Getting involved
Brightest Party Ever: Community leaders let loose and get funky for LeadershipAustin
Hot pink, electric blue, and splashes of neon green brightened up the Long Center for the Performing Arts City Terrace Tuesday night during Leadership Austin's Brightest Party Ever. The theme of the evening, "Pop Art," lent itself to vibrant colors, cool funky lighting and live art.
This was the 11th annual edition of the "Best Party Ever" fundraising gala. Even though organizers changed the name to the "Brightest Party Ever," those in attendance said it was truly one of their best events.
The highlight of the night was no doubt the amazing performance by Blue Lapis Light, who awed the crowd with their aerial dance performance of Phantom of the Opera atop the rings of the Long Center Terrace with the Austin city skyline as their backdrop.
Leadership Austin, Tuesday night's host and beneficiary, is a non-profit that aims to ignite passion for community leadership through programming that explores critical community issues, develops the leadership skills to address those issues, and fosters relationships that help facilitate positive, collaborative change in our community.
The organization has been around since 1979 and boasts a notable group of participants including City Council member Mike Martinez, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) executive director Carolyn Schwarz and current Leadership Austin chief executive director Heather McKissick.
Community leaders Charles Barnett, Sam Planta, and Courtney Clark are among Leadership Austin's graduates and were each honored for their ongoing commitment and dedication to Central Texas.