The Thunder Ball Benefiting Fresh Arts Saturday, February 25, 2023
We are excited to announce our 2023 gala: The THUNDER BALL!
On Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 8 pm to 12 am, Silver Street Studios will transform into an electric party den filled with 450+ secret agents, hair band rockers, and glamorous villains— are you ready?
Save the date for February 25th and join event chairs Kimberly + James Bell, Kaleta Blaffer Johnson + John Domolky, Jennifer + Blake Perrin, and Karla Modesto + Sebastien “Mr. D” Boileau at one of the most notoriously lively events of the year.
In true Fresh Arts form, the annual “Ball” combines an immersive atmosphere, over-the-top outfits, creative cocktails (shaken, not stirred!), delectable bites from local restaurants, and fantastic arts entertainment featuring exciting performances and a stellar silent art auction – showcasing 50+ of Houston’s most dynamic emerging and established artists.
As a new Underwriter benefit, this year’s Ball will include a new VIP Red Carpet Experience from 7-8pm that you won’t want to miss!
Proceeds from the annual gala benefit Fresh Arts programs and operations raising key funding that strengthens our city’s arts community by championing the vibrant creatives who make it all possible. Your support of the THUNDER BALL funds career-building for local artists and connects them to new audiences through free and accessible exhibitions, public art, and performances that benefit the entire Houston community.
Additionally, your donation supports our ability to recover from the Winter Street Studios firebombing which has resulted in the temporary loss of our work space. We are actively working with local partners to support the 100+ artists that were also impacted, many of whom lost years of artwork and supplies. Learn about Fresh Arts Relief Efforts + Donation FAQs.
THE THUNDER BALL IN THE MEDIA:
- Paper City Magazine: https://www.papercitymag.com/arts/houston-fresh-arts-gala-returns-costumes-thunder-ball/
- Houston City Book: https://www.houstoncitybook.com/fresh-arts-houston-2659443436/
- Fox 26 Houston: https://www.fox26houston.com/news/fresh-arts-to-hold-fundraiser-gala-as-studio-building-recovers-from-fire
THE THUNDER BALL
Benefiting Fresh Arts
Saturday, February 25, 2023 | 8pm – 12am
VIP Red Carpet Experience: 7-8pm
@ Silver Street Studios
2000 Edwards Street | Houston, TX 77007
FEATURING
Party tunes by DJ GRACIE CHAVEZ
Emcee by Houston Poet Laureate, OUTSPOKEN BEAN
Special performances by:
LEANDRE DOUGLAS
AERIAL BAMBI
Live painting by Mr.D 1987
CREATIVE COCKTAILS + DRINKS
Courtesy of BCI wine + spirits, Lalo Tequila, St Germain, Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co., SNAP Vodka,
Grissly Bear Bourbon, and City Orchard Cider
SAVORY + SWEET CULINARY BITES
Courtesy of Phoenicia Specialty Foods, Common Bond Cafe, Henderson & Kane,Mamma’s Tamales, Winfield’s Chocolate Bar, Spec’s Finer Foods, Betelgeuse Betelguese.
CASINO GAMES, RAFFLES + PHOTO OPS
SILENT AUCTION
Featuring over 60 works of art by Houston-based emerging and established artists. PLUS luxury lifestyle packages including travel stays, restaurant dining, and gift certificates.
THUNDEROUS COSTUMES + OVER THE TOP OUTFITS
Guests are encouraged to be a part of the thematic art showcase by expressing their creativity through party attire and costumes.
Ideas include Bond-inspired getups from the 1965 Thunderball film (ex. glamorous Bond Girls, men classic tuxedos, vintage wet suits or beachwear), movie and literary characters who embody thunder and lightning (Zeus, Thor, Thundercats), and other roaring or ELECTRIC frocks!
THUNDER BALL HONOREES
More than just the best art party in town, the annual Ball funds Fresh Arts programs that strengthen the Houston arts community by supporting the artists who create it. Fresh Arts’ annual Ball also highlights local arts champions who embody the empowerment of Houston’s artists and creatives.
Jorge Garza
Performing arts and community advocate Jorge Garza is an internationally renowned operatic tenor, Owner/President of GARZA STUDIOS, and Founder of Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus. GARZA STUDIOS houses professionally equipped performance spaces that create opportunities for arts education and expression in a neighborhood traditionally underrepresented in Houston’s artistic landscape. Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus is Houston’s first bi-lingual children’s chorus, whose mission is to enrich the lives of children and families in the Second Ward and East End District through music. In addition to his community work, Garza continues to travel the world as an award-winning performer.
Dana + Taft McWhorter
Art and philanthropy power-duo Dana and Taft McWhorter have been living an #artlife for the past 15 years. While Taft is the artist, Dana and Taft run the logistics of the business as a team. A main focus of their business is serving their community through philanthropy. Through donating artwork, the dynamic duo has raised just shy of a million dollars for local charities. With a heart for supporting artists, the couple founded The Seekers, an artist collective and spring board for emerging artists. Dana and Taft recently published a book titled “50 Artists Houston” spotlighting the local art scene.
THUNDER BALL CHAIRS:
Kimberly + James Bell
Kaleta Blaffer Johnson + John Domolky
Karla Modesto + Sebastien “Mr. D” Boileau
Jennifer + Blake Perrin
Ahshia Berry + Sarah Jayne / Magpies & Peacocks
Katie + AJ Brass
Leon Brener
Kristen and David Buck
Hannah Bull
Eepi Chaad + Jeremy LeJeune
Stephanie + Ernie Cockrell
Claudia + Roberto Contreras
Valerie + Tracy Dietrich
Angela Fabbri
Marita + JB Fairbanks
Audra + Tim Franklin
Rachel Gonzales
Whitney Hart + Jean Paul Capin
Travis Hedemann
Isabelle Kafarela + James Engel
Kathy + Matthew Kelley
Lauren Luna
Tara Martin
Gretchen + Andrew McFarland
Harry McMahan
Edgar Medina + Brandon Buras
Kimberly Stevens + Steve Natvick
Anthony Pabillano
Lauren Paine
Andrea Parker
Rick Perez
James Phalen
Winnie + Nic Phillips
Nadia Rasouli + Jonathan Aron
Lutfi Rukab
Lily + Jonathan Schnitzer
Jackie Staple + Adam Russ
Ishwaria and Vivek Subbiah
Kathryn + Colby Swain
Austin Thomas
Y. E. Torres + Remy Dillenseger
Laura + Michael Umansky
Ann + Richard Vaughan
YungChris
Rassul Zarinfar
Tina + Josh Zulu
THANK YOU TO OUR THUNDER BALL SPONSORS!
ABOUT FRESH ARTS
For the past 20 years, Fresh Arts has empowered Houston artists and creatives of all disciplines through programs that build knowledge, amplify local resources, and connect communities.
Our programs include fiscal sponsorship for artist-led projects, resource and information sharing via our Artist Opportunity Board, Artist Resource Library, Toolkits, and Podcast, career-building and mentorship support through our workshops, panel conversations, and 8-week Artist INC seminar, innovative project development through the Space Taking Artist Residency, and public art projects through our management of Arts District Houston.
PO Box 66494 Houston, TX 77266 | angela@fresharts.org