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    Shelby About Town

    Partying with the Russians, a Criminal appearance and showgirls gear up for TUTS gala

    Shelby Hodge
    shelby hodge
    Mar 21, 2012 | 6:45 am
    News_FotoFest_for Shelby_March 2012_56
    Guests from Russia admire the view from Slavka Glaser's apartment at a party to celebrate the launch of the Fotofest 2012 Biennial saluting contemporary Russian photorgrapy.
    Photo by Fred Baldwin

    The champagne flowed. The caviar went down nicely. And the Russian-inspired music wafted gently through Slavka Glaser's Hermann Park aerie Sunday night when she hosted an unofficial but thoroughly grand launch of FotoFest. Just as she did two years ago for FotoFest 2010, Slavka included on her guest list art world cognescenti, key movers and shakers and, this time, a host of Russian photographers who are in Houston for the six-week focus on photography.

    The apartment was packed as partygoers spilled over onto her terrace where the view of Hermann Park and the Texas Medical Center captivated. Even more captivating for the Russian photographers was Slavka's collection of photography books that the artists pored over throughout the night. A curiosity to Houstonians was Russian photographer Andrey Chezhin, who carried a wooden daschund throughout the party and petted the pooch as if it were real.

    While Austin-based musician Zhenya Kolykhanov performed on the balalaika, accordian and Russian guitar, guests visited with FotoFest co-founders Fred Baldwin and Wendy Watriss.

    In the crush (the apartment was packed) were Sanford Criner, Annie Criner, Lynn Wyatt, Fredericka Hunter, Vance Muse and Carl Palazzolo, Sissy and Denny Kempner, Katherine and David Miller, Stephen Newman, Karl Kilian, Mimi Kilgore, William Middleton, Clifford Pugh and John Dascoulias, Billy Hitchock, Sandy Parkerson and Phuong Tranvan.

    Among the illlustrious out-of-towners: Wall Street Journal art critic Rick Woodward, New Yorker magazinevisuals editor Elisabeth Biondi and Slavka's friends, Francesca Tondi and Alexis Levin, who flew in from London. The large Russian contingent included 2012 FotoFest Biennial curators Evgeny Berezner, Irina Chmyreva and Natalia Tarasova.

    H-Town star power on Criminal Minds

    We're fairly certain that the entire James A. Baker clan will be tuned into CBS' Criminal Minds Wednesday night as one of their own has a pivotal role in the popular series. That would be Mary-Bonner Baker, daughter of former Secretary of State James A. Baker III and Susan Baker. Having lived in Los Angeles for a number of years, the aspiring actress has enjoyed more than a few plum assignments in her start-up career.

    Her credits include the role of a Republican lawyer in HBO's Emmy-winning Recount that starred Kevin Spacey and Laura Dern. In Charlie Wilson's War, she played opposite Tom Hanks as one of his office staffers, affectionately referred to as "Charlie's angels."

    Add to her CV, singer and writer. She and her husband, Houston-born Hunter Perrin, formed the band Bandito Royale and cast their bluesy musical spells in venues around both LA and Houston.

    Gearing up for TUTS gala

    The wine room at Tony's pulsated with an enthused crowd Monday night when Leisa Holland-Nelson and Roxann Neumann, chairs of Theatre Under the Stars' upcoming gala, invited supporters in for light bites, wine and plenty of high-level schmoozing. With the theme of their gala La Cage Aux Folles (after the TUTS presentation), the ladies arranged for glam showgirls to stroll through the party scene.

    Not one to miss an event or an opportunity to share her philanthropy as a gala honoree, Margaret Williams was on hand to welcome guests.

    The party crowd included Hector Villarreal, Soraya McClelland, Paul Somerville, Melissa Edwards, Joella and Steve Mach, Amy Pierce, David Taylor, Ileana Trevino, Brady Carruth and Shelley Smith. Expect to see more than a few of these at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts when the curtain goes up on the gala on April 20.

    Sight 'ems

    Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub and wife Laurie dining at the new hot-spot Katsuya by Starck in West Ave. The duo ordered the Kobe prime ribeye with truffle butter and Katsuya's signature baked crab hand rolls and miso-marinated black cod and sipped on Hakkaisan sake . . .

    City Councilman James Rodriguez, strategic marketing guru Cindy Clifford, architect Shafik Rifaat, PR whiz Dancie Ware, prominent developer Ed Wulfe, philantrhopist Trini Mendenhall-Sosa lunching at various tables at power-lunch central — La Griglia.

