Steve Wyatt, Lynn Wyatt, Joyce Echols
The evening at the Wortham was especially memorable for its honoree, Lynn Wyatt. Wyatt serves as a special advisor to the Mercury board of directors and is the sponsor of Antoine Plante’s artistic director chair.
The night was also special in that it featured the return of celebrated maestro John Axelrod as guest conductor after 20 years of conducting abroad. Axelrod is a cousin of Wyatt’s, he told the crowd.
“Chaired by Nancy Littlejohn, the evening began with a pre-concert cocktail reception in the green room,” noted the rep. “After enjoying drinks and light bites, guests proceeded to the Cullen Theater for the evening performance which featured one of John’s signature programs including Haydn’s joyful Symphony No.22, ‘The Philosopher,’ and Leonard Bernstein’s spirited Serenade with Mercury Concertmaster Jonathan Godfrey as soloist.”
Dinner, served after the concert in the Wortham’s grand lobby featured caramelized onion and parmesan tarts followed by an entrée of tenderloin with lemon mint rice, carrot ribbons and a red wine reduction. Whiskey and chocolate tortes with almonds and chocolate mousse made a delightful dessert.
Pianist Axelrod, Bassist Plante and violinist Godfrey gave another little brief concert after dinner, which included a sweet rendition of “Your Song,” a hit of Wyatt’s dear friend Elton John.
Megan and Kevin Downs
Maiko Okamotho & Jason Herbst
Lynn Wyat & Nancy Littlejohn
Ken and Gretchen Penny
June and Steve Barth
John Axelrod, Lynn Wyatt, Steve Wyatt, Antoine Plante
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Jennifer Yorek, Brian Ritter, Arely Castillo
Deborah Lugo and Jonathan Godfrey
Angelica Ximenes, Joe Martin, John Axelrod, Cindi Rose, Dr. Franklin Rose
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Guests, who sipped Champagne on a festive bus ride from Houston, “were greeted from The Cotton Pearl Motel shuttle at the flower-adorned entry gate with an outdoor living space and cocktails featuring Casa Del Sol Tequila,” described a rep for the property. “DTLAcustom was stationed on the front lawn with an artist from Los Angeles to hand-paint guest names on denim jackets, compliments of The Cotton Pearl Motel.”
Indeed, the owners of the place — which, with its two-guestroom main house and two small cottages sprinkled around the pool and rolling field of a back lawn, might have been called a bed-and-breakfast had not motel become so trendy — never do anything halfway. Pete Bell, CEO of Cotton Holdings, is known for throwing top-notch affairs.
“No detail was left untouched,” noted the rep, “from floral bridges suspended over rectangular and round wooden tables, to Cotton Pearl Motel branded napkins, plates, personal fans, hat scarves, woven totes with candles and hat clips, and much more.”
Beautiful, detail-oriented accents abound. Even the toile design that adorns the wallpaper in the Victorian-inspired parlor and game room was custom-made to match the property’s cottontail-bunny motif. Whimsical bunny sculptures turn up hare and there — or rather, here and there.
Refreshments for the day were delightful. “The Cotton Pearl Motel partnered with the Ellis Motel, a neighboring establishment in Round Top, to create incredible cocktails for the event, including Spicy Peter Rabbit with Casa Del Sol Tequila, orange liqueur, lime, agave, and jalapeno; Pearl Paloma with Casa Del Sol Tequila, mezcal, grapefruit juice, lime juice, jalapeño simple syrup, sparkling water and tajin rim; as well as a Motel Bloody Mary; and Cottontail G&T with gin, elderflower tonic, ruby red grapefruit, juniper berries and a sprig of rosemary,” it was noted.
“Executive Chef Wade Schindler of Cotton Culinary introduced the beautiful brunch featuring Eggs Sardou atop Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with sundried tomato hollandaise, roasted cherry tomatoes and sautéed spinach, lemon zest asparagus, and country style potatoes. The plated dessert was a Frangipane Almond Tart topped with fresh berries brushed with apricot glaze.”
Guests were also encouraged to peruse celeb hat designer Teressa Foglia's wares in a tented pop-up on the sunny back lawn.
The Cotton Pearl opens for business Jan. 1.
Ashley Seals
Audrey Sarver
Christina Greene McAllen and Whitney Kuhn Lawson
Courtney Zavala and Jill Davis
Decor at The Cotton Pearl preview
Heather Almond
Teressa Foglia
Zinat Ahmed