'Right' On

The Human Rights Campaign celebrated its 20th annual gala with a black-tie bash at the still-new Marriott Marquis in Downtown. Chad Griffin, president of HRC, addressed the organization’s goals to achieve full equality for members of the LGBTQ community, and welcomed former boy-band superstar Lance Bass and his husband Michael Turchin, who attended the event as special guests of sponsor Baccarat. Grammy-winning artist Estelle performed, and comedian Dana Goldberg gave a standup routine and emceed the auction. A highlight was the funnily militant Martha Plimpton, who accepted the Ally for Equality award. An afterparty in the foyer of the hotel raged on until the wee hours of the morning!



Special

Actor Alan Brincks gets his makeup done for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.'

BEGINNING AUG. 1 THROUGH Aug. 10, the Houston Shakespeare Festival, the professional arm of the University of Houston’s School of Theater and Dance, takes the stage at Miller Outdoor Theatre for its 50th iteration. The milestone event includes productions of Romeo & Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream, plus "Bard talks," all at no cost to viewers.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

Dandelion Cafe owners Sarah Lieberman and J.C. Ricks with Mireya Villarreal of GMA, Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown of Southern Smoke Foundation (photo by Shane Dante Photography)

THE SOUTHERN SMOKE Foundation, established by chef Chris Shepherd, has only been around for seven years — but that's long enough to have helped hospitality workers through hurricanes, freezes, a pandemic, and countless other personal situations requiring emergency relief.

Keep Reading Show less
Food