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    The Scene

    Ultra glamorous Houston contingent helps honor outgoing UT prez in off the wall Austin bash

    Paige Turner
    Feb 13, 2015 | 3:48 pm

    AUSTIN — Art lovers, Longhorns and artists alike gathered at the Blanton Museum of Art, named for the late Jack Blanton Sr. of Houston, for a night of elegance and glam. The colorfully named “Off the Wall” gala revealed the Blanton’s future endeavors, while honoring University of Texas President Bill Powers, who steps down from the post in June.

     

    The evening began with a stellar cocktail hour full of photo ops, open bars and upbeat tunes on the Blanton’s main floor. Guests paraded from cocktail hour to dinner at the Bob Bullock Museum where attendees were transported into a setting as art-inspired as the exhibits themselves.

     

     

      The UT president was met with a standing ovation as he took the podium to address the audience. 

     
     

    Hues of purple in the floral centerpieces and lighting made for a classy ambience, while a three-course dinner, prepared by Four Seasons Hotel chef Elmar Prambs, was full of fresh flavors and indulgent pairings. Among guests savoring the dinner was a contingent of Houstonians including Leslie and Jack Blanton Jr. and Kelli and Eddy Blanton, loyal supporters of the museum.

     

    During dinner, director Simone Wicha and Michael Klein, chairman of the Blanton National Leadership Board, doted on the man of the hour. The UT president was met with a standing ovation as he took the podium to address the audience. “What a trajectory this museum is on,” Powers said. “Leading UT for these last nine years has been an honor. And having you as friends has been a truly wonderful blessing.”

     

    The gala raised $850,000 for the future funding of new exhibits.

     

    Following dinner, guests returned to the Blanton for the lively “Art on the Edge” after party. The main floor and mezzanine filled with partygoers dressed in their black tie best. Attendees danced to tunes by DJ Mel and the Memphis Train Revue. The after party was the perfect balance of art and edge –– hence its namesake –– where guests were able to sneak a peek at new exhibit “Witness: Art and Civil Rights in the Sixties” and “La linea continua: The Judy and Charles Tate Collection of Latin American Art,” strike a pose at the photo booth and grab a cocktail from bars sprinkled throughout the museum. Needless to say, the evening was certainly one to remember.

     

    Among the notable guests spotted on the red carpet were Judy and Charles Tate, Carolyn Farb, Jessica and Jimmy Younger, Suzanne Deal Booth, Ross Moody, Yasmin and Steve Patterson, Lance Avery Morgan and Candice and Vince Young.

    Kathryn Younger, from left, Jimmy and Jessica Younger, Lee Younger and Wade Odom.

    News, Shelby, Blanton Gala in Austin, Feb. 2015, Kathryn Younger, Jessica and Jimmy Younger, Lee Younger and Wade Odom
      
    Photo by Kelly Rucker
    Kathryn Younger, from left, Jimmy and Jessica Younger, Lee Younger and Wade Odom.
    unspecified
    news/society

    Vintage Vibes

    Wine and resilience shine at Houston nonprofit's glamorous soirée

    Joel Luks
    Jul 9, 2025 | 10:30 am
    Women's Fund Wine Dinner 2025
    Photo by Johnny Than
    Gaston Elie, Gina Gaston Elie, and Mario Elie.

    The Women’s Fund poured on the charm at its 10th Annual Wine Dinner, trading its usual intimate digs for The Astorian’s lofty glamour and a vibe as effervescent as the night’s first pour. Picture white feathers flirting with candlelight, rosé-hued roses blushing in Revere bowls, and a crowd dressed to toast, taste, and turn up for a cause.

    Women's Fund Wine Dinner 2025
      

    Photo by Johnny Than

    Gaston Elie, Gina Gaston Elie, and Mario Elie.

    Chairs Vanessa and Chuck Ames led the swirl, sip, and support soirée, where guests kicked things off with passed bites and bubbly from Amy and Rob Pierce and Alexandra Bruskoff. Jackson and Co. served up crispy artichokes, mushroom Wellington, tuna carpaccio, and beef tartare, perfectly paired with cava and casual elegance.

    The Madam Zero Champagne Wall added sparkle and suspense, doling out deBoulle gift cards and a private champagne tasting. Meanwhile, the silent auction table buzzed with high-stakes bids for year-long date nights, Zadok's bling, a Chopped-worthy in-home dinner by chef Lena Le, and more.

    Dinner dazzled across four courses: Steelhead carpaccio with Meyer lemon sabayon and Texas Vermentino; wild mushroom agnolotti matched with a Russian River Pinot; charcoal-grilled filet cozied up to Tuscan red; and a bittersweet chocolate tart so luxe it got its own sponsor, Armine+Ambrose.

    Mid-meal pop-up auctions turned tables into tasting salons with caviar and Burgundies flowing like insider gossip. And when it came time to raise paddles, auctioneer Johnny Holloway of Johnny Bravo Productions kept the energy high and the giving higher. Think Majorca vacations (sold twice), Rockets suite nights, Napa getaways, and a cameo on Chris Shepherd's Eat Like a Local that also sold — you guessed it — twice.

    The evening honored the inaugural Toast to Resilience Class. Paulina and Jim McGrath earned the Visionary Spirit Award, Gina Gaston Elie was honored with the Resilient Heart Award, and Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown received the Champions of Community Award—each recognized for lifting up Houston’s women and girls with compassion, creativity, and serious clout.

    By the end of the night, guests had raised an impressive $485,000. That’s more than double last year's total. With more than 250 oenophiles in attendance, the event proved that good wine and a great cause make for one worthy pairing.

    Supporters raising their glasses included Anne and John Clutterbuck, Ashley Sere, Meredith and Ben Marshall, Jessica and Brian Leeke, Brian Faulkner, Caroline and Matt Monday, Lisa and Charlie Meachem, Corbin Young, Craig and Kristin Kellogg, Jordan and Dylan Seff, Lisa Meacham, Kelly and Frank Hogan, George Breen, Megan and Jerry Hughes Jr., Jillian and Yuri Waldo, Erin and Kyle Cummings, Nadia Tajalli, Paula Sutton, Rania Mankarious, Laura Ward, Sarah Barrett, Shellie McBeth, Steve Jetton, Steve Mohtashami, Aliza Dutt, Danny Ward and Nancy Ames, James Calaway, Jody Merritt, Kristen Collins, Kristy Bradshaw, Laura Davenport, Mario Elie, Nene Foxhall, Roxann and Tim Neumann, and Nora Jarrard.

    news/society
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