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    Bi-Partisan Party

    Houston celebrated as a gateway to the world: It's flags, swords and bigwigs for this international gala

    Heather Staible
    Heather Staible
    Oct 17, 2013 | 3:40 pm

    The national government would be wise to take a few cues from the bi-partisan spirit felt at the Houston Consular Ball. The event celebrated Houston’s Consular Corps, represented by the 92 countries that have consulates in the city, while highlighting Houston with the theme “Houston: Gateway to the World.”

     

    It’s not easy to transform the vast non-descript concrete spaces of the George R. Brown Convention Center into a grand ballroom, much less the interior of an airplane, but as guests ascended the GRB, the gala decor didn’t disappoint.

     

    Flags of the world served as colorful backdrops on each floor leading to the gala. Blue velvet curtains parted to reveal a ballroom that looked like the interior of an airplane with curved concave floor-to-ceiling video screens lining the walls.

     

    The Consular Ball blended innovative decor with tradition, pomp and circumstance. Each consul general and guest were introduced by the evening’s host KHOU Channel 11’s Greg Hurst as they walked through Texas A&M’s Ross Volunteer Company saber arch salute. Leading the way was gala host Mayor Annise Parker, accompanied by her partner Kathy Hubbard. Serving as event chair was Ric Campo.

     

    The Mayor's Office of Protocol and International Affairs and the newly formed Houston International Initiatives office created an elegant evening with video messages from former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, Consul General of Italy Fabrizio Nava and U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz.

     

    The Mayor addressed the audience and invited guests to stand and join her for a champagne toast honoring the consulates. Parker informally mingled throughout the night, stopping to chat and pose for pictures.

     

    The airplane theme really took flight during a video presentation on the curved walls and a video screen in front of the ballroom showcasing the Texas Medical Center, the Museum District, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Port of Houston and other defining landmarks.

     

    Even though the ball was formal and the dress code white-tie and decorations, the mood was lively. Between courses of cheeses, champagne mousse pate, herb-roasted tenderloin, pan-seared sea bass and chocolate caramel cake, gala-goers flowed from the tables to the silent auction and onto the dance floor where the Richard Brown Orchestra played all night.

     

    The heady guest list was a potpourri of local, national and international names including Geoff Connor, Cammie Jones, Joanne King Herring, Honorary Consul General of Iceland Mica Mosbacher, Jorge Valdés, Patricia Nuñez, Rod Nelson, Stephanie Nelson, Renu and Suresh Khator, Jorge Valdés, Edward Sanchez and Kim Padgett.

    Blake Samuel, left and Cemalettin Aydin at the Consular Ball.

    238 Cemalettin Aydin, left, and Blake Samuel at the Consular Ball October 2013
      
    Photo by © Roswitha Vogler Photosbyrovo.com
    Blake Samuel, left and Cemalettin Aydin at the Consular Ball.
    unspecified
    news/society

    Can-Can Glam

    Victory Houston’s lavish Parisian bash brings in $1.8 million

    Joel Luks
    Jul 2, 2025 | 9:30 am
    Victory Houston Moulin Rouge gala 2025
    Photo by Jacob Power
    Fady Armanious and Maria Moncada-Alaoui.

    Paris, anyone? Bien sûr que oui!

    Victory Houston Moulin Rouge gala 2025
      

    Photo by Jacob Power

    Fady Armanious and Maria Moncada-Alaoui.

    Victory Houston transported more than 700 guests to Paris via 713 Music Hall for a glittery, Moulin Rouge-themed fundraiser that raised $1.8 million for cancer research and local initiatives.

    Presented by Sonic Automotive, "A Night in Moulin Rouge" turned the downtown venue into a crimson-drenched cabaret, all under the chic orchestration of ball chairs Cissy Abel and Hallie Vanderhider, with decor by Let It Fly Events. Think crystal chandeliers, velvet draping, decorative windmills, and just enough feathers to make the Can-Can blush.

    Cotton Culinary rolled out grazing stations stacked with artisanal cheeses, grilled vegetables, and charcuterie, alongside hearty options like beef tenderloin, pulled short rib tacos, and roasted corn tamales. Guests floated from tequila tastings to the glitter bar before placing bets at pop-up craps and blackjack tables, channeling their inner high rollers.

    The real show, however, was the auction. Johnny Holloway led the charge with paddle-raising fervor, offering up an eclectic mix: A private dinner with Nobel Prize-winning immunotherapy pioneer Dr. James P. Allison, a VIP pass to a "Dancing with the Stars" taping, and a 19-carat London blue topaz necklace that found its forever home with high bidder Becky Edmondson. Jody Merritt nabbed an exclusive reception for 100 at Steak 48, while John and Bebe Falik scored matching 2025 Ford F-150 King Ranch trucks.

    And because no swanky gala is complete without a puppy, Vanderhider adopted a nine-week-old Labrador from DogLab TX, charmingly named Jack.

    Frank Billingsley emceed the night with wit, as Q The Band kept energy levels high on the dance floor. As guests departed, they were sent off with black quilted swag bags and late-night Chick-fil-A biscuits.

    Among those in the crowd were Cyvia Wolff, Jo Ann Petersen and Mike Taylor, Diane Watson Cain, Lisa and Joel Bender, Susan Plank, Rob Dale, Maria Moncada-Alaoui, Jackie and Monty Eubank, Dr. Michael Taylor, Lisa and Sean McCoy, Joni and John Ballis, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, Bill Baldwin and Fady Armanious, Elaine Finger, Betty and Jess Tutor, Sandra Burgess, Miriam Overton and Dr. Sujith Joseph, Tammy and Kim Norman, Davis Hance and Kittsie Klaes, Robin and Alex Brennan Martin, Khynnedi Wright, Lauren Smith Devadanam, Jim Jordan and Shawn Stephens, Danny Rolph, and Denise Monteleone.

    news/society

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