Shelby About Town

Texans stars go up close and personal with their fans, Joanne King Herring starsin Orleans & NYC designers get H-Town Cheeky

Susan Krohn, from left, Joanne King Herring, Taylor Hackford and JacquelineMcPherson at New Orleans Auction Galleries.
Photo courtesy of New Orleans Auction Galleries
Connor Barwin, left, and Shaun Cody, pictured here earlier in the year, wereheadliners at Houston Texans Grille event.
Samantha Pleet, from left, Morgan Carpe and Ann Yee at Cheeky Vintage.
Photo by Claudia Lederer Saenz
Audrey and Brandon Cochran opened their home to Houston Symphony YoungAssociates.
Photo by © Wilson Parish
Chris and Divya Brown, left, with Brooke and Nate Richards at Symphony event.
Photo by © Wilson Parish

Dividing her time between Houston and New Orleans since purchasing New Orleans Auction Galleries, Susan Krohn is still beaming over the success of the venerable auction house's three-day grand re-opening fete. Adding to the glamour and bidding highs was Joanne King Herring, who not only consigned a number of interesting pieces from her collection but also spread the joy.

Among the auction highlights was the record sale of a Thomas Downing oil on canvas, Grid Five, that sold for $86,100 against an auction estimate of between $8,000 and $12,000. Interestingly, two Texas estates were included in the auction — that of Zoe B. Talbert of Tyler and that of Houstonian Julius Killough III.

The Houston contingent, that included Judith Oudt, Sandy Barrett, Traci Bennett and Alina and Roberto Garcia, did its part to make the event a success. Monsour Taghdisi purchased a piece for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's Islamic art collection while Mohammed Ladjevardian bought a vase from Herring's collection that had been a gift from the Shah of Iran.

Team Night at Houston Texans Grille

Lucky those who received an invitation to the Verizon Wireless football party at the popular CityCentre eatery earlier in the week. The 250 VIP Texans fans feasted on tailgate fare, texted questions to the celebrity guests and got up-close-and-personal with seven of the Super Bowl players-in-waiting.

Houston Texans joining "voice of the Texans" Marc Vandermeer in the spotlight were Shaun Cody, Connor Barwin, Ben Jones, Derek Newton, Brandon Brooks, Johnathan Joseph and Jon Weeks. The congenial sports stars stayed late to sign autographs, jerseys and helmets as well as pose for photos with the fans.

NYC designers hit Cheeky Vintage

Tina Davis and Denise Hazen rolled out the red carpet at their vintage clothing store on Richmond for Samantha Pleet, Morgan Carper and Ann Yee, all in from New York to pick up fashion inspiration. And that they did.

They departed with shopping bags filled with goodies including tan embroidered cowboy boots, a beaded cocktail dress in pink and black and a navy Chanel boyfriend cardigan.

Partying with symphony YPs

The Houston Symphony's second trumpet player Tony Prisk entertained members of the Symphony Young Associates Council with sounds from his collection of 15 instruments and with tales of his experiences as a symphony musician.

Close to 50 members gathered at the home of Audrey and Brandon Cochran for the reception. They included Lindley and Jason Arnoldy, Allison Brayton, Ting and John Bresnahan, Divya and Chris Brown, Peter Cazamias, Payal Chana and Sarah and Ben Cotting.

Sight 'ems

Mayor Annise Parker taking time out for a quiet, nevertheless power dinner, at Haven where Cindy Clifford hosted the informal round table on current issues. At the table were Port Commissioner Janiece Longoria and Steve Lasher, attorney/lobbyist Robert Miller, United Airlines exec Marty Stein, Fulbright Jaworski senior partner Neil Thomas, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's regional director Jason Fuller and a few more . .

A full-bearded Michael Berry (a surprise too his full head of uncoiffed hair) in jeans and plaid shirt lunching at Brasserie 19 where the social tableau included Sheridan Williams, Randy Powers, Lora Clemmons, Vesta Frommer, Elizabeth Arnold, Laura Sweeney, Carson Seeligson and more . . .

Karen and Mike Mayell, Patsy and Greg Fourticq and his brother, Michael Fourticq (transplanting from LA to Houston) dining at Tony's where at a nearby table a group of thirtysomething entrepreneurs blew the tab into the stratosphere ordering three bottles of $4,000 wine, the flaming red snapper, pasta with truffles and Kobe beef — kaching!

Carol and Dr. Gary Gartsman having dinner for two at Bar Annie, the restaurant and bar packed with early holiday revelers.

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welcome to houston

Musical theater veteran joins prominent Houston company

Courtesy of Stages

Stages has named Valerie Rachelle as its new associate artist director.

A Houston theater company is adding an accomplished artist to its ranks. Stages announced that Valerie Rachelle will be the company’s new associate artistic director beginning in January 2026.

For more than a decade, Rachelle has been artistic director of the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland, Oregon, where she oversaw artistic vision and operations. That theater specializes in musical theater performances offered in a cabaret setting.

Rachelle comes to Houston with a career spanning nearly 30 years as a director and choreographer. She has extensive experience in developing new musicals and plays for regional theaters and opera companies across the United States, including the Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Sierra Repertory Theatre. She was appointed to her position at Stages following a nationwide search.

“I’m beyond thankful for this opportunity to join this incredible company, and I’m excited to be a part of a creative entity that has a strong mission and vision as Stages,” Rachelle said in a statement.

In her role with Stages, she will support artistic director Derek Charles Livingston with season planning and casting; liaise with artists, press, and staff; and coordinate day-to-day operations for the artistic department. She will also assist with crafting educational materials, direct and choreograph productions, and serve as the primary liaison with theatrical unions.

“We are thrilled to welcome Valerie to Stages in this role,” said Livingston. “I have seen her work as a director and director choreographer — she's excellent. Those skills combined with her experience as a theatre artistic director and manager only further fortify Stages' commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement.”

Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, Rachelle began her career as a dancer and apprentice ballerina with the Eugene Ballet Company before earning her BFA in acting from California Institute of the Arts. She received her MFA in Directing from the University of California, Irvine. She has held teaching and directing positions at numerous institutions, including the University of Southern California, Southern Oregon University, Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, and others. She has also served as a mentor through Statera Arts, an organization dedicated to gender equity in the arts.

Rachelle teaches musical theater, auditioning, and singing at Southern Oregon University when she isn’t on the road as a freelance director and choreographer. She’s also a classically trained singer and toured the world with her parents and their illusionist show as a child.

“Joining the team that has a long-standing reputation of excellence in theater is an honor,” Rachelle added.

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