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Jackpot! Casino-Themed Cocktail Bash Raises Nearly $700K for Ronald McDonald House

Daniel Ortiz and Dave Rossman
Jackpot! Casino-Themed Cocktail Bash Raises Nearly $700K for Ronald McDonald House

JB and Bridget Brennan, Chelsea Partain and Ryan Haney

MORE THAN 300 charitable Houstonians decided to roll the dice and go all-in for Ronald McDonald House last week — and, it turns out, hit the jackpot on fantastic weather to boot! The open-air Bayou City Events Pavilion was the perfect setting for the cocktail fundraiser, which garnered nearly $700,000 thanks to casino games and an auction.

The evening honored supporters Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook for their contributions to Ronald McDonald House Houston, which provides housing and other amenities for families with children who are long-term and critically ill patients of the Med Center.

Crowd-fave activities included a bourbon pull, Quarter Slots raffle, and a rare-whiskey tasting hosted by hospitality exec Sean Beck.

Cyndy Garza Roberts and Hallie Vanderhider

Damien Taylor , Beverly Welch, and Hannah and Paul Wolfert

Bill LeSage, Ozzie Bauer, Greg Smith and Dave Smith

Madeleine and Larry Hanrahan

Sarah and Aaron Stai

Lee and Seliece Womble

Pooja and Chirag Amin

Chairs Debbie Bauer and Karen Smith

Deanna Barton, Karen Thompson, Maria Bush and Paige Fertitta

Brian and Katie Patterson

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Fried Chicken, Fancy Bubbles, and a Side of Glamour: Sundays at The Marigold Club Just Got Fun

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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H-Town Style Play: A First-of-Its-Kind Texans Capsule Collection Debuts at Chic Luncheon

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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Houston Ballet Salutes Jim Nelson and Celebrates Margaret Alkek Williams’ 90th Birthday

Dave Rossman

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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