored Houston Grand Opera, which has a special collaboration with Brookwood. Representing the company were HGO artistic and music director Patrick Summers and HGO managing director Perryn Leech. HGO shared its talents with the gala throng of more than 265 with a performance by soloists Mane Galoyan and Sol Jin, accompanied by pianist Kirill Kuzmin.

The popular Brookwood Handbell Choir, introduced by day program citizen Austin Hanson, provided entertainment as well.

The Japanese theme was reflected not only in the decor but also in early evening entertainment and in the dinner menu. Shawn Renzoh of the Japan-America Society of Houston played the shakuhachi or Japanese flute during the cocktail hour. For dinner, guests dined on traditional miso soup, steamed grouper with black bean sauce and green tea ice cream.

Who: Philip Bahr, Martin Fein, Melinda and Sam Stubbs, Margaret Alkek Williams and Jim Daniel, Jim Crownover, Russell Hawkins, Mary Ann and David McKeithan, Terrie and Mike Turner and Larissa and Scott Ipsen.