It was a rockin' scene in the first-floor lounge at RDG + Bar Annie when Ballet Barre, Houston Ballet's young professionals group, took over for a season kickoff.
More than 120 up-and-coming social stars lit up the scene in what might be one of the better singles mixers in the city (couples welcome). Plenty of Cute Young Things and Handsome Dudes in the throng. Co-chairs Kristy Junco and Lindsey Brown were busy bees at the membership table as the guests and new members signing up poured in.
Revving the party engines were Cara Morales and Jared Lang, head of Momentum Audi which sponsored the event. And that explained all the sleek German wheels in the parking lot.
A number of company dancers added grace to the evening including principals Mireille Hassenboehler and Amy Fote and new soloist Melissa Hough. Others taking advantage of the Ballet Barre $3 cocktails and other libations were Christine Transier, Lauren Levicki, Carey Kirkpatrick, Heather Pray, Mark Sullivan, Kristen Cannon, Beth and Nick Zdeblick and Chris Bradshaw.
Dazzling the crowd with her jewelry display, on view in one corner of the party space, was former Houston Ballet dancer and ballet mistress Dawn Scannell.
A decade of design
Handbag and shoe designer Elaine Turner celebrated her 10th anniversary in the fashion world with a casual fete in her Memorial area mid-century home on Thursday. Just redone with the aid of interior designer Ashley Goforth, the spiffy house proved an ideal setting for showing off Turner's fall line which embraces a Jackie O esthetic.
Among those checking out the fall look that is in stores now and samples from the spring collection were Lynn Wyatt, Sabrina Miskelly, Lauren Freeman, Elan Rogers, Lauren Gallagher and Carly Burns.
Sweet smell of Texas
It isn't necessarily redolent of summer clover and spring buttercups, but the new Texas Bond No. 9 fragrance received a sweet endorsement from Texas First Lady Anita Perry when she joined the Texas State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution at a launch of the new perfume at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Part of the evening fun was perusing the jewels by designer Pamela Wright, who was on hand to greet Perry. In the welcoming party were Saks GM Terry Zmyslo and Sylvia Forsythe, Saks fashion director.
Really good sports
That would be Brandon Grissom and Jesse Botello who dedicated proceeds from the opening of their 360 Sports Lounge to Houston-based Sunshine Kids. Taking time out from shooting The Closer in LA, G.W. Bailey, executive director of the non-profit, was on hand to thank supporters who numbered more than 250.
In addition to ohhhing and ahhhing over the major viewing options — three 10-foot HD projector screens, one 60-inch television, one 50-inch and eight 42-inch televisions — guests supped on bar bites from chef Shay Dean.
Joining the party at 4061 Washington were J. W. Rogers, Ian Meltzer, Phillip Beavers, Marian Harper, Patty and Craig Biggio, Gayle and Robert Rosales, Linda and Mike Riehl, Lilli and Noel Braniff, Linda and Mark Stewart, Mary Jane Zummo and Aurora Perez.
Wedding bells
When Alison Leland and Billy McKinney, an NBA exec and former player, decided to wed recently, they made it a private affair. The couple flew to Hawaii and exchanged vows at the St. Regis Hotel in Princeville on Kauai. They have been dating for a while and now that her three boys are grown and on their own, it was time for Leland to begin the next chapter in her intriguing life.
Craig and Patty Biggio at the opening of the 360 Sports Lounge benefiting the Sunshine Kids.
