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    Rock the night

    Fashion moguls, a surprise rock star pop in & monster martinis rock a Memorial mansion all night long

    Shelby Hodge
    shelby hodge
    Nov 7, 2014 | 1:12 pm

    Oh, the joy of an expiring non-compete. Just ask Gela Nash Taylor and Pam Skaist-Levy, the founders of Juicy Couture who sold the brand for hundreds of millions. They just couldn't stay away from the fashion industry, so when the legal constraints were finito, the duo launched uber hip Pam & Gela.

    They were in Houston this week to celebrate that launch, to party like rock stars with friends and do a PA at Tootsies.

    And where better for Deep Eddy martinis and Patron Silver slimritas to greet the gals and their fans than at the expansive Memorial area home of their friends, John and Becca Cason Thrash? Tootsies owner Mickey Rosmarin co-hosted the fash-bash for 175 nightcrawlers, many of whom stayed on until 2 am.

    Streams of appetizers — sea bass, tuna tartar, grilled octopus, etc. — from London transplant Il Mascalzone helped fuel the high-octane evening. And for those not so high on vodka or tequila, the Moet et Chandon flowed while the designers posed for selfies with guests and signed copies of their book, The Glitter Plan.

    Surprise of the night was the arrival of Duran Duran's John Taylor (Gela's husband), who popped in from Austin after playing at the Circuit of Americas Fan Fest and performing at a Dell World 2014 party. The Taylors are long-time Cason Thrash friends.

    Rocking through the animated party scene were Rhonda McDonald, Caroline Starry LeBlanc and Jared LeBlanc, Brenda and Brad Jones, Francine Ballard, Jessica Meyer, Vincent Summa and Adriana Chacin, Stephanie Cockrell, Katie Brass, Raquel and Andrew Segal, Joyce Echols with Steve Wyatt, Tama Klosek and Courtney Hopson.

    Taylor Hudgins, left, Becca Cason Thrash and Cerón.

    38 Taylor Hudgins, from left, Becca Cason Thrash and Ceron at the Pam & Gela party November 2014
    Photo by © Morris Malakoff
    Taylor Hudgins, left, Becca Cason Thrash and Cerón.
    unspecified
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    Shopping Fantasia

    Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker preview party sets new donation record

    Joel Luks
    Dec 4, 2025 | 2:00 pm
    Houston Nutcracker Market Preview Party 2025
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    Houston Ballet Academy Dancers.

    The Houston holiday season doesn’t officially begin until the Nutcracker Market throws open its doors, and this year’s Wells Fargo Preview Party felt like stepping into a snow globe set on extra. Like more is more.

    Somewhere between the cheeky stocking stuffers and the Dior-kissed repurposed couture, guests needed an actual map to conquer the sprawling shopping fantasia.

    Held November 12 at NRG Center, the 45th anniversary celebration of the Houston Ballet shopping fête welcomed more than 5,000 eager shoppers, all ready to sprint through aisles lined with more than 280 merchants. Helmed by chairs Susan Binney and Jennifer Kushner, along with preview party chairs Leslie Alston, Kaylon Phillips, and Casey Rowe, the evening shimmered with nostalgia. Guests showed up in themed attire ranging from glittery holiday chic to coordinated squads that looked like flash mobs armed with credit cards and a mission.

    Houston Ballet’s new executive director Sonja Kostich arrived for her very first Nutcracker Market, greeting supporters and soaking in the community’s devotion to a beloved tradition that fuels the Ballet’s mission and scholarship programs. Houston Ballet Academy students glided through the party in costumes from Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker, creating photo ops. Principal dancer Harper Watters and Houston Ballet icon Lauren Anderson also made appearances.

    Festive cocktails, champagne flutes, and a parade of hors d’oeuvre and desserts satisfied while the David Caceres Band kept the energy high. By the end of the night, the Preview Party had raised nearly $1.5 million in ticket sales and commissions — a record for the Market.

    Moreover, more than 104,000 shoppers showed up during the November 13-16 festivities. All in, ticket sales surpassed $24 million and raised more than $6 million to directly support Houston Ballet, its Academy and scholarship program.

    Showing their holiday spirit were Kristy Bradshaw, Ann Bean, Wendy Burks, Anne Chao, Gay Currie, Tom DeBesse, Arcy Muñoz Marshall, Sharon Erskine, Ann Graham, Twana Griffith Faykus, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Jay Jones, Julie Kent, Deborah and Edward Koehler, Chad Libertus, Desrye Morgan, Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, Jennifer Sommers, S. Shawn Stephens, Allison Thacker, Cynthia Wolff, Deborah Duncan, Ghada Ali, Carolina Oliveira, Catarina R. Gonzales, and Miya Shay.

    Houston Nutcracker Market Preview Party 2025

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    Houston Ballet Academy Dancers.

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