Shelby's Social Diary

Art 4 Life event gets a jump start at Barbara Davis Gallery

Photo by Michelle Watson
Photo by Michelle Watson
Photo by Michelle Watson
Photo by Michelle Watson
Photo by Michelle Watson
Photo by Michelle Watson
Photo by Michelle Watson
Photo by Michelle Watson

It was a cool collection of power players, art world notables and AIDS Foundation Houston supporters that turned out 200 strong at Barbara Davis Gallery Thursday night. The occasion was an energized kick-off to build up interest in the Jan. 22 Arts 4 Life benefit at The Station Museum of Contemporary Art.

Gallerist Barbara Davis, co-chair of the upcoming fundraiser with Dr. Heidi Schwarzwald and husband Bryan Rosenstrauch, hosted the evening at her gallery where performance artists provided entertainment and a host of food vendors provided light bites. Schwarzwald is known for her work with pediatric AIDS patients as vice president for clinical affairs and section head for retrovirology and global health at the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative.

Spreading the word on the Jan. 22 event were AFH development head Teri Prats along with Nathan Joel Kasselder and Debra Elliott Griffith. They touted the fact that featured artists participating are Rupert Garcis, Joe Havel, Donald Lipski, Joe Mancuso and Mie Olise.

Close to 50 recognized artists have donated works for the evening that includes the art-filled silent auction, food and drink and post-auction dancing.

Among those making the kick-off were Vero Group president Sir Mark Haukohl, Quantlab Financial's Bruce Eames, plastic surgeon Dr. Russell Kridel and wife Cheryl, Saks Fifth Avenue's Terry Zmyslo and Sylvia Forsyth, Erick Ragni, William Dobbs, Samira Slaman, Miriam Habib, Jeff Shell, Nancy Marcus Golden, Neal Hamil and Jared Lang with Cara Morales.

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raising glasses

Wine and dine raises spirits for Houston's Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities wine and dine fundraiser 2024

Photo by Johnny Than

Alicia Reggie Freysinger, His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Catholic Charities President Cynthia Nunes Colbert.

An evening of fine dining and philanthropy unfolded at The Revaire for the 2024 Wine and Dine Dinner, benefitting Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston on November 16. With wine glasses in hand and wallets wide open, the stylish and pious savored a night dedicated to lifting up the most vulnerable in the community.

Co-chairs Mikki Hebl and David E. Harvey, Jr., alongside Kerri and Downey Bridgwater, welcomed the crowd, which included His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, who blessed the meal. The highlight? A four-course feast by master sommelier Brandon Kerne and chef Ryan Bouillet, paired with wines selected to enhance each bite.

An interactive twist with the secret sip challenge surely added a playful element. Attendees worked together to identify the mystery wine — a 2015 Merite Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia’s Wrattonbully region.

But the night wasn’t just about indulgence. The live auction, emceed by Johnny Bravo, and a moving “fund a need” segment inspired oenophiles to dig deep for Catholic Charities’ programs. Last year, the organization served people in need 358,000 times across Harris, Fort Bend, and Galveston counties, providing essentials like food, housing assistance, and legal aid for immigrants.

Generous support came from sponsors like the Hildebrand Foundation, Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, and Cuenod Families.

Wining and dining were Alicia Reggie Freysinger, Cynthia Nunes Colbert, Penny and Paul Layne, Monit Cheung and Patrick Leung, Ashley and Doug Plaeger, Sandi and Jim Lemming, Carol and Paul Beck, Louise and Bob Parsley, Avalyn Langemeier, Suzanne Werner, Amie Springmeyer, Lori Hessel, Ginger Niemann, Peggy Idstein, Karina and Mark Amelang,and Ellen and Jim Ginty.

Photo by Johnny Than

Alicia Reggie Freysinger, His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Catholic Charities President Cynthia Nunes Colbert.

catholic charities of the archdiocese of galveston-houston fundraisers