So many cozy nitches to settle into and get friendly in and so many larger spaces to mix and mingle — and with plenty of beds around in case the mingling heated up to a higher level. Nah, no one actually booked one of the lavish suites at La Colombe d'Or during the CultureMap Social but there was plenty of young professional schmoozing.
More than 300 guys and dolls took over the Montrose-area boutique hotel for a CultureMap-inspired, Yellow Cab-sponsored night of revelry. Aerosol artist GONZO247 provided his brand of entertainment while DJ Gabe Bizonee kept the decibel level at high party range and the bartenders kept high-brow culturally-inspired libations flowing. Anyone for a Monet or Vivaldi champagne concoction?
Guests perused all three levels of the historic Fondren mansion where the five suites are named after French impressionists — Monet, Cezanne and the like. The third floor art gallery offered plenty of sophisticated eye candy for art enthusiasts. In the sitting groom of the Renoir suite, we found Tiffany Vernon, Kelly Gaynes and Laura Espinoza tete-a-tete. Coursing up and down the stairway as we surveyed the hotel top to bottom, we encountered guests including Robert Sakowitz, James Sivco, Donna Solomay, sports artistBetirri Bengtson, Christi McLeu and Lisa Siefert.
In addition to the "match game" for meeting up with new faces, the evening provided the opportunity to join one of several of the city's top young professional groups. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston's Art Crowd, the Houston Symphony's YP Backstage, Houston Grand Opera's Opening Night Young Professionals and the American Heart Association's Young at Heart.
Yellow Cab had its party girls on the scene sharing info about the various cab opportunities and reminding guests to visit the vintage Yellow Cab out front. And, of course, anyone needing a ride home knew exactly where to turn. Smilebooth provided its party pix for the energized crowd.
Adam Roberts, from left, Maghan Malloy-Pruitt and Ruel Sosa at the CultureMap Social at La Colombe d'Or.
