True Blue

Zombies and Michael Jackson invade HPD True Blue gala as reality TV cameras roll

With Houston police officers chasing zombies, a Michael Jackson impersonator, and reality cameras rolling, Paige and Tilman Fertitta welcomed more than 700 Houstonians to their home for the ninth annual Houston Police Foundation True Blue Gala.

With the HPD Foundation as the beneficiary of the evening — money raised funds special programs, officer safety, training, equipment, and new technology, none of which would be feasible under the city budget — it’s no surprise that this was not your average gala.

The action-packed evening, themed “The Apocalypse Begins” and held in the backyard of the Fertitta’s River Oaks abode, started with cocktails including Moscow Mules in three different flavors, served in take-home copper cups. Delicious fare, from lobster grilled on the half shell to short ribs and a dessert bar complete with gelato and an assortment of sweets, was provided by Landry’s, Inc.

Kicking off the entertainment, the HPD Air Support made the rounds chasing down a group of zombies, who attempted to overrun the party. Guests, wearing HPD blue and blue jeans, were also entertained by a Michael Jackson impersonator who performed several the late pop star’s greatest hits including “Thriller” and “Beat It.”

Throughout the night, partygoers participated in interactive training elements and high-risk drills such as taser weapon target demonstration and a shoot house simulation.

Meanwhile, CNBC cameras rolled capturing scenes for season two of Tilman Fertitta’s show, Billion Dollar Buyer,the second season of which airs Tuesday, November 22, on the cable channel.

The sold-out gala concluded with a bang as a phenomenal fireworks finale illuminated the sky marking a successful event that raised more than $700,000 for the Houston Police Department.

The crowd included Interim Houston Police Chief Martha Montalvo, Mayor Sylvester Turner, State Senator John Whitmire, dinner chair Laura Ward and husband Dave Ward, who served as the night’s master of ceremonies, Kristina and Paul Somerville, Don and Laura Sanders, Alice and Keith Mosing, JoLynn and Gregg Falgout, Jim Crane and Whitney Wheeler, Danielle and Lawrence Berry, Twilla Cater, Joni Baird, Laura and Bob Beauchamp, Dancie Ware, Hannah and Cal McNair, andTissy and Rusty Hardin.

Also celebrating the evening wereGalveston County Sheriff Henry Trochessett and wife Brenda, Maria and Neal Bush, Brenda Stardig, Mike Sullivan, Michael Fertitta, Blake Fertitta, Pam and Bill Nelson, Amy and Ray Hunt, June and Pete Trammell, Susie and Robert Kneppler, Stacy and Jason Johnson, Tadd Tellepsen, Blake Tartt, Kathy and Ted Zweig, Elizabeth and Andy Brock, Yanira and David Huntington, Sunny and Mac Haik, Tammy and Harold Reese, Daphne and Randy Curry, Carol and Tom Sawyer, Rania and Ramy Mankarious, Tina and Dave Strickland, Renee and Alan Helfman, Joe Van Matre, Garry Plotkin, Hilary Rosenstein and Blake Helfman, and Stuart Rosenberg.

SWAT arrived on the scene and took out the zombies.

Houston, HPD True Blue Gala, Oct. 2016, SWAT and zombies

Photo by www.AlexandersPortraits.com

SWAT arrived on the scene and took out the zombies.

fundraisers

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.