• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Avenida Houston
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    It's Party Time!

    Houston gets high marks from celebs on the red carpet at ESPN The Party

    Jayme Lamm
    Jayme lamm
    Feb 5, 2017 | 8:28 am

    The 13th annual ESPN The Party hit Houston Friday night, which featured a lit-up performance by DJ Khaled as guests entered the tricked up warehouse, followed by the main set by eight-time Grammy Award-winning artist Fergie, who also made a splash on the red carpet.

    With every square inch of the 65,000 square foot warehouse – inside and out – primed for the perfect photo opp, the VIP crowd had a ton to check out. The warehouse and its "construction chic" design were ESPN-branded with signs, posters, LED lights — even the restroom sign was designed with the ESPN font.

    The building was split up with different areas for fans to sit, mingle and dance the night away with sponsors scattered throughout, like a heavily guarded Alfa Romeo sports car for fans to pose with and drool over. There were roped-off areas in the center of the room and another one upstairs to give VIPs a bird's eye view of the Houston crowd.

    From the live performances on stage, the star-studded list of celebrities mingling about and most easily accessible, free drinks that came in ESPN-branded Yeti cups (that you could keep!), to the brand new ESPN The Magazine’s Super Bowl Preview Issue scattered about, fans were delighted every step of the way.

    With tickets for sale on the secondary market for $375 and above, the crowd was dominated by men. The vibe was warehouse chic, and like typical Houston style, the dress code was as varied as one could possibly imagine.

    Before the night’s festivities began, some of the biggest names to grace Houston during Super Bowl week hit the fairly subdued red carpet. With so many parties and events going on, you could tell the celebs in attendance were either ready to party or exhausted. We had a chance to talk with some of the big names walking down the red carpet, and asked them what they loved about Houston (hint: food) and the Big Game and here's what they had to say:

    "I think it’s great for the City of Houston, having the Super Bowl here and giving people a chance to experience Texas. I love Houston." – Eric Dickerson, NFL Hall of Famer

    "If DJ Khaled did the halftime Show, it’d be the biggest halftime show in history, because it would be DJ Khaled and Friends because I’d bring everybody out. Everybody. So whoever’s in charge of the Halftime Show, if you want the biggest performance ever in history, call me." – DJ Khaled, award-winning recording artist and producer (as he Snapchatted his way down the festive red carpet)

    "I haven’t been to Houston other than for work, this is actually a really dope city. I’m having a good time and looking forward to a good game on Sunday. The people are really cool, the food is great and there haven’t been any issues yet – you know what I mean, how it can get when you get a ton of celebrities in one place and a hometown crowd. Stuff can get messed up and it hasn’t been that way. Everything’s been smooth." - Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars

    "When you bring in great weather, it makes everything great. The hospitality has been great – the people, the volunteers. It’s been easy to navigate, which to me, makes a great Super Bowl. For all these people to be able to navigate and get from place to place, it’s been great. I haven’t seen as many cowboy hats and cowboy boots as I had expected, being here in Texas." - Kurt Warner, NFL Hall of Famer

    "One thing I have loved about Houston this week is A) the hospitality, B) the food, and C) the food. I had gumbo at the Goode Seafood Company; it looks like a little train. Everyone is extremely nice; they are very welcoming." - Finesse Mitchell, Actor/Comedian

    "There’s a lot of energy here right now in this city. " – Charles Woodson, Former NFL, 9-time Pro Bowler

    "Just being a Houstonian, the fact that Houston is on the grand stage, the biggest stage of all, and we are absolutely killing it. Have you heard any complaints thus far? No. No one is complaining about the potholes – they are having fun; everything is going the way things are supposed to be done. I think because of that, Houston is going to find a way to get another Super Bowl." – Chester Pitts, Original Texan

    "The people have been great, but I’ve been working the whole time so I really haven’t been out. I run by Houston all the time. I’m incredibly familiar with the city of Houston. The people have always been great to me. It’s a gorgeous mosaic with people from all walks of life; it’s a great town. I follow James Harden and the Rockets because he’s a superstar." - Stephen A. Smith, ESPN

    "The fans ride so hard - I love Rockets twitter. Shout out to Rockets twitter, they go hard. We wanna play spades with The Wilforks. They’re a team; they’re a unit." - Jemele Hill and Michael Smith, ESPN’s new show SC6, debuting February 6

    "The restaurants and food. We’re down south so you get your gumbo, some southern food." - Donovan McNabb, Former NFL

    "I’m a Tom Brady fan, but I think the Falcons are going to take it." – Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros

