VIPs Gather for World AIDS Day Watch Party

Morris Malakoff
VIPs Gather for World AIDS Day Watch Party

WHILE MANY ORGANIZATIONS have returned to fully in-person fundraising events, others still are favoring virtual versions, like the World AIDS Day 2021 event, hosted by AIDS Foundation Houston.


The livestreamed evening featured remarks from AFH board members, clients, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and others, as well as special video cameos from celebs like Leslie Jordan and Carson Kressley.

VIPs gathered at BeDesign on West Alabama for a watch party that included cocktails, light bites and mingling amid festive lights and beautiful furniture displays.

World AIDS Day 2021 honoree Paul Kawata, the executive director of the National Minority AIDS Council, graciously spoke to the 200 virtual and VIP guests, sharing his hopes for ending the HIV epidemic in Houston, and offering encouragement to all as the Covid-19 pandemic endures.

In all, the evening — the largest of three annual fundraisers for the organization — garnered more than $60,000 for AFH.

Parties

Denise Reyes and Matthew Healey (photo by Katy Anderson)

THE OPERA BALL, one of Houston’s perennially elegant, must-hit galas among the society set’s top tier, tilted marvelously mod and disco-deluxe this year, with sophisticated Spanish hints, thanks no doubt to ball chairs Isabel and Ignacio “Nacho” Torras. They are, of course, the arts patrons behind two of Houston’s most popular and trendy restaurants — MAD and BCN Taste & Tradition.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

Smoked Salmon Cheesecake with Emeril’s Reserve Caviar

THE POP-UP CULINARY trend — when great chefs from elsewhere take over a local restaurant for a night or two — continues to be a hot in Houston. But as the novelty of the concept fades to been-there-done-that, pop-up purveyors must be increasingly clever to attract savvy foodies.

Keep Reading Show less
Food