Big Bucks and Shirtless Hunks! It Must Be the Annual Red-Hot Gala for Firefighters!

Big Bucks and Shirtless Hunks! It Must Be the Annual Red-Hot Gala for Firefighters!

Mr. December, Kyle Collins

IN ITS FOURTH year, the "Red-Hot" gala — as noted for its stylish crowd of VIPs and emotional program honoring the city's heroes as for its shirtless hunky firemen steaming up the stage as part of the entertainment — took in a record-breaking $540,000, bringing the four-year total to just under $2 million for much needed equipment, training and support for firefighters in Houston.


Elizabeth and Alan Stein, founders of the gala, served as chairs. They joined honorary chairs Joanna and Brad Marks in welcoming more than 400 guests to the Royal Sonesta, where the evening's program began with a rousing National Anthem by firefighter Joe Rice and also included bagpipe serenades and a moving homage to firefighters who fell in the line of duty this year.

Special recognition was given to some of Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Charitable's biggest supporters, including Bobbie Nau, Hallie Vanderhider, Susan and Fayez Sarofim and Janice McNair. Auction items included IW Marks' pink sapphire and diamond earrings, which brought in $10,500.

Other highlights included the hotties of the 2022 Houston Firefighter Calendar, who flexed bare biceps and showed off sexy six-packs to promote the fundraiser, which supports the Burned Children's Fund. Guest were thrilled to mingle with the hunks after dinner, when The Guzzlers band took the stage for the late-night crowd.

Spotted in the crowd: David Greenburg, Bill King, Gary Petersen, Patti and Don Murphy and Neiman Marcus' Chris Hendel.

Patti and Don Murphy

Elizabeth Stein and Hallie Vanderhider

Tori and Ed DeCora

Laura Stein, Ashley Plaeger, Price DuDose

Joanna and Brad Marks

Karyn & Tim Kelly, with Lux Kelly

Louis Tronzo, Jenna Lindley & Fady Armanious

Parties
Wellness Pro LeBrina Jackson on Gratitude at the Holidays: It’s a ‘Reset Button for my Mind’

LeBrina Jackson

AS WE GET into the holiday season, we’re reminded of what we have, what we want and what might be lacking. As Sheryl Crow says in her song, Soak up the Sun, “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you've got.” We caught up with LeBrina Jackson, owner of Escape Spa in Cypress, Texas, and learned how she tackles the holiday season with hope, love and most importantly, gratitude.

Keep Reading Show less

Chairs Elia and Michael Gabbanelli

ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER sold-out Wine Dinner and Collector's Auction for the Houston Symphony. This year's event was chaired by Elia and Michael Gabbanelli, and raised more than $900,000 for the Symphony's education and community programs.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

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.

Keep Reading Show less
Food