CultureMap Country Club

Preppy young professionals have a ball at CultureMap Country Club Social in the sky

Around 200 Houstonians joined the CultureMap Country Club for a night of fun and games atop the SkyHouse River Oaks, topped off by a picture-perfect sunset from the 25th floor rooftop lounge.

Guests took the "preppy chic" theme to heart, with varied styles that ranged from plaid shorts and loafers without socks to polo shirts with collars popped up and summery dresses accented with pearls. The team from Sid Masburn and Ann Mashburn were on hand with looks that could be purchased for anyone who wanted to dress the theme on the spur of the moment.

As the sun dipped down behind the glittering Galleria/Post Oak area skyline, the crowd lounged around pools on either side of the glassed-in rec room, playing games of mini golf and bocce ball. They sipped on specialty drinks from Gentleman Jack bourbon with fun names like Kentucky Lemonade, Boys of Summer, and Bellini or Bust, Deep Ellum Brewing Company beer (Dallas Blonde, IPA, Lager) or bubbly La Marca Prosecco, while dancing to tunes spun by DJ Senega.

Some guests beat the heat by waving fans bearing the CultureMap Country Club logo or ducked inside for a light buffet from Liberty Kitchen, including bite-sized chicken sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs topped with salmon, and tuna cerviche, along with special Gentleman Jack drinks prepared by guest bartenders Chapman & Kirby's Nick Kaiser and Harold's Julia Tillman.

They also stopped by the Topo Chico stand for the brand's refreshing mineral water and visited the Popfancy cart for special popsicle treats.

Men lined up to get their hair cut by the stylish team at The Argyle League, while women had their hair braided into great-looking updos by stylists from Drybar.

Proceeds from the event's ticket sales went to Candlelighters Childhood Family Cancer Alliance. Development director Kelsey Tarpinian and program director Roxy Gomez talked with guests about the group and accepted $10 donations to enter a raffle for tickets to Aug. 1 game between Astros and Tampa Bay.

Also on hand were representatives from Tulane University Freeman School of Business Houston Campus, which co-sponsored the evening and sent each guest home with a box of Tiff's Treats cookies.

Enjoying the summer evening were Ryan O. Harris, Jackie Fair, Robin Carlin, Robin Carlin, Henry St. Aubyn, Alexis Caruselle, Meret Steves, Morgan Steves, Keri Henry, Richard Berry, Kristen Beasley, Laura Sealy, Danielle Kuban-Johnston, Amanda Glidewell, Samantha Hollis, Stephen Samperi, Ahmed Elsaid, Anwar Phillips, Arza Afshar, Gregg Harrison, Paul-David Van Atta, Judy Nichols, Corinne Cameron, Justin Goodman, Mark Roberts, and Jenn Qu.

Watch this video from the event and check out more photos on Facebook.

Tom Grant, Connor Grace, Joel Izzedin, and Bella Grant play a game of bocce ball at the CultureMap Country Club Social.

Tom Grant, Connor Grace, Joel Izzedin, Bella Grant at CultureMap Country Club Social

Photo by Emily Jaschke

Tom Grant, Connor Grace, Joel Izzedin, and Bella Grant play a game of bocce ball at the CultureMap Country Club Social.

fundraisers

Michelin Stars

Superstar Spanish chefs return to Houston for dinners with a purpose

Hope and Opportunity Dinner Texas Children's Hospital

Courtesy of Texas Children’s Hospital

Jordi Roca, Ignacio Torras, and Joan Roca.

Leave it to Houston to blend avant-garde gastronomy with generosity, stirring up a one-two punch of flavor and philanthropy.

Over two intimate evenings, Isabel and Ignacio “Nacho” Torras opened their private home for the Hope and Opportunity Dinners,an affair that embraced the neurodiverse community with epicurean delight.

The dinners, limited to 100 guests per night, were a collaborative recipe honoring the missions of Texas Children’s Duncan Neurological Research Institute and The Genuine Cup, the nonprofit arm of The Genuine Foundation. With a thematic throughline of “Hope” and “Opportunity,” guests were treated to a nine-course menu..

The culinary talent? Flying in from their famed El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain, Michelin-starred brothers Joan Roca (head chef) and Jordi Roca (pastry chef), along with sommelier Marta Cortizas, teamed up with chef Luis Roger of Houston’s Michelin-starred BCN Taste & Tradition. The menu, a poetic composition of bold Spanish flavors and delicate textures, was elevated further by thoughtful wine pairings.

Far from a solo act, the Roca brothers worked in sync with some of Houston’s culinary luminaries: Felipe Riccio (March), Mayank Istwal (Mussafer), David Skinner (Eculent), Felipe Botero (Le Jardinier), Mary Cuclis (Kriti Kitchen), and Emmanuel Chavez (Tatemó). Service each evening was led by 27 young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, supported by 10 coaches.

One dinner honored Whitney and Jim Crane, whose Astros Foundation has become a pillar of Houston philanthropy, and Dr. Huda Y. Zoghbi, whose groundbreaking neuroscience work continues to shape the future of medicine. The second dinner spotlight fell on Laura Arnold, co-founder of Arnold Ventures LLC, and Dr. Debra F. Sukin, president and CEO of Texas Children’s Hospital, both champions for equity and innovation in their fields.

The evenings ended with cookbook signings by the Roca brothers, a fitting souvenir from two nights where food was both an experience and a vehicle for change. The events raised more than $400,000.

Showing up for science and inclusion were Monica and Yordon Alvarez, Cathy and Joe Cleary, Carlos Correa, Molly and Crownover, Paula and Reginald DesRoches, Pam and Keith Fullenweider, Adrienne and Jared Crane, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Phoebe Tudor and Tudor, Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught, and Penny and Paul Layne.

Courtesy of Texas Children’s Hospital

Jordi Roca, Ignacio Torras, and Joan Roca.

fundraisers hospitals texas children's hospital