Social Planner

5 great reasons Houstonians should attend the next CultureMap Social

CultureMap Social, March 2016, Sheila Shtepani, I. Maria Calderon, Gresa Baboci, Christine Shtepani

Look how much fun these women are having at CultureMap Social.

Our CultureMap Social series returns Thursday, October 6, and we agree, it’s been too long since we’ve hosted a young professionals happy hour — the last one was so sizzling that the Houston Fire Department showed up!

This one takes place at West Ave, and honors the Top Texans Under 30, an exciting group of Houstonians who are making thing happen.

Tickets are normally $25, but if you use the code SOCIAL5, you can save $5 (and 100 percent of sales will be donated to non-profits). Read on for five reasons to attend the CultureMap Social.

1. You get to meet the Top Texans Under 30.
This is the first year for our Top Texans Under 30 program, in which we celebrate the twentysomething trailblazers making stuff happen across the state — and, in some cases, the world. We can’t wait to introduce you to Houstonians —Andyshea Saberioon, Ricky Johnson, Dakota Carter, Kathleen Perley, Mariame Aana, and Mohamad Maarouf — six of the 26 winners. Worth noting: You don’t have to be under 30 to attend this shindig. Which is a good thing, because I’m not.

2. You can partake in fancy food and drink.
Sample great fare from West Ave restaurants Cru, Eddie V’s, Del Frisco’s Grille as well as light bites from Caswell Catering. For dessert, Ann Sacks is hosting champagne and cake balls while Dr. Roth is sponsoring treats from Petite Sweets. And wet your whistle with beer from Alaska Brewing Co. and a Woodford Reserve whisky tasting hosted by Suitsupply.

3. You get to experience our famous party tricks.
We could just dial it in, serve some good food and drink, and call it an evening. But that is not our style. We like to keep our guests entertained and engaged. This round, that means a succulent bar from Pop Shop America, numerology readings, and a pop-up performance by Red Bull Flying Bach.

4. You could win a cool gift card.
One lucky guest will win a $100 gift card from all participating West Ave retailers, including Ann Sacks, Azur West, Bang & Olufsen, Cru, Del Frisco's Grille, Dr. Roth, Eddie V's, Flor, Ligne Roset, Milk + Honey Spa, Moroso, Q Custom Clothier & Rye 51, Revolution Studio, Tootsies, and Suitsupply. Register while you're at the party at Tootsies.

5. You contribute to charity just by attending.
All ticket sales go to charities selected by our Top Texans Under 30. So you get all of the above, and the following nonprofits reap the rewards:

PledgeCents, selected by Andyshea Saberioon and Ricky Johnson
Live Consortium, selected by Dakota Carter
Girls Inc. Houston, selected by Kathleen Perley
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, selected by Mariame Aana
KIPP Houston High School, selected by Mohamad Maarouf

Round up your friends, and RSVP now. We’ll see you there.

top-texans-under-30 event-planner

Garden of Glam

Versailles vibes shine at Houston's Women of Distinction winter ball

Photo by Jacob Power

Dr. Linda Magill, Michelle Lilie, Shawn Stephens, Desrye Morgan, Helen Shaffer, Karen DeGeurin Remington, Pitsami Norm, Robin Klaes, Jennifer LeGrand Howard, Kristen Cannon, and Lauren Gow.

If Marie Antoinette had RSVP’d, she’d have approved.

The Post Oak Hotel glittered with regal sass as elegantly clad guests gathered for the Women of Distinction Winter Ball, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s signature black-tie soirée. The Southern Texas Chapter pulled out all the stops for its 39th edition, raising $675,000 toward curing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis — no powdered wigs required.

Hosted by co-chairs Elizabeth DeLuca and Alice Mao Brams, alongside design chair Lauren Gow, the evening bloomed under a Gardens of Versailles theme. Floral artist Blooming Gallery transformed the ballroom into a rococo mirage with flourishing arrangements, candlelit ambiance, and enough gold accents to make Louis XIV beam.

Serving as the night’s guide, NPR’s Frank Billingsley emceed the program, introducing the newly inducted class of 2026 Women of Distinction: Kristen Cannon, Jennifer LeGrand Howard, Robin Klaes, Michelle Lilie, Linda Sagarnaga Magill, Desrye Morgan, Pitsami Norm, Karen DeGeurin Remington and Gow — each honored for their philanthropy, leadership, and impact. Ambassadors Helen Shaffer and Shawn Stephens were also spotlighted for their ongoing service.

Keynote speaker Lindsay Horton brought heartfelt weight to the evening, sharing her personal journey with Crohn’s disease with raw honesty, humor, and resilience. Her story of navigating chronic illness while raising a family reminded everyone in the room of the life-altering stakes behind the gowns and glitter.

Summoning their inner Versailles were Leigh Smith, Rosalyn Bazzelle Mitchell, Leila Perrin, Anita Smith, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Shelley Taylor Ludwick, Joann Peterson, Yvonne and Rufus Cormier, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Jerre Williams, Peter Remington, Audrey and David Gow, Scott Konitzer, Jill and Brad Deutser, Heidi Turney, Edward Sanchez, Trini Mendenhall, Sneha and Nick Merchant, Whitney Lawson, Lesha Elsenbrook, and Jayne Johnston.

Photo by Jacob Power

Dr. Linda Magill, Michelle Lilie, Shawn Stephens, Desrye Morgan, Helen Shaffer, Karen DeGeurin Remington, Pitsami Norm, Robin Klaes, Jennifer LeGrand Howard, Kristen Cannon, and Lauren Gow.

fundraisers