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 Houston, Palm Beach, and Chicago Social Diary
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Down in PALM BEACH: "POP! Party On the Plaza" Chairmen: Brian and Andrea Kosoy, John Tatooles, Victor Moore, Adam and Elisabeth Munder, Sara Groff, and Piper Quinn |
Houston’s Society for the Performing Arts (S.P.A.), recently held their annual gala at Wortham Theater Center to benefit SPA’s education and outreach programs.
This year’s theme was Rock the Casbah and was chaired by Julie Shannon, Kathryn Smith and Edward Sanchez, with the auction being chaired by Gina and Devinder Bhatia.
Guests were transported to a Moroccan marketplace, complete with belly dancing, snake charming and exotic animals. Auctioneer Jeff Smith raised over $100,000 for the live auction. Guests in the crowd included: Kirby and Scott McCool, Courtney and Bo Hopson, Margaret Williams, Bobby Tudor, Elizabeth and Tom Glanville, Elizabeth and Gary Petersen and David Shannon.
Founded in 1966, Society for the Performing Arts (S.P.A.) is the largest independent non-profit presenting organization in the Southwest. Since its inception, S.P.A. has sponsored more than 700 performances of the world’s finest music, dance and theater events, in adherence to the belief that the arts are fundamental to the overall enrichment and quality of life within the community. In addition to presenting artists, S.P.A. provides a variety of learning experiences for adults and children through master classes, lectures and special student performances, as well as build relationships between the performing arts and other interests within the greater Houston area and throughout the state of Texas.
The Ball is a major part of S.P.A.’s annual fundraising, allowing the organization to continue bringing outstanding talent to Houston, such as violinist Itzhak Perlman, American Ballet Theatre, Philip Glass, Paul Taylor Dance Company, MOMIX, Three Mo’ Tenors, STOMP, and David Sedaris. |
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Kikki and Mike Wilson |
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Julie and David Shannon |
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Anita and Gerald Smith |
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Kirby and Scott McCool |
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Courtney and Bo Hopson |
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Ginny and Richard Mithoff |
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Gina and Devinder Bhatia |
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Margaret Williams and Jim Daniel |
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Mary Beth Aspromonte and Ceron |
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Elizabeth and Gary Petersen |
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Andrew and Gretchen McFarland |
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Rudy and Debbie Festari with Milton Townsend |
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Edward Sanchez and June Christensen |
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Julie and David Shannon with Kathryn and Jeff Smith |
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Georgia Foulard and Priscilla Larson |
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Lisanne and Jim Rogers |
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Michelle and Frank Hevrdejs |
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Renata and Greg Davis |
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Chree Boydstun and Barry Mandell |
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Rachel and Dr. Michael Brown |
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Elizabeth Bryant and Elizabeth Abraham |
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Suzette and Darrell Betts |
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Stand Up for Houston’s Children with CBS’ The Late Late Show Host Craig Ferguson, a benefit for non-profit CHILDREN AT RISK, was a record-breaking event held earlier last month at the Verizon Wireless Theater. They raised more than $250,000 as well as awareness of the major issue of child trafficking in Houston.
“Stand Up for Houston’s Children” chair Dr. Carolyn Farb, said, “It was such an honor for me to be able to support the life-saving work of CHILDREN AT RISK. The spirit and generosity of Houstonians always answers the call.”
All proceeds will be directed toward the creation of CHILDREN AT RISK’s Center to End Trafficking and Exploitation of Children- a collaborative and multi-faceted effort to restore the innocence lost by the child victims of this terrible crime. The Center is a much needed resource in Houston, which has become the largest hub of human trafficking in the country.
CHILDREN AT RISK honored Lt. Governor David Dewhurst with the CHILDREN AT RISK Inaugural Founders Award for his support in passing into legislation one of the toughest Jessica’s Laws in the country. He advocates for all children and their right to a happy and purposeful life. The Lt. Governor was accompanied by his fiancée, Trish Hamilton.
