Rockin' on the Roof

Creative young professionals take over hip steakhouse for CultureMap Social: The Innovation Edition

B &B Butchers and Restaurant owner Ben Berg made sure that no young professional attending the final CultureMap Social of the year went home hungry. The endless array of scrumptious passed hors d'oeuvres and servings of tomahawk rib eye took care of any possible tummy grumblings.

In fact, this night turned out to be as much about the carpetbaggers (fried oyster, bacon and filet combo) and Tiffs Treats (those cookies warm from the oven) as it was about the Cadillac ATS that welcomed guests to the Washington Avenue hot spot.

Members of the Houston Young Lawyers Association were among the first to arrive, taking over the restaurant's second floor party space and terrace with its grand views of the downtown skyline. HYLA president Brittany Ringel and president-elect Arthur Bryan II were among those holding court on the terrace.

The Innovation Edition of CultureMap's quarterly socials also hosted the Entrepreneurs' Organization Houston, Central Houston Inc.'s Millennial Enterprise, the Harris County Hospital District Foundation and SCRUBS Young Professional Group.

DJ Little Martin spun the disks while guests sampled the cocktail possibilities at the pop-up Solerno Sparkling Bar, savored brewskies from Odell Brewing Co. and sipped cocktails made from Hendrick's gin.

Integral elements of the CultureMap Socials included the Smilebooth photo fun, presented by Cadillac, and the must-have swag bags, these powered by Zomato.

A high point of the night was the performance by Fly Dance Co. promoting the October run of Red Bull Flying Bach at Wortham Theater Center. And then there was that fabulous moon rising over the city skyline. More than of few of the 250 YPs that had turned out were still partying under the moon and stars well after the 9 pm end time.

Joining the party were guests including Ryan O. Harris, Sarah Toups, Kelsi Woods, Cole Smith, Larry Mendez, Rachel Gremillion, Natalie Burrows, Ryan Evans, Nasim Arab, Brittany Jefferson, Kaitlyn Cassani and Jessi New.

M. David Rochez, Gabrielle Gunn, Ryan O. Harris, Josh Robertson.

young-professionals happy-hours nightlife

Standing Ovation

Inside the elegant dinner celebrating Jones Hall’s transformation

Photo by Dave Rossman

Judy and Don Fernbach; Robert and Kate Eubanks; Amanda Clayton and Kaitlyn Hunt.

For nearly six decades, Jones Hall has hosted standing ovations, curtain calls, and goosebump-inducing performances. On May 4, the spotlight shifted from the stage to the people and institutions who helped usher Houston’s cultural living room to its next act.

More than 40 guests gathered inside the renovated Jones Hall lobby for an intimate dinner celebrating the donors, stakeholders, and arts leaders behind the Foundation for Jones Hall’s sweeping $67.5 million facelift. Attendees in cocktail attire mingled over a red-carpet reception while pianist Jayoung Hong provided a charming soundtrack appropriate for an evening about Houston’s performing arts future.

As guests settled in for a dinner by City Kitchen, Foundation for Jones Hall board chair Barbara McCelvey reflected on the project’s decade-long journey, one that weathered Hurricane Harvey, a pandemic, and the delicate balancing act of renovating an active venue without dimming the marquee. She acknowledged the support and partnership of the Houston Symphony, Performing Arts Houston, Houston First, Houston Endowment, and management consultant Kim Sterling.

Lead donor and building committee chair Chuck Davidson spoke candidly about the project’s evolving ambitions, noting that the original $25 million vision eventually expanded into a far more comprehensive undertaking focused on acoustics, accessibility, technology, infrastructure, and audience experience. The result is a reimagined Jones Hall with enhanced patron spaces, improved sound quality, updated backstage operations, additional lounges and restrooms, and expanded accommodations for guests with disabilities.

Foundation for Jones Hall executive director and renovation project manager Robert Eubanks offered heartfelt thanks to the many partners who shepherded the project forward.

“More than 400,000 people come to Jones Hall annually,” Eubanks said. “Thank you for making this possible.”

He also recognized incoming foundation chair Brad Corson, arts patrons and sponsors Nancy and Chuck Davidson, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Jane Cizik, Janet Clark, Barbara Burger, Mary Lynn Marks, ConocoPhilips, and Elisa Villanueva Beard and Bao-Long Chu of the Houston Endowment.

CultureMap seen were Gary Ginstling, Meg Booth, Deborah Lugo, Judy and Don Fernbach, Kate Eubanks, Amanda Clayton, Kaitlyn Hunt, Ginger Clark, Melanie Cizik, Jennifer Renner, Khao Dao, and Pat McCelvey.

Photo by Dave Rossman

Judy and Don Fernbach; Robert and Kate Eubanks; Amanda Clayton and Kaitlyn Hunt.

fundraisers jones hall performing-arts