Nick Florescu and Dominique Sachse
CIS 2024 Gala Honorary Co-Chair Judy Tate, Co-Chair Lauren Brollier, Co-Chair Cassie Milam, Honorary Co-Chair Kirby McCool
Chaired by philanthropists Lauren and John Brollier and Cassie and John Milam, with honorary chairs Kirby and Scott McCool and Judy and Charles Tate, the magical evening supporting the valuable and impactful work of CIS of Houston begins at 6:30pm with a cocktail hour, then dinner and the program. Rounding out the event is live entertainment by the popular Houston-based band Klockwork. Guests can dance the night away, starting at 9pm.
The always diverse crowd makes for a dynamic event. Party-goers are encouraged to dress in “Wonderland Whimsy Cocktail” attire, with the goal of fun and festive. Cocktail attire is also a great option.
Don Friedell and emcee Lisa Malosky at a previous CIS Gala
Attendees at a previous CIS Gala
A full ballroom at a prior CIS Gala
CIS of Houston's Martha Montoya Sanchez with Northbrook High School seniors
CIS of Houston CEO Lisa Descant and CIS of Houston Dir. of Development Donna Watkins with CareSource Foundation
Special guest at the 45th Anniversary Gala is Rey Saldaña, President & CEO of Communities In Schools National in Arlington, VA. During the program, guests will view a powerful video about the life-changing work of CIS Houston, in addition to hearing heartwarming testimonials, bringing a personal touch to the evening.
Funds raised from A Night in Wonderland will support the CIS mission to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Currently serving 163 campuses across Greater Houston, CIS places at least one full-time CIS Student Support Manager on each partner campus to deliver comprehensive direct services including counseling, academic support and health and human services.
The chairs want to thank the event’s top-tier donors to date: Judy and Charles Tate; CenterPoint Energy; Sharon G. Dies; The Marie and James H. Galloway Foundation; Beth and Bob Gower; and Marathon Oil.
Tickets are going fast! They start at $500, and tables for 10 range from $5,000 through $50,000. Underwriting opportunities are still available.
Judy Tate (photo by Emily Jaschke)
Scott and Kirby McCool
Kit Detering, Cassie Milam, Carl Detering (photo by Jenny Antill)
Sharon G. Dies and Lauren Brollier
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Afternoon tea at The Marigold Club takes tradition for a spin, pairing classics like clotted cream and jam with creative delights such as Vadouvan Chicken Salad, Wagyu Pastrami, a Figgy Toffee Scone, and English Gougères filled with velvety chicken-liver mousse.
For $75 per guest, the tea experience delivers an exquisite lineup of sweet and savory bites, including Smoked Salmon perched on a sesame financier with a crown of osetra caviar, delicate wagyu pastrami finger sandwiches, and zesty orange-cardamom scones. Dessert lovers, brace yourselves: chocolate crèmeux tarts, pear tarts topped with vanilla whipped ganache, and Earl Grey tarts bursting with bergamot curd are just a few of the indulgent offerings. To top it all off, a curated tea selection from Brooklyn’s Bellocq Tea Atelier is presented tableside, allowing guests to indulge their senses by smelling each blend before choosing their perfect cup.
Tea service at The Marigold Club, available every Friday through Sunday from 10:30am-2:30pm, perfectly complements its newly launched, indulgent brunch. This decadent spread boasts delights like a King Crab Tart, crispy-yet-tender Chicken Milanese, fluffy French Omelets, and an elevated Croque Madame. For the ultimate treat, savor their Caviar & Potato Soldier, perched atop a golden, perfectly crisp hashbrown. And don’t forget the house-made pastries — think chocolate brioche filled with Earl Grey crème diplomat — crafted to make your weekend mornings utterly unforgettable.
All of this indulgence unfolds in one of The Marigold Club’s three enchanting spaces. Lounge on plush velvet banquettes beneath a dazzling hand-blown Murano chandelier, surrounded by the hand-painted mural of the main dining room. Bask in the elegance of the newly redesigned atrium, or step into the charming pink room, where fringe lighting adds just the right touch of whimsy.
So what are you waiting for? We’ve spilled the tea — now it’s your turn to sip it!
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Santé's Verde Room
The sexy lounge is the brainchild of Sina Khaef. He dreamed it up while enjoying the bustling nightlife in Paris, and he wanted to bring that experience to Houston. The result is Santé, whose dark environs are home to vintage chandeliers, jewel-toned lounge seating and a rotating art collection. “We are so proud of what we have created here at Santé. It’s a tasteful and sophisticated destination for you to enjoy with your friends, colleagues and visitors alike,” says Khaef.
The lounge is divided into four sections: “The garden,” with a large bar and two towering olive trees; “the spin room,” which is a dancefloor with cocktail tables next to the DJ booth; “the verde,” a dimly lit section with velvet couches and chairs; and the outdoor lounge area.
The cocktail menu was created by Matthew Medina, who also developed drinks at Toca Madera and Duchess. Each cocktail is named after a piece of art and, for an artful touch, is served on a coaster showcasing the art of the drink’s namesake.
Don’t miss the caviar cart that includes an option to crème-fraiche ice cream with a dollop of caviar. Other Euro-inspired options include oysters, hummus and charcuterie boards.
Santé is located at 2309 Richmond Ave., and opens at 4pm seven days a week.
Fruits Of The Earth Aflame cocktail
Le Grand Canal cocktail