Only weeks before she actually is the belle of the ball — the Houston Grand Opera Ball — Lynn Wyatt stepped into the spotlight at Louis Vuitton in the Galleria Tuesday night. La Wyatt is "The Yellow Rose Ball" honoree and as such hosted the retailer's salute to the gala evening.
A passel of HGO regulars was on hand to sip French bubbly, nibble taste sensations from Jackson & Co. and toast the honoree. Leading the Wyatt lovefest was HGO general director and CEO Anthony Freud and ball chairs Denise Bush Bahr and Philip Bahr. Checking out the out-of-this-world merchandise were guests including Donna Bruni, Barbara and Ulyesse LeGrange, Tara and David Wuthrich, Jennifer Roosth and Olga and Gerald Bush.
For a select group, the party continued later at Lynn's River Oaks home where she and Oscar Wyatt welcomed a few dozen close friends and opera supporters including significant gala underwriters Michelle and Frank Hevrdejs, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Franci Crane and Molly Crownover. Adding to the bon vivant spirit of the gathering were the Menil Collection's Vance Muse and his partner artist Carl Palazzolo, who has a show opening at Fredericka Hunter's Texas Gallery April 9, the night before the opera ball. Hunter was there as was one of Palazzolo's paintings, hanging in the Wyatt living room.
Campaign close-out
It was billed as the "Final Campaign Event of 2010" for Mayor Annise Parker when Parvin and Marty McVey opened their swankienda for a $500-a-head-minimum fundraiser.
Among the mix of Parker, Peter Brown and Gene Locke supporters gathering forces in support of the new mayor were Arthur Schechter, Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia, Christopher Ashby, Chris Bell, Jim Adler, former Gov. Mark White and former City Councilman Brown.
Sweets galore
That would be the ladies as well as the enticing array of desserts at Ann Bookout's River Oaks home earlier this week for the Salvation Army "Reflections on Style" kick-off saluting luncheon honoree Lilly Andress. It was a beautiful day, azaleas in full flower and the ladies in full spring style.
Among those whose fashion appetites were whetted by show coordinator Lenny Matuszewski, who talked up the fab, gently-worn designer gowns that will be on the runway April 13, were Penny Loyd, Jane Wise, Nancy Morrison, Judy Margolis, Sheridan Williams, Jeanie Kilroy, Cyvia Wolff, Jana Arnoldy and Carol Sharpe. Bookout and Betty Hrncir co-chair the luncheon and shopping opp to be held at River Oaks Country Club.
Musical chairs
The Tasting Room in Uptown Park rocked in a sort of sophisticated way Tuesday night when the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO) hosted, "Trombone Tasting," one of its short samplings of music with tastings of California reds. According to ROCO founder and executive director Alecia Lawyer, these petite soirée musicales inspire the senses of hearing, taste and sight and stimulate conversation about wine, music and the joys of life.
Pinot Noirs, Cabs and Zinfandels were on the wine menu while samplings of Tommy Dorsey, Chopin and Henry Clark were in the musical repertoire with Brian Logan on trombone. Joining the chorus of loving life were Leslie and Jack Blanton Jr., Wendy and Tim Harris, Gaia Mosher, Kathrin Bohr with James Murphy, Thuy Tran with Jim Tiebout and Nancy Moore.
Sight 'ems
John O'Hurley (Mr. Peterman of Seinfeld fame) lounging at the Hotel ZaZa pool with his family and later dining in the hotel's Monarch Restaurant . . .
Yao Ming and family also at the ZaZa pool, the day following his gala at the Musem of Fine Arts, Houston. They too booked a table at the Monarch for dinner . . .
Sheridan and John Eddie Williams dining at Tony's with Harper's Bazaar publisher Valerie Salembier and Houston Chronicle editor Jeff Cohen, Salembier in town to assist with the Houston Chronicle Best Dressed Luncheon held Wednesday . . . at another table Laura and John Arnold talked with New York city schools chancellor Joel Klein about his success with raising public awareness of the importance of private fundraising for education, of keen interest to the Arnolds . . .
Best Dressed honorees Greggory Burk, Courtney Hopson and Susan Plank on the veranda at RDG where they continued their day of celebrating with friends including Alex Knight, Mike Plank, Bo Hopson, Leigh Williams, Tod Eason, Bubba McNeely, Wanda Williams and more.
Anthony Freud addressed the Louis Vuitton salute to the Houston Grand Opera Ball and honoree Lynn Wyatt. She is joined by Sheridan Williams, center, and Harper's Bazaaar publisher Valerie Salembier.
