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    party watch

    Houston Rockets fan favorite launches foundation with slammin', star-studded bash

    Steven Devadanam
    Apr 12, 2019 | 2:30 pm

    What: Celebrity Slam hosted by Clint Capela

    Where: JW Marriott Houston Downtown

    The scoop: More than 180 guests and Houston Rockets players gathered at The JW Marriott Houston Downtown with Rockets center Clint Capela for his CC15 Foundation’s first major event, Celebrity Slam. The NBA star and fan favorite launched his foundation with a mission to help the Houston community, and raised $215,000 to benefit low-income, single-parent families in the area.

    Capela’s CC15 Foundation was founded by Capela with a mission to help provide low-income, single-parent families with the same opportunities that are available to dual-parent, middle and upper-class families. The foundation helps provide low-income, single-parent families with the same opportunities that are available to dual parent, middle, and upper-class families.

    Born to a single mother in Switzerland, Capela and his brothers moved into welfare orphanages at ages six and 10, only able to visit their mother on the weekends. Thus, the foundation focuses on giving kids great experiences not typically available to them in single-parent homes.

    Upon arrival, each guest was given a basketball for celebrity signage purposes and entered the cocktail reception where they enjoyed light bites and browsed silent auction items such as a Houston Texans helmet signed by JJ Watt, a Houston Rockets jersey signed by Hakeem Olajuwon, a diamond and ruby necklace from Jianna Jewelers and more.

    Attendees were able to meet and talk with Capela, as well teammates James Harden, Chris Paul, Austin Rivers, and PJ Tucker. Guests then made their way to the ballroom, where Capela and his teammates kicked off the program and auctioned off signed jerseys to get the crowd excited. Houston Rockets announcer Matt Thomas served as emcee for the evening and interviewed Capela about his background and why he started the foundation.

    Alexa Albrecht with DePelchin Children’s Center also gave a heartwarming speech about the impact Capela and his foundation have made on the children and how Capela is the only celebrity that has taken the time to pay a visit to the center in its almost 30 years of existence.

    Afterwards, the spirited live auction was led by TV host Matt Rogers and included incredible items such as Rockets courtside seats, a private dinner with Clint Capela, a signed Michael Jordan jersey, vacation packages to locations like Napa Valley and Los Cabos, a private suite for 36 people at a Houston Astros game, and more.

    Who: Clint Capela, James Harden, PJ Tucker, Chris Paul, Austin Rivers, John Lucas II, Alexa Albrecht, Ron and Julie Finck, Christian Boehm, Darlene and Steve Steen, Brenna Croom, Victoria and Nicole Fernandez, Sarah and Vim Head, Sheryl and Sidney Evans, Cathy Matusow, Jeff Balke, Matt Thomas, and Matt Rogers.

    Clint Capela, PJ Tucker, and Olivier Kamogue.

    Clint Capela CC15 Foundation launch
      
    Photo by Lee Beckman
    Clint Capela, PJ Tucker, and Olivier Kamogue.
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    Top Houston chef and Michelin sommelier help symphony raise $900,000

    Joel Luks
    May 14, 2025 | 2:03 pm
    Houston Symphony wine dinner and auction 2025
    Photo by Priscilla Dickson
    Houston Symphony executive director and CEO Gary Ginstling, Margaret Ginstling; chairs Elia and Michael Gabbanelli.

    When spring gala season reaches full crescendo, few evenings deliver the kind of multisensory bacchanal as the Houston Symphony’s Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction. On May 2, a sold-out crowd of 365 stylish guests made a grand entrance at Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, where fine wine, lavish décor, and a five-course feast awaited.

    Houston Symphony wine dinner and auction 2025
      

    Photo by Priscilla Dickson

    Houston Symphony executive director and CEO Gary Ginstling, Margaret Ginstling; chairs Elia and Michael Gabbanelli.

    A revelry worthy of Dionysus himself. In black-tie, of course.

    Leading the charge were Elia and Michael Gabbanelli, gala chairs and proud heirs of the famed Gabbanelli accordion family — a fitting touch of musical lineage. They were joined by Jack Matzer, whose stewardship of the collector’s auction helped orchestrate the evening’s finale: More than $900,000 raised for the symphony’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives, which bring music to schools, hospitals, and underserved venues.

    The foyer buzzed with energy as guests in all their finery sipped champagne and circled the silent auction, eyes gleaming at the fabulousness of oenophilic riches. Standout lots included six vintage bottles of Red Bordeaux, two bottles of 1982 Château Margaux (yes, the unicorn vintage), and a week-long Tuscan getaway for those dreaming of vineyard vistas and sun-drenched serenity. Bidding was brisk and focused — more than one guest looked ready to conduct their own blind tasting right on the spot.

    At the dinner hour, the scene shifted dramatically as guests were ushered onto the Jones Hall stage, transformed by The Events Company into a sumptuous Roman mirage. Towering candelabras crowned with coral and ruby blooms stood sentry over lace-red linens strewn with votives, pomegranates, and overflowing grapes. Four statues, wreathed in greenery, added a mythic flair—as if Bacchus himself might pop out to pour the next glass. And the next.

    But it wasn’t just about the wine. Culinary star chef Danny Trace of Potente crafted an ambitious five-course menu that married elegance and indulgence. A standout starter of heirloom tomato and whipped burrata with cucumber ribbons gave way to Potente’s signature black truffle pasta, then diver scallops with sweet corn risotto and a show-stealing veal perigeux with goat cheese polenta. Dessert? A double chocolate cake kissed with Chambord and crowned with caramel crunch pearls.

    Wine pairings, curated by John and Lindy Rydman and Lisa Rydman Lindsey of Spec’s Wines, were introduced by master sommelier Steven McDonald, the Pappas Bros. Steakhouse wine expert who earned the sommelier award at the 2024 Michelin Guide Texas ceremony. Guests clinked, tasted, nodded in approval — oenophiles united in appreciation.

    Among those spotted in the stylish crowd were Ann and Jonathan Ayre, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Janet Clark, Gary Ginstling and Margaret Lederer, Joan and Robert Duff, Margaret Alkek Williams, Barbara Burger, Lydia Gold, Quentin and Aerin Smith, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Vicki West and Ralph Burch, Mary Lynn Marks, Bob Weiner, Robert Sakowitz, David Peavy and Stephen McCauley, Aggie Foster and Steve Simon, Virginia Clark, Brigette Kalai, Farida Abjani, Jennifer and Scott Allison, Carey Kirkpatrick, Ken and Mady Kades, and Sippi and Ajay Khurana.

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