Full Hearts, Can’t Lose: AHA Raises Astounding $2.3 Mil at Heart Ball

Daniel Ortiz and Wilson Parish
Full Hearts, Can’t Lose: AHA Raises Astounding $2.3 Mil at Heart Ball

Robert and Lisa Hearn

THE BALLROOM AT the Hilton Americas has sat rather empty for the past couple of years, only occasionally hosting a luncheon or VIP event. But this year’s Heart Ball had hundreds of black-tie-clad Houstonians bursting through the double-doors, eager to party and raise funds for the American Heart Association.


The ‘Journeys of the Heart’ gala took on a theme of travel, something many have missed out on since the dawn of the pandemic. A Champagne reception preceded the main program, which took flight as emcee — or Captain — Khambrel Marshall welcomed guests along with honorees Ann and Peter Fluor and Lacey and Matt Goossen.

Dinner included a main course of stout-braised beef short rib with seared Chilean seabass, and a raucous live auction touted items like trips to Hawaii and Istanbul, and a 100-point case of wine. The energy remained high as the Taylor Pace Orchestra took to the stage, compelling everyone to hit the dance floor.

April and Jorge Salazar

Molly and Jim Crownover

Marcelo Saenz and Adrian Duenas

Ann and Peter Fluor

Lacey and Matt Goossen

Chairs Joanne Houck and Tim Singletary

Rachel and Tim Dash

Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell models Valobra ring

Lydia Davis and Andrew Johnson

American Heart Association's Mel Edwards

Amber Baker, Doug Lawson, John King and Suzie Kupiec

John Schlosser

Khambrel Marshall

Parties
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.

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Food

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.

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Style

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.

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Parties