    "I think Houston’s done a phenomenal job with the Super Bowl. There’s a lot of fun events and the city is buzzing. I always say y’all – I’m from Oklahoma." - Rex Ryan, NFL Coach

    When asked about her favorite Houston Twitter follow: "JJ Watt can be a little bit vanilla but I still think he seems like a good dude." - Sarah Spain, ESPN

    "Houston is great, it’s kind of a big town, everything is so spread out. I have seen a lot of cowboy boots. I saw a couple bulls at the Patriots welcoming party. I’ve seen a lot of things I’ve never seen before."- Eli Apple, New York Giants

    Fergie blows a kiss on the red carpet at ESPN The Party.

     
    celebritiesconcertssuper-bowl
    news/society
    CULTUREMAP EMAILS ARE AWESOME
    Get Houston intel delivered daily.

    Roman Reverie

    Top Houston chef and Michelin sommelier help symphony raise $900,000

    Joel Luks
    May 14, 2025 | 2:03 pm
    Houston Symphony wine dinner and auction 2025
    Photo by Priscilla Dickson
    Houston Symphony executive director and CEO Gary Ginstling, Margaret Ginstling; chairs Elia and Michael Gabbanelli.

    When spring gala season reaches full crescendo, few evenings deliver the kind of multisensory bacchanal as the Houston Symphony’s Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction. On May 2, a sold-out crowd of 365 stylish guests made a grand entrance at Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, where fine wine, lavish décor, and a five-course feast awaited.

    Houston Symphony wine dinner and auction 2025
      

    Photo by Priscilla Dickson

    Houston Symphony executive director and CEO Gary Ginstling, Margaret Ginstling; chairs Elia and Michael Gabbanelli.

    A revelry worthy of Dionysus himself. In black-tie, of course.

    Leading the charge were Elia and Michael Gabbanelli, gala chairs and proud heirs of the famed Gabbanelli accordion family — a fitting touch of musical lineage. They were joined by Jack Matzer, whose stewardship of the collector’s auction helped orchestrate the evening’s finale: More than $900,000 raised for the symphony’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives, which bring music to schools, hospitals, and underserved venues.

    The foyer buzzed with energy as guests in all their finery sipped champagne and circled the silent auction, eyes gleaming at the fabulousness of oenophilic riches. Standout lots included six vintage bottles of Red Bordeaux, two bottles of 1982 Château Margaux (yes, the unicorn vintage), and a week-long Tuscan getaway for those dreaming of vineyard vistas and sun-drenched serenity. Bidding was brisk and focused — more than one guest looked ready to conduct their own blind tasting right on the spot.

    At the dinner hour, the scene shifted dramatically as guests were ushered onto the Jones Hall stage, transformed by The Events Company into a sumptuous Roman mirage. Towering candelabras crowned with coral and ruby blooms stood sentry over lace-red linens strewn with votives, pomegranates, and overflowing grapes. Four statues, wreathed in greenery, added a mythic flair—as if Bacchus himself might pop out to pour the next glass. And the next.

    But it wasn’t just about the wine. Culinary star chef Danny Trace of Potente crafted an ambitious five-course menu that married elegance and indulgence. A standout starter of heirloom tomato and whipped burrata with cucumber ribbons gave way to Potente’s signature black truffle pasta, then diver scallops with sweet corn risotto and a show-stealing veal perigeux with goat cheese polenta. Dessert? A double chocolate cake kissed with Chambord and crowned with caramel crunch pearls.

    Wine pairings, curated by John and Lindy Rydman and Lisa Rydman Lindsey of Spec’s Wines, were introduced by master sommelier Steven McDonald, the Pappas Bros. Steakhouse wine expert who earned the sommelier award at the 2024 Michelin Guide Texas ceremony. Guests clinked, tasted, nodded in approval — oenophiles united in appreciation.

    Among those spotted in the stylish crowd were Ann and Jonathan Ayre, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Janet Clark, Gary Ginstling and Margaret Lederer, Joan and Robert Duff, Margaret Alkek Williams, Barbara Burger, Lydia Gold, Quentin and Aerin Smith, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Vicki West and Ralph Burch, Mary Lynn Marks, Bob Weiner, Robert Sakowitz, David Peavy and Stephen McCauley, Aggie Foster and Steve Simon, Virginia Clark, Brigette Kalai, Farida Abjani, Jennifer and Scott Allison, Carey Kirkpatrick, Ken and Mady Kades, and Sippi and Ajay Khurana.

    houston symphonyfundraiserswine
    news/society
    CULTUREMAP EMAILS ARE AWESOME
    Get Houston intel delivered daily.
    Loading...