Houston Grand Opera to Celebrate AN EVENING IN OLD HOLLYWOOD with Annual Ball and After Party

Houston Grand Opera's annual white-tie fundraiser, this year chaired by Drs. Liz Grimm and Jack Roth, returnsApril 14 with the 2018 Opera Ball, An Evening in Old Hollywood-featuring a special guest appearance by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer David Lee Roth, who will perform a rare, private mini-set of hits. Always a highly anticipated event on Houston's social calendar, Opera Ball, to be held at The Post Oak at Uptown Houston, brings together many of the city's movers, shakers, and tastemakers for an unforgettable evening in support of Houston Grand Opera. For the young professional crowd, the Encore Party will offer a chic, late-night celebration that tops off Opera Ball. Drs. Ishwaria and Vivek Subbiah are chairmen of the Encore Party.

In 2018, HGO pays tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood, as arriving Opera Ball guests walk the red carpet to a swanky supper club on Sunset Boulevard, where stars were born and glitz set the stage. Think palm trees and the Polo Lounge, cocktail shakers and dealmakers, and legends like Fred and Ginger, Garbo, Grant, and Garland. Imagine dancing under the glow of Hollywood lights. During dinner, guests will delight in a musical tribute to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers featuring original choreography performed by the American Contemporary Ballet from Los Angeles. The seated dinner will be catered by the culinary team of The Post Oak at Uptown Houston, led by executive chef Jean Luc Royere, formerly of Mandarin Oriental, Miami.

David Lee Roth is best known as the original (1974-1985) and current (2006-present) lead singer of the legendary hard rock band Van Halen. In 2007, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Also a songwriter, actor, and former radio personality, Roth is known as a successful solo artist, releasing numerous Gold and Platinum albums and singles, including "California Girls" and "Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody." Many know him for innovative music videos during the "hair band" era in rock 'n' roll. Nominated for both Grammy and American Music Awards, Roth won the Best Stage Performance Award for "Jump" in 1984.

Opera Ball is Houston Grand Opera's largest annual fundraiser, helping the organization to continue to present world-class opera in Houston. With the destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey, HGO and other arts organizations have suffered significant setbacks. This makes the 2018 Opera Ball all the more important to HGO's future success.

The Opera Ball begins at 7 p.m., while the Encore Party follows at 10 p.m. Encore Party guests will be able to experience the glamour of Opera Ball as well as participate in the silent auction and enjoy cocktails and light bites before dancing the night away.

Tickets and tables for An Evening in Old Hollywood start at $1,500 and $15,000, respectively. Encore Party tickets run $150 each, while VIP tickets are $250. VIP tickets allow a 9 p.m. arrival for David Lee Roth's performance, seated Champagne/dessert course and reserved seating in the Polo Lounge throughout the evening. To purchase Opera Ball and Encore Party tickets, contact HGO Director of Special Events Brooke Rogers at 713-546-0271or brogers@hgo.org. For more information, visit HGO.org/operaball.