Shelby About Town

Lavish launch parties herald start of social season and Texans linemen dine outfor good luck

Houston Symphony ball co-chair Audrey Cochran enjoys the moment in the JPMorganChase historic lobby.
Photo by Jenny Antill
Symphony ball chairs Tara and David Wuthrich welcomed as many as 100 guests tothe kick-off party.
Photo by Jenny Antill
Celebrating the upcoming Asia Society Texas Cenetr gala were Judy Nyquist, left,Mike Cannon and Martha Blackwelder.
Photo by Barry Fantich/Fantich Studio
In the Asia Society crowd at Tony's were Chevron's Joni Baird, left, Bill Kingand Lisa Lees.
Photo by Barry Fantich/Fantich Studio
Judy Simon and Joe Birkofer were in the spirit for the Periwinkle Foundationcircus-themed gala.
Photo by Kim Coffman
Rachel Walton, left, and Linsay Radcliffe made the symphony kick-off parfty.
Photo by Jenny Antill
Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein made a stunning entrance at the symphony event.
Photo by Jenny Antill
Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia, left, with Margaret Alkek Williams at Tony's forthe Asia Society.
Photo by Barry Fantich/Fantich Studio
Thao and Steve Lai at the Periwinkle Foundation event.
Photo by Kim Coffman
Models Elizabeth Saunders and Anyta Chen entertain Mary Ann McKeithan and CherylByington at the symphony party.
Photo by Jenny Antill

Before the full-blown galas fill the calendar (starting next Saturday), kick-off parties are filling the dance cards for early January, including the Houston Symphony ball launch Thursday night in the the historic lobby of JPMorgan Chase.

Ball chairs Tara and David Wuthrich welcomed some 100 supporters to the cocktail party where the chatter was all about the ball entertainment. Electronic violinist Mark Wood, former lead violinist of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, will join symphony musicians to perform and the Marianne Bennett Orchestra of New York will provide the dance music for the March 23 gala.

A Fare Extraordinaire, which catered the party, had waiters dressed in black-tie and 18th century powdered wigs in a nod to the ball theme, "Rock Me Amadeus!" And in a nod to the black-tie dress code, models from Tootsies paraded in gowns by Monique Lhuillier, Naeem Khan and Elie Saab.

While the Fidelis Quartet performed the crowd schmoozing through the grand setting included gala honorees Denise and Philip Bahr, Julie Frankel and Beth Madison; plus Katie Flaherty, Betty Tutor, Marie and Ed Bosarge, Joann and Bill Crassas, Joella and Steve Mach, Viviana and David Denechaud, Lindley and Jason Arnoldy and Isabel and Danny David.

$1 million dollar goal for Asia Society

The buzz was on in the private room at Tony's Thursday night when Asia Society Texas Center honchos spread the word that the April 12 gala will be held at the center's spectacular new home in the Museum District. The gala will kick off four days of grand opening festivities.

With a heavy-hitter roster of chairs on tap, Asia Society executive director Martha Blackwelder announced that the goal for the Tiger Ball is $1 million, that lofty figure on its way to being met by the generosity of presenting sponsor Chevron. Asia Society board chair Charles Foster joined Blackwelder in the program that recognized Nancy Allen, the Asia Society's grand patron, and Wells Fargo Private Bank, underwriter of the kick-off party.

Taking bows as chairs of the black-tie evening were Margaret Williams, Sushila and Durga Agrawal, Judy and Scott Nyquist and Y. Ping Sun and David Leebron. They were joined by a festive group that included Chevron's Joni Baird, Carolyn Farb, Jo and Jim Furr, Lily and Hamid Kooros, Laura Bellows, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and wife Gwen, Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia and Beth Madison with Ralph Burch.

The circus is coming to town

Well, not really a big-top experience, but the Periwinkle Foundation is following a circus theme for its gala set for April 21 at the InterContinental Houston. Supporters celebrated that upcoming evening at the home of Dr. Jayne Finkowski-Rivera and Dr. Carlos Rivera. The Riveras will chair the evening along with Jenifer and Scott Jarriel and Judy and Chris Simon will be honored.

