Lauren and Tilman Fertitta
The Texas Heart Institute hosted its first gala in seven years at The Post Oak Hotel, with a “Supper Club” theme. “The ballroom was transformed into an iconic Supper Club from the 1940s, offering a blend of sophistication and fun,” explained a rep for the event’s organizers “More than 400 guests had the opportunity to enjoy great entertainment, sip on pink martinis, connect with friends, and, most importantly, celebrate the successes achieved in the ongoing battle against cardiovascular disease.”
Big Band-style music fitting of theme was provided by Pink Martini. An appropriately decadent old-school-posh menu of shrimp cocktail, filet mignon, buttery mashed potatoes and ice cream for dessert also helped the effect. The event was chaired by Kelli Kickerillo and Todd Forester, with Kelli’s parents, home-building titans Mary and Vincent Kickerillo, serving as honorary chairs.
“Some of The Texas Heart Institute’s many contributions were highlighted in a short video,” said the rep, “which featured a 33-year-old mother who suffered a cardiac arrest at her office and remained unconscious in the ICU for eight days before her heart started beating on its own once more. She has since made a full recovery and was introduced at the event with her family.”
THI CEO Joseph Rogers noted in his remarks that “the technology that saved this young mother, much of which was created, refined, or tested at The Texas Heart Institute, took years to develop.” He called the Institute’s research “high-risk, high-reward.”
More than $800,000 was raised to continue THI’s research and lifesaving work. Among the guests were Rose Cullen, Bud and Rachael Frazier, Alfred Glassell, III, Windi and David Grimes, Joan Schnitzer and Post Oak Hotel owner Tilman Fertitta, who is only rarely on-hand at events at his ballroom.
Dr. Bud Frazier, Walter Johnson, Dr. Billy Cohn
Giorgio and Cathy Borlenghi
Hallie and David Grimes
Julie and Miles Voss
Ken Valach, Polly Bowden, Theresa Blades, Murry Bowden
Leslie and Eric Wade
Lisa and Jerry Simon
Rosie Meyer, Tony Gonzalez
Trent Hrncir, Courtney Hopson
Michelle and Sandy Aron
Hoda Sana, Nina Magon, Reshma Varughese, April Salazar and Natalia Gillebaard
Co-owners and life partners Adrian Duenas and Marcelo Saenz welcomed more than 200 clients, friends and industry pros to the West Alabama store, which carries B&B Italia, Ligne Roset, Fendi Casa and dozens of other sought-after European lines. Guests enjoyed touring the three-story space, and lined up to congratulate the couple while sipping French rosé and enjoying bites from MAD and Musaafer (truffle-and-cumin macarons?! Say no more).
On the first floor, Divisi Strings serenaded partygoers as they arrived; upstairs, Lady Lauranza turned the volume up with lively renditions such as "I Wanna Dance with Somebody." The indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge beckoned everyone to the third floor, and the picture-perfect skyline views did not disappoint.
Adrian Dueñas, Shoshana Gilbert and Marcelo Saenz
David Cremezza and Federicco Podesta
Ellie Strehli, Kate Jackson and Anna McGrath
Paul Althaus and Beth Wolff
Lydia Ortiz, Jeff Horing and Yadira Sanchez
Paola and Sam Katz
Rooftop patio
Musaafer's truffle and cumin macaron
Alina Grove, Karen Hernandez and Monica Amariz
Vivi and Christopher Robertson
Felipe Riccio, Hayley Reese Riccio, Carrie and Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl