The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Pavilion Partners Annual Wine Dinner and Auction on March 23, 2025. For the last quarter century, this event has supported scholarships for local high school students pursuing arts degrees in college. The Pavilion Partners have awarded over $2.4 million in fine arts scholarships, covering vocal music, instrumental music, theater, dance, visual arts, and computer graphic arts. Scholarships are based on talent and academic performance and are presented each spring. While this celebration honors the hard work and success of the past, it will also recognize two of the inspiring champions of tomorrow - this year’s Wine Dinner honorees, Lisa and Fred Koetting.

The camera focuses on a table set for The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion | Pavilion Partners Annual Wine Dinner and Auction. The table is under The Pavilion tent and covered with a dark teal cloth. It is set with empty wine glasses, red cloth napkins, and silverware. There is also a pretty floral centerpiece with fern fronds and pink and orange flowers.

THE 2025 DINNER HONOREES

The Koettings have been involved with the Pavilion since 2007, with Lisa having served and chaired on the Scholarship Committee and again on the Wine Dinner Committee. Avid champions of the local community, The Koettings have been pivotal in the growth and development of the Scholarship Program at The Pavilion. From years of service at educational events, to frequenting the lawn during the symphony with their family, The Koettings are a testament to the dedication that it takes from our community partners to make The Pavilion’s non-profit mission a success.

Three people (two women and one man in between them) smile at the camera. They are standing on The Pavilion stage, dressed in business casual wear. The woman on the right has auburn hair and is wearing a navy dress with an orange-red-and-blue shawl depicting a scene of water birds by a pond. The woman on the right has white hair and a young face. She's wearing a long black blouse and black pants with a colorful long scarf hanging loosely from her neck. Both women are carrying small metal buckets filled with bouquets of pink and orange flowers. The man in the middle has his arms around both women. He's wearing a gray blazer with a light blue shirt and blue-gray slacks.

THE YEAR-END GIVING CAMPAIGN

This year, The Pavilion was thrilled to launch its first Year-End Giving Campaign with a matching pledge, courtesy of the Koettings. They pledged to match all donations up to $25,000. Not only was the matching pledge met, but overall contributions far exceeded any expectations! This effort not only opened avenues to new donors, but renewed connections with past donors and helped spread awareness of The Pavilion's non-profit mission. In addition to their generosity of the Giving Campaign, The Koettings have also pledged an additional $75,000 in 2025 to help the Pavilion continue to make the arts accessible to all and to support the efforts to achieve this goal.

The Pavilion is profoundly grateful for Lisa and Fred Koetting's unwavering partnership and their strong belief in the power of the arts to change lives. Their support has been instrumental in our mission, and their commitment is deeply appreciated.

THE 2025 CORPORATE HONOREES

The Pavilion is also excited to announce that longtime partners of The Pavilion Partners Wine Dinner, Fleming’s Steakhouse and Wine Bar and Flora Springs Napa Valley Family Estate, will be this year’s Corporate Honorees. Flemmings has consistently delivered an unparalleled culinary experience for many years. Flora Springs' complementary and customed labeled Pavilion Partners wine has provided an extra special touch to each year’s event.

The camera focuses on one man among all the guests of The Pavilion Partners Annual Wine Dinner and Auction. He is looking off to the right of the frame, presumably toward The Pavilion stage, raising an auction bidding paddle. He is wearing clear-framed glasses, a dark gray blazer, and white button-down shirt with an A&M logo under one lapel. The paddle says "171" in large font at the top, and below it, "The Pavilion Partners WINE DINNER AND AUCTION." There is smaller text below it that can't be read from the camera's distance.

A man in a royal blue blazer, light blue button-down shirt, and navy slacks speaks into a microphone while raising an arm to address the dinner guests. In the same hand as the microphone, he is holding a stack of index cards that appear to read, "PatTully.com" and "@PatrickJTully" beside an Instagram logo. Six guests are visible but out of focus in front of him, all seated at a round, blue-clothed table with a pink-and-orange floral centerpiece.

THANKING THE SPONSORS

The Pavilion wants to extend a heartfelt thank you to their amazing sponsors for their contributions to the Wine Dinner. Special thanks go to Grand Patrons, American Communication Construction (ACC) and Insperity, as well as the following Patrons: Lisa and Fred Koetting, MaryAnn and Bryce Mannen, and Woodforest Bank. The Pavilion also want to recognize the following Directors: Sharon and Bob Abendschein, Sylvia Caracio, Jacque and Dr. Lloyd Everson, GMA Garnet USA, Angela and Doug Hazlett, Mark Folkes at the Hobby Center, Howard Hughes, Elizabeth and Colter Lewis, Partners Capital, Sue and Ken Rosko, Jill and Jeff Swift, and Crystal Sled at Western Midstream.

A group of 19 people (16 women and 3 men) smile at the camera. They are all dressed in business casual attire and standing on the steps leading up to The Pavilion concert seats.

RECOGNIZING THE VOLUNTEERS

This event would not be possible if not for the dedication and volunteerism of the Wine Dinner committee and its members. The Pavilion would like to thank the Wine Dinner Co-Chairs Sonya Nicholson and Charlie DeKanter, as well as the following Committee Members: Chardelle Adelson, Sylvia Caracio, Kate de Kanter, Linda Eissler, Jacque Everson, Cindy Hagemen, Janene Hemmen, Lisa Koetting, Karen Lach, Laura Landsbaum, Randy Lowry, Judy Lux, Kathryn Painter, Mark Teed, Suzanne Pagel, Mireya Santos, Kris Gilot, Kelsey Casey, Anabelle Carrillo, Cyndi Brant, Rosemary Rodd, Cindy Notarainni, Michelle Leary, and Susan Fordyce.

THE 2025 WINE DINNER AND AUCTION

The Pavilion is thrilled to announce that the 2025 Wine Dinner and Auction is officially sold out! Underwriting opportunities are still available for those who might like to support The Pavilion’s scholarship and missional efforts. If interested, please reach out to Joan Dieden at jdieden@woodlandscenter.org.