Shelby's Social Diary
Cicely Tyson's star turn at Bayou Bend a hit with 5-A partygoers
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
Photo by Bill Olive
For the finale of what seemed like days and days of partying at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's African American Art Advisory Association (5-A) took its turn on Monday night.
More than 100 members of the elite group attended the cocktail party that included tours of the antiques-filled museum home and its lush acreage and serious schmoozing beneath the party tent where City Kitchen served hors d'oeuvres and Moodafaruka provided background music. Taking bows for the genteel evening were chairs Karen and Ramon Manning, managing partner of Partners Energy Group.
The highlight of the gathering was the visit by revered actress Cicely Tyson, escorted by the debonaire Reggie Van Lee, a Booz Allen Hamilton exec with homes in both New York and Houston. Lee allowed that he had flown in just for the party with Tyson, a close personal friend. Tyson, escorted by Bayou Bend director Bonnie Campbell, made a brief tour around the party tent, then was anxious for a tour of Miss Ima Hogg's historic, John Staub-designed home filled with American antiques. She then returned to the party to meet and greet even more guests.
The party crowd included Ensemble Theatre executive director Janette Cosley, Houston Museum of African American Culture CEO John Guess Jr., Dr. Sharon Iglehart-Leavell, Bryce Kennard, Joan and Dr. John Hughes, Eileen J. Morris, Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Shaun Rogers with Kisha Beard, Lillie and Louis Fontenot and Baker Botts partner Rufus Cormier, traveling solo as wife Dr. Yvonne Cormier was on duty as an anesthesiologist.
