The halls of The Corinthian weren’t simply decked out—they have been decked again in time because the Youngsters’s Museum Houston’s annual gala hit rewind for a rad throwback bash that raised a record-breaking $1.163 million. This yr’s theme, “Promenade Evening: Celebration Like It’s 1999,” introduced the pep rally vitality and teenage film tropes to superb, glittery life.
Neglect black-tie — this was all about butterfly clips, chokers, and extra rhinestones than a Claire’s clearance rack. Kathryn and Travis Boeker and Cassandra and Ryan Dalton chaired the night, turning a philanthropic gala into promenade night time meets highschool fever dream, because of over-the-top decor from Bergner & Johnson. Including to the fundraising prowess have been underwriting chairs Rebecca and Invoice Adler and Blair and Barry Kessler plus public sale chairs Tracy Northington and Nina Rand.
Assume: Pep rally banners, outsized cootie catchers, and a full-on basketball court docket for a dance flooring.
Company have been greeted with ring pops and neon flower crowns earlier than coming into a scene that felt straight out of Saved by the Bell. Cheerleaders and the Worthing Excessive Faculty drumline amped up the vitality whereas “Coach” and “Librarian” characters stored the nostalgia — and mischief — in verify. Actually, the one factor lacking was Zack Morris time-freezing to interrupt the fourth wall.
With 460 attendees channeling their internal Cher Horowitz or Romy and Michele, the ‘90s trend throwbacks have been worthy of their very own yearbook unfold. A promenade picture sales space immortalized the lewks — awkward corsage poses and all.
The night time’s culinary nostalgia journey, courtesy of Jackson & Co., hit all the fitting notes. A decadent quick rib entrée had company swooning, however it was dessert that stole the present: Selfmade strawberry Pop-Tarts that had everybody reaching for his or her Tamagotchis. Later, when the actual dancing began, company recharged with late-night bites of strombolis and parmesan fries.
As a result of promenade energy don’t rely.
Auctioneer Brittany Franklin revved up the dwell public sale prefer it was an AIM chat room on fireplace. Bidders competed for coveted prizes together with a ceremonial first pitch at a Houston Astros recreation and a glossy six-seater Evolution Maverick golf cart. Floral stations let company buy corsages and boutonnieres on-site, with proceeds giving the fundraising whole an additional enhance.
When the time got here to crown royalty, Will Northington and Ellen Bookout have been named Promenade King and Queen. Then got here the twist: the gala co-chairs led a shock “She’s All That”-style flash mob to Fatboy Slim’s “Rockafeller Skank,” lighting up the dance flooring and making everybody really feel like the principle character.
The Drywater Band stored spirits excessive and hips transferring late into the night time. And when all of it wrapped, company discovered nostalgic deal with packing containers from Dessert Gallery ready of their automobiles. In a full-circle second, occasion blooms and additional corsages have been donated to Bloom Once more Houston, extending the night’s pleasure to hospitals and senior facilities citywide.
Summoning their internal senior superlatives and bringing critical cafeteria cool have been Amir Davoody and Rana Mehr, Anita Cheung, Winnie Dodson, Ashley Sloan, Babtunde and Lacey Cole, Codi Wiener and Molly LaFauci, Crystal Robino and Jen Kavoussi, Elizabeth Cordia, Morgan Allen Neal, Mary Echols, Christine Perusquia, Georgia and Stephen Fox, Jackie and Gary Richert, Jerod and Asasia Pierce, Jessica and Fletcher Trammell, Kyle and Landi Lutz, Lindsey and Travis Wilson, Mari and Bryan Glass, Mary Morgan Stevens, Mayleen and Michael Tsang, Neil Badlani and Rekha Muddaraj, Nimesh and Katie Bhakta, Rachel and Shawn Gottschalk, Reed and Mary Morgan Stevens, Rodolfo and Natalie Cooper, Todd Felix, Angela Oh, Trey and Kelly Mattson, and Lane and Chita Craft.
