Austin’s Starry Starry Night

Planned Parenthood Gala Exceeds Fundraising Goal

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Bryant Hill Media

THE SCENE: A beautiful evening at The HEB Terrace and Lawn at The Long Center in Austin was the recent setting for an evening that reflected all the things people love about Texas’ Capital City: fresh air, music, food trucks, and fundraising. Hundreds of the city’s most notable community leaders, sociables, and philanthropists turned out for the Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas Night Under the Stars gala.

THE VIBE: The Austin-chic crowd began the evening with cocktails on the lawn where guests mingled while sipping their favorite spirits and sampling an impressive array of food trucks of popular Austin eateries such as Garbo’s Lobster. The action then moved to the terrace for the evening’s program and entertainment.

Once guests took their seats, they were treated to words by organization’s leaders as well as several special guests including Miss Texas 2022 Averie Bishop. This was followed by honoring Alex Wilson Albright with the 2023 Robbie and Tom Ausley Leadership Award. The night was capped off with a series of moving musical performances by an eclectic mix of top musical artists including Grammy-nominated Songwriter Jessy Wilson and Grammy Award-winning producer and founder of Black Pumas, Adrian Quesada.

THE NON-PROFIT: The event, co-chaired by Perla Cavazos and Celeste Quesada, raised over $830,000 for Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas. Proceeds raised from the event will go toward providing medical services that ensure women have control over their body, life, and future including breast and cervical cancer screenings, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections/diseases, and IUD/implant services.