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    Heartfelt Tribute

    Extraordinary violins and Ted Koppel enrich Holocaust Museum Houston's $1.2 million dinner

    Shelby Hodge
    Jun 10, 2016 | 1:30 pm

    Joining in the 20th anniversary celebration of Holocaust Museum Houston, the 1,100 guests attending the Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award Dinner were treated to an evening of beautiful if poignant music, inspirational words, and a bit of unexpected humor.

    All of this on an evening that raised $1.2 million for the museum's programs.

    The gathering at the Hilton Americas-Houston began with a 25-minute concert in which eight violinists performed on violins that were played by Jewish musicians held in concentration camps during the Holocaust. The instruments came from the collection of Israeli craftsman Annon Weinstein, who located and restored 50 violins that had survived the era. Known as "Violins of Hope," the instruments were accompanied on this night by two cellos and a piano.

    Three standing ovations followed the remarkable presentation. Weinstein, who flew in from Israel for the concert, also received an outpouring of gratitude with his own standing ovation.

    The night's inspiration came from the heroic story of the honorees — brothers Tuvia, Asael, Aron and Zuz Bielski, whose resistance efforts during the Holocaust was the basis for the film "Defiance." The award was accepted by Asael's daughter, Assaela Bielski Weinstein.

    The surprise humor came from keynote speaker veteran news anchor Ted Koppel, the son of German Jews who escaped the Nazis by immigrating to England. After his talk on serious issues including cyber dangers and changing media, he broke into song, performing his own "Battle of the GOP," a sonnet about the 17 Republican presidential candidates.

    The successful evening was chaired by Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein and Rosalyn and Barry Margolis. The program included remarks by museum boardchair Gail Klein and museum director Kelly Zuniga.

    Among guests were Joan and Stanford Alexander, Laurie and Dr. Milton Boniuk, David Bach and Pam Morris, Cathy and Giorgio Borlenghi, Tali and Eric Blumrosen, Stefi and Mickey Altman, Barry Mandell, Frann Lichtenstein and Jeff Hirschberg, Heidi and David Gerger, Terry and Martin Cominsky, Velva and Fred Levine, and Beth and Jeff Early.

    Dinner chairs Barry Margolis, Rosalyn Margolis, Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein, Martin Fein.

    Holocaust Museum LBJ Dinner, 6/16 Barry Margolis, Rosalyn Margolis, Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein, Martin Fein
      
    Photo by Wilson Parish
    Dinner chairs Barry Margolis, Rosalyn Margolis, Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein, Martin Fein.
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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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