CityBook's First Five Years in Photographs: 2016-2017

CityBook's First Five Years in Photographs: 2016-2017

Twin models Josh and Chris Zatopek at The Inn at Dos Brisos in Washington, Texas (Holiday 2016, photo by Julie Soefer)

AFTER AN EXTRAORDINARY half-decade for H-Town — multiple once-in-a-lifetime weather events, a World Series win, an epic pandemic and much more — independently published, proudly all-local Houston CityBook marks five years in print this fall. With the gracious support of Deutsch Fine Jewelry, which has appeared as an advertiser on the back cover of every single issue, we look back at our take on the glamour, grit, style and substance of the most fascinating city in America. Get the picture? Presented by Deutsch Fine Jewelry


Musician Cammie Gilbert appears on the first cover (Premier Issue, photo by Julie Soefer)

Models Wade Groux in Coach and Raliat Akinlolu in Chloe Dao, in an outtake from a River Oaks fashion shoot (April 2017, photo by Steven Visneau)

Michael and Nicole Phelps join Kathryn and Josh Brolin, the event chair, for a Super Bowl bash for charity, sponsored by 'CityBook,' at the Memorial home of Executive Publisher Lisa Holthouse and her husband Michael (March 2017, photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Frixos Chrisinis at his Blue Horizons fish market (Premier Issue, photo by Shannon O'Hara)

Model Charlotte Stevens in Stella McCartney, photographed in the Galleria area (Premier Issue, photo by Julie Soefer)

Gina Erwin and her twin sister, Lisa Holthouse of 'CityBook,' with Editor Jeff Gremillion and his twin brother, Shannon Gremillion (Holiday 2016, photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Alley Theatre actor Michael Brusasco wears Brunello Cucinelli, photographed in the Greater Fifth Ward (Premier Issue, photo by Julie Soefer)

Models Brandon Connor, Mila Connally, Bay Berger and Grayson Auld in the first Sexy Issue, photographed in Memorial (Summer 2017, photo by Steven Visneau)

Explore More Years:

People + Places
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

Photo by Lynn Lane

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA’S second fall repertoire production is Gioachino Rossini’s Cinderella. The colorful, commedia dell'arte-inspired production opens Friday, Oct. 25, and stars Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard — a breathtaking brunette beauty, even when doused in soot — in bel canto role of Angelina, known to her mean step-sisters as “Cenerentola.”

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

BRETT MILLER WAS just 10 years old when his parents took him to a screening of the 1925 silent film, The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney as “The Phantom” of the Paris Opera House, with an accompanying soundtrack played live by an organist. The film contains one of the most famous “reveals” on celluloid (We won’t give it away!) and is all the more shocking when accompanied by live music played on the Phantom’s favorite instrument.

Keep Reading Show less