Lounging With Luks

British hipsters invade Houston: And you won't believe these chicks in go-go boots

With psychedelic lighting projections, Courrège lunettes and a canopy of polychromatic umbrellas, there was no mistaking the modernist zeitgeist that invaded the Blaffer Art Museum for its British-inspired hipster blitz.

"Ready. Steady. Go!," so titled after the 1960s television program with which music-loving Brits started their weekend, roused some 275 of the city's art cognoscenti to make a dandified entrance. Chicks came styling such fashions as go-go boots, jumper dresses and pillbox hats and studs arrived in black suits with mop-top dos in the manner of The Beatles.

While nibbling on light bites and polishing off plenty of bubbly, guests admired the remarkable collection of art that represented past, present and future exhibiting artists at the innovative gallery. Up for grabs via the silent auction were a series of fab four prints by Jo Ann Fleischhauer after her public art installation What Time Is It?, a stunning photograph by Anton Ginzburg and an ornate porcelain piece by Francesca DiMattio.

The vintage Volkswagen slug bug bus restored as a photo booth? Now that's outta sight.

You could say that party chairs Cullen Geiselman, Ryan Gordon and Leslie and Mark Hull set a mood fitting to honor Joanne Guest Wilson and Welcome Wilson Sr. for their tireless support of the museum and the University of Houston community.

The seated dinner catered by City Kitchen (the heirloom tomato tartar with basil sorbet was a standout) offered a respite from the bidding that, with the generosity of sponsors such as Ballard Exploration Co., McGovern Foundation, Gensler, Saint Cloud, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bentley Mills and ACS Flooring Group, tallied upwards of $300,000.

Partying with director and chief curator Claudia Schmuckli were Renu and Suresh Khator, Cornelia and Meredith Long, Beth Madison, Kathrine G. McGovern, Sallie Morian and Michael Clark, Beth Robertson, Dean Putterman, Lillie T. Robertson, Louisa Stude Sarofim, Jo and Jim Furr, Meredith and Travis Hedemann, Katherine and Rick Chambers, Emily Church, Heidi Gerger, Kim and Richard Lucas and Billy and Christy McCartney.

Meredith and Travis Hedemann, from left, Beverly Barrett and Michelle Mendenhall.

Photo by Chris Brown

Meredith and Travis Hedemann, from left, Beverly Barrett and Michelle Mendenhall.

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Blooms and Baroque

Vivaldi and vino charm Houstonians at enchanted garden soirée

Prelude Music Foundation Vivaldi in the Garden

Photo by Kit Peltier

Sebastian Godfrey, Ana Treviño-Godfrey, Kimberly Borders, and Charlene Tombar.

In a West University garden scented with jasmine and strung with twinkling lights, Prelude Music Foundation hosted its “Vivaldi in the Garden” soirée, transforming a quiet spring night into a multisensory celebration of music and meaning.

Hosts Sarrah and Jim Petersen opened the gates to their blooming backyard hideaway, where guests wandered through lush layers of hibiscus, hydrangeas, and milkweed before settling in under lantern-lit trellises. Chairs Caroline Reichert and Lauren Sanders curated a romantic tablescape of golden linens, music note napkins, and flickering votives—a nod to the night’s harmonic heart.

The evening’s highlight was an electrifying performance by a sextet from Mercury Chamber Orchestra, led by Jonathan Godfrey on solo violin. From Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to Piazzolla’s smoky Libertango, each piece shimmered with energy and soul. Ana Treviño Godfrey, co-founder of Prelude, spoke passionately about the cognitive magic of early music education, connecting the dots between melody and neurogenesis.

Adding playful charm? Grown-up musical chairs — live-scored, naturally — and the chance to “Take Home the Garden,” with blooms offered for donation. Guests clinked glasses of rosé and filled wine passports from four global vineyards, thanks to sommeliers from Everywine and nibbles from Hungry’s.

Funds raised will support Prelude’s programs at 13 underserved schools, plus Ronald McDonald House Charities and Casa de Esperanza.

Adding sparkle to the soirée were Rachel Regan, Steven Godfrey, Isabel David, Melanie Lawson, Carlos Treviño, Briana and Rachel Conner, Bernadette Verzosa and Len Cannon, Marsha and Michael Bourque, Caroline Le Feuvre and Jeff Shaddix, Lauren and Adam Selwyn, Julia and Michael Hiner, Mary Morgan and Reed Stevens, Gretchen and Ken Penny, Courtney and Jordan Chester, Martha Villanueva and Jordan Gross, Erika Westberry, Kimberly Borders, Katie Koenig and Doug Dirschl, Sarah and Christopher Lewis, Eli Levinowitz and Art Levinowitz, Tricia Monticello Kievlan, Atalia Castro and Chrystian Quinones, Jaime and Matt Titus, and Charlene and Tym Tombar.

Photo by Kit Peltier

Sebastian Godfrey, Ana Treviño-Godfrey, Kimberly Borders, and Charlene Tombar.

fundraisers prelude music foundation