Over 1,200 hundred guests attended. Benefactor hosts were given Big Bertha drivers generously provided by Academy Sports + Outdoors. Mr. Ferguson’s comedy routine had the audience in stitches. He covered topics from marriage, family and politics, to his becoming an American citizen in 2008. The guests were also feted by the amazing three course dinner provided by Chef Bruce McMillan of famed restaurant Tony’s. Chef McMillian debuted his chocolate mascarpone "Tuxedo" cake.
In keeping with the theme of the evening, several men opted with the traditional Scottish kilt including Ceron, Mark Sullivan, Robert Nowak, Drew Wilson and fashion designer Caesar Galindo. Other faces in the crowd included: Emcee Bob Boudreaux and wife Jennie Moroney, Deborah and Bill Colton, incoming CHILDREN AT RISK Board Chair David Roylance and wife Deborah, Trish Hamilton, Garry Huddleston, Erica and Jeff Bagwell, Cappy and Darlene Bisso, Tena Faust, Jo Lynn and Gregg Falgout, Jerry and Lisa Simon, Rachel and Dr. Michael Brown, Edward Sanchez, Doug and Jennifer Bosch, Betty and John Hrncir, Debbie and Rudy Festari, Amy and Roy Marsh, Alicia and Lance Smith, Jerry Davis, Charles Ward, and Dr. Fred Aguilar.
CHILDREN AT RISK believes that every child has the right to a safe, stable home in which to grow; sufficient shelter, food and medical care; and adequate opportunity for social, emotional and intellectual growth. The focus of CHILDREN AT RISK is to make Greater Houston a place where children’s needs come first, where families thrive and where ample resources are available to children and their families. |
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Caroline and Gregg Tyson |
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Bob and Jenny Boudreaux |
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Debra and David Roylance |
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Joycelyn and Andrew Marek |
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Craig Ferguson with Darlene and Cappy Bisso |
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Darrell and Suzette Betts |
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Ericka and Mike McClure |
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Gregg and Jo Lynn Falgout |
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Denise and Mike Maher |
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Dr. Fred Aguilar and Jennifer Miller |
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Gary and Beck Huddleston |
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Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, Carolyn Farb, and Bob Sanborn |
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Rashena and Quinn Flagg |
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Jeff and Erica Bagwell |
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Drew Wilson and Bob Nowak |
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Lt Governor David Dewhurst and Tricia Bivens |
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Julie and David Shannon |
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Paul and Alice Danneman |
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Ceron and Mark Sullivan |
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Betty Hrncir and Carolyn Farb |
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Lisa and Jerry Simon |
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Roy and Amy Marsh |
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Fireworks, like puppies, have the unique ability to bring out the kid in everyone. And so it was on Sunday night as Palm Beachers gathered in support of FoundCare’s new community health center for uninsured children and adults, which is now up and running and serving thousands.
Billed as “POP!- Party On the Plaza,” the Young Friends of FoundCare pitched a clear tent on the water’s edge at Royal Poinciana Plaza and filled it with folks to watch the annual Sunfest fireworks, dance to the Rick Bauer Band and drink Grey Goose vodka, Martini & Rossi Prosecco courtesy of Bacardi USA.
