Photos by Steven Visneau
Styling by Todd Ramos
Hair by Zackery Chapa
Makeup by Edward Sanchez
Shot on location at Le Méridien Houston Downtown
Janie Zilkha and Lynn Wyatt
“Guests walked into the Grand Ballroom staged as an English social club, filled with lush velvets, dark woods, and rich leather,” explained an Alley rep. “The Events Company pulled out all the stops and had guests gasping at an abundance of Vanda Sunada Orchids, Gloriosa Lilies and RP Moab Garden and Symbol Roses mixed with flowing fresh sheet moss, Umbrella ferns and Antique Hydrangeas, all arranged in varying shapes and sizes on banquet-laden tables. The beautiful florals were designed by Walker Chancey. The vivacious energy of the room was palpable.”
Entertainment for the night included an international pick-pocketing star — yes, apparently that’s a thing — who had the audience in stitches when he wasn’t stealing their watches. The surf-and-turf menu of steak, grilled prawns and truffled mashed potatoes was followed by a luscious panna cotta.
Per the custom, the live auction featured over-the-top Broadway weekends, including VIP experiences at Funny Girl; New York, New York; and & Juliet, as well as a trips to Monterey Peninsula for a golf vacation on the Pebble Beach courses. The highest bid of the night was for a walk-on role in the Alley’s annual holiday production of A Christmas Carol.
Bordering on the Fantastic: The Alley Salutes Sherlock Holmes 2023 Alley Ball, chaired by Jill and Allyn Risley, raised more than $1.2 million.
Guests included Beth Madison, Lynn Wyatt, Margaret Alkek Williams, Daniel and Janie Zilkha, Susana Brener de Stern and Dr. Juan Stern, Sidney Faust, Chip Babcock and Nancy Hamilton, Princess Tatiana Galitzine de Sierra and Guillermo Sierra, Dean and Jane Gladden, and Rob Melrose.
Margaret Alkek Williams and David Wuthrich
Cynthia and Anthony Petrello
C.C. Ensell
Sherlock Holmes inspred tablescape by The Events Company
Jill and Allyn Risley
Craig and Angela Jarchow, Eloise and Stephen Brice
Tom Mays and Orlando Zayas
Stephanie and Kevin Yankowsky
Phil and Josephine John, Dean Gladden, Lois and George Stark
Steve and Christina Morse
Jonathan W. and Margaret Vaughan Cox
Suzanne and Siggi Meissner, Dina and Tony Chase
Flora
Armandos
The festivities kick off on Thursday, May 4 with Armandos’ legendary late-night dance party and continues May 5 with another late-night DJ fest. Choose from classics like the house margaritafrozen or on the rocks starring Jose Cuervo traditional silver and 100-percent agave, or the extravagant River Oaks Rita ($46): Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Tequila, Patron citronge, fresh lime juice, house-made “green” salt rim — and a 24K-gold lime slice!
Cadillac Bar
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Cadillac Bar starting at 4pm on May 5. The restaurant will be hosting an outdoor fiesta with a live DJ, Mariachi band, raffles, $6 house margaritas all day, a special appearance by the Rockets dancers and mascot, annual taco-eating contest and more.
Candente (photo by Becca Wright)
Kick off the weekend at Candente for a family-friendly Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on May 5. The adults can snag $6 margaritas, palomas, frozens, and classics from 3-6pm. Enjoy music from a live mariachi band and capture the fun at the selfie photo booth. Expect other surprises, too!
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at any of the six Cyclone Anaya’s locations across the city. The restaurants will be serving happy-hour drink specials all day, starting when they open at 11am with $5 house margaritas, $10 jumbo house margaritas and more.
This laid-back newbie from Agricole Hospitality (Coltivare, Eight Row Flint) will serve $8 margs all day, plus specially priced Palomas, Botangas, Modelos and Micheladas. JQ Tex-Mex BBQ will provide food — all to the sounds of a live mariachi band.
Flora
Spring is a great time to visit this enchanting treehouse serving fresh-Mex surrounded by the beautiful Buffalo Bayou Park. Grab drinks at The Frida patio bar throughout the day, celebrate with live music and entertainment from 6-10pm, and toast with complimentary pours of Santanera tequila. Salud!
Kirby Ice House
Everyone’s favorite backyard bar will celebrate the festive holiday in style with tequila, margaritas and Mexican beer buckets all day and night. Partygoers who stop by the Memorial or Eastside locations can also enjoy the mariachi bands and happy-hour specials on tap from 2-7pm.
This Montrose gathering spot will open its doors early for a muy caliente Cinco de Mayo party. DJ Blue Heron Yacht Clubwill provide tunes from 7pm to midnight. Line up for the Millionaire Margarita (Avion 44, Grand Marnier, fresh lime juice, agave with a chamoy tajin rim and edible gold flake garnish) for $25.
Los Tios
Venerable Los Tios is raising a glass to Cinco de Mayo with an all-day happy hour, featuring its famous $5 house margaritas, $6 gold margaritas and $1 off beers, plus merch giveaways at its five locations. Or go all-out at the restaurant’s flagship San Felipe location for a Cinco de Mayo parking lot party, starting at 2pm. There will be a DJ, mariachi, a live donkey for photo opps, and an outdoor bar serving margaritas, beers, street tacos and chips and salsa.
Want to take the fiesta a su casa? Mexology has Cinco de Mayo party packs for $75. They include any 8 tacos, 6 empanadas, guacamole, chips and salsa, and choice of churro bites or brownies.
Picos
This Upper Kirby favorite is throwing its annual parking lot celebration under a 50-foot tent from noon to 11pm on May 5. A cash bar will be on offer with drinks and margaritas, as well as food stations offering street tacos, ballpark nachos, and guacamole and chips. Two DJs play throughout the day and a mariachi band is on from 6-7pm. Tequila promo servers will hand out goodies and swag.