    Guests admire the many photo books at the FotoFest party.

    News_FotoFest_for Shelby_March 2012_63
      
    Photo by Fred Baldwin
    Guests admire the many photo books at the FotoFest party.
    unspecified
    news/society

    Power and Style

    Fashion show and tequila toasts light up Latin Women’s Initiative lunch

    Joel Luks
    Jun 13, 2025 | 4:30 pm
    Latin Women's Initiative gala luncheon 2025
    Photo by Dave Rossman
    Jessica Perez, Vicky Nehme, Raquel Thomas, and Alejandra Elizondo.

    Houtson's Latin Women’s Initiative pulled off a tres chic triple threat — style, celebration, and serious giving — during its 30th anniversary luncheon and fashion show, drawing more than 850 supporters to the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom. The event blended culture, community, and catwalks into one spectacular midday affair.

    Event chairs April Ramirez Fabre and Julie Garza, alongside board president Jovanny Orellana, welcomed guests to a ballroom teeming with fashionistas, philanthropists, and a whole lot of Latin sass. The annual luncheon, show, and bustling marketplace marked a major milestone for the nonprofit, which has supported Houston’s Latin community for more than two decades. This year’s honorees, Lisset Garza and Naimeh Salem, were recognized for their years of dedicated support to the organization and beyond.

    Festivities kicked off early with a shopping marketplace that opened in the morning and quickly became standing room only. Stylish attendees sipped tequila samples from local brand Titanium Tequila while browsing vendors. A specialty cocktail bar and music from DJ Freddy B kept the energy festive. Event designer Johanna Terry delivered an elegant setting, infusing the ballroom with rich emerald green tones, a nod to the organization’s 30th anniversary, paired with lush florals.

    The program began with Orellana welcoming the crowd from a dramatic Y-shaped runway, as Mariachi Reyes de Mexico filled the room with music that hushed the crowd for a heartfelt invocation.

    Then came the moment every fashion lover waited for: Lo Mejor de Saks Primavera 2025 (The Best of Spring Saks 2025), a luxe runway show presented in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue, led by Heidi Turney and Hasina Starks. Applause echoed as models and a few brave Houston firefighters showed off the season’s must-haves. But the true showstopper? Actor and TV host Julián Gil, who surprised the audience by strutting the runway himself, earning whoops and cheers from the crowd. His appearance was generously sponsored by Salem.

    The catwalk came alive with Latin beats and massive LED screens flashing colorful visuals, thanks to a production team led by Lenny Matuszewski and Tamara Bonar. Behind-the-scenes storytelling and videos, created by exclusive media partner Telemundo Houston, added a poignant layer to the spectacle.

    As guests settled in for lunch, anticipation built for the raffle, which included a dazzling diamond tennis necklace from Zadok Jewelers. Helene Zadok herself took the stage to crown the lucky winner. All that excitement translated into impact: the event raised more than $500,000 to benefit Justice Forward, Rebuilding Together Houston, Segundo Barrio Children's Chorus, El Centro de Corazon, and Naba Shoes for Kids.

    And what’s a Latin party without a proper toast?

    Guests clinked glasses in a tequila-fueled cheers to three decades of fashion for a cause, then danced the afternoon away to live music from Grupo Kache. The grand finale included more marketplace shopping and lite bites, with plans already announced for next year’s fête on May 1, 2026.

    Houston’s Latin glitterati showed up, including Ceron, Patricia Herrera, Leticia Fallick, Rosi Hernandez, Gloria Luna Bounds, Trini Mendenhall-Royalty, Vicky Dominguez, Becky Reyes, Maritza Gonzales, Vicki Luna, Chree Boydstun, David Cordua, Frances Castañeda Dyess, Patricia Garcia, Alba Huerta, Daisy Mendoza, Arcy Muñoz Marshall, Jolene Treviño, Mari Salazar, Leanne Schneider, Hoda Sana, Xochitl Ljuboja, Jackie Garcia, Cathryn Martinez, Mariangeles Orti, Vanessa Ramirez, Matty Restivo, Lisa Flores, Susan Dray, Marilu Garza, Conchita Reyes, Lorena Gomez, Lucia and Michael Cordua, and Leisa Holland-Nelson.

    Latin Women's Initiative gala luncheon 2025
      

    Photo by Dave Rossman

    Jessica Perez, Vicky Nehme, Raquel Thomas, and Alejandra Elizondo.

    fundraiserslatin women’s initiative
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