Rain or Shine! Trivia Night for Charity Kicks Off Pride Weekend

Hailie Durrett
Rain or Shine! Trivia Night for Charity Kicks Off Pride Weekend

Brit Burk, Drew Hope and Vitor Burk

A TORRENTIAL RAIN storm didn’t stop the participants at the second annual Big Queer Quiz from raising money for Grace Place! Teams gathered at Houston Cider Co. and sipped beers such as the Prider Cider, a raspberry lemonade hard cider brewed for Pride month, as they competed against each other in categories about LQBTQ+ history.


The festivities were taken indoors when a rain storm blew through, but emcee Amir Diamond kept the partying going. Grace Place, whose mission is to help youths and young adults experiencing homelessness, has been working overtime as the heatwave continues (and brings with it extreme afternoon rain). “We were able to kick off our annual campaign, which is centered around keeping our youth cool, says Courtney Sellers, Grace Place’s executive director. “The funds raised will go toward buying a much-needed ice machine to keep youth refreshed and allow them to focus on enjoying life.”

Local nonprofit Kindred Kitchen catered burgers and fries topped with caramelized onions, cheese and a special sauce for the 130 trivia-goers. Kindred Kitchen gives at-risk youth culinary and job readiness training that will prepare them for food and hospitality positions.

Natalie Ferguson, Amir Diamond and Zach McKenzie

o Jaynes, Camille Boudreaux, Stephanie Handler

Melissa Rodriguez, Matthew Gibson, Kenny Bacak, and Sarah Yates

Amy Tanguay and Gus Helpers

Courtney Sellers and Becca Saenz

Guests make their way indoors during surprise rain storm

Houston Cider Co. owner Justin Engle

The adjoining AC by Marriott and Element by Westin hotels, a block from the River Walk

A VIBRANT DESTINATION any time of the year, San Antonio is especially exciting in October, leading up to weekend-long Dia de Los Muertos celebrations all over town. A river parade and special events in the La Villita Historic Village are among the festivities Oct. 27-29. Walkability is key, as ever — and two new Marriott properties have just opened in the heart of the River Walk, ensuring an easy trip for all.

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People + Places

Riojas, center, with models in his new Ethereal Blooms line

LAST YEAR, TO celebrate his 40th birthday, Mexico-born, Houston-based fashion designer Alvin Alan Ramírez Riojas made a pilgrimage to the city of San Miguel de Allende, one of the cultural capitals of Mexico. The experience was profound, even spiritual. “When I observed the happiness, the friendly people, the churches, the flowers in every door…” says Riojas, “I thought, ‘I’m going to play with this.’” The vibrancy of San Miguel de Allende’s culture is the inspiration for Ethereal Blooms, Riojas’ new couture collection for men and women, which he will present on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Sawyer Yards in Sabine Street Studios.

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Style