Houstonians space party with Elton John, Alley Theatre on a million dollar roll& an Aspen whirlwind

When the curtain went up on Elton John's annual charity fete, "White Ties and Tiaras," at his estate in Windsor on Thursday night, a handful of Houstonians were in the star-studded crowd of close to 700 — Lynn Wyatt (a regular Elton guest), John and Becca Cason Thrash and Diane Lokey Farb, guest of Chopard co-president Caroline Scheufele.

Diane e-mailed, "He entertained in an incredible space odyssey tent. I've never seen anything like it." According to the London Telegraph coverage, "This year's theme was '2001: A Space Odyssey,' with guests greeted by white-clad waiters made-up with silver painted eye-masks, with members of an orchestra, sitting on black plinths, complete with tubas, violas, and violins, miming to Strauss waltzes."

Becca, who just raised $3.8 million with her Liaisons au Louvre II series of parties in Paris, was blown away by the take. "They make so much money every year!!!" she e-mailed. "It is a well-oiled machine that one!! Chopard and Audi are the big sponsors. It's impressive." The take from the auction alone was five million British pounds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

While George Michael was the surprise entertainer (Lady Gaga rocked the stage last summer), it was actually Elton himself who entertained the guests starting his 90-minute set with Rocket Man, sending the crowd, according to Diane, into a singing, dancing frenzy. Elton at the piano was the biggest surprise of all for the crowd that included Euro royalty, billionaires and notables such as Elizabeth Hurley, interior designer India Hicks, comedian David Williams and Sarah Ferguson with her daughters — Princesses Beatrice and Eugenia.

With hardly time to send her designer gowns out for pressing, Lynn is off to Monaco for the wedding next weekend of Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock.

A $1 million reserve!

Alley Theatre patrons kicked up their heels earlier this week with a champagne-laced dinner at Brennan's celebrating a remarkable year of profitability. In challenging economic times, the Alley has continued its successful run by ending the fiscal year with a surplus. Applause, applause as this was the fifth consecutive year for the non-profit theater to close out in the black.

What other arts organizations in Houston can make that claim? Truly, the board and supporters are walking on air as the result of having surpluses for five straight years, the Alley now has a cash reserve of more than $1 million, separate from the theater's endowment. What other arts organizations in Houston can make that claim?

Alley managing director Dean Gladden pointed out how remarkable this success was "in a time when theaters are contracting their production budgets and closing their doors." And as the Alley featured "extravagant productions this season, such as Peter Pan, August: Osage County, Amadeus and Pygmalion, as well as launching two world premieres, Rajiv Joseph’s newest play, The Monster at the Door, and Herbert Siguenza’s Weekend with Pablo Picasso."

Leading the revelers were Alley artistic director Gregory Boyd and Gladden. Few could have been happier at the news than Alley actors on hand Todd Waite, Josie de Guzman, Jeffrey Bean and John Tyson.

Raising their glasses in a toast to the theater's success were Cornelia and Meredith Long, Kathryn and Jim Ketelsen, Alley board president Rob Reedy and wife Susan, Carmen and Butch Mach, Margaret Alkek Williams, Patty Hubbard, Jerry Finger and Cynthia Petrello.

The dinner celebration followed Monday's board meeting during which Reedy announced that both Boyd and Gladden had signed a new five-year contract, meaning that this successful duo will keep the theater humming through the 2015-16 fiscal year.

Partying in Aspen

Patrick Henry and his team from Patrick Henry Creative Promotions are still trying to catch their collective breath after a whirlwind stint at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic where they put their best foot forward coordinating three special events for several heavy-duty clients.

"Bloody Marys, Bellinis and Brunch" on the patio at Pacific Seafood & Raw Bar kicked off their Friday morning schedule (an early 9 a.m. start!). Featured on the bar menu were Prairie Organic Vodka, Finest Call Cocktail Mixers and Francis Ford Coppola Wines. By 5 p.m. that afternoon, the Patrick Henry team had everything in place for Absolute Aspen II at the popular Il Mulino. Libations to wash down the caviar and hors d'oeuvres were various cocktails and Perrier-Jouet Fleur.

On Saturday, the Houston group oversaw the second annual Aspen Frolf (Frisbee golf) Invitational, held atop Aspen Mountain. Patron Tequila along with Prairie Organic Vodka and Ford Coppola Wines were the feature thirst-quenchers.

Joining Henry in his annual Food & Wine Classic adventure were executive team members Annie Akin, Myer Ballesteros, Judy Burciaga, Michelle Fossett, Vonna Taylor, Jess Hix and Kevin Pehlman.

Sight 'ems

Vince Young, the former Texas Longhorns quarterback and the soon-to-be former Tennessee Titan, celebrating a friend’s birthday with about 20 other revelers in one of the private dining rooms at Philippe Restaurant + Lounge. The group had an array of appetizers arranged on their table and Vince was seen eating salmon and sipping on one chilled Gran Patron tequila through the dinner.