CultureMap's Sizzling Social

Sizzling Social: This party was so hot that the fire department showed up to cool things down

Nothing like a little unplanned excitement to ratchet up the party quotient. When the Houston Fire Department arrived to answer the alarm in the Deborah Colton Gallery during CultureMap's first social of 2016, the feverish energy enjoyed a palpable spike.

The smoke machines, while creating a sexy ambiance in the all-white art gallery, coughed out enough fog to clog the smoke detectors. Once the alarm was set, the firemen were on their way. With or without the extra diversion, this Good Friday was indeed a really good Friday — at least for the 200 guests who joined the Ultra edition of the CultureMap Social. The party spread from the gallery to the open-air garden where DJ Bizonee spun the discs.

A fashionable preamble to Easter, the all-white evening theme was inspired by party sponsor Tequila Herradura, which introduced its crystal clear Ultra, served elegantly in the Herradura Lounge in champagne glasses as only a sipping tequila should be served. Additional watering holes kept adult thirsts slaked with Herradura margaritas, Deep Ellum Brewing Co. suds and Korbel bubbly.

Guests were invited to color up the night whether creating spin paintings or adding their talents to the art wall. Dipped Nails provided "Art for Your Hands" while Kristina Marie Make-Up offered "Art for Your Lips." Throughout the night, artist Kristen Coleman worked at transforming a blank canvas into a swirling painting of vibrant colors.

Perhaps the most interesting white-to-color transformation was that of chef Michael Pellegrino of Lasco Enterprises. His tasty flow of appetizers began with an all-white cauliflower and cheese sensation, followed by sausage and "kitchen sink" sauce and continuing with colorful taste treats throughout the night. He ended with a table full of pastel-colored peeps drizzled with chocolate and sprinkled with colored sugar.

Sure to pick up their swag bags containing Criquet Shirts, Marie d'Argan Macadamia Oil, Kendra Scott jewelry and a year's membership with our charitable partner Art League Houston were partygoers including Daniel Puchot, Emily Cotton, Anne Burgot, Ahmed Alrani, Karen Lix, Charisma Glassman, J. Michael Soliz, Trent Blake, Leslie Sharp, Diem Tran, Kristina Rivera, Tiffany Halik, Shelby Roquemore, Larry Kennedy, Edward Sanchez, Lenni Naylor, Molly Street, Karen Rugaard, and James Ward.

Lenni Naylor, Allison Lewis, Dena Kurman, Kara Hoffman, Kelli Blumrosen.

CultureMap Social, March 2016, Lenni Naylor, Allison Lewis, Dena Kurman, Kara Hoffman, Kelli Blumrosen

© Michelle Watson/Catchlight Group

Lenni Naylor, Allison Lewis, Dena Kurman, Kara Hoffman, Kelli Blumrosen.

inspiration young-professionals video nightlife holidays galleries jwvideo

shock and awe

Dark elegance and spooky splendor raise $1.1M for Children’s Museum Houston

Dark elegance and spooky splendor raise $1.1M for Children’s Museum Houston

When the Children’s Museum Houston threw its annual adult fête on October 26, the Corinthian wasn’t just an event space, it was a full-on haunted playground for the city’s imaginative souls. Nearly 500 attendees — clad in mysterious black lace, horns, feathers, and flowing capes — stepped into a realm where goth and childhood wonder collided with spectacular results.

This year’s “Noir Ball: A Celebration of Haunted Elegance,” chaired by Whitney and Ryan Burns and Allison and Iván Chávez, made no bones about its moody vibe. From the moment partygoers floated in, the eerie ambiance—think chandeliers dripping in ghostly light and roses under glass cages—set the stage.

The masterminds at Bergner and Johnson Design turned the room into a scene from a spellbinding fairytale, where fog floated ominously across a grand fountain, dotted with rose petals and flickering candles. One could practically hear the spirits whisper.

And as any child knows, no Halloween is complete without a little shock and awe. At one point, lightning cracked and thunder rolled through the room. Even the sweet tooth found its haunting hour with Jackson and Co.’s darkly decadent desserts, including cake candles that might just have you second-guessing what’s edible. It was a feast fit for vampires, werewolves, and Houston’s social elite alike.

Adding to the festivities, ‘80s cover band The Spazmatics revived the dance floor with a high-energy, undead-worthy set, pulling every last creature of the night into their spell. With the iconic chandeliers casting an ethereal glow, the floor was alive with revelers reliving their MTV glory days.

Maleficent, Dracula, and Wednesday Addams mingled with the crowd, adding a dash of dark fantasy to the evening’s ambiance while paddle bids flew during the live and silent auctions chaired by Devorah Krieger and Elizabeth McIngvale-Mackey. Highlights included everything from a diamond necklace to a puppy duo courtesy of K-9 Angels Rescue. Guests vied with ghostly fervor for a bangle donated by Zadok Jewelers. After a close battle, Yana Rodilosso emerged triumphant

The evening raised a spine-tingling $1.14 million, the museum’s second-highest tally ever, all to fuel its mission to nurture Houston's young minds.

Among the undead were Alexandra and Alex Cabraie, Antoinette and Julian Duncan, Kathryn and Travis Boeker, Erin Smith, Bethany and Ben Buchanan, Courtney and Bo Hughes, Deanna Altenhoff, Darren Brasher, Stephanie Wilcox, Freddie Minahan, Heather and Mark Teshoian, Iona and Mike Avery, Veronica and John Griffin, Lacey and Matt Goossen, Ashley and Jonathan Sloan, Neil Badlani and Rekha Muddaraj, Cassandra and Ryan Dalton, and Matthew Mackey.

Childrens Museum Houston gala 2024

Photo by Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design

Ashley Sloan, Kathryn Boeker, Erin Smith, and Bethany Buchanan.

Loading...