parties

At Festari Holiday Bash, Pro Athletes and Other VIPs Sip and Shop

Steven Traylor
At Festari Holiday Bash, Pro Athletes and Other VIPs Sip and Shop

Brian Ching, Lindsay Yates, Rachel and Jeff Bagwell

THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY bash at the Festari for Men shop in the Galleria area was even more special than usual, as the celebration also marked the store’s 30th anniversary in business in Houston.

“The VIP guest list consisted of longtime friends and clients who enjoyed delectable bites provided by close friend and neighbor Ben Berg's The Annie Cafe & Bar,” said a rep for store owners Debbie and Rudy Festari. Bites included house favorites such as quail bites, bacon fritters, crab tostadas and beef skewers — all washed with Champagne and tequila, naturally.

Since the party was held in a boutique, guest couldn’t help but use the occasion for some holiday gift shopping. A collection of leather, velvet and cashmere jackets, beautiful suits and blazers, and great accessories were on offer, the Festaris noted. Custom women’s jewelry fro Kym Jackson's Urban Rocks was also available.

Faces in the crowd included star athletes Carl Lewis, Brian Ching and Jeff Bagwell. Also making the scene were Rachel Bagwell, Michael and Michael Mithoff, Courtney Hopson, Ceron, Don and Laura Sanders, James and Nicole Lassiter, Marc and Duyen Duyen, Roland Maldonado, Melissa Juneau and Travis Torrence.

Iraida Brown, Mason Clark, Michelle Reyna Wymes and Ally Shell

Tarek El-Bjeirmi and Ceron

Jared Nash and Nadia Nichole

Susan Sanders, Don Mafrige, Jr., Cathy Echols and Tony Gibson

Tammie and Dr. Andy Johnson

Jessica Meyer and Laurel Weinstein

Hugo and Esther Guerrero

Christine and Steve Johnson and Marla Hurley

Michael Roa

Marni and Griffin Greenwood

Marc and Duyen Huynh and Irma Brindis with Patrick Ashiofu

Dallas and Ashton Garrison

Cicely Reid and Travis Torrence

James and Nicole Lassiter and Courtney Hopson

Tiffany Wong, Melissa Mithoff, Melissa Juneau

Debbie and Rudy Festari

Parties
promoted

Fried Chicken, Fancy Bubbles, and a Side of Glamour: Sundays at The Marigold Club Just Got Fun

Fried Chicken, Fancy Bubbles, and a Side of Glamour: Sundays at The Marigold Club Just Got Fun

Chef-owner Austin Waiter of The Marigold Club, now serving fried chicken and Champagne on Sunday nights.


IF YOUR SUNDAY nights could use a little sparkle—and a lot of fried chicken—The Marigold Club has just the thing. Starting May 25 at 5pm, the Montrose hotspot known for its playful mix of Southern charm and London polish is rolling out a new weekly tradition: Fried Chicken & Champagne Sundays.

This isn’t your average comfort food situation. We're talking a shareable fried chicken dinner for two, made with farm-raised birds from Deeply Rooted Ranch, and served alongside buttery whipped potatoes, minted peas, aged cheddar scones, and some over-the-top sauces — including a foie gras sauce supreme that’s as extra as it sounds.

Keep ReadingShow less
Food
parties

H-Town Style Play: A First-of-Its-Kind Texans Capsule Collection Debuts at Chic Luncheon

Kristi Ison, Rebecca Pritchard, Nora Jarrard, Katie Tsuru, Ronda Carman

H-TOWN FOOTBALL JUST got a fashion upgrade. The Texans teamed up with Houston’s own Christy Lynn to debut a first-ever capsule collection that swaps jerseys and hoodies for silk sets, chic dresses, and elevated knitwear — all in the team’s signature colors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Style
parties

Houston Ballet Salutes Jim Nelson and Celebrates Margaret Alkek Williams’ 90th Birthday

Dave Rossman

Sonja Kostich, Margaret Alkek Williams, and Jim Nelson

HOUSTON BALLET’S 2025–2026 season opened in high style with a double celebration. After the curtain fell on Onegin — John Cranko’s tale of love and rejection — more than 220 patrons gathered on stage at the Wortham for the annual Opening Night Onstage Dinner, one of the company’s most anticipated traditions.

The evening paid special tribute to Jim Nelson. Nelson, who took the helm as Executive Director in 2012, guided the Ballet through the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and the challenges of COVID. During dinner, Nelson was honored with a proclamation from the City of Houston. Even Nelson’s mother attended and received a special shout-out during his dinner toast.

Keep ReadingShow less
Parties