party watch

Dierks Bentley serenades Houston young professionals in homey virtual gala

What: Homemade Hope’s annual “Home Is Where the Heart Is Gala”

Where: Streaming on YouTube

The scoop: Grammy-nominated country music star Dierks Bentley serenaded an eager virtual crowd and celebrated NBA coach Mike D’Antoni and wife, Laurel, made a special appearance at Homemade Hope’s annual “Home Is Where the Heart Is” gala.

A must-attend yearly ticket for Houston young professionals, the event went virtual this year due to COVID concerns, but that didn’t stop a small group of yo-pros from gathering at Annie Cafe for a special watch party hosted by Adam Greer and Tiffany LaRose, as well as hundreds of virtual guests who watched from the comfort of their homes on YouTube.

The event honored Kristy Bradshaw and Maria Vilchez Lowrey and raised more than $70,000 for Homemade Hope’s work in the community with at-risk children and families.

Channel 2 Houston Life co-host Courtney Zavala emceed the event, which featured Bentley singing his hit, “Riser” on acoustic guitar. The charismatic performer gave a shout out to his nieces, Blair and Brooke, whom he called “the true rock stars of the Bentley family.”

Chef Chris Williams of Lucille’s and Lucille’s 1913 held a cooking demonstration of one of his favorite recipes, roasted hen. Coach D’Antoni and wife Laurel are a Homemade Hope favorite; the couple has sponsored more than 800 Thanksgiving meals through the organization over the past three years.

Videos were filmed separately using cell phones and other cameras, and Homemade Hope accepted donations through its website and Venmo in addition to pre-purchased tickets and sponsorship packages.

The live stream featured remarks from Homemade Hope founder Blair Bentley and Homemade Hope Program and volunteer coordinator Leslie Hernandez. Viewers were treated to an insight into the impact Homemade Hope has made on its students and parents through video testimonials from Southside Community Center Youth directors Lynn Stevenson and Oliver Stevenson. Homemade Hope development director Brooke Bentley-Gunst spoke about the organization’s programming and how the organization shifted its efforts due to COVID-19, with a focus on learning pods to bridge the digital divide.

Meanwhile, intrepid event photographer, Emily Jaschke, darted around town to capture the action at various locations.

The party is still going strong via an online auction that features items including a five-night stay at The Phoenix resort in San Pedro, Belize, and a custom blazer by Blu Fine Menswear. The auction will run through October 13, giving donors a chance to continue their support of Homemade Hope and its work in the community.

Adriana Maldonado and David Cordua.

Homemade Hope Home is where the heart is gala 2020 Adriana Maldonado, David Cordua

Photo by Emily Jaschke

Adriana Maldonado and David Cordua.

charity galas young-professionals

Western Glam

RodeoHouston Trailblazers celebrate service with runway flair

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Trailblazer Awards Luncheon 2026

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Holly Alvis, Meredith Johnson, Demi McComack, Christina Greene McAllen, and Whitney Lawson.

The Hilton Americas-Houston was all boots, bravado, and a runway that could rival any fashion week festivities—but with a distinctly Texas twang.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Holly Alvis, Meredith Johnson, Demi McComack, Christina Greene McAllen, and Whitney Lawson.

Under the banner of “The Greatest Luncheon on Earth,” nearly 2,200 guests flooded the fourth- and second-floor ballrooms for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s 26th annual Trailblazer Awards Luncheon and Fashion Show. The palette of the day leaned circus-chic: Reds, golds, and black punctuated by cowboy hats, polished boots, and sharp suits.

If there were a dress code, it read Western glam with a wink.

A massive runway stretched through the room, flanked by multiple hanging LED screens that delivered overhead shots in cinematic fashion, thanks to Stage Directions. The show opened with a full-circle moment as honorees from the past 25 years made their runway return.

This year’s six trailblazers—Tammy Barrier, Lisa Blackwood, Beth Cardono, Wendy Lewis Armstrong, Jennifer Lowery, and Julie Sacco—were recognized for a combined 157 years of service across 23 rodeo committees.

The Saks Fifth Avenue fashion presentation, produced by Lenny Matuszewski and Tamara Klosz Bonar, delivered the oohs, the aahs, and yes, the cheers—particularly when male models strode down the runway. KHOU’s Mia Gradney steered the program with ease, joined by remarks from rodeo chair of the board Pat Mann Phillips, vice president Stacy Stidham Anderson, and trailblazer chairman Ann Massey. The invocation was delivered by president and CEO Chris Boleman.

When the final strut concluded, more than 1,000 revelers kept the momentum alive at an after-party where a DJ ensured the dance floor didn’t cool off before late afternoon.

On the scene in their Rodeo finest were Kirby Lodholz, Victoria Nelson, Katie Clapp, Courtney Adame, Tabbetha Lopez, Erin Jackson, Monica Guerra, Cindy Seligmann, Ellie and Michael Francisco, Cassie and Wesley Sinor, Brady and Zane Carruth, Melba Ervin, Juan and Isela Garcia, Jeff Hayes, Kelly Larkin, Roger and Fatemah Camp, Ray and Arlene Hinsley, Kristina Somerville, Cinthya Reade, Gretchen Gilliam, Jennifer Van Matre, Jamie Grissom, Diedra and Terrence Fontaine, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Sharleen Walkoviak, Lesha Elsenbrook, Brigitte Kalai, Kathleen and Tom Mach, Robin Young-Ellis, Meredith Johnson, Ryan and Jill Smith, Dustin and Susannah Causey, Ollabelle Hall, Carol Sawyer, Randi Boleman, Nicki Keenan, Julie Bass, Alicia Smith, Debbie Festari, Sally Flores, Laureen Boyer, Whitney Kuhn Lawson, Christina Greene, Julie Chen, Kathryn Smith, Heidi Turney, Peggy Hollis, Wayne Hollis, and Michelle Verbois.

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