Shelby About Town

Tilman Fertitta and a Rolling Stone, H-Town's celebrity hotel & art hounds toMarfa make noise

Former Rolling Stone and aritst Ronnie Wood, left, and Tilman Fertitta are newbest friends, thanks to his showing in the gallery at the Golden Nugget inAtlantic City.
Courtesy Photo
Sharon Montgomery and Michael Kemper in the spotlight at dinner at his home.
They opened their air-filled aerie for a seated dinner for Artadia board membersand national council members.
Photo by Gary Fountain
This trio, pictured here at Tootsies, were part of the Dec My Room grouplunching at La Griglia before heading to the Texas Medical Center.
Photo by Gary Fountain

In advance of Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood's exhibition at the Golden Nugget Art Gallery in Tilman Fertitta's Atlantic City casino hotel, the restaurant mogul gave the graying rock star a lift on his private jet following Wood's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in Cleveland, Ohio.

Following the award presentation, the duo flew back to New York where Fertitta hosted an intimate dinner in Wood's honor at his new Vic & Anthony's on Park Avenue. Dinner guests included Wood's girlfriend, Sally Humphries; Symbolic Collections owner and art collector Bernie Chase; Jefferies & Co. president and CEO Rich Handler and Chris and Ann Cox.

Dinner conversation focused on Wood's upcoming exhibit at the Golden Nugget where he will show paintings, drawings and limited edition prints. In all, more than 29 works dating from 1983. Interestingly, the former lead guitarist for the Rolling Stones received formal art training at Ealing Art College in London before starting his musical career.

The gallery exhibition opens today and Wood performs Saturday night just prior to next weekend's grand opening ceremonies for the Golden Nugget Atlantic City, which has just completed an extensive $150 million renovation. The grand opening entertainment lineup, April 26-29, will feature performances by Third Eye Blind, the Oak Ridge Boys, Cake Boss Buddy Valastro and Whoopi Goldberg.

A little night music

Underwriters for The Center for Success and Independence upcoming luncheon were in for a special treat Thursday night when honoree Michael Kemper invited them into his glam five-story lair for entertainment by songbird Sharon Montgomery and party fare (loved the truffle macaroni topped with brisket and the gourmet deviled eggs) provided by The Glass Wall co-owner Shepherd Ross. Highlight was Montgomery's dedication of a song to the legendary hair stylist.

Luncheon chairs Luvi and Carlos Wheelock were on hand to talk up the May 8 fundraiser featuring actress Kate Walsh (Private Practice) as guest speaker. Also in the mix were honorary chairs Dawnia and Darryl Willis and Christine and Jan Spin plus Scott Brogan, Marylou Erbland and Robert Woods, Barbara and Fred Dwyer and Ellen and John Newcaster.

Artful entertaining

Melanie Lawson, Channel 13 KTRK news anchor, and John Guess Jr., Houston Museum of African American Culture CEO, opened the doors to their art-filled aerie Thursday night for a heavy-hitter gathering of Artadia board of directors and national council members. Guess serves on the Artadia board and organized the gathering as a launch for the group's spring weekend trip to Marfa.

Marilyn and Larry Fields of Chicago, Laura Greenbaum of Kansas City, Chris Vroom of New York and Kathy and Tom Meadowcroft of San Francisco were in the mix that included a sprinkling of Houstonians such as Artadia board member Cecily Horton as well as Judy Nyquist, Frank Herzog and Jeff Beauchamp.

With Langstead Catering in the kitchen, guests sat down to a dinner of grilled salmon, crab cakes and beef tenderloin.

After studio visits and lunch on Friday, the group will board a private plane for Marfa where they will bunk at the historic Hotel Paisano and spend the weekend visiting Marfa's cultural wonders including the Chinati Foundation.

Sight 'ems

Susan Plank, Sarah Simon, Amy Lee, Holly Waltrip and Renee Teebo lunching at La Griglia before heading to the Texas Medical Center for one of their Dec My Room projects in which they personalize the hospital room of a child facing a long medical stay . . .

Child Advocates board member Lynda Transier making the rounds first at Cova inviting Dolly Dawson Thomas and Kim David to be the honorees for Child Advocates 2012 Angels of Hope Luncheon and then at Tony's for lunch confirming the 2012 co-chairs — Rosemary Schatzman and Phyllis Williams. The gals are marking their calendars for Dec. 11 and the ballroom at the Westin Galleria Hotel is booked . . .

Dennis Quaid and Robert Wuhl bunking at the Westin Houston Memorial City while in town for the University of Houston's celebration of Cecil J. Pickett. Also turning down the sheets there during his Houston stay, comedian Frank Caliendo, in town for performances at theImprov Houston.

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Creative Mayhem

Houston art museum's gala mixes auction buzz and Spinderella beats

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston gala 2025

Photo by Emily Jaschke

Alecia Harris, Grace Zamiga, Michele Leal, Bailey Dalton, and Charlotta Hill.

Art lovers, collectors, and creative provocateurs turned up and turned it out for CAMH Party, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston’s signature benefit and art auction. Never ones for beige galas or sleepy sit-downs, CAMH once again threw a night that shimmered with style, swagger, and the museum’s trademark adventurous, creative edge.

The Brown Foundation Gallery became the canvas for the night, dressed up with artful flourish by Events Co., complete with dramatic lighting and immersive décor that played off the evening’s sassy energy. More than 200 guests made their entrance on a vibrant green carpet, decked in bold colors, high-concept fashion, and a clear understanding of the assignment: Serve lewks, not leftovers.

Guests sipped cocktails from Lalo Tequila while previewing the silent auction, featuring coveted works by the likes of Robert Pruitt, Alexis Pye, and Roxy Paine, with bidding powered by Qtego Fundraising Services. But this was no quiet affair — the room buzzed with excited chatter and sneaky competitive glances from across the gallery walls.

Then partygoers shifted to dinner mode with a refined menu from Swift and Co. Hors d’oeuvres included caviar tacos and steak tartare, followed by elegant entrées like scallopini of chicken and herb-crusted salmon. Dessert? A floral-forward strawberry sorbet kissed with mascarpone, meringue, and actual rose petals—because why not eat like you’re in a painting?

CAMH co-directors Ryan Dennis and Melissa McDonnell Luján toasted to the museum’s legacy and shared what’s ahead, including a solo show by Houston-born artist Tomashi Jackson and the Teen Council’s 25th anniversary this summer. A buzzy live auction led by Sotheby’s Charlie Caulkins followed, with works by CAMH-exhibited artists like Garrett Bradley, Cindy Sherman, and Vincent Valdez sparking energetic bids and side-eyes alike.

Then came the inevitable vibe shift: the After Party.

The gallery morphed into a nocturnal lounge where grilled cheese met churros, and the legendary DJ Spinderella spun hits that got the art crowd dancing like nobody was watching or judging. Guests sipped more Lalo, bounced to the beat, and stayed well past midnight.

Soaking in the creative mayhem were Elisa and Chris Pye, Poppi Massey, Phoebe Cholnoky, Josh Pazda and Chris Goins, Sissy and Denny Kempner, Joe and Johanne Gatto, Kristin and Drew Perring, Danielle O’Bannon and Jon Redwine, Unique James, and Darryl Sharpton, with support from a powerhouse host committee featuring names like Paola Creixell, Jamal Cyrus, Mary and Marcel Barone, and Jessica Phifer.

Photo by Emily Jaschke

Alecia Harris, Grace Zamiga, Michele Leal, Bailey Dalton, and Charlotta Hill.

fundraisers museums contemporary art museum houston