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    Belly Dancers Shake Up Gala

    Beguiling belly dancers lend exotic note, sex appeal to Society for the Performing Arts gala

    Shelby Hodge
    Apr 17, 2016 | 1:59 pm

    Greeted by undulating belly dancers and the exotic sounds of Moodafaruka as they entered The Corinthian, guests at the Society for the Performing Arts gala Friday night were instantly seduced by the "Shimmering Sands, A Night at the Oasis" theme.

     

    A good number of femmes in the gathering of 400 pulled out their bejeweled caftans for the evening, none lovelier than that of Eileen Lawal, Elizabeth Vail, Kathryn Smith and Judy McCartney. Their gowns coming from as far away as Saudi Arabia and Dubai and as close as the shop of a local dressmaker.

     

    Throughout the dinner hour, the dancers entertained with costume changes and a variety of dance presentations, weaving through the diners as they supped on Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine from Jackson and Company. Setting the exotic scene for the evening was a wealth of Middle Eastern-inspired decor by Rebekah Johnson.

     

     Katherine and Paul Murphy and Sharon and Tim Taylor chaired the gala while Linda and Willie Chiang served as honorary chairs. Helping keep the evening afloat and applauding the $600,000 in proceeds were SPA board chair Melanie Gray and SPA CEO and president June Christensen.

     

    Kicking the action up a notch after the lengthy live auction and the appeal was Skyrocket, which infused a note of energy into the night.

     

    The party crowd included Margaret Alkek Williams and Jim Daniel, Ginni and Richard Mithoff, Mignon and Stephen Gill, Chree Boydstun, Jeff Smith, Lacey and Matt Goossen, Kathy and Marty Goossen, Joella and Steve Mach, Bob Devlin, Laura Max and Ben Rose, and Tom and Liz Glanville, whose DeVille Fine Jewelry & Diamonds donated the to-die-for blue topaz and diamond earrings to the live auction.

     

    Shelby Hodge, Shafik Rifaat.

    SPA, Gala April 20i16, Shelby Hodge, Shafik Rifaa
      
    Photo by Priscilla Dickson
    Shelby Hodge, Shafik Rifaat.
    galasfundraisers
    news/society

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    Houston charity’s Pearls of Wisdom gala is a real gem of a night

    Joel Luks
    Jul 14, 2025 | 3:02 pm
    Vita Living Pearls of Wisdom gala 2025
    Photo by Andy Phan
    Brian Crawmer, Sarah Crawmer, Marilyn and David Guion.

    Some came for the Aperol Spritz, others for the cause, and all left a little more hopeful.

    Vita Living Pearls of Wisdom gala 2025
      

    Photo by Andy Phan

    Brian Crawmer, Sarah Crawmer, Marilyn and David Guion.

    On a lively evening at River Oaks Country Club, guests gathered for Vita Living’s annual Pearls of Wisdom gala, where community, compassion, and a splash of Italian flair came together for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

    Chaired by Kristen Perrin, Pamela Perilloux, and Bryan P. Smith, the evening began with a color-splashed cocktail hour, where attendees mingled in vibrant attire, sipping spritzes and eyeing a meticulously curated silent auction. Among the standout items were a six-night escape to a riverfront condo near Beaver Creek (courtesy of Doug Dawson), a luxury three-night getaway to Chablé Yucatán Chocholá (thank you, Chablé), and a striking aluminum-mounted photograph, Golden Koi by Joe C. Aker, gleaming with texture and motion.

    Emcee Kip Altstaetter opened the program with warmth and wit. Joseph Cooper, Vita Living CEO, delivered the invocation before passing the mic to the evening’s co-chairs for special remarks. Guests then watched a moving video introduced by Myrla Menn and Beth and John Hoffman, which offered an intimate look at the lives changed by Vita Living’s services.

    The live auction helmed with high energy by Johnny Bravo Entertainment brought gala-goers to their feet, paddles flying in support of the nonprofit’s essential work. But the night didn’t end with dinner and donations. Supporters lingered and celebrated with a late-night gelato bar and warm camaraderie.

    Founded in 1982, Vita Living has grown from a single home created by founder Renée Wallace for her son to a network of 20 group homes across Houston. The organization’s case management program serves more than 300 children and adults across seven counties.

    This year’s record-breaking total — $207,000 raised — underscores the community’s growing commitment to supporting inclusive care and lifelong dignity.

    Among the 300 present were Kara Willis, Charcole Santiago, Peter and Krystyna Cawthorne, Jim Roberts, David Payne, Clint Fritts, Andrew Campbell, Eddie and Kim Perdomo, Brian and Sarah Crawmer, David and Marilyn Guion, Larry and Christina O’Donnell, Chris Mehling, Lorraine Olah, Bella McNeill, Jonathan Puig, Ellie Rotan, Juliana Workman, Forrest and Katie Wynn, Louis and Ashley Pearce, Chandos Dodson Epley, Evans and Theresa Attwell, Mariquita Masterson, and Andy and Ashley Mejia.

    vita livingfundraisers
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