¡Dale! Pitbull Takes the Stage at Massive San Luis Salute

Dave Rossman and Gary Fountain
¡Dale! Pitbull Takes the Stage at Massive San Luis Salute

Maria and Neil Bush

ON THE HEELS of last year's San Luis Salute, which was Texas' biggest Mardi Gras bash ever, Tilman Fertitta was determined to throw another stupendous celebration.


And that he did. Nearly 2,000 tickets were purchased within hours of them going on sale, and revelers from all over the country flew in to party Mardi in Galveston.

Per the Fertitta family's custom, a Champagne-fueled pre-party was held in a chandelier-bedecked tent on the dock next to their mega-yacht, The Boardwalk. Guests sipped Veuve and explored the $150 million, 77-meter yacht before heading to the main event, a gala at the Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort.

Channeling the "Gilded Masquerade" theme, Richard Flowers of The Events Company created stunning tablescapes flecked with gold, colorful blooms and chic animal print. Speaking of wild, fire dancers, sword-swallowing showmen and an aerial violinist entertained the black-tie-clad gala-goers to the sounds of The Big Beyond.

After a seated dinner of short rib and gourmet shrimp and grits — the latter dyed purple in true Mardi Gras fashion — guests got on their feet for Pitbull, who last performed at the San Luis Salute in 2016.

Thomas and Hailey Kleiderer

Rich Handler

Blayne Fertitta and Dancie Ware

Patrick Fertitta, Paige Fertitta and Blake Fertitta

Carol Alvarado and Renu Khator

Lance and Alicia Smith

Caroline Brown and Elizabeth Kohlhausen

Kelly Wainscott and Craig Kovacevich

Chris Titterington and Sophie Titterington

Pitbull

The Boardwalk yacht

2023 Knights of Momus Royal Court and Tilman Fertitta

Parties
Fall Philanthropy Report: Urban Harvest Farmers Market Helps ‘Transform Food Accessibility’

What year was your organization launched? Urban Harvest’s Saturday Farmers Market started in 2004 with just seven vendors, providing an outlet for local farms, community and backyard gardeners to sell fresh produce harvested directly from their soils. Now in its 20th year, the market has grown to be one of the largest markets in Texas, supporting over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans all from within 180 miles of Houston. The market draws 3,000 customers every Saturday morning and includes many original vendors like Animal Farm, Atkinson Farms, and Wood Duck Farm.

Keep Reading Show less

Nadia Hafeez, Shireen Hadi, Sara Perry (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

A ROSTER OF women you might usually see in scrubs and white coats flipped the script and went high-fashion for the Arts of Healing Foundation’s fourth annual Fashion Show at the Post Oak Hotel, celebrating Houston’s Women in Medicine.

Keep Reading Show less

Amy Pierce, Sippi Khurana, Dr Namrata Sharma Goel and Ruchi Muchejee (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

A BIG CROWD turned up at the Post Oak Hotel for the Children at Risk gala, raising some $360,000 focused on “understanding and addressing the root causes of child poverty and inequality,” per its mission statement.

Keep Reading Show less