Event chairs were Sara Groff and Piper Quinn, Andrea and Brian Kosoy, Victor Moore and John Tatooles and Elisabeth and Adam Munder. In the crowd: FoundCare CEO Yolette Bonnet, Mona de Sayve, Ann Downey, Betsy and Wally Turner, Robin and Norberto Azqueta, Lee Bierly and Chris Drake, Eles Gillet and James Kaufmann, Toinette Boalt, Steven Stolman, Merrilyn Bardes, Kenn Karakul, Tom Samet, Tom Shaffer, Marsha Tanner Wilson, Ashlyn and Mark Montgomery, Kirk de Gooyer, Sarah Flynn, Earl Crittenden and many more- especially a very happy John Strangi who made the winning bid for a posh London weekend at the Connaught Hotel along with tickets to the West End production of “Dirty Dancing.” |
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Adam and Elisabeth Munder |
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Ashlyn and Mark Montgomery with Liz Quinn |
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Betsy and Wally Turner |
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Jimmy Tigani and Bryce Lingo |
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Dr. David Dodson and Donna Ross |
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Ann Downey and Michael McCarty |
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Jimmy Tigani, Ann Downey, Scott Moses, and Mona de Sayve |
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Dana Landry, Tom Miller, Bill Moody, and Allan Reyes |
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James Kaufmann and Eles Gillet |
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Gordon and Jane Brown |
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Earl Crittenden and Juan Londono |
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John Andreu and Joyce Dawson |
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Phoebe Patterson and Marsha Wilson |
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Sara Groff, Piper Quinn, and Elisabeth and Adam Munder |
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The POP! Boys pouring Bacardi's Grey Goose vodka and Martini & Rossi Prosecco |
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Kenn Karakul and Merrilyn Bardes |
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Frances Webster and Todd Peter |
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Merrilyn Bardes and Victor Moore |
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Norberto and Robin Azqueta |
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Bob Dowling, Crosby Renwick, Lee Bierly, and John Tatooles |
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Shirley Murphy, Ken Elias, Lydia Crozier, and David Veselsky |
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Elisabeth Munder and Kim Honig |
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The Rick Bauer Band |
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Steven Stolman and Andrea Kosoy |
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Kirk de Gooyer, Susan Cheico, and Victor Moore |
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PJ Layng and Tom Samet |
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Tom Shaffer and Ingela Carlsson |
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Steven Stolman and Scott Moses |
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Tom Tharrington and Sarah Flynn |
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Scott Moses, Frances Webster, and Todd Peter |
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Wayne Lewis, Trent Steele, and Bill Bone |
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Every year, Landmarks Illinois’ Legendary Landmarks Gala honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the civic and cultural life of Chicago. This year’s honorees were philanthropist and leading figure in the Chicago Historic Preservation movement, Richard Dreihaus; Michael Kutza, founder of the Chicago Film Festival, and Susan and Lew Manilow, Community leaders with a passion for human rights, the environment, art and politics.
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Dinner ... |
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Dessert ... |
More than 400 attended the black tie affair at the historic Palmer House Hilton and they raised a total of $225,000. During his acceptance speech, Mr. Dreihaus announced a four year $1 million commitment to Landmarks Illinois to establish a grant program to restore historic county courthouses in the state.
“Novelist William Faulkner,” Dreihaus reminded, “once characterized the American courthouses as the ‘repository and guardian of a county’s aspirations and hopes.’” |
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Martin Gapshis and Dori Wilson |
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Richard Driehaus, Lew Manilow, Michael Kutza, and Susan Manilow |
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Mary Kenney and David Manilow |
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Sarah and Ted Tetzlaff |
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Victor Skrebneski, Sherren Leigh, Tony Jones, Helyn Goldenberg, Leslie Hindman, Michael Kutza, Donna La Pietra, Ken Beachler, Marilyn Miglin, Eugene Martello, Susan Manilow, and Lew Manilow |
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Wendy Kilcollin, Karen Peterson, Bruce Johnson, Kathryn Johnson, Chan Peterson, Penny Barr, and John Barr |
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Shelley Gorson and Madeline Gelis |
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Lisa Hilgenberg and Philippe Hans |
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Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra |
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Jane Himmel and Ron Sargis |
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Tony Jones and Michael Kutza |
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Joe Antunovich, Leslie Antunovich, and Richard Driehaus |
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Mina McGuire, Victor Skrebneski, and Nicole Daris |
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Leslie Hindman, Christopher Multhauf, Lynn Osmond, and Linea Anthony |
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| Photographs by Diane Alexander White Photography (Chicago) |
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