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A-list Houston crowd enjoys posh amenities at River Oaks tennis tournament

Spring in Houston means a jam-packed calendar, and people positively buzzing with excitement about so many highly anticipated events, beginning with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, the dazzling gala season, and now the River Oaks Men's Clay Court Championship. This time of year brings out the best of Houston's social scene including delicious food, fabulous fashion, and exclusive, invite-only events.

Since 2001, River Oaks Country Club has been the place to see and be seen at the only remaining Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tour played on clay courts. With a tournament theme of "Tennis in Full Bloom," this year's prize purse is nearly $750,000, and the top seed is Tommy Paul.

Although world-class tennis may be the main attraction for many spectators who flock to one of Houston's most affluent zip codes, for others, the posh social scene and lavish events surrounding the tournament steal the spotlight.

Jocelyn Mathews, Sheila Strickland, and Vatti Richardson. Photo by Gabi De la Rosa

Upscale boutique Tootsies hosts an annual two-day fashion extravaganza with back-to-back fashion shows during the tournament. This year's theme, Serves & Spurs, brought a blend of guests wearing traditional floral frocks combined with cowboy boots and hats.

"The fashion show was fantastic. There was a Western twist in places you wouldn't expect. We got a taste of polka dots and plumes, feathers and fuchsia silk, chapeaus and cowboy boots set in a country theme that was present but not pushy. We saw it all," says fashion show attendee Allison Parsley.

With wine and champagne flowing, fashion show attendees are always treated to a delicious menu. Day one of this year's event brought Texas prime beef tenderloin salad and dewberry crumble for dessert. Galleria-area restaurant The Annie was onsite with its famed caviar pop-up cart, adding to the lavish ambiance.

"It's always a privilege to be part of the U.S. Men's Clay Tennis Tournament in Houston," The Annie owner Benjamin Berg tells CultureMap. "This event is a fantastic experience in the city, and Berg Hospitality Group is proud to offer a taste of our concepts by bringing them to the event with fun pop-ups throughout the week."

The exclusive Lexus Lounge is one of the most sought-after places to socialize. Reserved for a select few, including event sponsors and River Oaks Country Club members, the elite retreat features private indoor and outdoor seating with prime views of the matches. Guests can enjoy complimentary dining, which includes a salad bar, savory station, candy and snack bar, and gelato station. In addition to two open bars, the second-story hot spot includes an espresso martini cart by Maven Coffee Company.

Even without the coveted red bracelet that garners entrance into the Lexus Lounge, guests can enjoy delicious food and drinks throughout the tournament grounds. Goode Company has a significant presence, and bars serve alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages at every turn.

In addition to watching great tennis and socializing, guests at the River Oaks Men's Clay Court Championship can indulge in high-end shopping. Tenenbaum Jewelry and Tootsies anchor the largest retail locations selling jewelry, luxury handbags, and clothing. Additional pop-up boutiques feature exclusive tournament merchandise and ready-to-wear looks from Adam Lippes.

River Oaks Men's Clay Court Championship runs through Sunday, April 6. Tickets are available here.

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Curtain Call

Porgy and Bess revival leads stunning launch of HGO’s new season

Photo by Emily Jäschke

The cast of Porgy and Bess with conductor James Gaffigan.

Houston Grand Opera launched its 2025-26 season with a soul-stirring statement — one that blended history, harmony, and high jazzy American style — at the season-opening performance of Porgy and Bess, followed by a celebration dinner that felt more like an all-cast reunion than a buttoned-up black-tie din din.

Photo by Emily Jäschke

The cast of Porgy and Bess with conductor James Gaffigan.

Under the direction of Francesca Zambello, the Gershwin classic unfolded on the Wortham Theater Center’s stage in a performance that was both nostalgic and unflinchingly honest. The lush, jazz-meets-classical score had audiences leaning in, and many found themselves marveling at how many of the opera’s melodies live rent-free in cultural memory.

But it wasn’t just the music that captivated. The emotional weight of the story and the conversations it inspired lingered long after the curtain dropped.

HGO general director and CEO Khori Dastoor opened the evening by reflecting on the company’s legacy with Porgy and Bess, which stretches back to a 1976 production that earned both a Tony and a Grammy. This 2025 revival, nearly 50 years later, brought that legacy full circle, honoring the past while setting a tone for the season’s theme: The light we hold.

The production, which runs through November 15, features a powerhouse cast that includes bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as Porgy and soprano Angel Blue as Bess. Soprano Latonia Moore, making her HGO mainstage debut, appears as Serena. Baritone Blake Denson takes on the role of Crown, and tenor Demetrious Sampson Jr. brings charisma to Sportin’ Life. A poignant full-circle moment came with baritone Donnie Ray Albert, who portrayed Porgy in HGO’s 1976 production, returning to the stage as Lawyer Frazier. Opening night was conducted by James Gaffigan, with Richard Bado leading later performances.

The post-performance celebration on Fish Plaza, chaired by Dina Alsowayel and Tony Chase, transformed the space into an elegant nod to Charleston charm. Creams and greens, soft candlelight, and natural textures made for a timeless scene, but it was the congenial vibe that truly stole the show. The mood was chatty, the energy high, and the mission clear: Reconnect, rejoice, and rally behind the power of opera.

During the dinner, Dastoor and artistic and music director Patrick Summers acknowledged the many supporters who brought this night to life. Dastoor offered a poignant nod to Summers as he begins his final season in his current role, transitioning to music director emeritus next year. She also welcomed Astley Blair as HGO’s newly elected board chair, signaling an exciting chapter ahead.

Weeks later, HGO announced Gaffigan’s appointment as the company’s fifth music director — a major milestone in its 70-year history. Gaffigan, a rising star in European opera houses and orchestras, made his American operatic debut at HGO in 2011 and returned this fall to conduct Porgy and Bess. His connection to Houston runs deep, as an alumnus of Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.

As the night wound down, the cast and creative team received a standing ovation again. And rightly so. The event drew 450 guests and raised $690,000, the second-highest total in HGO Opening Night history.

CultureMap seen were Margaret Alkek Williams, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Sylvia Barnes and Jim Trimble, Vivianna Jolie, Elizabeth and Neil Chapman, Rebekka and Damon Chargois, Jane Cizik, Molly Crownover, Misook Doolittle, Marty Dudley, Elaine Finger, Marianne and Joe Geagea, Claire Liu and Joe Greenberg, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, Alecia Harris, Matt Healey and Denise Reyes, Chris and Morgan Hollins, Elizabeth and Richard Husseini, Teresa and José Ivo, Monica Karuturi and Kumaran Sathyamoorthy, Sarah and Bryant Lee, Karen and Ramon Manning, Nancy McGregor and Neal Manne, Terrylin Neale, Franci Neely, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Rebecca Rabinow and Matt Ringel, Jill and Allyn Risley, Cora and Judson Robinson, Kelly and David Rose, Anita Smith, Dian and Harlan Stai, Ellen Susman, Marguerite Swartz, Charlene Tombar, Nestor Topchy, Jesse, Brooks, and Sherida Tutor, Marcia and Alfredo Vilas, Donna Sims and Frank Wilson, Gretchen Watkins, Mary-Olga and John Warren, Yuichi and Uny Watanabe, Geraldina and Scott Wise, and Kristina and Enoch Woodhouse.

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