Houston’s DACAMERA’s 2026 Gala Strikes A Jazzy High Note With A Night Of Music, Style, And Cécile McLorin Salvant’s Show-Stopping Performance

At The Four Seasons Hotel, The City’s Arts Patrons Gathered For An Elegant “Music Salons And Jazz Supper Club”–Themed Evening Benefiting DACAMERA Of Houston, Culminating In A Mesmerizing Performance By GRAMMY® Award-Winning Vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant That Raises $400K

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Katy Anderson

THE SCENE: The Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Houston was the setting for one of the city’s most fun, intimate artistic fundraising events. Several hundred of the area’s top community leaders, music patrons, food lovers, sociables, and philanthropists turned out for the 2026 DACAMERA gala. Benefiting the eponymous organization, the “Music Salons and Jazz Supper Club” themed event was a rousing success, complete with touching tributes, show-stopping musical performances, and more.

THE VIBE: The cocktail-attired crowd brought out their favorite ensembles for a night out on the town. In the crowd, one could spot an eclectic array of suits, sport coats, and cocktail dresses that seamlessly combined traditional cocktail fare with vibrant colors, prints, and metallics. The result was a festive, happy environment where everyone felt welcome.

Guests began the night in the Four Seasons ballroom foyer for a lively cocktail hour. After assembling at the bar to grab their favorite beverage, they mingled with other patrons excited for the delicious food and amazing music that lay ahead. During the cocktail hour, revelers could sit for caricatures of musicians to commemorate the evening, as well as participate in a wine pull featuring an array of quality, award-winning wines.

Once the crowd took to their seats in the Four Seasons ballroom for the main program, many could be seen uncorking the bottles from the wine pull to toast the evening with friends old and new. KHOU 11 anchor Len Canon served as emcee, keeping the festivities moving at a fun pace throughout the night.

While patrons dined on their delectable, multi-course meals, they were treated to words from event and organization leaders thanking them for taking part in such a special evening. The energized crowd then settled in for the night’s main event – a performance by three-time GRAMMY® Award-Winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant. The performer mesmerized the crowd as she sang several blues, musical theater, and jazz standards that frequently brought the audience to their feet and capped off a successful evening of fun, music, and impact that those fortunate enough to be part of it will not soon forget.

THE NON-PROFIT: The 2026 DACAMERA Gala: Music Salons and Jazz Supper Club, chaired by Anne-Laure and Steve Stephens, raised nearly $400,000 for DACAMERA. Proceeds from the event will support musical programs that further DACAMERA’s mission to enrich communities and individuals through inventive, diverse musical experiences.

Check Out The Event Highlights That Define The 2026 DACAMERA Gala

1. A Nearly $400,000 Fundraising Success
   The evening raised close to $400,000 in support of DACAMERA of Houston and its mission to bring inventive musical experiences to the community.
2. An Intimate, Music-Forward Gala Experience
   Several hundred Houston philanthropists, arts supporters, and music lovers gathered for a refined evening centered on jazz and salon-style performance.
3. A Chic Cocktail-Attire Crowd with Artistic Flair
   Guests embraced a vibrant mix of cocktail fashion—blending classic tailoring with bold prints, colors, and metallic accents.
4. A Lively Cocktail Hour with Interactive Experiences
   The evening began in the ballroom foyer with music caricatures and a popular wine pull featuring curated, award-winning selections.
5. A Toast-Worthy Wine Pull Tradition
   Guests uncorked bottles won during the wine pull, turning the cocktail hour into an early celebration among friends and patrons.
6. A Sophisticated Ballroom Transformation
   The Four Seasons Hotel Houston ballroom set the stage for an elegant supper-club atmosphere.
7. Engaging Emcee Leadership Throughout the Evening
   KHOU 11 anchor Len Cannon kept the program lively, warm, and seamlessly paced from start to finish.
8. A Multi-Course Dinner with Meaningful Reflections
   Guests enjoyed a curated dining experience while hearing from event leaders about DACAMERA’s artistic mission.
9. A Standing-Ovation Performance by Cécile McLorin Salvant
   Cécile McLorin Salvant delivered a spellbinding set of jazz, blues, and musical theater standards that repeatedly brought the audience to its feet.
10. A Night That Blended Intimacy with World-Class Talent
    The Music Salons and Jazz Supper Club theme created a uniquely personal yet high-caliber artistic experience.