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    bringing the heat

    Houston's heroes light up the stage at $540,000 Red Hot Gala

    Steven Devadanam
    Nov 24, 2021 | 4:49 pm

    Very few, if any, Houston society events can elicit tears, laughter, and hoots and hollers — all in the same night.

    But, not every event is Elizabeth and Alan Stein’s “Red Hot Gala,” which for four years has uniquely honored Houston’s firefighters with solemn tributes, thrilling reenactments, and — perhaps the favorite — a shirtless runway show featuring muscle-bound studs.

    Since 2018, the Steins have put on the red-hot show, in effort to raise awareness and funds for equipment, training, and support for Houston’s firefighting heroes.

    This year, the event raised a crucial $540,000, which will go directly to these brave first responders’ most basic and complex needs.

    More than 400 guests packed the Royal Sonesta’s ballroom for this year’s Red Hot Gala IV, which kicked off with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem by firefighter Joe Rice. Quickly after, radio calls and fire alerts rang out (an eerie reminder of the firefighter existence), as Rescue 11 firefighters took to the stage and performed a dramatic simulation of breaking down a door, fighting through billowing smoke, and “rescuing” a damsel in distress, model Anyta Chen.

    From drama to laughs: Emcee Patrick M. “Marty” Lancton, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Charitable Foundation (HPFFA), took the stage and explained the previous demonstration, thanked the foundation for providing real-life props, and introduced the event chairs, Elizabeth and Alan Stein and Joanna and Brad Marks.

    The two couples were presented with awards for their selfless and tireless work with the gala; Brad Marks joked that he couldn’t wait to go home and don his honorary firefighter hat.

    Taking the podium, Elizabeth Stein extended a special thanks to this year’s returning presenting sponsors, Bobbie Nau and Hallie Vanderhider, and presented the duo with plaques that will be mounted on Houston fire stations in their honor. More plaques were presented to Five Alarm Supporters, Susan and Fayez Sarofim, and Four Alarm Supporter, Janice McNair.

    A few tears were shed when Lancton introduced this year’s honorees, the Houston Firefighters Pipes and Drums and the Honor Guard who performed during exceedingly difficult ceremonies for fallen firefighters. Accepting for the Honor Guard was Honor Guard Commander Oscar Pedraza and Pipe Major Hunter Schappaugh accepted on behalf of the Pipes and Drums.

    Ah, and those hoots and hollers. The ballroom erupted in cheers as shirtless heroes — stars of the 2022 Houston Firefighter Calendar — strutted down the stage, carrying equipment and flexing their biceps, triceps, and killer smiles.

    Joanna Marks engaged the audience when she then took the runway for the silent auction, sporting IW Marks sliced pink sapphire and diamond earrings — which hauled in $10,500. Record bids poured in for active shooter training, a Costa Rica home, Ben Berg’s famous “Meet Our Meat,” and a last minute, IW Marks addition of a custom Ernst Benz watch. Lucky winners scored signature stuffed dalmatian and a current Charitable Foundation decal.

    The lively crowd then joined the after party, starring The Guzzlers and calendar models, as the grooved on the dance floor. A hot night for the books, indeed.

    Red-hot guests included: Renee and Alan Helfman, Hallie Vanderhider and Glenn Reyez, Council Member Amy Peck, Ellie and Michael Francisco, Van and David Greenberg, Carol and Bill Lawler, Denise Monteleone and Jim Martin, Fady Armanious, Linda and David Johnson, Jo Ann Petersen, Gaye Lynn and Stuart Zarrow, Councilman Mike Knox, Bill Miller, Joe Jaworski, Jackie and Monty Eubank, Cheryl Boblitt and Bill King, Dee and James Darby, Gary Petersen, John Poindexter, John Pearson, Lyndon Unger and Jacob Stein, Jenna Lindley and Louis Tronzo, Bruce Padilla and Shelby Kibodeaux, Alvin Abraham and Nicholas Nagurski, Julie and Alan Kent, Chris Hendel, Patti and Don Murphy, Jordan Seff, Robert Clay, Senator John Whitmire, Yanira and David Huntington, Janet and Tom Behanick, Alex Brennan-Martin, Tori and Ed DeCora, Constable Jerry Garcia, Karen and Tim Kelly and Lux, District Chief Jacob Sanders, Karen and Murry Penner, Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook, and State Representative Mary Ann Perez.

    Alan Stein, Elizabeth Stein, Joanna Marks, and Brad Marks.

    Red Hot Gala 2021
      
    Photo by Catchlight Group
    Alan Stein, Elizabeth Stein, Joanna Marks, and Brad Marks.
    fundraisersgalas
    news/society

    Medics on the Keys

    Houston doctors play a Steinway to support pediatric burn program

    Joel Luks
    Jun 16, 2025 | 6:00 pm
    Doctors in Recital 2025
    Courtesy of Doctors in Recital
    Dr. Michael Yafi and Amanda Watson.

    What happens when scalpel-wielding professionals swap the OR for a Steinway? Something pretty magical. For the third annual Doctors in Recital, Houston’s Steinway Piano Gallery orchestrated a night where medicine met music — and heartbeats gave way to half notes — all in support of the city’s only Pediatric Burn Program.

    Held at the newly renovated River Oaks Theatre, the performers welcomed a crowd of friends, family, supporters, and members of the medical community for a musicale. The program spotlighted 12 multi-talented physicians, whose day jobs span cardiology to pediatric surgery, as they played their hearts out on two exquisite Steinway grands.

    The performance piano: A gleaming Model B-Spirio in ebony, digitally recording each performance. Its show-stealing counterpart? A limited edition Steinway X Disney: Mickey Mouse piano — one of just 25 in the world — designed by Italian artist Elena Salmistraro in honor of Disney’s 100th anniversary.

    Amanda Watson, chair of the event and rep for Steinway Piano Gallery of Houston, welcomed the audience, setting the tone for an evening of artful giving. Then came Dr. Michael Yafi, co-chair and performer, who riffed on art history and the legendary Viennese surgeon-musician Billroth. A nod to the storied connection between music and medicine, his remarks underscored the tenor of the evening: Compassion, creativity, and care.

    The performances were a blend of classical favorites — think Beethoven, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff — with a dash of good-humored flair. There may have been a few lighthearted shenanigans (it’s not every day you hear a doctor sneak in a playful glissando mid-Rachmaninoff), but the audience loved it. These weren’t just notes on a page — they were love letters to both music and medicine.

    Rounding out the evening was Dr. Kevin Lally, who offered insight into the cause behind the concert: The Burn Program in the Department of Pediatric Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. As the city’s only pediatric burn unit, it treats more than 400 children annually, provides $50,000 in free burn care supplies, and serves a community of 2.3 million.

    Among the doctor performers were Neale Clark, Ryan Dickey, Natalie Drucker, Liliane Hay, Khashayar Hematpour, Maria Matuszczak, Aki Nishikawa, Marc Rhoads, Allison Speer, Tony Tran,and Pansy Tung, joined by guest performer Chaden Yafi, who teaches five of the participating doctors.

    Doctors in Recital 2025
      

    Courtesy of Doctors in Recital

    Dr. Michael Yafi and Amanda Watson.

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