Joanne King Herring's book tour for her tome, Diplomacy and Diamonds, is about to take an international leap thanks to the largesse of Zorah and Taseer Badar, ZT Wealth CEO. The Badars are hosting Joanne on a two-week tour of the Middle East during which she will present her book in Bulgari salons in Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The trip includes a stopover in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she will renew old friendships with members of the royal family.

All procceds from the sale of the book go to the Marhsall Plan Charities for Afghanistan.

Joanne and the Badars will have company on the trip as Penny and Paul Loyd and Posey Parker are included.

An artful welcome wagon

DiverseWorks ArtSpace supporters rolled out the red carpet Wednesday night for new executive director Elizabeth Dunbar, fresh from her post as associate director and curator for Austin's Arthouse. William Betts, who as board president and artist had been serving as interim director, hosted the gathering at his home in Rice Military.

Joining the party were a host of collectors and cultural notables including Houston Arts Alliance CEO Jonathon Glus, Dr. Robert Card and Karol Kreymer, Marshal Lightman, Blaffer Gallery director Claudia Schmuckli, Galveston Arts Center curator Clint Willour, Kellye Sanford, Blaire Knowles and Adam Brackman, Karen and Steve Farber, David Lake and more. The lucky guests noshed on appetizers from nearby Coppa Ristorante Italia.

One beautiful evening

It was a dreamy night at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston last Friday when world-renowned soprano Ana Maŕia Martínez warbled for a lucky handful of Houstonians.

Sofia Adrogué and Sten Gustafson, who chaired the Boys and Girls Country Gala in November, were high bidders that evening on one of the most delicious auction items imaginable (that is if you like opera). So proud of this unique offering, that organizers dubbed it "Evening of a Lifetime." Indeed.

Ana Maŕia, accompanied by pianist Ana Maria Otamendi, sang eight pieces including "Tonight" from West Side Story, "Ava Maria" and "Un Bel Di" from Madame Butterfly. Three French art songs were included as a musical nod to the artful surroundings. The recital and scrumptious three-course dinner by City Kitchen took place amid the MFAH's Impressionist collection in the Beck Building.

Prior to the 30 minutes of sublime music, the small group of eight were given a tour of the collection by MFAH curator Helga Aurisch. Joining the hosts on this swell night were S. Shawn Stephens, Judge Caroline Baker Hurley, Cheryl Ballard, Charlie Jones, NaDean Eads and Rodney Eads.

A disco windfall in the works

The formal invitations arrived this week for "An Evening With Disco Legends" benefiting Texas Children's Cancer Center and it's billed as "A Lester and Sue Smith Production." And well it should be as this philanthropic duo are not only orchestrating the event but they are also underwriting all expenses and matching all funds raised!

In the tradition of these dance masters (a few national ballroom titles under their belts) who have overseen any number of knock-out fundraisers, this one promises to be a disco diva's dream. The headliners are Gloria Gaynor, the Pointer Sisters, Nile Rodgers and New York star DJ Ultragrrrl.

With this talented lineup and the Smiths' generosity, you can bet that Texas Children's Cancer Center will enjoy a windfall from this Feb. 4 blast at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Information on attending the party is available here.

Sight'ems

Paul-David Van Atta and Nathan Kasselder lunching at Tony's where Gregory Fourticq, Rosie Meyers, Randy Powers and Bill Caudell head-huddled over lunch in the bar . . .

Karen and Mike Mayell at Brasserie 19 where the dinner crowd included Alice and Keith Mosing, Cerón, Mark Sullivan, Bubba McNeely and loads more.