party watch

Stylish Houstonians go farmhouse chic at fab fashion brunch party

What: Fashion in the Fields

The scoop: It was an standing-room-only crowd that filled the UnitedHealthcare Foundation Gathering Barn at Hope Farms for Recipe for Success Foundation’s second Fashion in the Fields presented by Neiman Marcus. More than 200 blossoming #ItMoms, hubs, family, friends, farm fans, and Recipe for Success devotees turned out for a day of fashion, food, and fun. The event raised more than $150,000 towards the Foundation’s mission to teach, empower and inspire healthy eating.

Recipe for Success Foundation Founder and CEO, Gracie Cavnar, was front and center, welcoming all to the event that featured a Neiman Marcus fashion show and a jaw dropping southern’ inspired brunch. Cavnar was the first to quip that the overwhelming looks seen on the ladies was “farm girl chic” and loved the variety of boots on display. Music, farm walk-abouts and shopping capped off a day that was anything but ordinary.

Guests entered the Gathering Barn where they found that the area, typically full of vegetable offerings, was transformed into a chic boutique. Featuring The Shop at Hope Farms full of goodies including a painting from Mary Patton Designs, Tata Harper natural cosmetics and Smeg kitchenware next to Neiman Marcus fashions snatched right off the runway.

Waiters stood at attention with trays of signature Hope Farms Lemonade and Farm style Bloody Mary’s by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, mimosas and bubbly. Event chairs, Amanda Boffone and Elizabeth Dwyer were thrilled at the support from their farm fans and chic chicks. Drawing smiles all around were the arrivals of the child “models” excited about their debut strut down the catwalk.

Celebrity mistress of ceremonies, Miya Shay of ABC 13, welcomed the buzzy group to the event that kicked off with a salute to the farms’ own 2019 Warriors to Farmers Veteran Cohort: Miles Cooke, Oriana Franklin, Sam MacCammon, and Linda Stafford. Each took a turn on the runway to the applause of all, as Shay regaled the audience with details of their many combat decorations. The trainees at Hope Farms work alongside the farm team in a year-long program as they learn the skills and knowledge to become urban agripreneurs with farms of their own.

Cavnar and husband Bob awarded chef Martin Stayer of Nobie’s the Chef of the Year, in recognition of his unwavering support of Recipe for Success Foundation — cooking for special events and designing his restaurant menu around weekly deliveries of Hope Farms produce. Cheryl Sorak was named Volunteer of the Year for her weekly support at the farm.

The Neiman Marcus “Art of Fashion” show was kicked off by pint-sized models — including Mila Arya, Isabelle and Stire Blomquist, Samantha and Terry Boffone, Chloe Cavnar, Lila Dwyer, Bella and Corvin Mallinson, Derrick Mitchell, and Lyndon and Winston Wu — playing to a cooing crowd.

When the professionals hit the runway, all eyes were on the posh showing of stylishly casual fall fashions featuring lots of sparkles and fun furs. When the fashion show concluded, Cavnar announced that designer Lela Rose will be headlining next year’s event, chaired by Sippi Khurana on November 8, 2020. Rose sent a special experience for a live auction item – a private champagne tea for a group of eight in her private New York City atelier, which was snapped up by Julie Longoria Chen.

The crowd then made a beeline for the lavish brunch served in a separate cozy tent staged by Cavnar and her team featuring shabby chic inspired tables topped with raw linen and blue and white ticking and farm fresh floral centerpieces by Cavnar’s own Flower Child. Live music by Socialite Entertainment kept things festive as everyone helped themselves to nosh by by Snooze Eatery, La Table, Common Bond, Hilton Americas, and Pat Greer’s Kitchen.

The day concluded with Gracie and event chairs drawing ticket stubs for the raffle that featured Dolce & Gabbana designed Smeg Blender, a show-stopping Fabergé scarf and pocket square, tickets to the exclusive Chefs in the Field dinner on April 1 and a seasonal Hope Farms produce share.

Who: Amanda Boffone, Elizabeth Dwyer, Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell, Semmes Burns, Christine Falgout-Gutknecht, Melissa Juneau, Kristen McDanald, Mary Patton, Lyndsey Zorich, Stacey Swift, Yoon Smith, Kristin and Aaron Blomquist, Karen and Roland Garcia, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Sultana and Moez Mangaji, Anita Smith, Fady Armanious, Bill Baldwin, Stacey Lindseth, Valerie Dietrich, Holly Alvis, Dr. Kelly Coleman, and Virginia McMullen.

Tyler Froberg with 2019 Warriors to Farmer Cohort: Linda Stafford, Myles Cooke, Oriana Franklin, and Sam MacCammon.

