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
Exclusive Furniture’s Sam Zavary Credits Luck, Hard Work and ‘Mom’s Prayers’ for His Success

How did you get to where you are today? I am a firm believer that hard work and having dreams that you strive to achieve will motivate and inspire people to achieve their potential. Working hard, dreaming, and making sure to take advantage of every opportunity is something I learned at a young age. I credit God and God’s grace firstly, but I know that success is a direct result of hard work. I tell my podcast subscribers and followers to continue setting goals, evolving, improving, and planning, and I practice what I preach. I am proud to have started my business in the fastest growing major city in the United States, and I attribute a lot of the success of Exclusive Furniture to the family culture we create in the best city — Houston’s diversity, philanthropy, and innovation have helped me achieve a lot of the milestones in the furniture business (and the “low prices”) you see today!

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THE CORINTHIAN WAS the scene for a haunted happening benefiting Children’s Museum Houston. The decidedly adult bash was filled with dark allure, gothic glamour, and generosity to the tune of $1.14 million, the second-highest total in the event’s history.

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Parties

Morris Smith, Tilman Fertitta and Toni Smith

THE HOUSTON CHILDREN'S Charity gala is always anticipated, thanks to the big-deal musical acts brought in to entertain; this year it was Chicago. But the headliners this year were the generous donors, who seemed to surprise even event organizer with their largesse, with a total till of $6.2 million, a record.

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Party People