Saturday night shocker

Saturday night shocker: Unicorns with whips, Victoria's Secret angels haunt trendy River Oaks eatery

It's official. Adults have stolen Halloween from the kiddos. And nowhere was there a more adult Halloween bash than at Brasserie 19 on Saturday night. Risqué costuming, dirty dancing and Smilebooth imaging provided jaw-dropping entertainment that went on until 3:30 Sunday morning, even though the booze stopped flowing at 2.

It's official. Adults have stolen Halloween from the kiddos.

As many as 650 — female unicorns with whips, naughty Victoria's Secret "angels," devilishly-attired gents — rocked and rolled to the spins of DJ Cruize, one of Beyoncé's faves, in the vacant storefront two doors down from the popular River Oaks Shopping Center restaurant. B-19 manager Shawn Virene, dressed as Raggedy Andy, allowed that 500 of those guests had dinner reservations for the spook fest. The rest showed up just to party.

It was

Clark Cooper Concepts' third annual Halloween costume party, this year themed "Tales from the Haunted House." Host with the creepiest most was Grant Cooper in bloody zombie mode. With the additional party space, Cooper and biz partner Charles Clark (sadly working the galley at Ibiza on this night) arranged for Screamworld to cloak the surroundings in wicked draping. Drinks from sponsor Moet Hennessy helped fuel the frenzied partying.

Among those haunting the house were Jacey Cooper, Armando Waterland, Cinday and Owen Kratz, Julia and Paul Atha, George Dodge, Tiffany Halik, Terrie and Mike Turner, Adriana Banks, Natasha McMillan, Sean Finn and Jim Wetwiska and Sally and Mark Wheat.

Tori Ayers, from left, Alex Parmet, Lacy Williams, Justin Ottemier and Taylor Trncack.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Tori Ayers, from left, Alex Parmet, Lacy Williams, Justin Ottemier and Taylor Trncack.

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For Good

Emotional night uplifts mental health at UTHealth Houston's $1.8M gala

UT Health Houston Mission in Action gala 2025

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Greg and Kristy Kroencke and Cheryl and Anthony Faillace.

At a time when mental health is finally getting its long-overdue moment in the spotlight, more than 200 supporters gathered at the Thompson Hotel for UTHealth Houston’s 2025 Mission in Action gala — an evening as elegant as it was emotionally resonant. Co-chairs Yvonne and Walter Johnson welcomed guests to an event that raised awareness and empathy.

This year’s event honored the John S. Dunn Foundation, a philanthropic force synonymous with health care advancement in Houston. Accepting the honor on behalf of the foundation, Charlie Lusk reflected on a legacy that’s shaped institutions quietly but powerfully over nearly five decades.

The evening, produced by Keely Thorne Events, struck a tone of transformation and dignity. Live music from Divisi Strings floated through a ballroom filled with trees and moody ombré florals by The Blooming Gallery, symbolizing the journey from darkness to light.

Walter Johnson shared his own family’s experience with behavioral health struggles. That spotlight widened with a moving video presentation featuring two UTHealth Houston patients, whose candid stories offered a visceral look at what compassion, research, and comprehensive care can achieve. UTHealth Houston president Melina Kibbe underscored a future-facing focus.

“We are committed to building a future where behavioral health care is more predictive, more preventive, and more personalized so that we can reach people earlier and support them more effectively,” Kibbe said.

The evening’s total impact? More than $1.8 million raised in support of behavioral health research, education, and care at UTHealth Houston.

In the room were Marco Patti, Cynthia Adkins, Terri Lacy, Diana Hawkins, Andy Sowell, John Wallace, Kathleen and Dick Rogers, Cheryl and Anthony Faillace, Jodie Jiles, Sonny Jiles, Ginny and LE Simmons, Larry and Tatiana Seligmann, Bette and Ralph Thomas, Mike and Rajni Jain, Elizabeth and Drew Kanaly, Maria Pappas, Anne-Laure and Steve Stephens, Lisa and Michael Sachs, Les and Linda Allison, Clay and Charlotte Allison, Carla Diaz Lewis and Kenneth Lewis, Anne and Karl Stern, Leila and Walter Mischer, and Regina Rogers.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Greg and Kristy Kroencke and Cheryl and Anthony Faillace.

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