parties

Texas Heart Institute’s ‘Supper Club’ Bash Marks Its Glam Return to Gala Game

Texas Heart Institute’s ‘Supper Club’ Bash Marks Its Glam Return to Gala Game

Lauren and Tilman Fertitta

ONE OF HOUSTON'S most beloved healthcare and research institutions has returned to the gala game after a long hiatus.

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

From Your Site Articles
People + Places
promoted

Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

Keep Reading Show less
parties

Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen and 'Dec My Room' Supporters Kick Up their Boots for Kids

Jessica and Ryan Getz, Grace Ward

HOUSTON NONPROFIT Dec My Room threw a country-music-filled bash at House of Blues, where supporters two-stepped the night away and raised record-breaking proceeds, which will be used to decorate and customize hospital rooms of pediatric and young-adult patients all over the country. To date, the organization has improved the attitudes and healing process of 18,000 patients in nearly 200 hospitals.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties
promoted

Timeless Appeal at The Village: Sophisticated Retirement Living

THE STANDARD BEARER FOR LUXURY

We built The Village communities to exemplify sophisticated retirement living in Houston, surrounded by the heritage neighborhood of River Oaks, Tanglewood and Southampton. Each offers impeccable designer finishes and Aspenwood service detail with dining and resortstyle amenities making them premier locations for discerning Houstonians and their families. Impressive, spacious residential floor plans, generous natural light, and expansive terraces allow a new level of indoor-outdoor living. Beautiful spaces are designed for entertaining, fitness, and relaxation with a dedicated team to provide a secure lock and leave lifestyle for our members.

Keep Reading Show less