2010 Cirque de MOCAH Masquerade Ball

The Museum of Cultural Arts Houston “Cirque de Mocah” Masquerade Ball was a beautiful showcase of art, fashion, music and celebration. Over 300 masked, costumed and cocktailed attendees came out to celebrate 11 years of MOCAH bringing the arts to youth and communities across Houston.  Red Door Productions youth  performance artists greeted and entertained patrons in true Cirque de Soleil-style, including a performer suspended from the ceiling by red velvet scarves.  MOCAH Founder and CEO Reginald Adams and wife co-founder Rhonda Radford Adams shared their story of the inception of MOCAH 11 years ago and how the organization has grown to become Houston’s leading developer of community based public art.  Honorary Event Chairs Michael and Lucia Cordua welcomed the crowd. Michael passionately endorsed MOCAH’s critical mission in using art for social awareness and community building, plus engaging thousands of underserved youth, saying, “If I had a golden key to the city, I’d give it to Reginald, if I was the Pope I would make him a saint”  Michael Cordua.

Award winning Americas chef David Cordua presented his parents with a surprise gilded portrait he painted  of them through one of MOCAH’s Face to Face workshops.  The party engulfed the entire Americas restaurant and the interior promenade of the Post Oak Pavilion with a program featuring, a fashion show of Toni Whitaker’s fall/winter collection the Houston Chronicle’s best dressed alumnae, including Yvonne Cormier, Cheryl Creuzot, Barbara Seymour, Anita Smith, Geraldina Wise. Modeling  by Houston’s young trendsetters included Divya Brown, Annie Criner, Isabel David, Alexandra Palacios, Heidi Smith, and Christine Transier.
MOCAH’s 2010 Artist of the Year John Ross Palmer conducted a live painting demonstration, with his work auctioned off later in the evening. Guests enjoyed an art auction including diverse works of art from many local artists.  A colorful glass-mosaic full body bust created by artist and auction co-chair Lori Betz of the Betz Art Gallery was a highlight.  DJ Sun and the Groovetronics kept the dance floor swaying the entire evening with dance hits that everyone could groove to.

The event was a great success and none of this would be possible without the generosity and financial support of our sponsors:  Silver Eagle Distributors; Autotrader.com; Bayway Lincoln Mercury; Shell Trading (US) Company; Smith Graham; Gerald and Anita Smith; Wealth Development Strategies and Nightlight Pediatric Urgent Care.

View images of the event at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55512901@N02/

Thank you for your support of the arts, youth empowerment and community development in Houston.