Fashion in the Fields 2019 Tyler Froberg with 2019 Warriors to Farmer Cohort - Linda Stafford, Myles Cooke, Oriana Franklin, Sam MacCammon_0134_RFSFashionInTheField_111019_MCW.jpg

Photo by Michelle Watson

Tyler Froberg with 2019 Warriors to Farmer Cohort: Linda Stafford, Myles Cooke, Oriana Franklin, and Sam MacCammon.

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Curtain Call

Porgy and Bess revival leads stunning launch of HGO’s new season

Photo by Emily Jäschke

The cast of Porgy and Bess with conductor James Gaffigan.

Houston Grand Opera launched its 2025-26 season with a soul-stirring statement — one that blended history, harmony, and high jazzy American style — at the season-opening performance of Porgy and Bess, followed by a celebration dinner that felt more like an all-cast reunion than a buttoned-up black-tie din din.

Photo by Emily Jäschke

The cast of Porgy and Bess with conductor James Gaffigan.

Under the direction of Francesca Zambello, the Gershwin classic unfolded on the Wortham Theater Center’s stage in a performance that was both nostalgic and unflinchingly honest. The lush, jazz-meets-classical score had audiences leaning in, and many found themselves marveling at how many of the opera’s melodies live rent-free in cultural memory.

But it wasn’t just the music that captivated. The emotional weight of the story and the conversations it inspired lingered long after the curtain dropped.

HGO general director and CEO Khori Dastoor opened the evening by reflecting on the company’s legacy with Porgy and Bess, which stretches back to a 1976 production that earned both a Tony and a Grammy. This 2025 revival, nearly 50 years later, brought that legacy full circle, honoring the past while setting a tone for the season’s theme: The light we hold.

The production, which runs through November 15, features a powerhouse cast that includes bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as Porgy and soprano Angel Blue as Bess. Soprano Latonia Moore, making her HGO mainstage debut, appears as Serena. Baritone Blake Denson takes on the role of Crown, and tenor Demetrious Sampson Jr. brings charisma to Sportin’ Life. A poignant full-circle moment came with baritone Donnie Ray Albert, who portrayed Porgy in HGO’s 1976 production, returning to the stage as Lawyer Frazier. Opening night was conducted by James Gaffigan, with Richard Bado leading later performances.

The post-performance celebration on Fish Plaza, chaired by Dina Alsowayel and Tony Chase, transformed the space into an elegant nod to Charleston charm. Creams and greens, soft candlelight, and natural textures made for a timeless scene, but it was the congenial vibe that truly stole the show. The mood was chatty, the energy high, and the mission clear: Reconnect, rejoice, and rally behind the power of opera.

During the dinner, Dastoor and artistic and music director Patrick Summers acknowledged the many supporters who brought this night to life. Dastoor offered a poignant nod to Summers as he begins his final season in his current role, transitioning to music director emeritus next year. She also welcomed Astley Blair as HGO’s newly elected board chair, signaling an exciting chapter ahead.

Weeks later, HGO announced Gaffigan’s appointment as the company’s fifth music director — a major milestone in its 70-year history. Gaffigan, a rising star in European opera houses and orchestras, made his American operatic debut at HGO in 2011 and returned this fall to conduct Porgy and Bess. His connection to Houston runs deep, as an alumnus of Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.

As the night wound down, the cast and creative team received a standing ovation again. And rightly so. The event drew 450 guests and raised $690,000, the second-highest total in HGO Opening Night history.

CultureMap seen were Margaret Alkek Williams, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Sylvia Barnes and Jim Trimble, Vivianna Jolie, Elizabeth and Neil Chapman, Rebekka and Damon Chargois, Jane Cizik, Molly Crownover, Misook Doolittle, Marty Dudley, Elaine Finger, Marianne and Joe Geagea, Claire Liu and Joe Greenberg, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, Alecia Harris, Matt Healey and Denise Reyes, Chris and Morgan Hollins, Elizabeth and Richard Husseini, Teresa and José Ivo, Monica Karuturi and Kumaran Sathyamoorthy, Sarah and Bryant Lee, Karen and Ramon Manning, Nancy McGregor and Neal Manne, Terrylin Neale, Franci Neely, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Rebecca Rabinow and Matt Ringel, Jill and Allyn Risley, Cora and Judson Robinson, Kelly and David Rose, Anita Smith, Dian and Harlan Stai, Ellen Susman, Marguerite Swartz, Charlene Tombar, Nestor Topchy, Jesse, Brooks, and Sherida Tutor, Marcia and Alfredo Vilas, Donna Sims and Frank Wilson, Gretchen Watkins, Mary-Olga and John Warren, Yuichi and Uny Watanabe, Geraldina and Scott Wise, and Kristina and Enoch Woodhouse.

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