Shelby About Town

A different type of Houston reality show debuts, Knowles parties at Art Basel &refugees benefit

The Loyas were photographed in Aspen this summer prior to the filming of TwoAmericas.
Art Basel Miami where Houstonians are shopping and partying.
Fatima Mawji, from left, Arthur Schechter, Mustafa Tameez and Sheriff AdrianGarcia at Interfaith Ministries.
Photo by Debra N. Ham
Lily and Charles Foster, from left, Diana Untermeyer and Alan Crain atInterfaith Ministries.
Photo by Debra N. Ham

Unlike the ubiquitous TV "reality series," which are about as "real" as Lady Gaga's blonde locks, Vanguard's Two Americas, airing on Current TV at 8 p.m. Monday night, is the real thing — a close-up look at two Houston-area families, one highly successful, the other struggling in a tough economy. And it's Lucinda and Javier Loya who open the doors to their privileged lifestyle (for which both have worked tirelessly) with no scripted situations, no play-acting.

Call it a documentary not "reality TV." The Loyas will view the program in their comfy Memorial-area swankienda and are hoping that producer John Henion can make it in from his home base in San Francisco to watch it with them.

As Henion said in a previous interview with CultureMap, his goal was not to make a statement but rather to present the thought-provoking question: Is America's middle class becoming the working poor? That might have been the question but the trailer presents an uncomfortable juxtaposition of lifestyles of the rich and famous with that of the barely surviving.

Houston shops art in Miami

In the meantime, Lucinda Loya is in Miami along with a gaggle of art-hungry Houstonians that includes off-and-on over the weekend Barbara and Michael Gamson, Becca Cason Thrash, Karen Pulaski, Mike Loya, Stephanie Perkins and loads more.

Art Basel Miami Beach regularly draws a heavy contingent of gallery owners and collectors from Houston for the four days of art interaction and as many nights of swell socializing. Or as guestofaguest.com says, "Art Basel is all about the partying!" Check out the star-studded Ferrari party held there earlier this week, where Solange Knowles did the DJ thing.

Enriching luncheon

Tehmina Masud and Sultana Mangalji took the reins of the Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston benefit luncheon at the Junior League and brought in $80,000 for the ministries' refugee services department. Reflecting the international work of the service, the luncheon featured traditional Iraqi music performed by refugee Zubair Al Awadi. Featured speaker was Alban Shahini, a Kosovo refugee, who shared the story of suffering and ultimate triumph.

Susan and Dan Boggio received the Refugee Services Humanitarian Award and Richard Steele was presented the first Richard Steele Refugee Services Volunteer Award for his years of service in the Interfaith Ministries' refugee department. Lily and Charles Foster served as honorary chairs.

Sight 'ems

Dallas-based designerAbi Ferrin, after showing her yummy wares at Nordstrom, joining hostesses Lisa Holthouse and Ericka Bagwell and a posse of fans for lunch at Up . . .

Dancie and Jim Ware hosting a holiday dinner in the bar at Tony's where their guests included Karen and Mark Johnson and Sheridan and John Eddie Williams . . .

Michael Mandola entertaining RentTheRunway.com honchos AJ Nicholas and Ashley Savage over dinner at Ava . . .

La Griglia hopping at lunch where Sheridan Williams and Patrice Ferguson treated Janet Gurwitch to an early birthday lunch and where the notables included Scott Rozell, Bill King, Kitch Taub, Sylvia Garcia, Tom Roupe, Larry Johnson, Kara Howes and a host of others were scattered around the bustling dining room and patio.

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Intimate Musicale

Tunes fill River Oaks mansion in support of Miller Outdoor Theatre

Miller Outdoor Theatre Piano Noir fundraiser 2024

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Lynden Unger, Jacob Stein, Elizabeth and Alan Stein.

In a night that struck all the right notes, Robin and Danny Klaes opened their storied River Oaks home on November 10 to host an intimate soirée benefiting Houston’s beloved Miller Outdoor Theatre. Draped in sophisticated black and white cocktail attire, circa 40 arts patrons gathered for an evening of charming performances, fine cuisine, and meaningful chit chat — all with an eye toward supporting Miller’s mission of making the arts accessible to all.

The setting? An exquisitely decorated Kirby Drive home steeped in local lore, famously tied to the true-crime bestseller Blood and Money by Thomas Thompson, which added an intriguing layer to an already memorable evening. Was the ghost of Joan Robinson Hill roaming around? Perhaps.

Guests first mingled in the quaint, canopied courtyard, enjoying Chef Smirnov Catering’s hors d’oeuvres before being whisked into the grand ballroom on the second floor. With its baroque-inspired decor and ceiling murals, the space provided the allure of yesteryear, a theatrical backdrop for amicable chamber music.

St. John Flynn as emcee introduced performances by flutist Victor Kendall and the American Zeitgeist Chamber Ensemble, including Quantz’s Flute Concerto in G, Claude Bolling’s Suite for Jazz Flute, and Barber’s String Quartet. Adding a soupçon of modern flair, vocalists from the Music Box Theater — Rebekah Dahl, Brad Scarborough, and Austin Biel — offered their signature blend of cabaret and comedy.

Amid the musical interludes, Claudia de Vasco, managing director of the Miller Theatre Advisory Board, advocated for the nonprofit’s ongoing capital campaign. She spotlighted a recent key purchase: a grand piano specifically built to withstand Houston’s unpredictable outdoor elements. De Vasco invited attendees to become the official Miller Outdoor grand piano sponsors and make their mark on the amphitheater's enduring legacy.

Since stepping into her leadership role, De Vasco has ushered in a fresh energy around Miller Outdoor Theatre’s mission, focusing on how to better serve Houston’s diverse communities. The nonprofit’s free programming continues to be a gateway for Houstonians to experience everything from world-class symphonies to vibrant cultural showcases.

Guests in attendanceincluded Lance Jones and Allen Ueckert, John Edwards, Gabriel Olson, Carey Kirkpatrick, Lisa and Stan Duchman, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, Gretchen Gardener and Jack Watson, Lynden Unger, Jacob Stein, Karla and Romulo T. Cisneros, Senator Borris L. Miles and Cydonii Fairfax Miles, and Philamena and Arthur Baird.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Lynden Unger, Jacob Stein, Elizabeth and Alan Stein.

performing-arts fundraisers miller outdoor theatre