Rob Giardinelli
Black Tie Gala Offers Musical Performances Galore
By Rob Giardinelli Photography By Daniel Ortiz
THE SCENE: Two of Houston’s most iconic event and performing arts spaces were the recent setting, kicking off another world-class music season. Over 300 of the city’s most notable art patrons, music lovers, sociables, and philanthropists attended the Houston Symphony Opening Night Concert & Gala. The night featured the trifecta of a fabulous evening: great music, excellent cuisine, and fantastic company.
THE VIBE: The black-tie-attired crowd featured an elegant mix of traditional black-tie ensembles. These ensembles seamlessly paired with patrons who donned bold colors and prints in a nod to Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird. The result was a happy, festive crowd where everyone felt welcome and a part of the Houston Symphony Family.
The night began with revelers posing in front of a stunning 9-foot Firebird in front of Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, where the first part of the evening was held. Once inside the Jones Center, partygoers enjoyed a cocktail reception where they enjoyed champagne and mingled with other guests.
The crowd then headed inside Jones Hall to take their seats for the performance part of the evening. During the performance, patrons were treated to a performance of The Firebird, Stravinsky’s career-launching ballet, where Juraj Valčhua led the orchestra and was accompanied by two-time GRAMMY® Award-Winning Artist Angel Blue, who sang alongside the Houston Symphony Chorus accompanied by the Houston Chamber Choir.
After the performance, the crowd headed to The Corinthian for a seated dinner. The Events Company created a mythically beautiful space inspired by Stravinsky’s ballet, featuring dazzling floral arrangements with bi-color carnations, safari sunsets, pincushion proteas, and bromeliad red palomas, all set atop neutral, metallic-sheened linens, which added an extra layer of elegant grandeur to the space.
Guests took their seats and enjoyed a delectable, multi-course meal courtesy of City Kitchen, with each course expertly paired with wines that complemented it perfectly. After dinner was completed, guests took to the dance floor, cutting a rug to the tunes of David Caceres.
THE NON-PROFIT: The Houston Symphony Opening Night Concert & Gala, chaired by Carey Kirkpatrick, raised over $550,000 for the Houston Symphony. Proceeds raised from the event will support the organization’s education, community engagement, and world-class artistic programming initiatives.
Always such an impactful night! Thank you for sharing!