Cocktails in the Courtyard

About this event

Saturday, September 19, 2026 Hosted by Ben Ackerley, Kaleta Blaffer Johnson, & Sebastian Keitel Music by Bayou City Funk Band Heavy hors d’oeuvres by Café Natalie Event at Blaffer Art Museum | 5pm-8pm After-party at Bar Daphne | 8pm-11pm Location: Blaffer Art Museum FREE and open to the public On Saturday, September 19, 2026, 5pm-8pm, the Blaffer Art Museum is hosting its first annual fundraising garden party, Cocktails in the Courtyard. Set within the dynamic University of Houston Arts District, the evening unfolds across the Louise J. Moran Courtyard—an outdoor space activated for the night with music, conversation, and unexpected delights. Guests will enjoy thoughtfully crafted cocktails, seasonal bites, and live music alongside artists, patrons, and creative voices from across Houston. Exhibitions by renowned artists Adriana Corral and Maria Gaspar will be on view inside the museum, and guests can bid on a unique panel of curated experiences and bespoke items in a silent auction. Proceeds from this festive evening make possible the Blaffer Art Museum’s bold exhibitions, thought-provoking programs, and impactful educational initiatives. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served by Café Natalie and live music by Bayou City Funk Band will fill the courtyard, for an evening inspired by our Gulf Coast traditions. An after party will be held at Bar Daphne in the Heights from 8pm-11pm. To purchase tickets for Cocktails in the Courtyard and to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit Cocktails in the Courtyard.