Rodeo fever, a James Bond bash and a private wine cellar fill an overflowingparty scene

So many parties, so little time. We've heard that lament before. But when every week night is packed with two and three events and the weekend calendar is overflowing, we're playin catch-up right and left. Herewith, a look at a handful of recent events that you wouldn't want to miss.

Ride 'em cowboy!

Rodeo season is fast approaching and the committee parties are churning up the dance floors all over Reliant Park. Case in point, the Black Heritage Committee's 19th annual Western Gala held at Reliant Arena.

More than 1,800 western-clad revelers poured into the western-themed ballroom where they grazed through the barbecue buffet and danced first to the tunes of Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band and then to the sounds of DJ Jammin' J.

The evening honored a number of Houston leaders including William J. Rice Jr., Rodney Goodie, Bettye Lewis, Terry Grier, Emma Joahanne Thomas-Smith, Carroll Robinson, Margaret Ford Fisher, Roy G. Perry and Marshall Scott III.

Key players on the scene were Black Heritage Committee chair Donald W. Middleton, Committee Officer-in-Charge Mike Wells, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo chairman Steve Stevens Jr., gala vice chairs Rhonda and Mark Wimberly, HLS&R Lifetime Vice President Warner Ervin and Melba Ervin, Howard Middleton, Butch Robinson and W. Allen Owen.

Vino, vino, vino

Fruit of the vine was the focus of the lively gathering at Nos Caves Vin, the private wine club and storage facility, where Caroline and Gary Kenney and Patti and Don Murphy hosted a wine-raiser for the Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital "Under the Boardwalk" gala set for Feb. 24. That event is being chaired by Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein, Melissa King and Rachel and Tom Regan.

More than 100 revelers arrived with bottles in hand to contribute to the gala's Wine Toss. In return, Caroline popped the cork on some special labels from her private collection for the crowd while Masfraff's provided the hors d'oeuvres.

In the mix of veteran supporters and young professionals were Perry Ann and John Reed, Cindi and Dr. Franklin Rose, Andrea and Matt Evring, Carol and Dr. Tom Sawyer, Melissa Wilson, Erica Rose, Beth Bryant, Deli Cole, Sarah Jawda, Saba Jawda and Bethany and Ben Buchanan.

The name is Bond, James Bond

Oh, that sleek Aston Martin in the ballroom of Hotel ZaZa and the Sean Connery/James Bond impersonator (swoon) strutting among the 200 guests — Devereux Texas' third annual gala enjoyed a decidedly sexy vibe.

Misty and Mushahid Khan chaired the evening that raised funds for the Victoria-area facility that provides support to emotionally-troubled children and young adults. Pattie Dale Tye, market president for Humana's Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth operations, was honoree.

In a creative twist on traditional gala dining, the evening featured hors d'oeuvres from Landry's stable of restaurants — La Griglia, Grotto, Brenner's Steakhouse, Pesce, Red Sushi and Hibachi Grill and Willlie G's.

Saks Fith Avenue shows SPA the love

The retailer's couture salon pulsated with an eager crowd getting revved for the Society for the Performing Arts March 31 gala at The Corinthian. Gala chair Mary Ann McKeithan actually showd SFA the love with her salute to the store for its continuing support of the arts in Houston. Gala honoree Margaret Williams was also spotlighted on this evening, recognized for her philanthropy.

The well-heeled crowd included SPA's June Christensen, Julia Frankel, Kathi and Bill Rovere, Kari Gonzalez, David McKeithan, Joanne and Bill Crassas and Elizabeth Vail.