A Starry Night: A-List Crowd Toasts Debut of Van Gogh Experience

Quy Tran
A Starry Night: A-List Crowd Toasts Debut of Van Gogh Experience

Natalie Varnum and Jacqueline Long

A CELEB-STUDDED crowd turned out to toast the grand opening of the highly anticipated Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit, which debuted in a custom-built warehouse in West Houston on Wednesday night.


The 200 guests first gathered in a courtyard erected outside the venue, which will soon be dubbed Lighthouse Artspace. Everyone wanted their pic taken in front of the sunflower-bedecked yellow pickup, turmeric-tinged signature cocktail in hand.

Impact Museums' Diana Rayzman and Vito Iaia, who helped produce the exhibit, and Council Member Amy Peck were among those who gave remarks before a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. Then, at last, art-loving Houstonians — including Brian Ching, Chester Pitts, Kam Franklin, Donkeeboy, Jess and Betty Tutor, and Scott and Jana Arnoldy — poured into the bright blue warehouse, ready to take in the full experience.

Once inside the main room, folks claimed their spot within socially distanced circles, and were dazzled by the 35-minute show. For more on the exhibit, click here.

Kam Franklin, Donkeeboy, and Sylvia Roman

Lauren and Kyle Courville

Miya Shay and Laurette Veres

LaToya and Chester Pitts and family

Jessica Rifanburg and Alessandra Madrid

Amy Johnston and Carrie Evans

Megumi Hoshi and Whitney Mercilus

Scott and Jana Arnoldy and Betty and Jess Tutor

The evening's colorful signature cocktail

Schuyler and Sarah Pappas

Giselle and Patrick Piller

Parties
Fall Philanthropy Report: March of Dimes’ ‘Signature Chefs’ Event Coming in November

What year was your organization launched? 1938

What is your mission? March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, to combat polio. The name “March of Dimes” was suggested by entertainer Eddie Cantor as a way to encourage people to donate even a small amount, like a dime, to help fight polio.

Keep Reading Show less

Diana Madero, Thea Pheasey, Alejandra Peterman, Hillary Jebbitt

EIGHT CHEFS, THIRTY years — and one big dinner! Urban Harvest rang in its fourth decade of community gardens, farmers markets and food access at their annual farm-to-table dinner cooked up by some of the most notable chefs in town.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

The inspired menu at Amalfi emphasizes fresh seafood and, on right, Giancarlo Ferrara

THIS WEDNESDAY, AMALFI Ristorante will transport guests to the sun-soaked shores of Southern Italy’s Campania region, home to the glamorous island of Capri, with a six-course dinner. The menu, curated by Executive Chef Giancarlo Ferrara, will be paired with wines from Agricola Bellaria Winery, one of Campania’s most celebrated estates.

Keep Reading Show less
Food