Shelby About Town
Tony Vallone, Michael Stribling, Gerald Smith and Toan Ngyuen are in the week'ssocial swirl
John Eddie and Sheridan Williams, left, with Tony Vallone at March of Dimes.Photo by David Postma/Genesis Photographers
Vanessa Sendukas, left, and Rosemary Schatzman at the March of Dimes SignatureChefs reception.Photo by David Postma/Genesis Photographers
Gerald and Anita Smith presenting the John Biggers drawing to Houston PublicLibrary's Rhea Brown Lawson.
At Vue's opening, Bubba McNeeley, from left, Chelsi Smith and Nathan Kasselder.Photo by Dalton DeHart
James Craig, from left, Missy Stevens and Ernesto Cardenas at the opening of Vuenightclub.Photo by Dalton DeHart
Phillip Duggins, from left, Toan Nguyen, Dr. Bob Wilkins and Mary Ann Reynoldsat Hotel ZaZa.Photo by Morris Malakoff
It was a perfect spring night Thursday for an indoor/outdoor party and what better home for celebrating an upcoming fundraiser than the modern Stablewood abode of Lucinda and Javier Loya. March of Dimes supporters, under the leadership of Rosemary Schatzman and Vanessa Sendukas, poured in wearing their party frocks and dinner suits for the swank kick-off to this fall's Signature Chefs Gala.
Rosemary and Vanessa are chairing the Oct. 13 dining event that takes place at the Hilton-Americas Houston. On this night, the duo introduced gala honorees – Elizabeth DeLuca representing the Mission Family, Elizabeth and Gary Petersen receiving the community honorees award, Tony Vallone the culinary honoree and Linda Russell, CEO of the Woman's Hospital of Texas, medical honoree.
The point was to generate high interest in the "La Cage Aux Folles" fundraiser that promises to put a new spin and a shortened program on this popular event. Honorary chair Sheridan Williams on the arm of hubby John Eddie Williams was in the mix as were Amy Lee, Michelle Smith, Kimberly DeLape, Tiffany & Co.'s Mike McClure, Momentum Jaguar's Jimmy Olguin, Matt Schatzman, Perry Sendukas, Ellie Francisco, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Brian Teichman and Julie Oliver.
Just as the party was ending, the Loyas launched their second act of the night, another party.
Artful giving
Mark one up for the Houston Public Library, which on Thursday officially received an original drawing by acclaimed African-American artist John Biggers that will be permanently on display at the African American Library at the Gregory School. The drawing, Our Future, appraised at $85,000 was given to the library by Gerald Smith, chairman and CEO of Smith, Graham & Co. Investment Advisors.
Gerald and his wife, Anita Smith, are serious collectors, who are currently donating several works from their collection to a variety of organizations.
Our Future is the second work by Biggers to be in the library family. When he was a professor at Texas Southern University, the artist donated the mural Birth from the Sea to the W.L. Johnson Neighborhood Library.
Rockin' on high
The old Laff Stop space overlooking Allen Parkway and Waugh Drive took on new life this week when it was officially christened as the nightspot Vue, a chic lounge cum dance club and event space.
Owners Woody Gould of Guava Lamp and Tony Gutierrez of Crew Staffing and Chelsea Grill showed off the new place that was designed by HGTV Design Star contestant Michael Stribling.
On hand to launch the scene were Edward Sanchez, Jeff Gremillion, Rob Rutherford, Kara Howes, Dr. Roland Maldonado, Shannon Hall, Marcy de Luna, Chelsi Smith, Neal Hamil, Lindsey Brown, Mark Sullivan, Shannon Hall, Bubba McNeely, Todd Ramos and Kim Padgett.
A masquerade at ZaZa
It was part birthday celebration and part salute to Masquerade Theatre in Toan Ngyuen's private domain at Hotel ZaZa. Guests were invited into Toan's luscious "Warwick Apartment" for toasts and taste treats and much promoting of Masquerade and its upcoming gala at the Downtown Aquarium.
Art photographer Morris Malakoff was there to record the fun that included the arrival of a mammoth birthday cake (red velvet), presented by Mary Ann Reynolds and her ophthalmologist husband Dr. Bob Wilkins.
Joining the party were Jackson Hearn, Phil Dade, Becky Page, John Zodrow, Rhetta Moody McAllister and Jim McAllister, Sergei Galperin, Emily Jen and Luther Chakurian.
Key the gathering were theater founder Phillip Duggan, leading lady Paula Smith, gala emcee Ernie Manouse and SpotOn Public Relation's Tammy Dowe.
Sight 'ems
A heavy-hitter crowd turning out at La Griglia for power lunching. At various tables on a beautiful weekday were attorneys Roland Garcia, Kenny Friedman and Jack Rains, Metro's senior veep Kim Slaughter, the Rev. Rudy Rasmus, former city councilman Mark Ellis, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's regional director Jason Fuller and marketing/PR whiz Cindy Clifford . . .
Beth and Dr. Chris Papasakelariou dining at Tony's where they hosted Shell Houston Open player Jason Day of Australia and his wife, Ellie Day, and Bob and Lynette Holmes in for the tournament from Palm Springs, Calif. . . .
Radio divas Maria Todd of CBS Radio KHMX and Cleverley Stone of CBS 650 enjoying a long lunch at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House where they feasted on Shanghai calamari (their personal fav), Gulf oysters, steak salad and a triple cheese-stuffed burger with onion rings, these girls clearly not counting calories.
