party watch

The Chainsmokers scorch at Tilman Fertitta's over-the-top Mardi Gras ice bash

What: The San Luis Salute — “Royal Ice Garden”

Where: The Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort

The scoop: Nearly 2,000 partiers packed the San Luis Resort for Feritta Family’s annual mega-Mardi Gras! Galveston party, the San Luis Salute. Kicking off the invite-only pre-party, VIPs sipped Veuve Clicquot bubbly and liquid blue nitrogen cocktails beneath a crystal-adorned tent stationed with Fertitta’s mega yacht, the Boardwalk, as the evening’s stunning sunset backdrop.

Inside, gala guru Richard Flowers of the Events Co. turned the foyer of the San Luis Resort’s foyer into a Scandinavian-inspired “Royal Ice Garden.” Guests walked an ice tunnel to the lounge, posed with life-sized ice Viking sculptures, and sipped on icy cocktails — some made with JAJA Tequila, the brand owned by headlining act, The Chainsmokers.

As the curtain rose, an aerial violinist, decked out in crystals, soared and played above guests’ heads. She was joined by the band The Big Beyond, stilt walkers, silver Elan dancers, and dueling DJs. The night included a parade of Knights of Momus duchesses, then the party turned electric when international pop/dance act, The Chainsmokers, took the stage for a 75-minute set. The duo performed hits including “Closer,” “Paris,” “Something Just Like This,” and more. Michael, Patrick, Blayne, Blake, and Paige Fertitta were spotted on the black-and-white-checkered dance floor, getting down with the rest of the crowd.

The action continued into the weekend following the Momus Grand Night Parade, as the Fertitta children hosted the second-annual Parade After Party held at the San Luis Resort’s Grand Ballroom. Multi-platinum selling rap star Lil Jon entertained the more than 450-late-night revelers with a private performance in the Grand Ballroom that lasted well into the morning. The invite-only crowd enjoyed the Club Zero atmosphere with silver and white club seating, bottle service of JAJA Tequila, and more – capping the Mardi Gras! party of all parties, in true Fertitta style.

Who: Congressman Randy Weber and wife Brenda; Dean of the Senate, Senator John Whitmire; Senator Larry Taylor and wife, Kerri; Senator Carol Alvarado; University of Houston chancellor and president Renu Khator and husband, Dr. Suresh Khator; CNBC’s Brian Sullivan; Houston Chief of Police Art Acevedo and wife, Tanya; Sheriff Henry Trochesset and wife Brenda; the Fertitta family; and the entire royal court from the Knights of Momus; King Frivolous CV Gary Peters and Momus Queen Frannie Kusnerik; Chita and Lane Craft; Frances Moody and Tony Buzbee; Neil and Maria Bush; Frank Billingsley and Kevin Gilliard; and Dancie and Jim Ware.

Tilman Fertitta with the 2020 Knights of Momus Royalty Court.

San Luis Salute 2020 Knights of Momus 2020 Royalty Court with Tilman Fertitta

Photo by Dave Rossman

Tilman Fertitta with the 2020 Knights of Momus Royalty Court.

galas celebrities

Glitz and Glam

Alley Ball spins a $1.1 million night of glitz, groove, and good times

Photo by Tasha Gorel

Angelica Newmyer, Andrea Gomez, and Martha Ceballos.

Spotlights weren’t just metaphorical at Lights, Camera, Alley — they were baked into the mise-en-scène as Houston’s cultural set gathered for an evening of stagecraft.

The Alley Theatre Ball unfolded with all the drama of a premiere and none of the paparazzi fatigue (though the Glambot came close). And notably, there was no slow fade-in to the festivities — no gentle overture here. The music was already pulsing, cocktails in hand, as guests moved seamlessly between the arrival lounge, where the silent auction tempted early bids, and the bars that opened into the strikingly appointed ballroom.

Inside The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, the Grand Ballroom transformed into a Hollywood fantasia, where an “Alley Theatre Wall of Fame” greeted arrivals and a red carpet aesthetic set the tone. The vibe? Oscar-ish with a dash of playful theatrics courtesy of The Events Company.

At the helm were chairs Mignon and Steve Gill, who led the evening with a personal touch. The night also celebrated Carmen and Butch Mach, whose long-standing support earned them top honors in a spirited “Alley Academy Awards” segment. Hosted by resident actors Elizabeth Bunch and Dylan Godwin, the bit delivered just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek glamour.

The live auction turned into its own high-stakes performance, with guests vying for walk-on roles in A Christmas Carol and The Girl on the Train. Travel packages to Bordeaux, Grand Cayman, and New York City added jet-set allure, but the pièce de résistance was “The Alley Atelier Experience,” a bespoke collaboration with costume designer Rachel Baretto.

Disco Divas and The Big Beyond Band kept the tempo high, while a gourmet popcorn bar offered a whimsical nod to the evening’s cinematic theme. Say less.

The event drew more than 375 guests and raised more than $1.1 million.

Summoning their inner leading roles were Kristen Cannon, Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin, Hallie Vandehider and Bobby Dees, Dancie and James Ware, Anne and James Muntz, Lisa and Michael Oleary, Farida Abjani, Alicia Smith, Marcus Fisher, Tony Bradford, Michael Vanderhider and Ashley Gibson, Mady and Ken Kades, Heidi and David Gerger, TeriAnn and Nick Miller, Sidney Faust, Cora Mach, Angela and Craig Jarchow, Valerie Jalufka, Alexandra Gill, Bethany and Rodney Reed, Kimberly and Chris Miller, Rachel Kim, George Lancaster and Chris Doyle, Carrin and Bill Way, Connie and Roger Plank, Michele and D Verma, Christina and Steve Morse, Sinda and Terry Vanderpool, Jennifer and Alex Butkevich, Deborah and Monte Stavis, and Frank Liu.

Photo by Tasha Gorel

Angelica Newmyer, Andrea Gomez, and Martha Ceballos.