Location: Neiman Marcus

I am so honored that I was asked to host a luncheon to celebrate Hope Stone Dance Company’s 20th anniversary!  I immediately said yes and then Hope Stone founder Jane Weiner and I decided that this luncheon needed to be fun and artsy. We dubbed it White Glove Revolution. You can tell from the pics that we all had fun wearing our white gloves on this glorious day!

Lots of ladies and gents were treated to a wonderful luncheon and fashion show generously hosted by Neiman Marcus. DJ John Tran was spinning great tunes throughout the lunch and turned up the volume when Hope Stone dancers emerged for 8 different choreographed dance scenes. We also had models in trendy Neimans fashions strolling throughout the venue. Houston news personality Linda Lorelle spoke about Hope Stone and at the end of her remarks the dancers came out with a birthday cake (along to the 50 Cent song) and Jane and I blew out the 20 candles. We had the best time!

I have been on the board of Hope Stone  organization for many years and cannot say enough of how much they influence so many people’s lives every day bringing dance, movement, music and other art forms to students all over Houston. The arts have always been a medium for transformation, for revolution. We as women – and men – have a collective power to transform our communities. One of these women, Jane Weiner, has been at the forefront of changing communities through dance and art education. For the last 20 years, Hope Stone Dance has shared its work in theaters, warehouses, museums and literally on the streets, in Houston and rural counties across Texas with little to no access to the arts. Hope Stone Dance has brought communities together through accessible and affordable dance performances.

Hope Stone’s mindful arts education program, The Hope Project, began with 20 children and now serves over 1,100 students in their schools and facilities through year-long dance, music and theater classes.

While Hope Stone Dance celebrates 20 years of professional modern dance, The Hope Project is a program with a goal not to create professional artists, but to foster creative citizens who learn teamwork, compassion and problem-solving skills that are essential to each child’s success and in turn, their schools, families and communities. I applaud Hope Stone’s  vision – its revolution – of art for all. Happy 20^th anniversary birthday!!

Thank you Stacey Swift and Neimans. My dress is by Alice + Olivia

Photos by Alana Campbell