What: Men of Menil 2016 A Night of Comedy Just for Laffs!
Where:Richmond Hall.
The scoop: In past years, the Menil Collection's annual for-men-only fundraiser has featured such entertainment as sumo wrestling, table tennis, fencing and magic tricks. This time around organizers decided to play it for laughs, showcasing World Series of Comedy winner Andrew Norelli, a stand-up comic known for his regular guy jokes that riff on everyday interactions and frustrations in life.
Matthew Broussard, who was once named Houston's Funniest Person and now lives in Los Angeles, got the evening off to a funny start with jokes about his '80s movie villain looks, his life as a rising comedian who works in the college comedy circuit, and his time at Rice University, where he received a degree in applied mathematics. Master of ceremonies Pat Hazell, one of the original writers of Seinfeld, also kept the black-tie crowd of 170 in stitches.
The crowd was also treated to a dinner of osso buco, assorted vegetables and coconut mouse bombe prepared by Jackson and Company and served amid the David Flavin light sculptures and cigars and brandy afterwards in a special outdoor tent.
Who: Co-chairs Brad Bucher, Danny David, George Kelly and Bill Stewart, who were thrilled that the evening raised more than $332,000, Menil interim director Thomas Rhoads, Bobby Tudor, Mark Wawro, Gerald Smith, Jackson Smith, Menil curator of collections Paul Davis, Menil chief conservator Brad Epley, Menil curator of modern and contemporary art Toby Kamps, Paul Davis, Alex Kaplan, Keith Fullenweider, Bill White, Val Angelkov, Walker Moody, Bill Curtis, Denis Boulle, and Reggie Smith.
The light sculptures of Dan Flavin shine down on the Menil of Menil dinner.
