Fifty & Fab

The Post Oak Hotel’s grand ballroom turned into a supper club “under the stars” for TUTS’ 50th anniversary celebration and annual gala. A gourmet dinner was accompanied by Broadway-quality theater, beginning with a moving performance of “Seasons of Love” from the musical Rent, sung by local stars and students from TUTS’ educational programs. Then Idina Menzel took the spotlight, ending her show by inviting the kids back to the stage to sing “Let It Go.” Aided by auction items like trips to South Africa, the night raised a record-setting $1.4 million.

Priscilla Dickson and Wilson Parish
Margaret Alkek Williams and Joanna Marks
Margaret Alkek Williams and Joanna Marks


Cheryl and Louis Raspino

Party People

Actor Alan Brincks gets his makeup done for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.'

BEGINNING AUG. 1 THROUGH Aug. 10, the Houston Shakespeare Festival, the professional arm of the University of Houston’s School of Theater and Dance, takes the stage at Miller Outdoor Theatre for its 50th iteration. The milestone event includes productions of Romeo & Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream, plus "Bard talks," all at no cost to viewers.

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Art + Entertainment

Dandelion Cafe owners Sarah Lieberman and J.C. Ricks with Mireya Villarreal of GMA, Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown of Southern Smoke Foundation (photo by Shane Dante Photography)

THE SOUTHERN SMOKE Foundation, established by chef Chris Shepherd, has only been around for seven years — but that's long enough to have helped hospitality workers through hurricanes, freezes, a pandemic, and countless other personal situations requiring emergency relief.

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Food