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    Birthday Bonanza

    A magical night to remember: Blow-out birthday party salutes Gerald Hines on his 90th

    Shelby Hodge
    Sep 23, 2015 | 1:03 pm

    Part Las Vegas-glitz, part Broadway-up-in-lights, the transformation of the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture building on the University of Houston campus on Saturday was a glamorous repurposing of the education facility into magical party palace.

    How could it be anything less for the celebration of Gerald Hines' 90th birthday, a milestone for the renowned developer who has made a lasting mark on commercial real estate design throughout the world. With his namesake firm, Hines, at work and a generous budget at play, the evening soared in every aspect.

    The 440 guests' arrival at the Philip Johnson-designed building was heralded by klieg lights with Hines' initials emblazoned above each side of the entrance. Stepping through the college doors was not unlike stepping through Alice's looking glass as partygoers were greeted by a sea of pink, lavender and yellow lighting, speckled with bubbles of white light.

    The party began at ground level in the college atrium where Staging Solutions created a chic lounge affair with the focal point being a dramatic stage set comprised of soaring models of some of Hines' iconic buildings, the structures glimmering in fantastical lighting. Here, Sara Niemietz sang with several back-up musicians, before catching the red-eye back to Los Angeles where she performed at one of the Emmy parties Sunday night.

    Heavy hitter crowd

    Cocktail-attired leaders of architecture, education and business quickly filled the atrium as Hines and his wife, Barbara, circulated through greeting UH president Renu Khator and husband Suresh Khator; famed architects Robert A.M. Stern, John Burgee and Cesar Pelli; former Houston Mayor Bill White and wife Andrea; and Central Houston Inc. president Bob Eury and Gayle, among the numerous notables from Houston and around the world. (These starchitects and several others had been featured the day before at the Hines Architectural Forum at the Hobby Center.)

    Act two of the spectacular evening took place on the college's fourth floor where desks, storage bins and detritus of student life were removed to make way for a spectacular dinner setting where again lavender and rose-hued lighting set the stage. It was a transformation that Architecture Dean and Hines friend Patricia Oliver could hardly believe. More than a dozen flat screen TVs assured that guests from any vantage point could see the program of video tributes and the welcome led by Hines' son Jeff Hines, who now heads the company, and by Barbara and Gerald Hines' daughter, Serena.

    Frank Gehry dessert

    One particular tribute came from world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, who was supposed to have attended but doctor's orders following a recent back surgery prevented him from boarding an airplane. Via video he sent words of praise and congratulations and in artistic spirit he created the sculptural chocolate shavings that topped the Indiana Hoosier pie dessert.

    That pie, saluting Hines's birthplace, was the finale of a stunning five-course meal overseen by Tony Vallone. Each course represented some aspect of Hines' life ranging from the "Nova Scotia Salmon Tower" to the "Colorado Short Rib of Beef/Texas Gulf Snapper" entree. The food, service and staff excelled on every level as would be expected of both Hines and Vallone.

    The party continued after dinner, kicking into high gear back in the atrium where Leslie Uggams sang "Happy Birthday" before she and jazz singer Peter Cincotti revved up the dance tunes.

    The heavy-hitter crowd, almost half of whom were from out of town, included Yvonne and Scott Zeigler, Brenda and John Duncan, Anne and Dr. John Mendelsohn, Eleanor and Dan Gilbane, Sis and Hasty Johnson, Diane and Charles Ofner, Anne and Charles Duncan, Carolyn Farb, Charles Ward, Marley Lott, Jo and Jim Furr, Dee Osborne and Joan Schnitzer-Levy.

    The fourth floor of the UH College of Architecture transformed into glam dining hall.

      
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    Stars and Scholars

    Boyz II Men light up KIPP’s $1 million Houston celebration

    Joel Luks
    Apr 29, 2025 | 3:31 pm
    KIPP Texas 2025 gala
    Photo by Johnny Than
    Boyz II Men: Wanya Morris, Nathan Morris, and Shawn Stockman.

    Houston’s skyline wasn’t the only thing sparkling on Friday, April 11.

    KIPP Texas 2025 gala
      

    Photo by Johnny Than

    Boyz II Men: Wanya Morris, Nathan Morris, and Shawn Stockman.

    Inside the Post Oak Hotel at Uptown, more than 600 guests gathered for the 24th Annual KIPP Texas-Houston Benefit, where inspiration, nostalgia, and a few mic drops shared the spotlight. The evening was a masterclass in heart and harmony, ultimately raising more than $1 million to fuel the dreams of Houston’s future leaders.

    The evening unfolded like a perfectly written song thanks to chairs Melissa DeMontrond, Bryon Johnson, and Susan and Chris Dray. The soirée began with moving student spotlights that underscored the impact of KIPP Texas-Houston’s work across the city. Cheers rang out for this year’s KIPP Heroes: Karen Arnold, a beloved community leader, and Renu Khator, the president of the University of Houston, both honored for their commitment to education and community empowerment.

    As dinner plates cleared and anticipation grew, the ballroom’s energy shifted from inspiration to pure nostalgia when Rick J. Perez introduced the evening’s main event. Boyz II Men — those masters of swoon-worthy harmonies — took the stage, instantly transporting the crowd back to high school dances and cassette tape rewinds.

    Hits like “End of the Road” and the still-irresistible “Motownphilly” had guests singing along, waving cell phones overhead in a sea of lights. For a few magical hours, it was 1992 again, minus the questionable fashion choices.

    KIPP Texas CEO Sehba Ali captured the spirit of the evening in her remarks, calling it “an evening of joy, unity, and impact.

    Making it truly “One Sweet Day” were Anita and Alan Ying, Sydney Ying, Nick Mears, Colleen Amling, Tonia Whilden, Lorena Gomez, Jessica Gomez, Christian D. Menefee, Jason P. Wells and Jenny Koehler, Jeremy Alvarado and Jeremy Kriska, Dr. Lacy Johnson and Josh Okun, Karla and Tim Cisneros, Natalia Dikmen, Kiki Dikmen, John Sullivan, Margaret and Matthew Haddad, Matthew Arnold, John Arnold, Misty and Dr. Surena Matin, Jovanny Orellana, Allison and Troy Thacker, Cary Wright and Nick Ferrer, Donald Bowers, Bridget and Thomas Hoffman, Brett Ashley Barth, Alexis Argeroplos, Jeanette and Bill Bush, and Simon and Linda Eyles.

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