New Porsche Dealership's Grand-Opening Bash Shifts the Social Season into High Gear

Daniel Ortiz
New Porsche Dealership's Grand-Opening Bash Shifts the Social Season into High Gear

Cindy Baxter, Carmen Garcia, Vanessa Rodriguez

AUGUST IS HERE, and while the social season is still a ways away, some revelers kicked things into gear early at the grand opening of Porsche River Oaks.


Located on Greenbriar at 59, the two-story, 40,000-square-foot dealership — one of the country's largest — opened its doors for hundreds of Houstonians who were greeted with flutes of Veuve Clicquot topped with sugar cubes touting the Porsche logo. Many raised a glass for the 360 photo booth and posed for photos in front of the glittering step-and-repeat before heading into the main event.

On the first floor, partygoers encountered entertainment in the form of musicians, motion-tracking and interactive art installations, and a cocktail-chemistry station serving drinks in glasses that looked like tailpipes. There was also a pop-up nightclub carved out of the dealership's shop, boasting more bars and motion-activated elements — and bumping music, obviously. Country singer Clint Black also performed a surprise set.

Upstairs, the music, courtesy of a "rockestra" trio, lent a different feel. Bites included truffle-topped pastas, fresh salads and more from Monarch Hospitality. And Porsche's Fitting Lounge, where car-buyers customize their rides down to the shift knobs, was on this night a makeshift watch boutique showcasing Porsche timepieces. Throughout the space, vintage and collectible vehicles were parked, as were sculptures by Johans Lamic, who uses the iconic 930 turbo spoiler in his art.

The event, executed by Deborah Elias and her team, concluded with the distribution of pina-colada popsicles — a perfect way to keep guests cool on this August night. Spotted in the crowd: Roger Clemens, Brian Ching, newscasters Jennifer Reyna and Miya Shay, and Porsche execs Kjell Gruner and Jeff Dyke.

Jose Muñoz, Rambo Fiorotto, Ricardo Fojas, Jason Sarmiento, Jules Sarmiento

Jodi and Jeff Dyke with Clint Black and Roger Clemens

Anna and John Reger

Christine Tennant and Cesar Lopez

Deborah Elias

Art by Johans Lamic

Tamara Washington, Cheri Green

Susan Frania

Ramzi and Alex Reda

Lisa Gochman, Dominque McGhee

Maria Bassa, Beth Muecke

Clint Black performing

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

Lemon gelato at Dolce Neve

WITH TEMPS NEARING the triple digits, we’re all screaming for ice cream! If you haven’t hit Houston’s many scrumptious ice-cream shops this summer, here’s the scoop on eight of the best.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Artwork by May, Magallon and Carter

THE SUNLIT, COZY, 700-square-foot second floor of Basket Books and Art is the site of Hot Bod, one of the strangest and most intriguing exhibits currently on view in Houston.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment