Can-Can Glam

Victory Houston’s lavish Parisian bash brings in $1.8 million

Paris, anyone? Bien sûr que oui!

Photo by Jacob Power

Fady Armanious and Maria Moncada-Alaoui.

Victory Houston transported more than 700 guests to Paris via 713 Music Hall for a glittery, Moulin Rouge-themed fundraiser that raised $1.8 million for cancer research and local initiatives.

Presented by Sonic Automotive, "A Night in Moulin Rouge" turned the downtown venue into a crimson-drenched cabaret, all under the chic orchestration of ball chairs Cissy Abel and Hallie Vanderhider, with decor by Let It Fly Events. Think crystal chandeliers, velvet draping, decorative windmills, and just enough feathers to make the Can-Can blush.

Cotton Culinary rolled out grazing stations stacked with artisanal cheeses, grilled vegetables, and charcuterie, alongside hearty options like beef tenderloin, pulled short rib tacos, and roasted corn tamales. Guests floated from tequila tastings to the glitter bar before placing bets at pop-up craps and blackjack tables, channeling their inner high rollers.

The real show, however, was the auction. Johnny Holloway led the charge with paddle-raising fervor, offering up an eclectic mix: A private dinner with Nobel Prize-winning immunotherapy pioneer Dr. James P. Allison, a VIP pass to a "Dancing with the Stars" taping, and a 19-carat London blue topaz necklace that found its forever home with high bidder Becky Edmondson. Jody Merritt nabbed an exclusive reception for 100 at Steak 48, while John and Bebe Falik scored matching 2025 Ford F-150 King Ranch trucks.

And because no swanky gala is complete without a puppy, Vanderhider adopted a nine-week-old Labrador from DogLab TX, charmingly named Jack.

Frank Billingsley emceed the night with wit, as Q The Band kept energy levels high on the dance floor. As guests departed, they were sent off with black quilted swag bags and late-night Chick-fil-A biscuits.

Among those in the crowd were Cyvia Wolff, Jo Ann Petersen and Mike Taylor, Diane Watson Cain, Lisa and Joel Bender, Susan Plank, Rob Dale, Maria Moncada-Alaoui, Jackie and Monty Eubank, Dr. Michael Taylor, Lisa and Sean McCoy, Joni and John Ballis, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, Bill Baldwin and Fady Armanious, Elaine Finger, Betty and Jess Tutor, Sandra Burgess, Miriam Overton and Dr. Sujith Joseph, Tammy and Kim Norman, Davis Hance and Kittsie Klaes, Robin and Alex Brennan Martin, Khynnedi Wright, Lauren Smith Devadanam, Jim Jordan and Shawn Stephens, Danny Rolph, and Denise Monteleone.

Vintage Vibes

Wine and resilience shine at Houston nonprofit's glamorous soirée

Photo by Johnny Than

Gaston Elie, Gina Gaston Elie, and Mario Elie.

The Women’s Fund poured on the charm at its 10th Annual Wine Dinner, trading its usual intimate digs for The Astorian’s lofty glamour and a vibe as effervescent as the night’s first pour. Picture white feathers flirting with candlelight, rosé-hued roses blushing in Revere bowls, and a crowd dressed to toast, taste, and turn up for a cause.

Photo by Johnny Than

Gaston Elie, Gina Gaston Elie, and Mario Elie.

Chairs Vanessa and Chuck Ames led the swirl, sip, and support soirée, where guests kicked things off with passed bites and bubbly from Amy and Rob Pierce and Alexandra Bruskoff. Jackson and Co. served up crispy artichokes, mushroom Wellington, tuna carpaccio, and beef tartare, perfectly paired with cava and casual elegance.

The Madam Zero Champagne Wall added sparkle and suspense, doling out deBoulle gift cards and a private champagne tasting. Meanwhile, the silent auction table buzzed with high-stakes bids for year-long date nights, Zadok's bling, a Chopped-worthy in-home dinner by chef Lena Le, and more.

Dinner dazzled across four courses: Steelhead carpaccio with Meyer lemon sabayon and Texas Vermentino; wild mushroom agnolotti matched with a Russian River Pinot; charcoal-grilled filet cozied up to Tuscan red; and a bittersweet chocolate tart so luxe it got its own sponsor, Armine+Ambrose.

Mid-meal pop-up auctions turned tables into tasting salons with caviar and Burgundies flowing like insider gossip. And when it came time to raise paddles, auctioneer Johnny Holloway of Johnny Bravo Productions kept the energy high and the giving higher. Think Majorca vacations (sold twice), Rockets suite nights, Napa getaways, and a cameo on Chris Shepherd's Eat Like a Local that also sold — you guessed it — twice.

The evening honored the inaugural Toast to Resilience Class. Paulina and Jim McGrath earned the Visionary Spirit Award, Gina Gaston Elie was honored with the Resilient Heart Award, and Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown received the Champions of Community Award—each recognized for lifting up Houston’s women and girls with compassion, creativity, and serious clout.

By the end of the night, guests had raised an impressive $485,000. That’s more than double last year's total. With more than 250 oenophiles in attendance, the event proved that good wine and a great cause make for one worthy pairing.

Supporters raising their glasses included Anne and John Clutterbuck, Ashley Sere, Meredith and Ben Marshall, Jessica and Brian Leeke, Brian Faulkner, Caroline and Matt Monday, Lisa and Charlie Meachem, Corbin Young, Craig and Kristin Kellogg, Jordan and Dylan Seff, Lisa Meacham, Kelly and Frank Hogan, George Breen, Megan and Jerry Hughes Jr., Jillian and Yuri Waldo, Erin and Kyle Cummings, Nadia Tajalli, Paula Sutton, Rania Mankarious, Laura Ward, Sarah Barrett, Shellie McBeth, Steve Jetton, Steve Mohtashami, Aliza Dutt, Danny Ward and Nancy Ames, James Calaway, Jody Merritt, Kristen Collins, Kristy Bradshaw, Laura Davenport, Mario Elie, Nene Foxhall, Roxann and Tim Neumann, and Nora Jarrard.