Shelby About Town

Cheering Houston's best at the Olympics, an antiques show launch & wine feastwith pizzazz

Loving the London Olympics are, front row, from left, Stefan Gustafson, boxingchamp Marlen Esparza and Schuyler Gustafson. Back row, from left, SloaneGustafson, Carmen Esparza, Sten Gustafson and Sofia Adrogue.
Courtesy Photo
Robert Kamen, left, and Tony Vallone will reunite at Kamen's annual wine dinnerat Tony's in late September.
Theta Charity Antiques show chair Jennifer Bowen, from left, joins MaureenManning and Sallie Mansell at the kick-off party at .
Phyllis Williams, left, and Connie Reeves Cooke are among those chairing theHumane Society "No Ball."

We know a number of Houstonians who've made a pass through London during the Olympic Games dropping in on this or that event. But, to date, only one family has come to our attention that is there for the duration — Sofia Adrogué and Sten Gustafson and their children — Sloane, Schuyler and Stefan.

"We've been here from the opening ceremonies and will be here to the end," Sten e-mailed between competitions on Monday.

High on their watch list are men's gymnastics, women's boxing "to the end," and Houston's Lopez family competing in Taekwondo. Sofia is close friends with the Lopez clan and she has been a mentor for the past three years to Olympic boxing great Marlen Esparza.

The young Houstonian won her first bout on Monday, making her the first American woman to take a win in Olympic boxing and guaranteeing a medal. Sten added, "There were lots of happy tears when they embraced outside the locker room after the bout."

"She's making Houston proud," he concluded, after ticking off Marlen's positive exposure that includes a piece in Vogue and contracts with Covergirl, Nike and Coke.

Wine feast with Hollywood pizzaz

Less than two weeks before the premiere of his film Taken 2, screenwriter Robert Kamen teams up once again with Tony Vallone for a wine dinner at Tony's featuring his Kamen Estate Wines' celebrated Kashmir cabernet sauvignon.

The Hollywood figure cum Sonoma Valley winemaker is expected not only to share the scoop on his mountain Cabernet and his biodynamic growing methods but also to offer a few insights on the film that opens Oct. 10 and stars Liam Neeson.

Those signing on for the Sept. 27 dinner, featuring a tasting menu specially created for the event, will sample the wine on which wine expert Robert Parker has bestowed a 94+ points.

Focusing on new and old

The ladies responsible for the Theta Charity Antiques Show prowled the aisles at L.K. Bennett in the Galleria last week while sipping bubbly and tea in anticipation of the upcoming antiques extravaganza that will take over a good part of the George R. Convention Center in mid-November.

Show chair Jennifer Bowen welcomed the throng of Theta committee members and volunteers who participated in the "champagne tea," designated as such in honor of the 2012 show theme, "Royal Tea." The fundraising for a number of local charities begins with the preview party Nov. 14.

No party, no kidding

For the second year, the Houston Humane Society is not throwing an annual bash, but organizers are working on the "No Gala" invitation, to be mailed in September. Last year's event or non-event if you will, brought in more than $100,000 as animal fans wrote their checks in approval of the non-event event.

Heading up the 2012 effort are chairs Connie Reeves Cooke, Virginia Reisman, Susan Krohn, Jan Carson and Phyllis Williams.

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Arendelle Life

Houston's TUTS Gala dazzles with Frozen preview and Kelli O’Hara

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Kelli O'Hara performed with TUTS Education students.

In a soirée where Broadway glitz met the icy enchantment of Arendelle, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) celebrated its “Lights Up” Gala at The Post Oak Hotel on November 8.

Setting the stage — literally speaking — was Tony Award-winning and Emmy-nominated Kelli O’Hara, who delivered an emotional performance alongside students from TUTS Education’s Pre-Professional and Performance Troupes. The program, titled Thank You, Ladies, paid tribute to influential women in O’Hara’s career.

The evening also marked an exclusive moment for TUTS: A first glimpse of its highly anticipated, one-of-a-kind production of Disney’s Frozen. TUTS artistic director Dan Knechtges, who will direct and choreograph the show, unveiled a preview that had the crowd visualizing snow-covered mountains and heartfelt ballads. The production is a unique honor, with Disney entrusting TUTS with creative license to reimagine the blockbuster musical.

Attendees entered through a snow-kissed milieu inspired by Frozen, with Scandinavian-inspired decor and chilly glam enveloping the ballroom. ABC-13 anchor and emcee Samica Knight welcomed guests, while executive director Hillary Hart emphasized the organization’s dedication to inclusivity and the arts.

“Musical theatre isn’t just about putting on a great show,” shared Knechtges. “It’s a celebration of who we are as a community — a vibrant tapestry enriched by all our diverse stories and experiences.”

Auctioneer Tim Dietz brought the sass with a live auction featuring luxury vacation packages, diamond earrings, and a VIP Tony Awards experience with a custom gown by designer David Peck. Major donors, including Margaret Alkek Williams, Deni and Doni Dennis, Demetra and Frank Jones, Greenberg Traurig, Amy Pierce, and Kristina Somerville, played key roles in the evening’s tally, contributing to the $96,000 raised in the donation drive alone.

The night’s curtain call was an after-party, with DJ Druw keeping the dance floor quite active. Adding to the revelry were cast members from TUTS’ upcoming Frozen production, blending Broadway sparkle with community charm. With 300 Houston arts aficionados in attendance, the event raised nearly $700,000 to support TUTS’ productions and education initiatives.

Letting it go were Charles O’Neill, Paul and Penny Loyd, Marianne and Joe Geagea, Linda and Willie Chiang, Mady and Ken Kades, Jane DiPaolo, Melissa Sandefer, David Wuthrich, The Honorable Peggy and Dr. Ashley Smith, Kristina Somerville, Leticia and Stephen Trauber, Sofia Adrogue, Vanessa Ames, Gina Gaston Elie, Jordan Seff, Daniel Turner and Jay Landa, Kristen Cannon, April McGee, Sarah Pope and Adam Cryer, Amber Mostyn, C.C. and Duke Ensell, John Dermer and Sarah Perry, Michelle Phillips, Elaine Balagia Croucher and Brant Croucher, Kendall Pierce, Bethany and Bryson Grover, Sarah and Scott Irby, Paulina and Jim McGrath, and Marris and Rob Goldberg.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Kelli O'Hara performed with TUTS Education students.