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    Houston Billionaire Parties

    Houston billionaire turns Galveston into Monaco with glamorous Mardi Gras that draws astronauts & Giffords

    Shelby Hodge
    Feb 15, 2015 | 10:07 pm

    GALVESTON — When billionaire Tilman Fertitta and wife Paige throw a party, the riotous fun is all but guaranteed. Case in point, Friday night's San Luis Salute to Mardi Gras that saw 1,600 revelers pack the lavishly-decorated San Luis convention center.

    Two rocking bands, free-flowing Veuve Clicquot, Vegas showgirls and Cirque du Soleil style acrobats infused the night with more energy than the island sees all year long.

    "This is great to do something like this in Galveston," Fertitta said. "And thank God that I have the assets to be able do it. This makes it so glamorous. You could really be anywhere. This is as fun as if you were in Monaco."

    The glamour began early in the evening for VIPs who were transported via police-escorted caravan to Pier 21 where the Landry's Inc. CEO hosted a champagne-laced cocktail party. The Fertittas' 164-foot yacht, The Boardwalk, was anchored alongside the clear party tent which was decorated in crystal chandeliers and lavish floral arrangements.

    "It's a great time. You've got all these beautiful duchesses and it's just great to be a part of it."

    "It's a great time. You've got all these beautiful duchesses and it's just great to be a part of it," Fertitta said, as the Knights of Momus duchesses and their dates partied on all levels of the yacht.

    Back at the convention center, the Shanghai-themed bash was well under way with The A-Town A-List Band belting out dance tunes that kept the dance floor packed throughout the three-course lobster and filet mignon dinner. The top shelf wines and liquors — Jordan, Absolute, Veuve — on every table fueled the enthusiasm.

    The party action paused only briefly for the Royal Promenade of the Knights of Momus entourage and VIP guests that included retired astronaut Mark Kelly and former Arizona congresswoman Gabby Giffords, Maria and Neil Bush, Rachel and Jeff Bagwell and State Senators John Whitmire, Rodney Ellis and Larry Taylor.

    Giffords was doing well, walking on her own, very much in the Mardi Gras spirit and even took a brief spin on the dance floor with her husband.

    The evening grossed $600,000 for the National Biocontainment Training Center at the University of Texas Medical Branch and honored its doctors — Dr. Alan Barrett, Dr. Thomas Geisbert, Dr. Thomas Ksiazek, Dr. James Le Duc and Dr. Scott Weaver. Also honored was NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who departs next month for a year-long tenure aboard the space station.

    Sister Sledge was the surprise entertainment, inspiring a dance fever so intense that every free space in the ballroom pulsated with juking and jiving merrymakers.

    The Fertitta family was well represented with Tilman and Paige's children — Michael, Patrick and Blayne — joining the party as well as Tilman's parents, Joy and Vic Fertitta.

    The partying throng included Dianne and Ed McDonough, Dancie and Jim Ware, Diane Lokey Farb, Mark Sullivan, Laura and Dave Ward, Brenda and Tom Koch, Vicki West, Tara and David Wuthrich, Carter Ware, Lane Ware, Frank Billingsley and Kevin Gilliard, Libbie and Bill Ansell, Susan and Dick Hansen, Ellie and Michael Francisco and Kevin and Francie Moody Dahlberg.

    Hosts Tilman and Paige Fertitta pose with the Knights of Momus duchesses before the party starts rocking.

      
    Photo by © Michelle Watson CatchLightGroup.com
    Hosts Tilman and Paige Fertitta pose with the Knights of Momus duchesses before the party starts rocking.
    unspecified
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    Memorial Hermann Gala 2025
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    Bill King and Cheryl Boblitt King perform during the surprise flash mob.

    Memorial Hermann Foundation’s annual gala lived up to its “Can’t Stop the Feeling” moniker with an electrifying display of energy, emotion, and philanthropy — all sparked by a surprise backflip and a flash mob. The event took place at the Hilton Americas.

    Guests were barely settled into their seats when a dancer flipped the night into high gear. A troupe of professionals kicked off a flash mob, soon joined by gala chairs Cheryl Boblitt King and Bill King, honorees Lisa and Jerry Simon, Memorial Hermann leaders, and foundation board members. The choreographed moment captured the essence of the evening: High-spirited, heartfelt, and fully in sync.

    The festive vibe was reinforced by a thoughtful musical program. Guitarist and composer Hunter Perrin provided a sophisticated sonic backdrop during the reception, while a soulful invocation by Houston United Voices honored the late Stacy Methvin, Memorial Hermann Health System board chair.

    The evening’s deeper mission was clear: Raising crucial funds for the expansion of the Memorial Hermann Life Flight helicopter fleet. Memorial Hermann Health System president and CEO Dr. David Callender emphasized the life-or-death stakes.

    What drew a roar from the crowd was learning that more than $4 million had been raised.

    Before guests could hit the dance floor, they fueled up on a decadent four-course dinner crafted by Houston favorite Aaron Bludorn. Once the band The New Millennials cranked up their high-energy playlist, it didn’t take long for the dance floor to fill and stay that way well past bedtime.

    Seen were Brad and Jill Deutser, Christine and Brent Secrest, Erin Asprec, Albert Yen, Beverly and Jim Postl, Tonya and Dr. David Callender, Gary Moss, Melissa Juneau, Ken and Kathy Wells, Barbara and Bill Easter, Trent and Pamela Aulbaugh, Lawson and Lauren Gow, Lisa and Jerry Simon, Marguerite Swartz, Tony Bradfield, Mary Sage, Mark and Laurie Lashier, Julie and Keenan Lashier, Marty and Liane Phillips, Angie and Zach Matula, Scott and Geraldina Wise, Trini Mendenhall, Philip Royalty, Scott and Lorraine Wegmann, Michael Roussos, Lillian Liao, Steve Trauber, Dr. Jamie McCarthy, Frank Jones, Vitaly and Zhanna Golodryga, Dr. Michelle McNutt, and Dr. Billy Gill.

    Memorial Hermann Gala 2025
      

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    Bill King and Cheryl Boblitt King perform during the surprise flash mob.

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