Party Arty! Hobby Center Bash Raises $325K for Public Art

Johnny Than
Party Arty! Hobby Center Bash Raises $325K for Public Art

Breanna Blankenship, Nicholas Stuart, Zsavon Butler, Outspoken Bean

SUPPORTERS OF THE Houston Arts Alliance pulled inspiration from global art, fashion and culture for a spectacular gala at the Hobby Center. “The World’s Stage” gala, chaired by Zsavon Butler and Nicholas Stuart, raised $325,000 to benefit the Houston Arts Alliance’s public-art and artist resiliency initiatives.


A meaningful moment was when former Houston Poet Laureate Outspoken Bean honored longtime chef and food-writer Adán Medrano with a spoken-word performance. Works by other beloved local artists, like Jamal Cyrus and Vincent Valdez, adorned the walls, and music was provided by Breanna Blankenship and DJ Flash Gordon Parks.

The 350 guests also enjoyed a runway show featuring fall looks by Chloe Dao, modeled by icons like Lauren Anderson, and a spread prepared by Jackson & Company along with H-E-B. A nod to the global theme, the menu included Korean-style short ribs and Greek kourabiedes — washed down with French and Italian wine, of course. Cheers!

Ross Smith, Leigh Smith, Caroline Smith, Alecia Harris, Whitmire Vo, Owen Duffy

Casey Valverde, Tammy Dowe, Marco Martinez

David James, Judge Lina Hidalgo, Honoree Adan Medrano & Richard Jimenez

Rita Garcia, Sergio Selvera

George Farah & Michele Leal Farah, Nicholas & Zsavon Butler, Lauren Anderson & Chris Stanaway, John Abodeely & Edward Kachinske

Chloe Dao with her models

Michele Leal Farah

Lisa and Saul Valentin

Leigh Smith, John Abodeely, Lauren Anderson

Aerialist from J&D Entertainment

Joel Rottier, Council Member Mario Castillo, Rep. Christina Morales, Michele Leal Farah

Parties
Duos, Trios and Teams: ‘Mutual Respect and Trust’ Key at M Penner

Murry & Karen Penner

HOW DID THIS duo come about? We’re a husband-and-wife team in a family business. We met in 5th grade at Kolter Elementary School and became lifelong friends. For the record, we didn’t start dating until a few years later — and we just celebrated our 40th anniversary!

Keep Reading Show less

IT’S A MILESTONE year for Houston PetSet, a local nonprofit organization working to end Houston’s homeless animal crisis. The much-needed organization will celebrate 20 years of advocating for the animals of Houston with its biggest Fierce & Fabulous Soirée yet!

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places

Hungry's Tanglewood

THE SUMMER RESTAURANT scene has been hot, hot, hot — and August is, unsurprisingly, no exception. Favorite cafes are rapidly expanding, while others are staying put — but giving their menus a mega overhaul. Read on for this week's most delicious food news!

Keep Reading Show less
Food