parties

Out to Dinner

The social season is in full swing, with a number of high-profile dinners — both intimate and grandiose — highlighting the calendar. Hostess extraordinaire Becca Cason Thrash was at it again, welcoming Krug Champagne for an evening of bubbly, food — courtesy of acclaimed chef Tyson Cole — and music at her Memorial home. Co-hosted by designer Naeem Khan, the event also featured a performance by jazz artist Gregory Porter. ... Ahead of its grand opening, Yauatcha hosted a special five-course meal for Lynn Wyatt and 15 guests, in honor of the Rothko Chapel’s 45th anniversary. ... At the Ballroom at Bayou Place, woman-about-town Alicia Smith celebrated her birthday with a “Fifty and Fabulous” dinner, with aerial artists and a '50 Shades of Gray'-themed cocktail hour. ... The Houston Symphony’s annual wine dinner and auction was held on the stage of Jones Hall, which was transformed into a wine “cave” for the evening. ... Italian designer Stefano Ricci made a special appearance for an intimate dinner at Neiman Marcus.


Joyce Echols and Steve Wyatt at ‘Fabulous’
Special
promoted

Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

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food

Escape to Europe Without Leaving Houston: Heights & Co. Hosts Al Fresco Wine & Movie Nights

The patio at Heights & Co.

IT'S ALMOST TIME for summer vacations, but Heights & Co. is offering escapes on its newly redecorated patio in the form of wine and movie nights — no passport needed! Visit France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and more through wine pairings and tasting menus, all complemented by movies set in each location.

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Food
parties

All That Jazz: With ‘Moonlight’ Theme, Mercury Mixes Up Musical Medley, Goes Glam for 2025 Gala

Jacob Power

Ally Shell and Martijn van Koolwijk

BLAME IT ON the Moon! Mercury Chamber Orchestra’s 2025 gala at the Thompson hotel — themed “Moonlight Serenade and chaired by Ally Shell and Martijn Van Koolwijk — was a night of glamour and big band vibes, raising more than $350,000 for the company.

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Art+Culture