As a successful ophthalmologist, Dr. Bob Wilkins has made a name for himself over the course of his career and now in phase two of stretching his talents, Bob is organizing a presentation of his play Galveston! The Musical at the Hobby Center with the Masquerade Theatre Company. In celebration of that Sept. 30-Oct. 9 run, Paige and Tilman Fertitta (born on the island or BOI) hosted an announcement party and theater fundraiser at their River Oaks home.

Special guests joining the party that spread across the Fertitta backyard pool expanse was New York composer Mark York, who flew in for the announcement, Masquerade Theatre's artistic director Phillip Duggins and Masquerade board chair Paula Smith. Galveston headliner George Mitchell was there to lend his support as well.

Back in 2003, Galveston! The Musical played to sellout crowds at The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston. The story of the island city from 1910 to 1950 is packed with bootleggers, gamblers and floozies. Wilkins, a Galveston native, researched the city's so-called golden era for 25 years before putting pen to paper.

Raising their glasses in toasts to the revival were guests including Mary Ann Wilkins, the author's wife and co-producer, plus Becky Page, Kathi and Bill Rovere, Beth Wolff, Liz Gorman, Charlotte and Jay Tribble Suzy Laforge, Cindy and Randy Garbs, Minette and Peter Boesel and art photographer Morris Malakoff.

18 years and counting

That would be Chuck Norris' KICKSTART Kids's annual Houston gala that took over River Oaks Country Club Friday for a lively evening that featured Danny Gokey of American Idol, season eight. That energized entertainer not only sang from the stage, he joined dancers on the dance floor where he shook his bootie and crooned directly to several of the ladies.

Providing a jump start for the KICKSTART event were co-chairs Alice and Keith Mosing, who opened their River Oaks home, only a stone's throw from the country club, for a VIP cocktail reception. Joining them in welcoming guests were gala co-chairs Sherry and Bill Berry, Laura True and Linda and Willie Chiang.

Close to 300 attended the fundraiser including Norris' steady sidekick, his wife Gena.

Making an impression

Best selling author Wes Moore, Rhodes Scholar and former White House Fellow, was the headliner at the Houston Museum of African American Culture's annual spring luncheon, where he spoke about his unusual relationship with the Maryland prison inmate who shares his name. That was the subject of his popular book The Other Wes Moore.

Introduced by fellow John Hopkins alumn and HMAAC CEO John Guess Jr., Moore held the crowd in rapt attention as he told the story of two boys with the same name both growing up in Baltimore and one becoming the successful businessman, decorated veteran and author, the other serving a life sentence in prison for felony murder.

Among those caught in the spell of Moore's story were H-E-B's James Harris, Wells Fargo's Malcolm Sykes, Cary Yates, Centerpoint Energy's Sharon Michael Owens, HMAAC board chair Melanie Lawson, Eileen Lawal, Brad Bucher, Drucie Chase, Tony Chase, Licia Green-Ellis and Irene Johnson.

Frankie Valli on board

A certain group of hard-working ladies who lunch were kicking up their heels at Tony's the other day in celebration of the fact that Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons have signed on to headline this fall's Houston Children's Charity gala.

Executive director Laura Ward hosted the powerhouse group that included gala chair Amber Mostyn, who shares that role with her trial attorney husband Steve Mostyn, and one half of the gala honoree team — Soraya McClelland, who will accept honors along with her husband, Scott McClelland.

Sheridan Williams represented the underwriter chairs who include John Eddie Williams and Phoebe and Bobby Tudor. That team has considerably upped the ante including $50,000 tables in the mix and the Williamses are the first to sign on at that level.

Rounding out the luncheon celebration were Edna Meyer Nelson, Susan Krohn, Donna Vallone, Rachelle Rowe, Sandy Barrett, Alina Garcia and Carol Linn.

Frankie Valli fans, save the date — Nov. 5 at the Hyatt Regency Houston.

Running for mayor — of New York

Who knew that a potential mayoral candidate for the Big Apple could make big friends in H-town? Well, that was the scene at La Griglia Saturday afternoon when Christine Quinn, Speaker of the City Council of NYC, was feted at a low-key fundraiser. She's considered a leading candidate for the run when Mayor Mike Bloomberg's term-limit fate is realized.

Attended by 40 movers and shakers including Mayor Annise Parker, the event was hosted by Fulbright & Jaworski partner Neil Thomas, businessman David Arpin and marketing specialist Cindy Clifford.

Turning out to hear Christine were Access Data Supply's Renee Logans, attorney and Metro board member Carrin Patman, Houston Style publisher Francis Page Jr., City Councilwoman Brenda Stardig, attorney Roland Garcia, Klotz Associates' Billy Cooke and Metro's Margaret Menger.