Pappas Catering provided the food and drink including the elephant ice sculpture through which cotton candy-flavored martinis were poured.

Joining the circus-themed evening (some donning the bright red circus clown noses, some not) included Lisa Malosky, ZoAnn Dreyer, Hailey and Mark Stevens, Tanya Gee, Marilyn and Louis Mogus, Periwinkle Foundation board president Joe Birkofer and executive director Doug Suggitt.

Sight 'ems

Movers and shakers packing La Griglia at Friday lunch where the crowd included Dancie Ware and Sheridan Williams, Fred Zeidman, Terrie and Mike Turner, John Beeson, Roland Garcia, Ben Rose, Cindi Rose, Sue Walden, Bill Wright, Joe Hafner and Tilman Fertitta's parents Joy and Vic Fertitta — keeping manager Brandon Bush on his toes . . .

Former President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush digging into the Tex-Mex fare at the newest addition to the Molina's Cantina family, this one in West University at 3801 Bellaire Blvd. at Wesleyan . . .

The Houston Texans offensive line continuing its luck-filled Thursday night tradition of dining at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House. Watch out Baltimore Ravens!

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on the bright side

'First-of-its kind' Houston park reveals 6 murals by local artists

Houston artist Ade Odunfa stands in front of his mural "Salt Marsh" at the Hill at Sims.

Photo by Scott Julian, courtesy of Houston Parks Board

"Birth From the Sea" by Ade Odunfa

One of Houston's most innovative green spaces, the Hill at Sims, is edging toward completion as artists put the finishing touches on a series of six beautiful murals. They should be ready when the park has its grand opening on Saturday, May 23.

The project is being led by Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis and the Houston Parks Board. Located in Sunnyside along Sims Bayou, it combines a flooding retention pond with walkways and other infrastructure to create a unique multi-use community space. Adding a series of environmentally-themed murals highlights the project's dedication to empowering nature around Sunnyside.

“When we bring art, resilience, and opportunity together in one place, we create something that can serve and inspire future generations for decades to come," said Ellis in an emailed statement. "The Hill at Sims is a community-oriented, first-of-its-kind green space in the neighborhood I grew up in. These murals honor Sunnyside, celebrate the natural world, and help turn public space into something people feel proud to protect.”

The murals include “Impression of Nature” by Emily Ding, “Step Into the Wild” by Carlos Alberto, “Birth from the Sea," a reproduction of a John Biggers’ mural by Ade Odunfa, "The Heron and the Fish” by Ana Marietta, “Rêverie” by Amy Sol inspired by Claude Debussy’s 1890 solo piano piece, and “Salt Marsh”, another Biggers reproduction by Bimbo Adenugba.

Houston is a major mural and street art city, with an increasing number of spaces using murals to showcase local talent as well as bring a sense of identity to locations like the Hill at Sims. The green space offers both a massive natural setting in a neighborhood that has traditionally been underserved in park acreage with an elevated point to view the whole city, a rare treat in a place as flat as Houston. Thanks to the Bayou Greenways Project, a 150-mile series of trails that connects parks across Houston, people can walk or bike to the Hills at Sims if they choose to.

"Our goal is for every person who visits this park to feel that Hill at Sims truly represents the Sunnyside community. Public art is a powerful and joyful way to evoke feelings of connection and stewardship in public settings,” said Justin Schultz, President and CEO, Houston Parks Board, in an emailed statement. “Houston Parks Board is proud to support Commissioner Ellis to bring Sunnyside residents a transformative, multi-benefit greenspace that captures the spirit of Houston: turning our climate challenges into vibrant community assets.”

The total cost of Hill at Sims is $28.3 million. Funding comes from Precinct One ($18.8 million), The Brown Foundation ($7.5 million), with an additional $2 million from public federal and state funds secured by State Representative Alma Allen and Congressman Al Green. When complete, it will feature a 1.6 mile basin loop trail, water access pier, a parking lot, a 2,000-square-foot open air pavilion with restrooms, flexible lawn space for active programming, and picnic pavilions.

parks visual-art hills at sims anderson