Wild Montrose Bar Party

Montrose bar turns into a wild scene as celeb guests drop in on a hot, sold-out CultureMap Social

Boheme in the heart of Montrose is always a popular watering hole, but Tuesday night the place absolutely rocked when CultureMap hosted a sellout crowd of 250 young movers and shakers for the fall Social, aka happy hour for young professionals.

The after-work fete went on for three hours with LIQS providing premium cocktail shots, Boheme dispensing its killer Bangkok fries and Josh Martinez (Goro & Gun) introducing his new Chicken Ranch fried chicken from the food truck parked out back. Out front, party sponsor Lexus displayed two of its shiny new models — the sporty Lexus IS and the cushy Lexus GS.

While DJ Bizonee kept the vibes pumping, local celebs including rapper Bun B worked through the lively crush.

While DJ Bizonee kept the vibes pumping, local celebs including rapperBun B, rollerbladerJuan Carlos and glam meteorologist Chita Johnson worked through the lively crush that packed both the front and back patios. Inside, it was a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd into heavy schmoozing while charity partners Blue Cure (founder Gabe Canales in the mix), Susan G. Komen Houston and Child Advocates offered information on and membership in their young professionals groups.

Adding to the entertainment was Smilebooth, which offered a high-tech twist to its popular party pix, taking mini-videos for posting rather than stills.

No one ever goes home empty-handed from a CultureMap Social and the swag bags on this night were loaded with certificates and goodies from Glazed - The Doughnut Cafe, Gym Bowie, House of Blues Houston, Hyatt Market Street, Instacart, Lucky Strike, Pure Barre, Sparrow Bar + Cookshop, Yellow Rose Distilling and more. For those who might have forgotten to pick up the swag bag, there was still an opportunity to grab a giftie. As guests headed to beddy-bye, Three Brothers Bakery handed out cake balls and Lexus gifted lucky ones with portable chargers for smartphones.

Among the pretty people were Christine Thorp, Monique Morgan, Ed Persia, Holly Grice, Jackie Leone, Carl Nickel, Lane Craft, Megan Lesser, Michelle Wirzbicki, Amme Burgot, Joseph Doyle, Jesus Calderon, Shabnam Hasan, Marcy de Luna, Erin Garza and Brandi and Ken Banks.

John Wood, from left, DeeDee Ho and Nathan Steele.

Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com

John Wood, from left, DeeDee Ho and Nathan Steele.

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shock and awe

Dark elegance and spooky splendor raise $1.1M for Children’s Museum Houston

When the Children’s Museum Houston threw its annual adult fête on October 26, the Corinthian wasn’t just an event space, it was a full-on haunted playground for the city’s imaginative souls. Nearly 500 attendees — clad in mysterious black lace, horns, feathers, and flowing capes — stepped into a realm where goth and childhood wonder collided with spectacular results.

This year’s “Noir Ball: A Celebration of Haunted Elegance,” chaired by Whitney and Ryan Burns and Allison and Iván Chávez, made no bones about its moody vibe. From the moment partygoers floated in, the eerie ambiance—think chandeliers dripping in ghostly light and roses under glass cages—set the stage.

The masterminds at Bergner and Johnson Design turned the room into a scene from a spellbinding fairytale, where fog floated ominously across a grand fountain, dotted with rose petals and flickering candles. One could practically hear the spirits whisper.

And as any child knows, no Halloween is complete without a little shock and awe. At one point, lightning cracked and thunder rolled through the room. Even the sweet tooth found its haunting hour with Jackson and Co.’s darkly decadent desserts, including cake candles that might just have you second-guessing what’s edible. It was a feast fit for vampires, werewolves, and Houston’s social elite alike.

Adding to the festivities, ‘80s cover band The Spazmatics revived the dance floor with a high-energy, undead-worthy set, pulling every last creature of the night into their spell. With the iconic chandeliers casting an ethereal glow, the floor was alive with revelers reliving their MTV glory days.

Maleficent, Dracula, and Wednesday Addams mingled with the crowd, adding a dash of dark fantasy to the evening’s ambiance while paddle bids flew during the live and silent auctions chaired by Devorah Krieger and Elizabeth McIngvale-Mackey. Highlights included everything from a diamond necklace to a puppy duo courtesy of K-9 Angels Rescue. Guests vied with ghostly fervor for a bangle donated by Zadok Jewelers. After a close battle, Yana Rodilosso emerged triumphant

The evening raised a spine-tingling $1.14 million, the museum’s second-highest tally ever, all to fuel its mission to nurture Houston's young minds.

Among the undead were Alexandra and Alex Cabraie, Antoinette and Julian Duncan, Kathryn and Travis Boeker, Erin Smith, Bethany and Ben Buchanan, Courtney and Bo Hughes, Deanna Altenhoff, Darren Brasher, Stephanie Wilcox, Freddie Minahan, Heather and Mark Teshoian, Iona and Mike Avery, Veronica and John Griffin, Lacey and Matt Goossen, Ashley and Jonathan Sloan, Neil Badlani and Rekha Muddaraj, Cassandra and Ryan Dalton, and Matthew Mackey.

Photo by Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design

Ashley Sloan, Kathryn Boeker, Erin Smith, and Bethany Buchanan.