Set for Friday, April 26, the Tiger Ball promises fine food, inviting drink, international entertainment and a sparkling crowd. All will be featured within the elegant environs of the Yoshio Taniguchi-designed Asia Society Texas Center.

Tables arrayed throughout the 40,000-square-foot Center will feature decorative nods to the richness of Asia — from Japan to Iran and from Central Asia to Oceania. South Asian jazz will set the mood for an evening emphasizing conversation and stylish mingling.

Festivities begin with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. Remarks are scheduled for 7:15 p.m., followed by a seated dinner at 7:30 p.m.  Attire is black tie or national dress. 

To obtain seating and table information, visit AsiaSociety.org/Texas/TigerBall2013.

“This event will be unlike any gala in Houston,” said John Bradshaw, Jr., acting executive director of the Texas Center and the man behind the scenes of last year’s grand opening Tiger Ball, which drew 950 guests and raised $1.4 million.

“The Tiger Ball has a tremendous, long and lively history. This year, we’re charting new waters by keeping podium remarks at a minimum, allowing guests more time to really experience a pan-Asian extravaganza inside Mr. Taniguchi’s building," said Bradshaw. 

Chairs for the evening are Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia; honorary chairs are Mary Criner Blake, Sheida and Dr. Mohammad Etminan, Sheela and Ashok Rao.

Steering Committee members include Divya and Chris Brown, Anne and Albert Chao,  Monjula and Ravi Chidambaram, Martin and Kelli Cohen Fein, Jo and Jim Furr, Leela and Nat Krishnamurthy, Judy and Scott Nyquist, and Y. Ping Sun and David W. Leebron.

Since its 2012 opening the new Asia Society Texas Center has hosted internationally recognized performers, statesman, writers and scholars. As it enters its second year, it continues to present wide-ranging public programs across the fields of business and policy, arts and culture, and education. A nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization, it promotes mutual understanding and strengthens partnerships among the peoples, leaders and institutions of Asia and the United States and serves as Houston’s portal to the fastest growing region in the world.