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    Kevin Spacey Wows Houston

    We're in love! Kevin Spacey wows black-tie crowd at spectacular Best Buddies bash

    Shelby Hodge
    Nov 8, 2015 | 11:45 am

    Delivering an F-bomb here and there along with a handful of remarkable impersonations and intriguing personal insights, Best Buddies ambassador Kevin Spacey proved on Saturday night to be as entertaining in person as on the big (or little) screen. The stage was the glam home of John and Becca Cason Thrash where he was celebrity guest at a Best Buddies black-tie dinner.

    The Academy Award winner dished with Becca and Best Buddies founder Anthony Kennedy Shriver on a number of topics, the conversation laced with Spacey's impersonations of President Bill Clinton, Sen. Ted Kennedy, Jack Lemmon and his Francis Underwood character.

    As he spoke about the importance of Best Buddies, he stepped to the edge of the pool, around which the dinner was held, and quipped, "Oh baby, I'm going in and someone's going to fucking pay for it."

    As the crowd erupted in laughter, Becca, the ardent fundraiser, chimed in, "Anyone give $100,000 to see it?"

    "The notion of giving back"

    The evening was not without its meaningful tone. Spacey credited actor Jack Lemmon, whom he met at age 13, with introducing the notion of giving back and the elevator analogy. "If you've been fortunate enough to do well in the business that you wanted to do well in," Spacey said, "then it is your obligation to spend a good portion of your time, sending the elevator back down.

    "In a way, we all can send the elevator back down because it doesn't matter what floor you are on. In life there are always people just below waiting for the opportunity to be invited up and so it's our jobs to fill that elevator with as many people as we can."

    Spacey has been a Best Buddies ambassador for more than 20 years and has traveled extensively with the organization.

    On acting

    "I get this incredible opportunity to interpret what is written," Spacey said. "I've had unbelievable characters that writers have written and I've been able to work with some pretty remarkable directors."

    Noting that he has had a long career on the stage and in film, he added, "The great thing is I feel like I'm just getting started."

    Becca asked what among his many "diabolical" characters was the most challenging.

    "The building and creation of the role that I'm currently doing, of Frances Underwood, (House of Cards) has been an incredible journey . . . It's an incredible part and for me to be able to go to work every day and have Robin Wright at my side is pretty, excuse my language, fucking awesome."

    The party scene

    As is the norm at parties in the Cason Thrash home, the pool room was grandly decorated by Richard Flowers of The Events Co. Three long tables peppered with bouquets of salmon-hued roses and hundreds of candles in clear candelabra and votives lined the table. The evening began with photo opps with the amazingly patient star and cocktails that included Moet & Chandon champagne and Belvedere Vodka.

    Dinner was a multi-course feast provided by B&B Butchers and Restaurant, SaltAir, Grotto and Brasserie 19.

    The Cason Thrash dining room was laden with tempting silent auction items which helped bring the night's tally to $600,000. Thanks in part to high bidders such as Dylan and Jordan Seth who picked up the Zihuatanejo trip in the live auction.

    The glamorous crowd included Samantha Boles, Rhonda McDonald, Sue and Lester Smith, Dancie and Jim Ware, Carl Lewis, Joyce Echols and Steve Wyatt, Elizabeth Petersen, Duyen and Marc Nguyen, Fay and Salim Zakhem, Diane Lokey Farb and Nancy and Marcus Hiles.

    Patrice Levantino, Marcus Hiles, Nancy Hiles.

    News, Shelby, Best Buddies, Kevin Spacey, Nov. 2015, Patrice Levantino, Marcus & Nancy Hiles
      
    © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    Patrice Levantino, Marcus Hiles, Nancy Hiles.
    fundraiserscelebritiesdinner
    news/society

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    Burnt orange spirit lights up Houston at Texas Exes scholarship gala

    Joel Luks
    May 16, 2025 | 5:45 pm
    Texas Exes Scholarship Gala 2025
    Photo by Jacob Power
    Kisha and Jason Itkin, Sallie Alcorn, and Kurt and Tara Arnold.

    It was an elevated burnt orange night at River Oaks Country Club as more than 300 Longhorn faithful gathered for the Texas Exes Houston Chapter’s Longhorn Legacy Scholarship Gala on April 10. The evening’s honorees, Kisha Itkin, Jason Itkin, Tara Arnold, and Kurt Arnold, were celebrated for their generosity and spirited support of The University of Texas at Austin.

    Texas Exes Scholarship Gala 2025
      

    Photo by Jacob Power

    Kisha and Jason Itkin, Sallie Alcorn, and Kurt and Tara Arnold.

    Greeting guests at valet was none other than Bevo, the famed Longhorn steer and unofficial mascot. Inside, a sculpted ice bar featuring the honorees' names and the Longhorn logo in vibrant burnt orange wowed the crowd. Underwritten by Mike Lowenberg of Lowenberg Law Firm, the frosty centerpiece offered a fitting nod to the honorees’ indelible mark on UT’s legacy. Meanwhile, a UT Tower ice sculpture, framed by a festive balloon wall by Topped Off Co., provided yet another irresistible photo op.

    Leading the evening’s program was Cyndy Garza Roberts, who kicked off festivities with a stirring video. Athletics director Chris Del Conte praised Jason Itkin and Kurt Arnoldfor their invaluable ideas and steadfast support, reinforcing the honorees’ impact beyond just philanthropy. Texas Exes Houston Chapter president Kyle Griffin and event chair Tawnya Bell also shared personal stories, with Bell's emotional scholarship journey underscoring the night’s purpose.

    Personal testimonies from UT grads and scholarship recipients Janelle Chavez and Will Florer inspired more generosity, culminating in a $330,000 fundraising triumph. Houston City Council Member Sallie Alcorn capped off the tributes with a mayoral proclamation from Mayor John Whitmire, officially declaring April 10 as Kisha and Jason Itkin and Tara and Kurt Arnold Day in Houston.

    In true Longhorn tradition, the evening closed with all guests standing, horns up, singing "The Eyes of Texas, a fitting finale to a night brimming with spirit.

    Spotted were Chuck Harris, Brien Smith, Rick Harsch, June Deadrick, Brock Niezgoda and Meg Hayward, Jackie and Scott Freeman, Luisa and Dr. Lucky Chopra, Ginger Cearley, Erin and Nathan Phelps, Kristen Griffin, Adam Pulaski, Stephanie Wilcox, Catherine Campbell, Al Riddle, Lauren Riddle, Michele Leal and George Farah, Winell and Doug Herron, Kristen Cannon, Niki and James Lassiter, and Amy and Segev Zadok.

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