Gorgeous Weather, Celeb Sightings and More: Inside MFAH’s Million-Dollar Weekend

Gorgeous Weather, Celeb Sightings and More: Inside MFAH’s Million-Dollar Weekend

Whitney Crane and Kate Upton (Photo by Wilson Parish)

SPOTTED: KATE UPTON at a chic, breezy luncheon at the lush Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. A lively crowd dancing under chandeliers al fresco on a picture-perfect spring night. A pop-up LegoLand designed for creative minds of all ages. These were just a few of the diverse scenes that took place throughout the Bayou Bend Weekend benefiting the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.


The marathon weekend started off with a luncheon and fashion show chaired by Janet Gurwitch and Meredith Flores Barker. On one of the most beautiful days of the year, the sun was shining and the humidity was low as models donning 45 looks from Neiman Marcus took to the runway. Guests dined onchilled asparagus soup and lump-crab salad that was capped off with a flight of fruit sorbet.

On Saturday, more than 320 guests took part in the family-friendly Bayou Land celebration. Here, supporters and their kiddos explored different activities in themed areas like Barbie Land, Lego Land and Sports Land. The crowning jewel was the Bubble Palace!

The gorgeous spring weather continued through Sunday, when the Moonlight Sonata-themed Garden Party took place. Guests gathered in the estate’s gardens at twilight for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before enjoying a seated dinner of pan-seared red snapper by City Kitchen. The weekend was capped off with dancing on the black-and-white checkered dance floor to the music of Anthony Caceres.

Rachel Bagwell; Julia Morales (Photo by Wilson Parish)

Rich and Nancy Kinder (Photo by Wilson Parish)

Ashley Seals, Heather Almond (photo by Wilson Parish)

Meredith Flores Barker; Gary Tinterow; Janet Gurwitch

Consuelo MacPherson; Laura Arnold; Maria Munoz; Vanessa Sanchez; Jennie Segal; Evelyn Pappas (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Courtney Freels; Kirby Lodholz (Photo by Wilson Parish)

Lisa Eads; Julia Eads Grazer (Photo by Wilson Parish)

Sloan Childers-Cummins; Maddison McConn; Phoebe Massey Cholnoky; Lily Schnitzer (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Stuart Winston; Josh Gaynor; Moti Ferder (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Stephanie Marchand; Rosangela Capabianco; Janie Luna; Elia Gabbanelli (Photo by Wilson Parish)

Ashley and Wes Dillard Family (Photo by Wilson Parish)

Colleen Kotts; Cynthia Petrello (Photo by Wilson Parish)

Debbie Dacus; Denise Wynne (Photo by Wilson Parish)

Jacob Stein; Lynden and Alexander Unger (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Karol and Paul Barnhart; Polly and Murry Bowden (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Emily and Olivia Kelting (Photo by Wilson Parish)

Lisa Hough and Erik Littlejohn (Photo by Wilson Parish)

Kenner and Wright Francis (Photo by Wilson Parish)

Parties

Kam Franklin (photo courtesy of Mint Talent Group)

SURE, TAYLOR SWIFT is scheduled to land in Space City this Friday, but we got something else exciting going down musically the night before. Sponsored by the University of Houston, Downtown, the UHD Thursday Night Concerts series gets rolling on April 20 on the Anheuser-Busch Stage at Discovery Green. Positioned to face the green’s Fondren Performance Space, and with the Downtown skyline as its backdrop, the state-of-the-art concert venue features a top-notch audio and lighting system designed with the city’s diverse performing arts community in mind. This year’s series includes some incredible Houston-based talent, as well as acts from San Antonino, Austin and New Orleans.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

French white asparagus at Le Jardinier

SPRING IS THE most beautiful time of the year to dine with artful outdoor views or alfresco style before our weather gets steamy. While catching the latest museum exhibitions, why not make a day of it by sampling the new brunch, lunch or dinner menus at the MFAH’s signature Le Jardinier? Always impressive for celebrations, the enchanting restaurant also offers more casual patio dining and seating in the bar area for solo guests, if desired.

Keep Reading Show less
Food