For the first time, the cancer-fighting Alcides E. Rosaura Diniz Foundation hosted a gala at the Astorian. Ana Paola Diniz, who lost her father Alcides to Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2006, praised MD Anderson, the night’s beneficiary, for its dedication. … Meanwhile, Catholic Charities’ “happy”-themed 75th annual Spirit of Charity event did indeed bring smiles to many faces. The evening, held at the Marriott Marquis, raised $1 million. … This year’s Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award dinner honored President George W. Bush for his lifelong commitment to service and country. The total till doubled the previous record, coming in at $4.2 million. … In addition to celebrating the induction of five new members of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, the Lone Star Flight Museum’s Flights of Fancy event garnered $700K for the museum. … And the 30th annual Goodwill Gala was the organization’s most successful ever, with more than 400 black-tie-clad guests — including Simone Biles and her family, guests of board member Leisa Holland Nelson — partying for a cause at the River Oaks Country Club.
WHAT WAS THE highlight of 2022 at your business? Winning Best of Show at the 2022 ASID Ruby Awards was very exciting. It was an honor to be recognized and supported by amazing industry partners and friends.
Successful people usually have many choices in what to do professionally. Why did you choose this? I discovered interior design purely by accident. Growing up on a farm in East Texas, I didn’t even know this was a profession. I took a beginning interior design class with a friend in college, and I fell in love with it. I believe I’ve been successful because I work hard, and I truly love what I do.
We’re fans of late educator Stephen Covey, who used to say that successful people “begin with the end in the mind.” At your business, what are you striving to accomplish? At this point in my career, I am working more as a mentor to my team. I want to leave my team and clients better off because they worked with me. Even though I’ll probably never 100 percent retire, I am slowing down and thinking more about what I want to leave behind. I feel so blessed with the success that I’ve experienced creating and building Eklektik Interiors, and I want to focus more on giving back to my industry and community.
Covey also spoke of having a “win-win strategy,” in which both the business owner and the customer win in the transaction. Can you describe your win-win strategy? When my clients are happy, I’m happy. It’s just that simple. I believe having a win-win strategy is being aware of the impact that you have and owning it. Every day that I get to get up and do what I love to do is a win. Figuring out different solutions, thinking outside the box, and finding inspiration in the process, is how I continue to find ways to make myself and others happier.
What’s special about your team? My team is eager to learn and tackle challenges. They love it just like I do! We all work together and individually to reflect Eklektik and our philosophy. We believe that the project isn’t about us; it is about our client and what they have asked us to do. I trust the fact that my employees know how to do just that. I love to see each designer flourish on their own and work together as a team for Eklektik’s success.
What’s new for 2023 that you’re excited about? We are very excited to announce our new location at 9434 Katy Freeway, Suite 200! Our studio in now dedicated 100 percent to interior design. We know that everyone is worried about inflation and being careful with their money. We are committed to working smarter as we give our clients the most bang for their buck. I’m excited to slow down and simplify my business and life and give my staff an opportunity to grow.
It’s Showtime: Houston Bar Celebrates ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel with Fun Run, Specials and More
SPOOKY SEASON IS starting early this year with the release of the Beetlejuice sequel in theaters on Friday. Houston cocktail bar and pizza joint Betelgeuse Betelgeuse is celebrating the film with two weekends of events and specials.
Owner Chris Cusack — whose favorite childhood movie is… you guessed it, Beetlejuice — is decking out the Washington Ave. location accordingly. There are giant, black-and-white backdrops — including a creepy-crawly pic of striped sandworms — for selfies, plus a miniature model set of the town Wind River.
Sip from the special cocktail menu at the Montrose and Washington Ave. locations from Sept. 6-13. The “Beetle Juice” with THC spirit or gin and muddled blackberries is a smash, while the lime-green, frozen “Magician’s Assistant” is a funky spin on a highball.
Be the ghost with the most and take part in a costumed fun run on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 7pm. All run levels are invited to don their best Beetlejuice-inspired looks and enjoy a free 3-mile route that starts at the Washington Ave. location. There’s a costume contest immediately following!
Additional costume contests are taking place at the Washington Ave. location on Friday, Sept. 6 and Friday, Sept. 13, at 11pm. Plus, don’t miss free flash tats Sept. 13 from 9pm-1am! So, go ahead, make your millennium.
Magicians Assistant
James Beard ‘Taste America’ Stops in Houston for a Foodie Affair at Four Seasons Downtown
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Taste America, James Beard Foundation's 20-city culinary series, is coming to town Sept. 12 with a lineup of award-winning Houston chefs.
The event, co-hosted by Houston First and taking place at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston, is your chance to experience the best in local culinary innovation and cutting-edge immersive art all in one luxurious place.
Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó
The James Beard Foundation, which aims to showcase the country’s food culture, kicked off its annual culinary series in July. A few Houston talents who will be participating include James Beard Award-winning Hugo Ortega, Street to Kitchen’s Chef G, and two-time Beard-nominated Emmanuel Chavez, the chef behind the Mexican tasting-menu restaurant Tatemó. Chavez will lead Tasting America as host chef.
Attendees who opt for Premier tickets ($250) to Taste America will receive a gift bag, which sounds like it’s worth the ticket price alone. Each includes exclusive access to a sneak peek of Meow Wolf Houston before the new Fifth Ward immersive art museum opens to the public.
Starting at 6pm, ahead of the main event, Premier ticket holders will be served exclusive drinks and bites, including Champagne and caviar, and specially crafted Meow Wolf cocktails created to encapsulate the immersive art experience.
Premier guests don't get all the fun, though. General ticket ($175) holders will get something special from Meow Wolf, too. After enjoying food and beverage stations from Houston's most talked-about chefs (see menu below), guests will leave with a special take-home gift from Meow Wolf and other event participants.
Here’s a first taste of what will be served throughout the evening:
- Host chef and James Beard nominee Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó will serve Hoja Santa ice cream
- James Beard semifinalist Ope Amosu of ChòpnBlọk will serve Agege Sliders with Nigerian eggs and Liberian greens aïoli
- James Beard semifinalist Dawn Burrell cooks up seared marinated duck breast with buckwheat kinche "grits" and berbere-spiced cream
- James Beard semifinalist Victoria Elizondo of Cochinita & Co. dishes masa cake with maracuyá passionfruit mousse, candied guava paste, caramelized pineapple, and coconut-amaranth tuile
- Sergio Hidalgo and James Beard nominee Chris Williams of Late August will serve a crudo of cobia with turnip mignonette, mole crunch, and shallots
- James Beard winner Benchawan Jabthong Painter of Street to Kitchen plates Nam Prik Noom Sai Oua with seasonal veggies
- James Beard winner Hugo Ortega of Xochi will serve slow-cooked, pork-stuffed plantain “torpedoes”
- Jason Ryczek of Little's Oyster Bar is grilling Spanish octopus with Schug and Little’s Pimenton
- Erin Smith of Feges BBQ puts together brisket "foldies" with pickles and sauce
- Sherman Yeung of Money Cat brings his sea urchin cream puffs with kaffir lime pastry cream and lychee syrup glaze
- Four Seasons Hotel Houston's own Jonathan Esparza of Toro Toro will serve Peruvian Ceviche of red snapper with leche de tigre, sweet potato, canchas and morita chile oil
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