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    Shelby's Social Diary

    It's happening! Reality TV cameras roll in Houston under specter of $1 millionnon-disclosure contracts

    Shelby Hodge
    May 8, 2012 | 12:31 pm
    • Photo by Herb Hochman
    • Photo by Herb Hochman
    • Photo by Herb Hochman
    • Photo by Herb Hochman
    • Photo by Herb Hochman
    • Photo by Herb Hochman
    • Photo by Herb Hochman
    • Photo by Herb Hochman
    • Photo by Herb Hochman
    • Photo by Herb Hochman
    • Photo by Herb Hochman
    • Photo by Herb Hochman
    • Photo by Herb Hochman
    • Photo by Herb Hochman
    • Photo by Herb Hochman

    Oh, there was so much buzz last week that a reality TV series was so much closer to being, well, a reality for Houston. The emails, the phone calls, the gossipy whispers about who was in and who was out. Word was that a crew with a producer from LA would be filming at the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation's Kentucky Derby party at Mo's.

    And then there was silence.

    Each of the would-be Houston reality series players had to sign non-disclosure agreements with threat of a $1 million lawsuit if they spilled the beans — any beans. So suddenly, what was the talk of the town for 30 minutes became off-limits — at least publicly. To save those BFFs from catching the legal wrath of a cable network, we are not going to mention their names, even if we do know a handful of those who've had their screen tests for the casting call.

    Each of the would-be Houston reality series players had to sign non-disclosure agreements with threat of a $1 million lawsuit if they spilled the beans — any beans.

    The point is that after five years of false hopes and close calls, H-Town is closer than ever to making it into the reality TV spotlight. For better or worse.

    Let's take a look at the party scene where the video cameras were rolling on Saturday. The fifth annual Run for the Roses Kentucky Derby party honored the memory of Holly Harwood Skolkin, who lost her long battle with breast cancer earlier this year. Holly's sister, Cindi Rose, runs the foundation gratis and plastic surgeon Dr. Franklin Rose performs reconstructive surgery without charge.

    That duo was centerfront at the party where chairs Lori Lemon-Geshay and Chyra Blackaller drew a crowd of 350 lovelies and gents, each eager to garner their 15 seconds in front of the roving cameras. Nicole Brende had her moment in the spotlight as event emcee.

    This event annually features all manner of contests. Wining best hat designs were artist Azar Taleghany and Heather Hunt. Taking honors as "cutest couple" were Channel 2 KPRC's Courtney Zavala and husband Orlando. Representing Channel 11 KHOU was reporter Courtney Zubowski who along with producer Amy Ditta were finalists in the best hat competition. There were even prizes for best dressed gents — those honors went to Jeff Ball and Ben Harwood Rose, who happened to be head-to-toe in Festari For Men.

    Making the party happen — underwriter Momentum Volvo represented by Diane Caplan, who filled the parking with hot cars; Miriam Habib of Lexis Florist, who provided oodles of red roses; and Mo's host Johnny Vassallo.

    Making the scene were Dr. Mark Skolkin, Erica Rose, Carolyn Farb, Charles Ward, Julie Beeson, Michael Caplan, Debbie and Rudy Festari, Cynthia Sinatra, Sharon Brier, Carra Fleming, Becky Allen, Nancy Marcus Golden, Beth Muecke, Angelica and Edward Chapman and Kristine Garbo.

    unspecified
    news/society

    Shopping Fantasia

    Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker preview party sets new donation record

    Joel Luks
    Dec 4, 2025 | 2:00 pm
    Houston Nutcracker Market Preview Party 2025
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    Houston Ballet Academy Dancers.

    The Houston holiday season doesn’t officially begin until the Nutcracker Market throws open its doors, and this year’s Wells Fargo Preview Party felt like stepping into a snow globe set on extra. Like more is more.

    Somewhere between the cheeky stocking stuffers and the Dior-kissed repurposed couture, guests needed an actual map to conquer the sprawling shopping fantasia.

    Held November 12 at NRG Center, the 45th anniversary celebration of the Houston Ballet shopping fête welcomed more than 5,000 eager shoppers, all ready to sprint through aisles lined with more than 280 merchants. Helmed by chairs Susan Binney and Jennifer Kushner, along with preview party chairs Leslie Alston, Kaylon Phillips, and Casey Rowe, the evening shimmered with nostalgia. Guests showed up in themed attire ranging from glittery holiday chic to coordinated squads that looked like flash mobs armed with credit cards and a mission.

    Houston Ballet’s new executive director Sonja Kostich arrived for her very first Nutcracker Market, greeting supporters and soaking in the community’s devotion to a beloved tradition that fuels the Ballet’s mission and scholarship programs. Houston Ballet Academy students glided through the party in costumes from Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker, creating photo ops. Principal dancer Harper Watters and Houston Ballet icon Lauren Anderson also made appearances.

    Festive cocktails, champagne flutes, and a parade of hors d’oeuvre and desserts satisfied while the David Caceres Band kept the energy high. By the end of the night, the Preview Party had raised nearly $1.5 million in ticket sales and commissions — a record for the Market.

    Moreover, more than 104,000 shoppers showed up during the November 13-16 festivities. All in, ticket sales surpassed $24 million and raised more than $6 million to directly support Houston Ballet, its Academy and scholarship program.

    Showing their holiday spirit were Kristy Bradshaw, Ann Bean, Wendy Burks, Anne Chao, Gay Currie, Tom DeBesse, Arcy Muñoz Marshall, Sharon Erskine, Ann Graham, Twana Griffith Faykus, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Jay Jones, Julie Kent, Deborah and Edward Koehler, Chad Libertus, Desrye Morgan, Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, Jennifer Sommers, S. Shawn Stephens, Allison Thacker, Cynthia Wolff, Deborah Duncan, Ghada Ali, Carolina Oliveira, Catarina R. Gonzales, and Miya Shay.

    Houston Nutcracker Market Preview Party 2025

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    Houston Ballet Academy Dancers.

    fundraisershouston balletshoppingnutcracker market
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