‘Wild’ In-Person Event in Memorial Park Toasts the New Eastern Glades

Daniel Ortiz
‘Wild’ In-Person Event in Memorial Park Toasts the New Eastern Glades

Clayton Katz, Jeffrey Yates, Diandra Breen and Robert Erni

WITH VACCINATIONS ON the rise and decent weather — albeit a little muggy lately — in the forecast, H-Town's spring social season is heating up! Last week at the new Clay Family Eastern Glades in Memorial Park, members of the park conservancy's young professionals group, Urban Wild, gathered in person for the first time since the project's completion last July.


More than 200 supporters celebrated the 100-acre section — which includes the 5.5-acre Hines Lake, walking trails, picnicking areas, wetlands and, as seen on this night, fabulous outdoor event spaces — to the sounds of DJ Aiden Kennedy. Picos provided refreshing margs, and 8th Wonder and Topo Chico supplied additional refreshments. Thanks in part to a selection of door prizes from vendors like Pondicheri, Mirth and Do or Dye salon, the event raised more than $60,000 for Memorial Park Conservancy.

The Eastern Glades is the first of many projects from the Memorial Park Master Plan to be brought to completion. The visionary Ten-Year Plan, funded largely by a $70 million gift from Nancy and Rich Kinder's Kinder Foundation, will also reunite the park's main green spaces on the north and south sides of Memorial Drive via a "land bridge" over the thoroughfare, under construction now.

Adam and Becca Hines;

Caroline Dawson, William Finnorn, Tori Christensen, Meghan Horne

Charlotte Hutson, Nicole Turpin, Keri Miller

Daniel Harrison, Margaret Strode, Thomas Smith

Danielle O'Bannon, Zoe Cadore, Iman Garrett-Price

Erica Matthews, Yvette Salazar, Megan Blaisdell Willis, Grace Salvie

George and Krissy Pepi

Kendra Lynch, Brandon Cook

Lauren Paine, Paige Matthews

Matt Mogas, Louise and Gary Moss

Tara Simon and George Lancaster

Zach Gaitz, Annemieke Lupton, John Montgomery

Parties

Mei-Ann Chen, flautist Brook Ferguson, oboist Alecia Lawyer, and bassoonist Kristin Wolfe Jensen

THIS FRIDAY, OCT. 20, the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra’s adventurous 19th season continues its theme of “making waves” with “Rise Up” — a program of two brand new chamber music works, both world premiere commissions by ROCO, and each inspired by the ongoing fight across the planet for women’s rights and equality. The concert takes place at the Asia Society Texas Center. Located in Houston's Museum District and designed by Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi, the center opened to the public in 2012, and is an especially exciting venue for art exhibitions and the performing arts.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

Mohl and Leo Villareal's 'Houston Light Matrix' installation

FOR RACHEL MOHL, recently named the new Executive Director and Chief Curator of Public Art of the University of Houston System (Public Art UHS), the power of public art is its ability to engage large audiences. “It’s anything that’s exhibited in public spaces and meant to engage people in their everyday life,” says Rohr. “It’s combining art and life on a large scale.” Mohl also believes art can reveal untold histories, explore cultural exchanges, and engender a social awareness. “Public art is a really great stage in which to do that, because it’s so front and center in our communities,” she says.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment