game. set. rock.

Brash tennis legend John McEnroe ready to rock out at red-hot Houston fashion event

John McEnroe will riff — and riff — at the fashion event.

Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for AYS Sports Marketing

As one of the greatest tennis players America has ever produced, John McEnroe is no stranger to big numbers — take his 883 career wins, 77 career titles, and a host of Grand Slam titles — including three Wimbledon wins.

But, it may surprise fans that the explosive, tough-talking tennis legend is also no stranger to musical numbers. McEnroe, an avid guitarist, fronts a band called Johnny Smyth – inspired by his marriage to singer Patty Smyth.

Houstonians who’re fans of McEnroe’s tennis game and effortless and brash “you cannot be serious” swagger can catch him on Friday, October 21 when he and his band play "After Dark 2022: Underground Edition," an annual fundraiser for Houston nonprofit sustainable fashion house Magpies & Peacocks. Tickets, including a VIP meet-and-greet package, are available online for the event that includes bites, cocktails, shopping, a live auction and more at the fashion house's store (908 Live Oak St.)

McEnroe’s appearance comes courtesy of event chair Tama Lundquist, who recently faced off with the tennis icon during Wimbledon for a charity event. Lundquist, who suffers from sports injuries, dropped some good-natured smack on the king of tennis smack talk: “You ready to get beat by another Swede?” (A nod to his battles with Swedish on-court nemesis Bjorn Borg that even sparked a documentary.) Turns out, the tough guy went easy on her.

“He was so patient and gentle and kind,” Lunquist tells CultureMap, “very, very sweet.” Later, she attended a concert at McEnroe’s home, and months later, Johnny Mac will rock out at her event.

As for the hot and haute fashion event, the show features a twist this year (as if a Johnny Mac appearance isn’t enough): Instead of models, some notable Houstonians will rock the runway. Strutting stars include Lundquist and her sister Tena Lundquist Faust of Houston Pet Set, Great Day Houston’s Deborah Duncan, and Holly Clapham-Rosenow of Houston First Corporation.

After the pre-event meet and fashion show, McEnroe and company will shred onstage, and then (schedule permitting), meet fans at an after party. Lunquist teases that the generous tennis superstar may even auction off a piece of his own Wilmbleon history.

Scoring a tennis titan is just the latest win for Magpies & Peacocks. Last year, as CultureMap reported, the 10-year-old organization was the sole house to be named to the prestigious Gucci Changemakers 2021, and later hosted House of Gucci exes in the front show of the 2021 “After Dark”show.

Meanwhile, McEnroe has become nearly as famous in pop culture as he is in sports. He does frequent voice-over work, most notably on the Netflix smash Never Have I Ever, where he narrates the life of teenage Indian-American girl Devi Vishwakumar with the trademark deadpan that’s made him beloved all over. (He drops gems like, “Wow, I look great there,” when archive clips of his matches grace the show.)

Consider this a chance to watch a superstar strut his stuff for a good cause — and hopefully ace a memorable one-liner.

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After Dark 2022: Underground Edition rocks the runway at 7 pm Friday, October 21 at Magpies & Peacocks, 908 Live Oak St. For tickets and more information, visit the event site.

Viva la Moda

Havana flair fills the runway at Latin Women’s Initiative fashion fête

Photo by Jacob Power

Rochelle Deiso, Ashlee Rubbo, Naimeh Salem, and Samantha Werber.

Welcome to a Havana-kissed fantasia.

Photo by Jacob Power

Rochelle Deiso, Ashlee Rubbo, Naimeh Salem, and Samantha Werber.

The 24th Annual Latin Women’s Initiative Fashion Show and Luncheon, themes Viva la Comunidad, Viva la Moda, unfolded at the Hilton Americas in a whirl of style and unapologetic Latin flair. More than 900 guests slipped into the scene for an afternoon where the stilettos were sharp, the tequila flowed, and the energy never dipped below high-decibel mode.

Luncheon committee chairman Julie Garza and Latin Women’s Initiative (LWI) president Vicky Dominguez welcomed guests into a space transformed by Johanna Terry Events. The marketplace opened early and quickly turned into its own social runway as shoppers browsed, mingled, and paused for Titanium Tequila tastings. Then came the mariachis, weaving through the ballroom to enthusiastic applause.

The fashion show, presented with Tootsies, delivered exactly what the city’s fashion faithful came for: drama, movement, and Latin designers who understand that clothing should enter a room before you do. Under the creative direction of Fady Armanious and production by Lenny Matuszewski, models swept past towering LED visuals in looks accented with jewelry by Brazilian designer Claudia Lobao, while menswear by Festari added a polished counterpoint. Telemundo Houston produced the event videos, and KPRC’s Daniella Guzman emceed the afternoon.

Nearby, an electric Porsche gleamed beside the stage like a very expensive plus-one.

The luncheon honored María Moncada Alaoui, recognized for her generosity and longstanding commitment to Houston’s community causes.

The event raised more than $550,000 benefiting Sunshine Kids, The Rose, Prelude Music Foundation, Finca Tres Robles, A Small Place Farm, and BridgeYear.

Supporting the cause were April Fabre, Lisa Flores, Lisset Garza Ceron, Omar Alaoui, Patricia Herrera, Rosi Hernandez, Gloria Luna Bounds, Trini Mendenhall-Royalty, Becky Reyes, Maritza Gonzales, Vicki Luna-Lerma and Horacio Lerma, Chree Boydstun, Patricia Garcia, Jolene Treviño, Mari Salazar, Leanne Schneider, Hoda Sana, Xochitl Ljuboja, Cathryn Martinez, Monica Alvarez, Cyndya Garza Roberts, Estela Cockrell, Cinthya Reade, Maria Morales, Jovanny and Samuel Orellana, Anna Reger, Hallie Vanderhider, Debbie Festari, Ally Shell, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Zinat Ahmed, Nora Jarrard, Stephanie Tsuru, Laurie Sanders, and Chelsea Collmer.

fundraisers latin women’s initiative