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.
In Tech-Savvy Collab, Writers in the Schools Brings Youth Poetry to the Sidewalks of Houston
TO SAY HOUSTON has a lively poetry scene is an understatement. As we wrote back in 2017, in venues across the city — including Brazos Bookstore, Basket Books & Art, and Poison Girl, which hosts the long-running Poison Pen Reading Series — curated and open-mic readings and slam poetry competitions are happening almost nightly, and continue to be a cross-cultural, “cool and intellectually stimulating form of entertainment” for Houstonians of all ages.
Now Writers in the Schools (WITS), a non-profit founded in 1983 to nurture budding writers and poets through creative writing programs in classrooms, and technology pioneers IKE Smart City have teamed up to bring poetry to the streets and sidewalks of Houston.
Throughout Downtown/EaDo, Greater Heights, Midtown/Montrose, the Museum District, Uptown, and beyond, WITS and IKE have installed more than 180 touchscreen, interactive kiosks, each displaying a curated selection of poems by Houston-area elementary and middle school students, current Houston Youth Poet Laureate Elizabeth Hsu, and Meta4 Youth Poet Fellows.
The selection of poems appearing on the kiosks aligns with a year-long schedule of themed features and programming, including this weekend’s Space City Slam Weekend (June 28-29), a two-day poetry slam and workshop festival where poets ages 13-19 from across the country compete, learn, and form community together. WITS and IKE rolled out this innovative collaboration in May, and the kiosks will be up through April 2025.
Sleek, futuristic and fabricated to withstand extreme weather, the kiosks effectively complement the urban landscape of Space City and reveal how important the arts are for a well-rounded education and the health of our communities.
"We want our youth poets' words and voices to be visible, and this collaboration is a perfect and innovative way to do so," said Giuseppe Taurino, Executive Director of WITS in a press statement. “This collaboration allows us to extend our impact beyond the classroom.”
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Go Inside the New Thompson Hotel: Sanctuary-Inspired Spa, Rooftop Infinity Pool, Sleek Restaurants and More
A CHANGE OF scenery is good for the soul. And Thompson hotel’s newest location overlooking Houston’s Buffalo Bayou Park has plenty to offer those in need of checking in and chilling out. This is the brand’s fourth luxury boutique Texas property since Hyatt acquired it and expanded its reach.
A vacation — or staycation! — attitude immediately envelops guests as they arrive in the spacious seventh-floor lobby with sweeping panoramic views the Houston’s skyline. Sol 7 bar and restaurant offers a sunny view of the modern outdoor green space and infinity pool prompting you get to your guest room and change into your swimsuit.
About that pool: Prepare to stay a while. Covered cabanas with couches are first come, first serve, and across the pool find reservation-only cabana spaces outfitted with furniture, TVs, and bathrooms steps away. You’ll enjoy panoramic city views and won’t have to lift a finger — except to sip your drink delivered by pool staff. There’s a food menu from Sol 7, too.
Optionally, Sol 7 welcomes you to come as you are whether choosing its circular bar, casual high-top tables or covered patio; there’s even a happy hour with gentle prices on drinks and bites. A trio of spreads with beautiful crudités, burgers, healthy salads and classic entrees including steak, seafood and pastas headline the all-day menu.
Come fall, the hotel will become a new food mecca with additional restaurants including French brasserie Chardon and Buck 40, an upscale supper club. The Thompson Houston hotel is led locally by exec-chef Alexandre Viriot, who during his illustrious career has worked alongside the world’s most renowned French chefs.
Sol 7 smashburger (photo by Michael Anthony)
Toca Modera (photo by Connie Anderson)
Couples spa room
Toca Modera's flaming tomahawk (photo by TJ Perez)
A Skyline Suite
Another dining option is new Toca Madera, a modern Mexican steakhouse in The Pavilion at The Allen right across the Thompson valet breezeway. With locations in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Scottsdale, this marks global hospitality group Noble 33’s first Texas venture.
Vast and exotic, the space sports moody lighting and multiple vignettes including intimate dining nooks, roomy banquettes, two bars, and a patio. Its “experiential dining” vibe means pulsating music, DJs and table entertainment (flame swallowers, musicians, etc.). Although the volume on the weekends can be daunting, the food should not be missed, so reserve and arrive early! More on this dining experience soon.
After such an electrifying evening, guest rooms are a serene escape. Thompson appeals to aesthete travelers with its mid-century modern design, which is part of Thompson Houston’s DNA. It’s worth the splurge for the 9th floor panoramic suite with a gorgeous marble bathroom-shower-tub combo, living room area, and luxe bedroom with views for miles. Social spaces in the hotel can be reserved for weddings and events.
Spa time! Carve out a few hours for a treatment and some shopping in the Thompson Spa retail area for gifts and remedies from the world over. Facials, massage, body treatments and special packages are some of the spa categories offered. Choose from 14 different massage options, and each facial is tailored for the guest.
Leave on a sweet note by popping in cool first floor Maven Coffee & Cocktails byHouston Astros starter Lance McCullers, Jr., co-founder of Rex Hospitality Group along with Houston entrepreneur Juan Carlos Martinez de Aldecoa and partner Jimmy Doan. No expense was spared for the sleek design incorporating tables, tucked away pockets with couches and reading material, and counters for community seating. Grab a warm almond croissant along with a great cup of Joe — and we’ll be back to try the drinks and lounge bites!
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