Oilman/philanthropist Lester Smith has a date with Ellen DeGeneres next week and this is a matchup you won't want to miss. An award-winning ballroom dancer, Lester will take on the fancy footwork of Ellen (who just can't stop dancing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show) when the program airs at 2 p.m. Oct. 11 on KPRC Ch. 2.
Ostensibly, he will be on the talk show to discuss his life and his book You Gotta Dance Like Nobody's Watching, which benefits breast cancer and genomic research. But Lester, ever the playful entertainer, allowed that he has been studying Ellen's dance moves and that he might invite her for a little two-step duo.
On the serious side, the discussion will include Lester's Pink Well Challenge, the total $1 million matching gift to 20 breast cancer charities that were chosen from applicants from across the country.
More fame for Cheeky
Cheeky Vintage owners Tina Davis and Denise Hazen are over the moon once again with the latest big buy from their vintage clothing boutique on Richmond. A rep for Annie Segal, daughter of maverick retailer Fred Segal, was in the store recently and picked up "several edgy vintage pieces" for her new Fred Segal Originals store in Santa Monica.
The gals are on a roll with their collection of vintage wares (think '50s through the '80s) earning them top rankings by Lucky magazine and the celebration of their four years in business.
The Annie Segal buy solidifies the shops recognition among top designers such as Tommy Hilfiger, who last year purchased more than 30 pieces from the shop for the retailer's new flagship store in London's Knightsbridge.
Fred Segal Originals will present a new signature line and a significant collection of historic fashion pieces, reviving some of Fred's most iconic looks.
Filling coffers and containers
That would be the 300 supporters of Medical Bridges, who gathered at the Hilton Post Oak Saturday night for the "One People, One World" benefit that found guests entering the ballroom through a mock-up of a shipping container. The significance of is that the containers are filled with medical surplus that would otherwise be discarded and are shipped to hospitals, clinics and health care providers in parts of the world where they are desperately needed.
Mary Ann and David McKeithan chaired the evening along with honorary chairs Carolyn and Dr. Mike Mann. Taking bows was Dr. Patricia Brock Howard, Medical Bridges founder who received the Volunteer of the Year award. The benefit honorees were Dr. Marc Boom of Methodist Hospital and Dr. Julie Boom of Texas Children's Hospital and corporate honoree AEI Services, represented by Emilio Vicens.
On stage partying
Houston Ballet's stunning opening night performance of Giselle captivated the Wortham Theater Center audience and then served as a launching point for Ballet Barre, the organization of young professional balletomanes.
Hearsay Gastro Lounge sponsored a post-performance champagne reception on stage where 200 guests including the dancers, orchestra members and artistic staff raised their glasses in celebration of the season launch. Icing on this cake was the fact that Houston Ballet artistic director Stanton Welch led the toasts.
