Japan Inspired Asia Society Texas’ Tiger Ball Raises Over $1.5 Million
Asia Society Texas president Bonna Kol, honorees Kathy and Glen Gondo, and honorary ball chair Donna Fujimoto Cole at Asia Society Texas' Tiger Ball 2023: Celebrating the Beauty and Elegance of Japan, honoring Kathy and Glen Gondo, on March 3, 2023. Photo by Daniel Ortiz.
It has been the much awaited gala of Houston in Spring. The 2023 Asia Society Tiger Ball welcomed more than 500 guests into a dazzling celebration of the beauty and elegance of Japan, raising over $1.5 million. The evening focused on honoring community leaders Kathy and Glen Gondo for their lifelong commitment to building cultural understanding and friendships through Japanese culture. Led by Ball Chairs Julie and John Cogan and Sylvia and Gordon Quan, alongside Honorary Chairs Chinhui and Eddie Allen, Theresa and Peter Chang, Donna Fujimoto Cole, and Aurora and Hirofumi Murabayashi. Proceeds from the gala supports Asia Society Texas’ efforts to celebrate vibrant cultures and diverse perspectives and to build a more inclusive community.
The event kicked off with a special champagne toast inside the Asia Society Texas Center for the organization’s closest friends and family to raise a glass to the gala’s honorees and leadership. Following the warm welcome by AST Board Chair Y. Ping Sun, board member Gordon Quan toasted the honorees while their son Robert and his wife Jaewon surprised them with a cake adorned with sparklers to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. AST President Bonna Kol and Honorary Ball Chair Donna Cole presented Mr. and Mrs. Gondo with an elegant brass vase made by artist Michael Aram, featuring cherry blossoms to symbolize the renewal and optimism of spring.
Upon arrival the guests were welcomed by drummers from Kaminari Taiko and then transported to springtime Japan upon entering the Gala Pavilion decorated lavishly by Prashe Décor. Pink Japanese parasols floated enchantingly over the dance floor, and guests dined beneath trees laden with cherry blossoms. Magnificent floral sculptures featuring roses, snapdragons, tulips, and more cherry blossoms graced each table, enhancing the experience of a fantastical dinner in Kyoto on the cusp of spring.
A sumptuous dinner was served by City Kitchen featuring a seared miso-glazed sea bass with curried rainbow baby carrots and sesame-sauteed sugar snap peas with ginger. Following dinner, guests enjoyed a variety of desserts while celebrating on the dance floor with music provided by DJ Scoop of Karma DJs.
In addition to the event leadership, special guests included Nancy C. Allen, Durga & Sushila Agrawal, Divya & Chris Brown, Leslie & Brad Bucher, Tripp Carter, Anne & Albert Chao, Molly & James Crownover, Lily & Charles Foster, Piotr & Maria-Anna Galitzine, Robert & Jaewon Gondo, Kathy & Marty Goossen, Pooja Goradia & Ravi Purohit, David Harvey, Jay Jones, Melanie Lawson & John Guess, Kevin & Sabria Lewis, Shazma & Arshad Matin, Duyen & Marc Nguyen, Gordon Quan, David Ruiz, Sue & Randy Sim, Leigh & Reggie Smith, Y. Ping Sun & David Leebron, Nanako Tingleaf, Janae & Kenny Tsai, Stephanie & Frank Tsuru, Michelle & Rishi Varma, Margaret Alkek Williams, Shiang Ling & George Yang, and Kelly & Luis Zuniga.
Marc and Duyen Nguyen and Leigh and Reggie Smith at Asia Society Texas’ Tiger Ball 2023: Celebrating the Beauty and Elegance of Japan, honoring Kathy and Glen Gondo, on March 3, 2023. Photo by Daniel Ortiz.
Gordon Quan and Caroline Quan Long at Asia Society Texas’ Tiger Ball 2023: Celebrating the Beauty and Elegance of Japan, honoring Kathy and Glen Gondo, on March 3, 2023. Photo by Daniel Ortiz.
Alice Mao Brams, Mandy Kao, Betty Gee, and Tammy Su at Asia Society Texas’ Tiger Ball 2023: Celebrating the Beauty and Elegance of Japan, honoring Kathy and Glen Gondo, on March 3, 2023. Photo by Emily Jaschke.
Sushila and Durga Agrawal at Asia Society Texas’ Tiger Ball 2023: Celebrating the Beauty and Elegance of Japan, honoring Kathy and Glen Gondo, on March 3, 2023. Photo by Daniel Ortiz.
Chris and Divya Brown at Asia Society Texas’ Tiger Ball 2023: Celebrating the Beauty and Elegance of Japan, honoring Kathy and Glen Gondo, on March 3, 2023. Photo by Daniel Ortiz.
Asia Society Texas board chair Y. Ping Sun and David Leebron at Asia Society Texas’ Tiger Ball 2023: Celebrating the Beauty and Elegance of Japan, honoring Kathy and Glen Gondo, on March 3, 2023. Photo by Daniel Ortiz.
