Rob Giardinelli
A Whimsical Evening Of Theater, Art, And Philanthropy Takes Center Stage With Houston’s Performing Arts Community
By Rob Giardinelli Photography By Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
THE SCENE: The Gordy Theater in Houston was the setting for one of Houston’s most lively, fun, and successful annual fundraising events. Over 250 of the city’s most notable performing arts patrons, community leaders, sociables, and philanthropists turned out for the 2026 Stages Gala at the Gordy. Benefiting Stages, the “Tiny Beautiful Things” night did just that, yielding an ensemble of memorable moments and a seven-figure fundraising haul for the organization.
THE VIBE: The black-tie attired company of attendees was ready to paint the town red. In the crowd, one could spot a sophisticated array of formal ensembles, including classic tuxedo and ballgown looks that seamlessly blended with those opting for bold colors and floral prints encompassing every color in the rainbow. The result was a festive, happy environment for all who attended.
As guests gathered in the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Lobby at The Gordy for cocktail hour, they knew they were in for a special night. The space fully embraced the Tiny Beautiful Things theme, transforming into a fairytale garden that dazzled the crowd.
Once revelers cozied up to the bar to grab their favorite spirit of choice, they mingled with other guests and perused an impressive lot of silent auction items. Others could be seen taking advantage of some tiny, beautiful moments firsthand, receiving little poems from a haiku artist and other art activations, including a fashion sketch artist and a calligraphy artist, all of which served as beautiful keepsakes for the evening.
The crowd then took to their seats in a tent on the Brown Foundation Lawn. Bergner & Johnson Design transformed the tent into an elegantly lit garden. Gold chandeliers and elegant hanging glass votives atop the tent perfectly complemented the soft blush linen-draped tables on the ground, which featured stunning table arrangements of dahlias, hydrangeas, roses, and anemones in shades of pink, lavender, cream, and burgundy.
During the program, guests enjoyed a delectable, multi-course meal courtesy of City Kitchen Catering, accompanied by a reading from Tiny Beautiful Things that allowed them to further connect with the impact and mission of Stages. Additionally, they were treated to words from event and organization leaders thanking them for taking part in such a special evening. The program was highlighted by honoring Ralph Burch and Vicki West for their longtime patronage and support of Stages.
Next, Auctioneer Johnny Bravo took to the stage to helm a raucous, spirited, and highly successful live auction. The paddles and fundraising continued to climb as guests bid on an array of luxury items and experiences. During the paddles-up event, Chairs June and Steve Barth offered a $25,000 match, inspiring the crowd to donate more. Capping off the night was an epic after-party. The crowd took to the dance floor to the tunes of Manhattan Orchestra, ensuring the fun went into the wee hours of the morning.
THE NON-PROFIT: The 2026 Stages Gala at The Gordy: Tiny Beautiful Things, chaired by June and Steve Barth with Brenda and Bradley Jones serving as honorary chairs, raised an impressive $1.3 million for Stages. Proceeds from the event will go towards funding the organization’s artistic and educational initiatives to ensure Houston remains a center of a cutting-edge, world-class performing arts scene.
Take A Look At The 2026 Stages Gala…
- More than 250 of Houston’s top arts patrons, philanthropists, and community leaders gathered for the 2026 Stages Gala at The Gordy
- The evening’s “Tiny Beautiful Things” theme transformed The Gordy into a magical, storybook-inspired wonderland
- Guests embraced black-tie glamour with a vibrant mix of classic formalwear, bold colors, and floral-inspired fashion
- The Albert and Ethel Herzstein Lobby dazzled attendees with immersive garden-inspired décor and artistic activations
- A haiku artist, fashion sketch artist, and calligraphy artist created personalized keepsakes for gala-goers throughout cocktail hour
- Bergner & Johnson Design crafted a breathtaking tented environment on the Brown Foundation Lawn with chandeliers, votives, and lush florals
- City Kitchen Catering delivered an elegant multi-course dining experience during the evening’s heartfelt program
- Honorees Ralph Burch and Vicki West were recognized for their enduring support and dedication to Stages
- Auctioneer Johnny Bravo led an energetic live auction that inspired spirited bidding and generous giving
- Gala chairs June and Steve Barth energized the room with a $25,000 matching gift during the paddles-up appeal
- Manhattan Orchestra kept the celebration alive during a high-energy after-party that lasted into the early morning hours
- The gala raised an impressive $1.3 million, supporting Stages’ artistic and educational initiatives across Houston
