Shelby About Town

Singing Idols, Bubbles for Boobies & beautifying the Bayou City shake the socialscene

Claudia Williamson, left, and Ann Lents at the Scenic Houston event.
Eric Marche and Sarah Bray at the Fendi party.
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
Guyla Pircher, from left, Donna Bruni and Stacy Van Praagh at Fendi for theHouston Grand Opera party.
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
Raja Ratan, left, and David Fitch at Bubbles and Boobies.
Photo by Daniel Ortiz

The Fendi boutique in the Galleria was hopping Thursday night when more than 100 guys and gals turned out for a very fashionable kickoff for Houston Grand Opera's "Singing With the Houston Idols." Fendi is major underwriter of the evening and that retailer proved its philanthropic mettle by donating a complete set of new design luggage (value $15,000) for the auction.

Fendi is so jazzed about its support of the fundraising evening (it's almost sold out) that president Stacy Van Praagh flew in from New York to make the luggage presentation. It was an ooh-la-la moment for those who hadn't yet seen the smashing new luggage design.

HGO managing director Perryn Leech and Guyla Pircher, HGO's director of special events, welcomed the Fendi crowd that included traditional HGO patrons and members of the young professionals set. Due to business conflicts and travels only one of the idols who will be "competing" at the Nov. 8 fundraiser was able to make the lively evening and that was Lynn Wyatt.

La Wyatt was among a number of partygoers combining socializing with shopping. She picked up a pair of shoes while others in the crowd sent their charge cards searing with a variety of purchases. A happy night for Fendi.

The fundraiser at the home of John and Becca Cason Thrash is going to be a rollicking event with competitors such as Tony Mandola and Bobby Tudor joining Wyatt in the spotlight. This is an anything-goes competition with probably only one or two of the singers actually performing opera. Think showmanship as opposed to vocal prowess.

Adding to the energy were Isabel and Danny David, Valerie Palmquist, Donna and Bob Bruni, Pat Breen, Beth Madison and Ralph Burch, Diane Lokey Farb, Courtney Cole, Sarah Bray, Eric Marche, Christy Frederic, Karina Barbieri and Albert Rubio.

"Bubbles for Boobies"

OK, I didn't make that up. That was the name of the Susan G. Komen Foundation fundraiser held Tuesday night at the spanking new men's shop Q Custom Clothier in West Ave. And as the title of the event would suggest, the champagne flowed courtesy of Max's Wine Dive, which also provided servings of the restaurant's famed truffle mac and cheese along with various other libations.

Q Custom Clothier owner Raja Ratan welcomed a fashionable coterie of guests to his bespoke atelier and to Rye 51, Q's casual cousin located just next door. He was joined by Lasco Enterprises (owner of Max's) partner and veep Jonathan Horowitz.

The stylistas included were Gables president and CEO David Fitch, Cara Morales and Jared Lang, Hasti Taghi and James Geitz, Candice and Lonnie Schiller, Roz and Alan Pactor, Cerón, Mary Beth Aspromonte, Gigi Huang, Mike Mayell, Liz Gorman and Stephen Jones, Nic Phillips, Rachel Walton, Greg Scheinman, Kristen Cannon and on and on.

Putting on a pretty face

We're not talking Max Factor or Estee Lauder here. Rather the subject is a beautiful Houston and efforts to keep our city esthetically appealing. Applause, applause for Ann Lents, who received Scenic Houston's Scenic Visionary Award at the annual benefit dinner, held at Houston Country Club. Mayor Annise Parker did the honors presenting the award.

Lents, a prominent attorney and former president and CEO of the Center for Houston's Future, was recognized for her volunteerism dedicated to helping the city grow its parks, trails, inviting streetscapes and walkable, tree-lined neighborhoods.

METRO received the Scenic Integrity Award, noted in particular for keeping its transit vehicles and shelters free from commercial signage.

No dressing up required

The Houston Humane Society has tapped into a popular approach to black-tie fundraising: the no-gala gala. The invitations have gone out declaring "No ball gowns, no tuxes, no valet parking lines, no late night gala!" Music to this social scribe's ears. (The stack of invitations on my desk for October events is four inches thick and climbing with every mail delivery.)

Chairs Connie Reeves Cooke, Jan Carson, Virginia Reisman and Phyllis Williams are planning a beautiful evening to stay at home and you pick the date. The request is, however, for donations. And the invitation includes a pledge card for making your donation the the Humane Society.

And you should see the honorary committee list. It seems that everyone is enthused at the prospect of paying up without partying down. A few notables on the committee include Sandy and Dr. Barney Barrett, Roseann Rogers and Dr. Aashish Shah, Lynda Transier, Kathryn and Jeff Smith and Cora Sue and Harry Mach.

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$420,000 raised

Health Museum gala honors Houston hero Dr. Peter Hotez

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Dr. Peter Hotez.

What a charming theme for the Health Museum’s annual fundraising bash. “Mysterious Worlds: Unveiling the Wonders of Healthy Living” at the Hotel Zaza on November 2 where the black-tie set and those with a penchant for science mingled. At the helm of this Museum District evening were gala chair Erica Littlejohn Burnette and her daughter Sophia Burnette, who helped craft a dinner party that honored health heroes and supported the museum’s mission to inspire future scientists.

The highlight was a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Peter Hotez, whose vaccine research and public health advocacy have made a global impact. During the pandemic, the co-director of the Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Development and Dean of National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine became against misinformation, sharing his expertise with national and international media outlets and offering clarity in a chaotic time. His ability to translate complex scientific research into simple guidance helped people navigate the tumultuous period and elevated him to the status of Houston’s leading man of science—a trusted figure during an era of uncertainty.

The evening began with an intimate reception where cocktails flowed, and renowned Houston artist Taft McWhorter live-painted his iconic Texas Flag. Guests also clamored a mountain of mystery boxes, which created a whirlwind of excitement as attendees compared their newly-found treasures and encouraged others to join the fun. The hidden prizes, valued at up to $850, ranged from spa getaways to Houston Rockets swag bags. And they sold out in a matter of minutes.

Inside the ballroom, KUHF host Ernie Manouse and Health Museum president and CEO John Arcidiacono welcomed gala goers. Student ambassadors Sophia Burnette and Duro Dina, participants in the museum’s Global Teen Medical Summit, introduced Dr. Hotez, sharing how the program shaped their career aspirations.

Auction co-chairs Dr. James Flowers and Robin French energized the crowd with a live auction offering one-of-a-kind prizes, including Dr. Hotez’s signed lab coat and signature bow ties, a private overnight adventure at the museum, and experiences at the Houstonian Hotel and Spa. The intergalactic afterparty, complete with a surprise dance floor, a DJ booth, and a stilt-walking, illuminated robot, kept guests moving late into the night.

By the end of the night, more than 300 attendees helped raise $420,000. Among the guests were Susan and Ward Pennebaker, Susan Bickley and Robert Scott, Connie Kwan-Wong, Merele Yarborough, Bill Littlejohn, Martha Walton, Carolyn Benton Aiman, Lynn Jones and Ed Jones, Nikhil Nayak, Dr. Kenneth Mattox, and Dr. Margaret Mary Wilson.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Dr. Peter Hotez.

fundraisers health museum museums gala