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    Becca's 100 Best Buddies

    Sheriff & socialites: New Washington Avenue steakhouse rocks with two killer preview parties

    Shelby Hodge
    May 21, 2015 | 1:13 pm

    B&B Butchers and Restaurant owner Benjamin Berg couldn't have asked for a more power-packed preview. His private party for investors and friends upstairs and Becca Cason Thrash's chic bash downstairs filled the historic building on Washington Avenue to overflowing. (The restaurant officially opens on May 26.)

    While the new sheriff in town Ron Hickman, private investigator John Moritz and wine connoisseur Denman Moody were among Berg's guests, it was the party kids on the ground floor that set the eatery rocking. The first floor bash was a tribute to Becca and patrons of one of her favorite charities, Best Buddies.

    The invitation-only (free) seated dinner with wine flowing was a thank you to those who have supported Becca's charitable activities on behalf of the non-profit founded by Anthony Shriver for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

    She revealed that her next Best Buddies fundraiser is Nov. 7, headlining Oscar-winner, House of Cards star Kevin Spacey.

    But the big burning question of the night: Can Houston support yet another steak house? "Definitely," said Berg, "definitely a local steak house . . . I felt like the butcher shop with the restaurant was just right with this neighborhood that's up and coming. It just fit. It wasn't cookie cutter. It was a lot of work to put this together."

    After two years of working on the project, Berg launched the upscale eatery/butcher shop with a duo of longhorn steers stationed at the entrance to welcome guests.

    The big burning question of the night: Can Houston support yet another steak house? "Definitely," said Berg, who explained why.

    Becca filled the dining room, designed for 80, with 100 of her best buddies, an incredible cross-section of Houston that would be coveted by many a hostess. From the sports world, she had Houston Texans GM Rick Smith and retired Houston Astro Jeff Bagwell. From fashion Tootsies' Fady Armanious, Sloane Hall's Shannon Hall and LVMH's Rhonda McDonald. From TV land Dominique Sachse and Ernie Manouse.

    Add popular plastic surgeon Dr. Steve Hamilton, real estate's Neal Hamil and Sabiha Rehmatulla, United Airlines attorney and bombshell Jessica Rossman, Tenenbaum's Kevin Black and Tony Bradley and on and on. Of course, John Thrash was there to cheer on his wife.

    Inspite of the crush, both upstairs and down, it was thumbs up for the new hot spot. Guests dined on sliced filet mignon with au poivre, truffle mac and cheese, broccoli floret and cheesecake, all served family style.

    Becca's impressive coterie also included Sara Dodd and Gregory Fourticq, Courtney and Jason Fertitta, Chris Brown, Monsour Taghdisi and Henry Richardson, Claire Cormier-Thielke, Lindley and Jason Arnoldy, Joan Schnitzer, Richard Flowers, Courtney and Bo Hopson, Lora and Dr. John Clemmons, Susan and Mike Plank, Hugh Echols, Tiffany Smith and so many more.

    Jessica Rossman, from left, Dr. Cenk Ozdogan and Catherine Ozdogan.

      
    Photo by Michelle Watson CatchLightGroup.com
    Jessica Rossman, from left, Dr. Cenk Ozdogan and Catherine Ozdogan.
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    Creative Mayhem

    Houston art museum's gala mixes auction buzz and Spinderella beats

    Joel Luks
    Jun 12, 2025 | 1:00 pm
    Contemporary Arts Museum Houston gala 2025
    Photo by Emily Jaschke
    Alecia Harris, Grace Zamiga, Michele Leal, Bailey Dalton, and Charlotta Hill.

    Art lovers, collectors, and creative provocateurs turned up and turned it out for CAMH Party, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston’s signature benefit and art auction. Never ones for beige galas or sleepy sit-downs, CAMH once again threw a night that shimmered with style, swagger, and the museum’s trademark adventurous, creative edge.

    The Brown Foundation Gallery became the canvas for the night, dressed up with artful flourish by Events Co., complete with dramatic lighting and immersive décor that played off the evening’s sassy energy. More than 200 guests made their entrance on a vibrant green carpet, decked in bold colors, high-concept fashion, and a clear understanding of the assignment: Serve lewks, not leftovers.

    Guests sipped cocktails from Lalo Tequila while previewing the silent auction, featuring coveted works by the likes of Robert Pruitt, Alexis Pye, and Roxy Paine, with bidding powered by Qtego Fundraising Services. But this was no quiet affair — the room buzzed with excited chatter and sneaky competitive glances from across the gallery walls.

    Then partygoers shifted to dinner mode with a refined menu from Swift and Co. Hors d’oeuvres included caviar tacos and steak tartare, followed by elegant entrées like scallopini of chicken and herb-crusted salmon. Dessert? A floral-forward strawberry sorbet kissed with mascarpone, meringue, and actual rose petals—because why not eat like you’re in a painting?

    CAMH co-directors Ryan Dennis and Melissa McDonnell Luján toasted to the museum’s legacy and shared what’s ahead, including a solo show by Houston-born artist Tomashi Jackson and the Teen Council’s 25th anniversary this summer. A buzzy live auction led by Sotheby’s Charlie Caulkins followed, with works by CAMH-exhibited artists like Garrett Bradley, Cindy Sherman, and Vincent Valdez sparking energetic bids and side-eyes alike.

    Then came the inevitable vibe shift: the After Party.

    The gallery morphed into a nocturnal lounge where grilled cheese met churros, and the legendary DJ Spinderella spun hits that got the art crowd dancing like nobody was watching or judging. Guests sipped more Lalo, bounced to the beat, and stayed well past midnight.

    Soaking in the creative mayhem were Elisa and Chris Pye, Poppi Massey, Phoebe Cholnoky, Josh Pazda and Chris Goins, Sissy and Denny Kempner, Joe and Johanne Gatto, Kristin and Drew Perring, Danielle O’Bannon and Jon Redwine, Unique James, and Darryl Sharpton, with support from a powerhouse host committee featuring names like Paola Creixell, Jamal Cyrus, Mary and Marcel Barone, and Jessica Phifer.

    Contemporary Arts Museum Houston gala 2025
      

    Photo by Emily Jaschke

    Alecia Harris, Grace Zamiga, Michele Leal, Bailey Dalton, and Charlotta Hill.

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