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    Shelby's Social Diary

    A luxury school bus ride, a lavish dinner and champagne fun: This road trip Alley opener is anything but ordinary

    Shelby Hodge
    shelby hodge
    Aug 26, 2014 | 4:27 pm

    It's not often that well-heeled patrons of the arts climb aboard a school bus, albeit a fancy air-conditioned bus, for an evening out but that's exactly what a number of Alley Theatre supporters did last week for opening night of Horton Foote's play The Old Friends.

     

    The unusual circumstances were the result of the Alley taking up temporary residence on the University of Houston campus. The 2014-15 season began with a lively celebration that included a lavish seated dinner, that school bus ride, a play and a post-performance champagne reception with the cast.

     

    With director Michael Wilson in the spotlight, more than 150 Alley patrons and sponsors started the evening at the University of Houston Alumni Center where A Fare Extraordinaire provided a multi-course dinner. A bit of excitement ran through the dinner crowd when Alley managing director Dean Gladden announced that the evening marked Gregory Boyd's 25th anniversary as the theater's creative director. For this milestone, Boyd received a heartfelt standing ovation.

     

    Following the dinner, guests were invited to take the UH campus bus from the alumni center to the Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre, where the Alley will perform until renovations on the original Alley building downtown are completed next August. A champagne reception followed in the Wortham Theatre Scene Shop with actors that included Hallie Foote and Jeffrey Bean and designer Jeff Cowie with resident assistant director Brandon Weinbrenner.

     

    In the opening-night audience were Margaret Alkek Williams, Lynn Wyatt, Carmen and Butch Mach, Rachel and Jason Volz, Leti Morales and Mike Loya, Beth Madison, Cornelia Long and Andrea and Trent Tellepsen.

     

    Hallie Foote, left, with Cornelia Long.

    News, Shelby, Alley Theatre opening night dinner, August 2014, Hallie Foote, Cornelia Long
      
    Photo by Priscilla Dickson
    Hallie Foote, left, with Cornelia Long.
    unspecified
    news/society

    Advocacy In Style

    Houston nonprofit's stylish event celebrates 45 years of healing and hope

    Joel Luks
    Jul 7, 2025 | 4:15 pm
    AVDA New Beginnings Luncheon 2025
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    Colleen DiFonzo-Lewis, Erika Frankfort, and Chita Craft.

    Pink pianos, powerful stories, and a sea of spring pastels set the scene for one heartfelt afternoon. AVDA's third annual New Beginnings Luncheon morphed The Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa into a sanctuary of strength, resilience, and community.

    AVDA New Beginnings Luncheon 2025
      

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    Colleen DiFonzo-Lewis, Erika Frankfort, and Chita Craft.

    Chaired by dedicated supporters Colleen DiFonzo-Lewis and Erika Frankfort, the event struck a balance between elegance and earnestness. Guests were greeted by soft spring palettes and gentle ambiance, including a pink Steinway and Sons Spirio Baby Grand player piano playing mood-setting melodies. Photo ops came courtesy of a glow booth trimmed with florals, while themed cocktails like the Gentle and Brave Bloom ensured spirits were lifted in more ways than one.

    Local TV personality Chita Craft emceed the afternoon, guiding attendees through a moving program that celebrated AVDA's work while centering survivor resilience. AVDA CEO Maisha Colter, marking her fifth year in the role and 20th with the organization, shared heartfelt reflections on the organization's 45-year journey.

    This year, AVDA honored two groups whose advocacy has rippled through policy, philanthropy, and campus life. Council Member Abbie Kamin received the Ambassador of Advocacy Award for her legislative leadership on domestic violence prevention, paid parental leave, and women's safety. The Young Advocate Award went to the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Houston. Over the past year, these collegiate changemakers raised more than $30,000 and contributed countless hours to raise awareness and support for AVDA's services.

    Adding to the excitement were luxury raffle prizes that sparked competitive buzz: Diamond Club Astros tickets, a Houstonian Hotel staycation, and culinary outings to hot spots like Bludorn and Drake's Hollywood. First-out valet, it turns out, is a coveted status symbol.

    The luncheon drew more than 300 attendees and raised $250,000 to support AVDA's mission of advocating for survivors of domestic violence and ending family abuse.

    Among those spotted in the crowd were Vanessa Ames, Imani Guillory, Jordan Seff, Michele Leal, Tiffany Halik, Meredith Marshall, Sean Teare, Natalie Mohtashami, Caroline Monday, Jillian Waldo, Ashley Seippel, Katie Tsuru, and Nora Jarrard.

    news/society
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