Carnaval-themed ball raises $1.5 million for Houston Symphony.
Jana and Scotty Arnoldy chaired the Carnaval-themed Houston Symphony Ball, a beautiful Brazilian bash at Jones Hall.
As guests arrived on the red carpet, they were greeted by two shirtless muscle men donning gold lamé shorts, a salsa-dancing couple in red fringe and Jana in a showstopping getup of her own. For her first look — there were several — she showed off a shimmy or two in a cherry Alexander McQueen, Bulgari jewels and a custom rainbow headdress by Richard Flowers.
Inside, Scotty was on welcome duty. Servers passed tequila shooters to black-tie guests checking out the offerings for the silent auction — helmed by Mary Ann and David McKeithan — that were stationed on each landing of the lobby’s winding staircase. After the tropical cocktail reception, Jana sounded the dinner bell and led a conga line of rhinestoneclad performers into Flowers’ reimagined auditorium.
Gone were the theater-seats, orchestra pit and stage; in their place, a five-tiered ballroom dazzled the 600 galagoers. The transformation was the result of a weeklong build-out by Staging Solutions.
Houston Symphony executive director and CEO Mark Hanson joined society board president Steven Mach front and center to lead the honoree presentation. Principal trumpet player Mark Hughes and section colleagues Robert Walp and Caroline Schafer sounded off as Sybil Roos, Lindy and John Rydman and Robert Franz received the Ima Hogg Philanthropy Award, the Mike Stude Award for Enduring Artistic Vison and the Raphael Fliegel Award for Visionary Leadership, respectively.
Diners dug into flatbreads, olives and nuts during the Bossa Nova concert from Grammy Award nominee Bebel Gilberto that followed. There was no “clinking” of tableware during the New York/ Rio de Janeiro artist’s performance — per her contract.
Jackson and Co.’s Brazilian feast proved well worth the wait. Jamon Iberico roulade, red wine short ribs and chocolate chile cake provided fuel for David Caceres and Hace Calor’s South American disco inferno.
Jana changed into a dance-friendly Jovani frock before 100 latenight guests streamed in for the after-party, chaired by Valerie and Tracy Dieterich, featuring “it” mix-master DJ Kalkutta.
With $1.5 million raised, and Bulgari swag bags stuffed with Te Bleu fragrance and $500 gift certificates distributed at the valet, the Arnoldys’ South American excursion surpassed anyone’s expectations.