Asia Society’s Tiger Ball honors Wyatt, raises $1.34M
It’s not every day that you find cherry trees in the middle of a Houston parking lot.
Tiger Ball attendees couldn’t believe their eyes as they scrutinized the pale pink blooms inside the dinner tent.
“Are they real?” The answer? Yes.
Such is the magic of Events Company head honcho Richard
Flowers. Just two weekends prior, he had transformed the San Luis Convention Center in Galveston into a Scandinavian-inspired “Royal Ice Garden” for the Fertitta family’s annual Mardi Gras bash, and the Wortham Center into a gold-spun wonderland for the Houston Ballet’s 50th anniversary ball — within a 24-hour period.
So when the Asia Society’s local chapter chose to honor arts champion, philanthropist and Houston Chronicle Best Dressed’s first Hall of Famer Lynn Wyatt at the 2020 annual gala, she had one request: “Bring in Richard Flowers.”
And in turn, Flowers brought in those scene-making cherry blossoms — all the way from Washington, D.C.
It’s worth noting that the blacktie bash, which hosted a record 725 guests and ultimately raised $1.34 million, wasn’t just about the greenery. However stunning, the evening “Celebrating the Elegance of Japan” was much more than a feast for the eyes.
Proceeds fund the organization’s 150-plus annual public programs. Judging by the crowd that gathered to watch the parade of black-tie ensembles and traditional dress make their grand entrances on a pink carpet, the Asia Society’s mission to engage the city’s diverse community is a treasured asset to those it serves and beyond.
Which is why the audience nodded knowingly when Wyatt graciously accepted her award and acknowledged in her remarks that Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the country. The term is recited so often that onlookers sometimes inhale sharply at its mention. But not this night. Instead, they toasted her with sake.
Earlier in the planning process, honorary chair Stephanie Tsuru hinted to event organizers that her husband’s last name means “crane” in Japanese. She asked if the décor could include a few cranes in homage to his heritage. Her request was granted. Silver, gold and rose-gold origami-inspired birds also dazzled inside the dinner tent. And under their canopy, Stephanie beamed in a hot-pink frock next to husband
Frank Tsuru when the couple was recognized onstage.
In past years, Tiger Ball festivities began inside the tent for an extended cocktail hour. This go-around, gala co-chairs Kathy and Marty Goosen and Akemi and Yasuhiko Saitoh flipped the format’s switch.
Their guests started inside the Center, which was designed by famed architect Yoshio Taniguchi, for smoked duck, Okonomiyaki pancakes, tuna tartar, Wagyu beef, spring rolls and edamame rice cakes. There was also a fresh sushi station provided by Suhic, LLC, where tuna, salmon, yellowtail, shrimp, spicy tuna, shaggy dog, Maki and dragon rolls were served. For those in the know, it proved an opportune time to peruse the recently opened “Eternal Offerings” exhibition of ancient Chinese bronzes in the Louisa Stude Sarofim Gallery.
Later, galagoers dined on City Kitchen’s jumbo lump crab with melon, miso-glazed sea bass and kabocha squash timbale.
Then it was back to the Center for dancing and dessert. Flambéed cherries over ginger ice cream, matcha panna cotta, chocolate chiffon pinwheel cake, apricot cheesecake with star anise, and a variety of mochi ice cream were served throughout the building’s many floors.
The vibe felt like spring in Japan.