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    Shelby About Town

    Partying with De Niro in NYC, a Dreamgirl in H-Town and Lynn Wyatt at Tony's —life's a whirl

    Shelby Hodge
    Apr 24, 2012 | 4:58 pm
    • Lynn Wyatt charmed her luncheon partners at Tony's while satisfying a BalletBall auction bidders.
      Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Jessica Rossman, from left, Solange Knowles, and Laura Olgin at the Tribeca Ballin New York.
      Courtesy Photo
    • Dreamgirl Sheryl Lee Ralph spent the weekend signing books and promoting AIDSawareness.

    The clique of Houstonians who made it to Manhattan recently for the New York Academy of Art Tribeca Ball, particularly Jessica Rossman and Gordon Bethune, are still raving about the star-studded night honoring Robert De Niro.

    Bethune and his ladylove both served on the host committee for the gala. The former Continental Airlines CEO is a New York Academy of Art board member as well as a personal friend of academy founder Eileen Guggenheim.

    Bethune and Rossman, Lynn Wyatt, Becca Cason Thrash and attorney Xavier Pena were among the Houston set sitting down for the dinner by famed chef Daniel Boulud. They mixed and mingled in the heady crowd that included Kim Cattrall, Victoria Beckham, Solange Knowles and Padma Lakshmi.

     Dreamgirl in the room

    It was a whirlwind few days for Tony Award-winning Dreamgirl Sheryl Lee Ralph, who was in town promoting her new book, Redefining Diva: Life Lessons from the Original Dreamgirl. She was the center of attention at a number of book signings including one on Monday at The Gite Gallery where Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Renee and Tom Logans and others were hosted by gallery owner Lloyd Gite.

    Ralph did a special guest turn at Legacy Community Health Services on Sunday afternoon, when that non-profit officially announced the merger between Legacy and the Center for AIDS. Ralph is familiar with the agency's work having participated in the 2011 Legacy Cabaret for a Cure. As an advocate for African-American AIDS awareness, she works through her Diva Foundation to raise the profile of the pandemic in the African-America community.

     Paul David Van Atta, who orchestrated the Cabaret for a Cure, hosted a book signing for the self-proclaimed diva at his home.

     Ladies and three gents lunching at Tony's

    Lunching with Lynn Wyatt is always a big seller in silent auctions and the Houston Ballet Ball in February was no exception when all seats for lunch with Lynn went like hot cakes. Tuesday was payday for those who had secured their seat at the table at Tony's.

    Actually, there were three tables and La Wyatt moved between them with each of the three courses. Interestingly, there were three men in the mix — Houston Ballet's C.C. Conner, custom tailor Terry Wayne Jones and CultureMap CEO Stephen Newman. Each was seated at a different table — spreading the love so to speak.

    Sharing in the table talk were Alicia Smith, Kimberly DeLape, Kristen Andreasen, Sofia Adrogué, Meredith Cocke, Shawn Stephens, Lindsey Brown and Nancy McGregor Mann.

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    Ode to Heidi

    Versailles-themed luncheon celebrates Houston nonprofit's record season

    Joel Luks
    Jul 4, 2025 | 11:30 am
    Houston Symphony League Versailles luncheon 2025
    Photo by Jacob Powers
    Angelica Ximenes Chapman, Tracy Faulkner, Mahzad Mohajer, Fatimeh Mehdi, and Parissa Mohajer.

    She dreamed aloud of goals so high, With passion shining in her eye.

    Houston Symphony League Versailles luncheon 2025
      

    Photo by Jacob Powers

    Angelica Ximenes Chapman, Tracy Faulkner, Mahzad Mohajer, Fatimeh Mehdi, and Parissa Mohajer.

    So began the tribute to Heidi Rockecharlie, president of the Houston Symphony League, during the annual President’s Luncheon. Held in the shimmering ballroom of Lakeside Country Club, the event — this year themed Bienvenue à Versailles — blended regal French flourishes with a heartfelt spirit, and capped a record-breaking season with flourish and flair.

    League supporters turned out in full fashionable force, with chairs Beth Wolff and Saula Valente orchestrating a picturesque après-midi amid lavender-and-white floral candelabras by Simply Saula. The atmosphere struck a delicate chord: Equal parts elegance and intimacy. Guests laughed, mingled, and clinked glasses, while the hosts alternated verses from a custom-written poem that honored Rockecharlie’s tenure. It was both lighthearted and lyrical, just like its muse.

    She led with heart, with fire, with flair. And left her legacy everywhere.

    The highlight, as always, came with the president’s address, when Rockecharlie shared the year’s financial gift to the Symphony: A donation of more than $193,000 net of expenses.

    That figure is thanks to a series of strategic moves under Rockecharlie’s leadership: A cost-cutting sponsorship program, expansion of the league’s icon event, and a fresh push for membership.

    She said, “Let’s grow, let’s aim anew.” And guess what? That dream came true

    She then passed the baton to incoming president Leslie Nossaman, who previewed her board and vision for the upcoming term. And Donna Mello, 2024's Ellen Kelley Volunteer of the Year, introduced this year's honoree, Susan Osterberg.

    The celebration closed with an avalanche of gratitude and gifts. Rockecharlie received a magnum of Le Chemin du Roi Champagne by 50 Cent, a Hermes Brides de Gala en Fleurs scarf, and a crystal award featuring artwork from the Icon event.

    Among those in the crowd were Farida Abjani, Hallie Vanderhider, Ellie Francisco, Lesha Elsenbrook, Betty Tutor, Alicia Maguire Smith, Heidi Turney, Andrew Cordes, Kathi Rovere, Diane Gendel, Sharon Brier, Jerre Parsons Williams, Diane Roederer, Susan Binney, Kinga Ferguson, Elizabeth Condit, Helen Shaffer, Mary Sage, Anna Dean, Astrid Van Dyke, Cheryl Byington, Kim Padgett, Nick Rockecharlie, Yoon Smith, and Danny Nguyen.

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