The Dunlavy’s chandelier-bedecked space and bayou views provide a recipe for instant urban-glam. But Jacqueline Soussan and Aaron Almquist enlisted Pomp & Circumstance to infuse the venue with a hint of rustic romance for their September 2017 nuptials. Bronze and gold accents shimmered in the glass-encased room and on the wood-clad deck, offset by bright white arrangements courtesy of Flora & Eventi. Other warm touches included gold-calligraphied table numbers, a kids zone, complete with crayons and a coloring sheet, and comfort-food bites like donut holes. With their adorable, tux-clad infant son by their side for much of the night, which took place just three weeks after Hurricane Harvey, the Almquists toasted to new beginnings.
CHAPMAN & KIRBY, THE premier event destination in Houston’s East Village, is thrilled to announce the launch of its Spring Music Series, kicking off on Friday, April 12. Chapman & Kirby has become synonymous with top-tier events and unforgettable experiences, many attended by celebrities both local and worldwide. With concert ticket prices soaring to hundreds and even thousands of dollars in the last year, this eight-week music series promises to be a welcomed opportunity to engage with live music for free, showcasing an eclectic lineup of talented acts.
"At Chapman & Kirby, we are dedicated to curating exceptional experiences for our guests beyond great food and drinks. The Spring Music Series is a testament to our commitment to hospitality from every angle, and we’re excited to show off incredible talent" said Mazen Baltagi, co-owner of Chapman & Kirby.
In partnership with Gulf Coast Entertainment, the Spring Music Series lineup will feature a diverse array of musical talents. Each Friday night will offer a unique, interactive experience for guests, via music, food & beverage and local vendor pop-ups. Doors will open at 6pm, with performances starting promptly at 7pm. Purchase tickets here. The schedule includes:
April 19: Nick and the Hits
Photo @nickandthehits on Instagram
April 26: Manhattan Band by Jordan Kahn Music Company
Photo @jordankahnorchestra on Instagram
May 3: Grupo Kache followed by a DJ until 2am
Photo from kacheontheweb.com
May 10: Junior Gordon (Country Night)
Photo from juniorgordonband.com
May 17: David Delagarza (R&B Night)
Photo from Facebook
May 24: Hybrid 7
Photo from @hybrid7music on Instagram
May 31: Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band
Photo from dannyrayatlanticstreetband.com
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HOUSTON GRAND OPERA closes its critically acclaimed 2023-24 season of warhorses, Wagner and commissions with the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, The Sound of Music (April 26-May 12).
For those who know the show for such numbers as “My Favorite Things” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” the seriousness and timeliness of its book might be surprising. Set in Austria in 1938, retired naval officer Captain Georg von Trapp, who refuses to support the Nazi party, meets and falls in love with Maria, a guitar-strumming ingénue who is hired to look after the Captain’s seven unruly (but talented) children. Soprano Tori Tedeschi Adams sings the role of Trapp’s oldest daughter Liesl, and Houston-born tenor Adam Kral makes his HGO mainstage debut as Rolf, a delivery boy and budding member of the Nazi party who is in love with Liesl.
Kral, 21, caught the theater bug at age six when he was drafted for a community-theater production of Peter Pan. His mother, an immigrant raised in what was then Czechoslovakia, often showed Kral and his older sister YouTube clips of Pavarotti, golden-age musical theater, and films of fairy tales she grew up with. “We would listen late into the night — probably too late! — to all of these old Czech songs and operas,” says Kral. By the time he began performing, his inspiration came from a desire to bring these old films to life in a contemporary way.
Kral heavily researched his role as a lovestruck 17-year-old, ripe for induction by the Nazis. “You have to divorce your political and moral opinions of the character to play the role truthfully,” he says. “I have to approach this as what would it be like to be a young man who wants to prove himself, and is given a script to follow that allows him to take action in the current climate of the world.”
As a dancer, Kral is inspired by such masters as Gene Kelly (“He’s sort of my height!”) and studies dance at Uptown Dance Centre. He has performed roles with several Houston theater companies, and while at Houston Christian High School, received the 2019 Tommy Tune Award for Best Actor. Although New York is typically the next step in the journey of those steeped in music theater, Kral aspires to do more here, perhaps with TUTS or Stages. “It’s a huge city,” says Kral of his hometown, “and we have such a love for the arts.” ν
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IT'S A TALE as old as time: A flustered mom tries to put a bib or clothing item on her fussy baby — one-handed, naturally; moms do almost everything one-handed — only to have the kid put up a fight using that disproportionate strength of theirs, and everyone is left more frustrated than they were five minutes ago.
A Memorial-area mom of three had things like this happen one too many times, and set out to do something about it. Two years ago, Ashley Gooch filed a utility patent for a new type of magnetic closure, and now, in 2024, the first Babynetic product is available: a bib that is easy for parents to pop on and off (but hard for babies to do so!), made out of platinum-grade silicone and available in bright and modern colors. Gooch and her business partner, Austin-based Jennifer Jones Zimmer, thought through all the practicalities during the product development stage, which was carried out in conjunction with Samantha Rose's full-stack agency Mvnifest. (Rose founded GIR, specializing in silicone kitchen products.) The Babynetic bib is among the widest and strongest on the market, and it sticks to the fridge or dishwasher for easy storage.
"People are so desperate for things that make parenting easier," explains Gooch, 35, who has a school-age daughter, toddler daughter, and infant son. "We even thought through taking a bib to a restaurant, and it comes with a waterproof storage bag to toss in your purse without worrying about mess."
Gooch and Zimmer gave aesthetics a great deal of consideration, too. "Everything out there is muted and earth-toned, and it's hard to discern who's who," says Gooch, 35, of Babynetic's vibrant brand, which was brought to life with the help of Man the Studio, responsible for Instagram-savvy, eye-catching brands like Stoney Clover. "We wanted to have a playful, energetic, bold approach — we wanted to lean into kids being kids without necessarily using primary or neon colors."
Gooch is no stranger to entrepreneurship: She co-founded RYDE, the high-end spin studios with locations in River Oaks and the Heights, nine years ago. "Coming from the service world, it’s been exciting learning how to navigate the product realm," says Gooch, who in her minimal spare time enjoys working out, serving her community through various Christian ministries, and playing Mahjong with girlfriends. "From product design, patent acquisition, and manufacturing intricacies, to strategically carving out our own lane in a hyper-competitive landscape, I’ve loved challenging myself in a fresh and new way."
The Babynetic founders, who met while attending Texas A&M University, have always dreamt of starting a business together. "I'm not surprised that we did it," says Zimmer, whose background is in social-media and tech startups, "but I'm surprised that it took us this long!" The two would lay around during girls' nights and, instead of throwing back drinks or having a dance party, they'd brainstorm business ideas. Fast forward a few years, and Babynetic is a real-life dream-come-true — and there's more still to come!
Early next year, Babynetic will roll out its first line of magnetic baby apparel; the fully secured magnetic closure makes getting dressed and undressed a literal snap — even in the dark, during middle-of-the-night diaper changes. The clothing will be made from high-quality Peruvian Pima cotton.
"I am so excited about the opportunity to make life easier for parents like us," says Gooch. "As a mom that’s always on the go between work, social outings, and kids' activities, babygear that delivers is a must."
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