Houston’s real estate landscape is continually changing and growing. One of the newest prestigious properties is The River Oaks, elegantly designed, with a nod to the mid-century-mod roots of the building, by Lauren Rottet. New residents and design aficionados gathered to toast the grand opening of the high-rise, and buzzed about amenities like the pet spa. Nearby, Nan and Company Properties and MC2 Architects hosted an open house at a new-construction property, filling the mod home with luxury handbags, courtesy of Christie’s International Real Estate. Proceeds from the art-like accessories went to local nonprofit Sunshine Kids.
CHAPMAN & KIRBY, THE premier event destination in Houston’s East Village, is thrilled to announce the launch of its Spring Music Series, kicking off on Friday, April 12. Chapman & Kirby has become synonymous with top-tier events and unforgettable experiences, many attended by celebrities both local and worldwide. With concert ticket prices soaring to hundreds and even thousands of dollars in the last year, this eight-week music series promises to be a welcomed opportunity to engage with live music for free, showcasing an eclectic lineup of talented acts.
"At Chapman & Kirby, we are dedicated to curating exceptional experiences for our guests beyond great food and drinks. The Spring Music Series is a testament to our commitment to hospitality from every angle, and we’re excited to show off incredible talent" said Mazen Baltagi, co-owner of Chapman & Kirby.
In partnership with Gulf Coast Entertainment, the Spring Music Series lineup will feature a diverse array of musical talents. Each Friday night will offer a unique, interactive experience for guests, via music, food & beverage and local vendor pop-ups. Doors will open at 6pm, with performances starting promptly at 7pm. Purchase tickets here. The schedule includes:
May 24: Hybrid 7
Photo from @hybrid7music on Instagram
May 31: Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band
Photo from dannyrayatlanticstreetband.com
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Leadership in Action: For Bianca Bucaram, ‘Strong Network and Family’ Are Essential
Sofia van der Dys
Oct. 8, 2024
Get to Know Bianca:
Bianca Bucaram, founder of The Bucaram PR Group and BXM Music, is a dynamic force in the public relations industry. She is known for her tenacity, empathy, and bilingual communication skills. As a local publicist with national reach, she blends local insights with broader impact, telling compelling stories that foster business growth and create opportunities.
Her ability to connect influencers, businesses, and nonprofits has set her apart, promoting prominent personalities while supporting meaningful causes.
How did you get to where you are today?
Bianca’s journey to success is marked by passion, persistence, and strategic storytelling. She founded The Bucaram PR Group, focusing on lifestyle clients, celebrities, and community leaders. Her firm has grown by blending traditional media outreach with relationship building, event management, artist development and more achieving significant results for her clients across various industries, including entertainment, fashion, sports, and music.
Who do you credit?
Bianca credits her success to her strong network of mentors, her family, and the community she serves. She acknowledges the support of her clients and the invaluable partnerships she has built over the years. Bianca is also deeply inspired by her commitment to giving back to her community, which continues to fuel her work in public relations and philanthropy.
What lessons have you learned that might enlighten and inspire others?
Bianca emphasizes the importance of showing up with kindness, resilience, and authenticity in everything you do. She has learned that building strong relationships and maintaining a positive attitude can open doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain closed. Bianca’s work ethic and dedication to her clients underscore her belief in the power of consistency, strategic planning, and adaptability in the ever-changing PR landscape.
What’s new in your life or work that you’re excited about?
Bianca is excited about her ongoing philanthropic work, including her involvement with the Global Empowerment Mission, where she has helped raise millions for disaster relief efforts. She is also thrilled about expanding her PR firm’s reach, after starting BXM music -- working with a diverse range of clients, and continuing to make an impact both locally in Houston and globally. Her efforts in supporting organizations like Maestro Cares, Marc Anthony’s nonprofit and creating successful campaigns reflect her passion for creating real change through her work.
She has been recognized as one of Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, named among the 100 Coolest People in the City by Houston CityBook, and received awards including the Woman of the Year in Advertising & Public Relations by the Ecuadorian American Chamber of Commerce. Her dynamic leadership continues to influence the industry while supporting charitable causes close to her heart.
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THE MANAGER OF Grand Velas Riviera Maya says a funny thing as she tours a writer around the 206-acre all-inclusive between Cancun and Tulum. “I still get lost sometimes. If I forget what I’m doing and stop looking at the signs, I wind up in the parking lot.”
Thank goodness for the signs, and the shuttle between the three distinct but interlocking resorts that comprise Grand Velas. One resort is adults-only and quiet, the other very family-friendly, and the third — the Zen Grand, immersed in tropical foliage — is so sexy the Love Is Blind reality show filmed here.
There’s so much to do, with the Caribbean waters to the east — Cozumel isle’s out in the sea — and the mangroves of the Yucatan to your back. Iguanas, racoons and coatis (sleeker racoons) wander in from the jungle, leaving behind spider monkeys, capybaras and jaguars, which keep their distance.
Consider an eco tour. Glimpses of wildlife are assured, and the reports of the resort’s sustainability initiatives — artificial reefs, tree-transplanting efforts — are fascinating. So are the grounds’ cenotes, the deep freshwater pits formed by geothermal activity after that dinosaur-ending asteroid hit here 66 million years ago.
The tour ends with a honey tasting, pairing cheeses with honey from the property’s bees. The sweet stuff also turns up in Se Spa. As part of one treatment, it’s smeared all over you before you soak in a tub then get a massage. The spa, where treatments begin with a multi-stage “water ceremony” in which you rotate through hot and cold sauna-like stations, is among the largest on the continent, featuring immense pools and cavernous relaxation spaces.
If honey isn’t enough, try one of eight restaurants. Cocine de Autor, where the tasting menu amazes with polished little plates of bone marrow with caviar and cabbage with pistachios, has a Michelin star. But if you eat there every night, you’ll miss the grilled “drunken” octopus at Mexican Frida — and the blue cheese croissants at Vegas-y/Parisian-y Piaf, whose chandeliers drip red crystals and whose beautiful violinist plays classicalized pop songs like something out of Bridgerton.
The best meals may be in the vast daily lunch buffet — roasted duck and lamb, many varieties of ceviche and sushi, lobster tail and giant cracked crab legs. It’s daunting and easy to get turned around. But getting lost has rarely been so delicious.
Mexican morsels at Frida
The cavernous pool and relaxation space at Se Spa
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