Shelby About Town

Miya Shay & Gene Wu party for love, Sylvia Forsythe leaves Saks for St. Luke's &Franci Crane stands up for education

Gene Wu, from left, Miya Shay, Jessica Rossman and Gordon Bethune at theengagement party at Del Frisco's.
Photo by Roswitha Vogler/Photosbyrovo.com
Tom Koch, from left, Dr. Eric Haas and Courtney Zubowski at Del Frisco's.
Photo by Roswitha Vogler/Photosbyrovo.com
Sylvia Forsythe says goodbye to Terry Zmyslo 51 Fifteen in Saks Fifth Avenue.
Photo by Kim Coffman
Kathryn and Jim Ketelsen, left, with Franci Crane at Project GRAD event.
Photo by Kim Coffman
Judy Allen and Scott McClelland at Project GRAD.
Photo by Kim Coffman
Tena Faust, from left, Alicia Smith, Lynnette Davis and Terry Wayne Jones at 51Fifteen at Saks.
Photo by Kim Coffman

Nothing makes the promise of a fun wedding more official than a smashing engagement party and that's exactly what KTRK Channel 13 news whiz Miya Shay and state representative candidate Gene Wu enjoyed Friday night when more than 80 of their BFFs gathered at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House to celebrate.

Del Frisco's GM Arthur Mooradian hosted the fete that had guests sipping cocktails, savoring light bites and digging into the cupcakes that were specially prepared by executive chef Steve Haug. Tropical exotic florals, compliments of Miriam Habib and Lexis Florist, filled the party space.

Much of the buzz centered on the couple's plans for a destination wedding, a project that event planner Deborah Elias is working on along with bridesmaid Kim Padgett.

The chic party crowd included Jessica Rossman and Gordon Bethune, KHOU Channel 11's Courtney Zubowski, the mayor's press secretary Jessica Michan, Channel 13's Tom Koch and wife Brenda, KPRC Channel 2's Mary Benton, Jack Rains, Erica Rose, Dr. Franklin Rose, and Channel 8's Ernie Manouse and Jackson Hearn.

A heartfelt au revoir

From day one in the fashion hot seat at Saks Fifth Avenue, Sylvia Forsythe has been one of the hardest working, well-liked women in the field. And now she has moved on to join the team at St. Luke's Episcopal Charities, but not before friends and her SFA family wished her fond farewell.

Lucky Chopra sponsored the luncheon fete on Friday at his 51 Fifteen in Saks and the gathering was hosted by a group of friends — Anne Carl, Kimberly DeLape, Deborah Duncan, Kim Moody, Beth Sanders Moore, Wendy O'Hanna, Warner Roberts, Pily Simon, Alicia Smith, Michelle Leyendecker Smith and SFA GM Terry Zymslo.

Zymslo, with Sylvia on his arm, delivered the most moving toast of all the champagne tributes, causing everyone's eyes to fill with tears.

Adoring fans who've worked and played with Sylvia over the years included Lenny Matuszewski, chef Philippe Schmit, Tena Faust, Nidhika Mehta, Mehrnaz Gill, Terry Wayne Jones, Phyllis Williams, Merele Yarborough and Ericka Bagwell.

Look for Sylvia as director of development for programs and events at St. Luke's.

A grand boost for Project GRAD

Franci and Jim Crane opened their swankienda for an educational evening on the benefits of Project GRAD complete with students working the room to shed light on the educational program. Founders Kathryn and Jim Ketelsen, H-E-B president Scott McClelland and Project GRAD executive director Ann Stiles welcomed guests to the cocktail party.

Learning about the 750 graduating seniors to receive Project Grad scholarships next week were Connie and Roger Plank, Lesha Elsenbrook, Jeanie Kilroy, Ann and Carl Stern, Cathy and Dr. Gary Brock, Joan and John Scales, Judy Allen, Dina Alsowayel and Tony Chase and Bobbie Nau.

Sight 'ems

Karen and Mike Mayell, Sallymoon and Dr. Alan Bentz, Dee Dee Gugenheim and friends dining at various tables at Brasserie 19 . . .

Lora and Dr. John Clemmons celebrating their wedding anniversary with friends at Tony's . . .

Melissa Mithoff celebrating her birthday over lunch with a lively bunch of gal pals at La Griglia. Among the partying brood — Greggory Burk, Rosemarie Johnson, Courtney Hopson, Debbie Festari, Kara Howes, Mauney Mafrige, Milette Sherman and Carmen Maria Montiel.

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Intimate Musicale

Tunes fill River Oaks mansion in support of Miller Outdoor Theatre

Miller Outdoor Theatre Piano Noir fundraiser 2024

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Lynden Unger, Jacob Stein, Elizabeth and Alan Stein.

In a night that struck all the right notes, Robin and Danny Klaes opened their storied River Oaks home on November 10 to host an intimate soirée benefiting Houston’s beloved Miller Outdoor Theatre. Draped in sophisticated black and white cocktail attire, circa 40 arts patrons gathered for an evening of charming performances, fine cuisine, and meaningful chit chat — all with an eye toward supporting Miller’s mission of making the arts accessible to all.

The setting? An exquisitely decorated Kirby Drive home steeped in local lore, famously tied to the true-crime bestseller Blood and Money by Thomas Thompson, which added an intriguing layer to an already memorable evening. Was the ghost of Joan Robinson Hill roaming around? Perhaps.

Guests first mingled in the quaint, canopied courtyard, enjoying Chef Smirnov Catering’s hors d’oeuvres before being whisked into the grand ballroom on the second floor. With its baroque-inspired decor and ceiling murals, the space provided the allure of yesteryear, a theatrical backdrop for amicable chamber music.

St. John Flynn as emcee introduced performances by flutist Victor Kendall and the American Zeitgeist Chamber Ensemble, including Quantz’s Flute Concerto in G, Claude Bolling’s Suite for Jazz Flute, and Barber’s String Quartet. Adding a soupçon of modern flair, vocalists from the Music Box Theater — Rebekah Dahl, Brad Scarborough, and Austin Biel — offered their signature blend of cabaret and comedy.

Amid the musical interludes, Claudia de Vasco, managing director of the Miller Theatre Advisory Board, advocated for the nonprofit’s ongoing capital campaign. She spotlighted a recent key purchase: a grand piano specifically built to withstand Houston’s unpredictable outdoor elements. De Vasco invited attendees to become the official Miller Outdoor grand piano sponsors and make their mark on the amphitheater's enduring legacy.

Since stepping into her leadership role, De Vasco has ushered in a fresh energy around Miller Outdoor Theatre’s mission, focusing on how to better serve Houston’s diverse communities. The nonprofit’s free programming continues to be a gateway for Houstonians to experience everything from world-class symphonies to vibrant cultural showcases.

Guests in attendanceincluded Lance Jones and Allen Ueckert, John Edwards, Gabriel Olson, Carey Kirkpatrick, Lisa and Stan Duchman, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, Gretchen Gardener and Jack Watson, Lynden Unger, Jacob Stein, Karla and Romulo T. Cisneros, Senator Borris L. Miles and Cydonii Fairfax Miles, and Philamena and Arthur Baird.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Lynden Unger, Jacob Stein, Elizabeth and Alan Stein.

performing-arts fundraisers miller outdoor theatre