FANCIFUL FIESTA

Colorful, Brazilian-themed luncheon raises $550,000 for Houston's Latino community

The dazzling colors of Brazilian Carnival, samba dancers, a notable Latin American designer, and a brimming marketplace can only mean one thing: the annual Latin Women's Initiative (LWI) luncheon and fashion show.

The Hilton Americas Ballroom housed a sold-out crowd for the 22nd anniversary of the luncheon chaired by Jolene Trevino with honorary chair Rebecca Reyes. Over 900 guests, adorned in vibrant spring attire, gathered to celebrate the organization's mission to uplift nonprofits that provide critical services to Houston's Latino community.

The high-energy crowd started the day by sipping tequila from Houston-based Titanium and shopping. Once the luncheon began, KPRC 2's Daniella Guzamn emceed the event which included a fashion show led by Saks Fifth Avenue general manager Heidi Turney and a personal appearance by the featured designer Patricia Bonaldi.

Attendees were treated to a true runway production created by Lenny Matuszewski. The fashion show's backdrop consisted of massive LED screens with enticing scenes from Bonaldi's home country of Brazil. Models walked the runway accompanied by popular Latin music, and halfway through the fashion extravaganza, samba dancers took to the stage for a musical interlude that drew much applause and cheers from the crowd.

The luncheon and fashion show culminated in a raffle, offering a chance to win exquisite prizes and add to the event's bottom line, including a diamond tennis bracelet presented by Amy and Michelle Zadok. This year's occasion surpassed all expectations, raising a record-breaking $550,000, which will go a long way in supporting Avance, NewSpring, Small Places, Undies for Everyone, and Work Texas.

Per luncheon tradition, the afternoon closed out with a tequila toast as guests raised their glasses and celebrated fashion for a cause.

Among the fashionably clad supporters were Ceron, Rosi and Jorge Hernandez, Jessica Rossman, Gloria Bounds, Kat Pressly, Jan Mendenhall, Marcie Mir, Beckie Mir, Isela Garcia, Monica and Joaquin Jimenez, Trini Mendenhall-Royalty, Michele Leal, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Rosangela Capobianco, Whitney Crane, Winell Herron, Lisa Helfman, Chree Boydstun, Estella Cockrell, Vicky and John Dominguez, Alba Huerta, and Maritza Gonzales.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Vicki Luna, Jovanny Orellana, Patricia Garcia, Lisset Garza, and Gloria Luna Bounds.

Operetta Chic

Musical menu delights Houstonians at Gilbert and Sullivan Society gala

Gilbert and Sullivan Society Auction of Arias 2026

Photo by Michelle Watson

Sean Holshouser, Richard Paul Fink, Riley Ortega, Laura Coleman, Meaghan Heath, Catherine Schaefer, Riley Vagis, Julie Hoetzel, and Pantelis Karastamatis.

High notes met high bids and applause for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston.

Photo by Michelle Watson

Sean Holshouser, Richard Paul Fink, Riley Ortega, Laura Coleman, Meaghan Heath, Catherine Schaefer, Riley Vagis, Julie Hoetzel, and Pantelis Karastamatis.

That was the scene at the Doré Commons of the Baker Institute at Rice University for the 11th annual Auction of Arias gala. The event marked the company’s 75th season, drawing more than 120 guests for an evening of musical revelry. At the helm of the evening was event chair Melissa Stonebrook.

The program leaned into the society’s signature charm, with artists from past productions and the upcoming The Gondoliers delivering a blend of Gilbert and Sullivan favorites, operatic showstoppers, and playful departures into musical theater. Leading the welcome was board president Joe White, serving both as emcee and performer.

Through a lively auction-style menu, bidders selected the evening’s soundtrack, prompting renditions of classics like “Three Little Maids” from The Mikado and “Poor Wandering One” from The Pirates of Penzance, alongside crowd-pleasers including “Je Veux Vivre” and “You’ll Be Back.”

Laura Coleman, Richard Paul Fink, Meaghan Heath, Julie Hoeltzel, Sean Holshouser, Pantelis Karastamatis, Riley Ortega, and Riley Vagis offered performances Gilbert and Sullivan would approve — with a wink.

Three video presentations, produced by society member and voice actor John Gremillion, featured alumni like Susan Facer, who went on to star in Phantom of the Opera, Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, and Broadway director Andy Einhorn.

The gala raised more than $130,000, a record-breaking total that will support the group’s upcoming production of The Gondoliers and its scholarship program.

Summoning their inner operetta chic were Victor Stonebrook, John Yabraian, Karen McCarver, Ashly Evans and Clifton Vining, Geoff Copper, Meredith Rice, Sandra Pushkin, Jane Cizik, Marcia Feldman, James Ferrendelli, Barbara Mackey, David Satterfield, Molly and Jim Crownover, Terrilyn Neale, Laura Groppe, Elizabeth Fritschle, Anne and Albert Chao, Cindy and Michael Ma, Jose Ivo, Olga and Orlando Alvarado, and Sharon Birkman.