Photography by Daniel Ortiz
Styling by Todd Ramos
Models Brock Knighten and Samara Zuckerbod for Page Parkes Agency
Hair and makeup by Edward Sanchez for Arched Beauty
Special thanks to Chapman & Kirby
Kathryn Lott, Guy Hagstette and Barry Mandel
This year, the Kinders, Tudors and several former or current mayors joined the crowd of 500-plus at the butterfly-themed event, which took flight with an al fresco cocktail hour on the Brown Promenade. The signature Monarch Margaritas were a hit, and were especially enjoyable under the wings of Atlas by Jen Lewin, the park's winter art installation.
The party continued under a glam tent erected on the lush lawn. Illuminated butterflies fluttered gracefully above, and Encore Strings along with harpist Alex Martinez provided a dreamy soundtrack as the black-tie-clad galagoers filtered into the space.
Emcee Derrick Shore kept things lively, and current Discovery Green president Kathryn Lott gave a meaningful tribute to a past president, Guy Hagstette, who was the night's honoree. “The gala is a celebration of the metamorphosis that transformed a parking lot into a gorgeous outdoor cultural center and green space,” said Lott. “The evening is also a celebration of transformations that take place over generations with the new president honoring the first president alongside the children and grandchildren of the park’s founders.”
Chaired by sisters-in-law Kara Kinder Vidal and Maria Vidal Morales, the night also included tunes by Skyrocket! and a live painting moment by Taft McWhorter; his work was among many of the coveted auction items that contributed to the evening's total till, which topped $1 million. Talk about flying high!
Anat and Jay Zeidman
Tommy Pepper, Kathryn Lott
Cody and Kusum Patel
Thomas Kent, Lauren Griffith
Curtis Flowers, Andrea Ashford
Taft McWhorter
Derrick Shore, Brandon Bourque
Skyrocket
Laura Murillo, Sandra Smith-Cooper
Scott and Judy Nyquist
Eduardo Morales, Maria Vidal Morales, Kara Kinder Vidal, Ulises Vidal
Roxann Neumann, Kara Neumann, Tim Neumann
Jaime Loera, George Johnston
Jay and Allie Fields
Portia and Chris Hopkins
Joe and Bri Martin
Phoebe and Bobby Tudor
Paula and David Law
Michael and Ellie Francisco
Nancy and Rich Kinder
Mark Sullivan, Greg Fourticq, Patsy Fourticq
Melanie Camp, Anthony Yanez, Rebecca Yanez, Nicole Jones, Nick Jones
Brasserie 19
To celebrate its two-year anniversary, Bayou Heights Bier Garten is throwing a good ol’ country hoe down on February 22! The party begins at 5pm and festivities include a raffle for Rodeo tickets, a custom cowboy hat pop-up, line dancing and two-stepping lessons, a live performance by Good Time Muffin, and a mechanical bull.
On Go Texan Day, next Friday, Feb. 28, both the Montrose and the Memorial locations of the Michelin-recognized smokehouse will have live music, petting zoos, a crawfish boil and, for a little taste of the Rodeo carnival, cotton candy!
This Upper Kirby Cajun haunt isserving a hearty Cowboy Ribeye for Go Texan Day. It’s topped with crawfish butter, wild mushrooms and potatoes that blends both Texas and Louisiana flavors.
Want to keep the party going after Go Texan Day? Kick off Rodeo season with a high-energy brunch at the hip Heights cocktail lounge! On March 2, Plume hosts a Western brunch with a DJ and brand new brunch offerings.
The always scene-y happy hour at Brasserie 19 is going western for Rodeo! From March 4-23, find new offerings like smoked-turkey-leg croquettes, and venison sloppy Joe sliders. Plus, sip on seasonal offerings like the Gold Rush, Rodeo Mule and Aqua de Vaquer. It’s a perfect spot to pre-game the Rodeo because Brasserie 19 has partnered with Alto to offer 15 percent off rides to and from B19 — just use code BRASSERIE19.
Enjoy carnival food without trekking to NRG! The River Oaks and Town & Country locations are offering new menu items like mini corn dogs, pulled park sandwich and the rodeo burger with house-ground beef, cheddar, shoestring onions and Relish BBQ sauce. Take a long lunch and enjoy the new beverages like Space City Cowboy with bourbon, blackberry, mint, lemon and maple; or the Rodeo Rita with Mezcal, tequila, lime, blood orange and bitters. These specials are available daily, 11am-5:30pm, from March 4-23.
During Rodeo season, there’s more than seafood at this coastal kitchen! In honor of HLSR, Executive Chef Joe Cervantez is serving up 16-ounce Prime bone-in ribeye with blue crab au gratin potatoes, grilled asparagus salad and bearnaise sauce.
The normally proper tea house is getting a month-long country makeover. Every Thursday from Feb. 27-March 23, Emma Jane is hosting a special menu for tea service with fried chicken and caviar. Who could resist?
Need more brisket? Kolache Shoppe is stuffing its pastry confections with the smoked meat from Pinkerton’s and Killen’s BBQ. The result is the brisket-egg-cheddar-jalapeño kolache, available all of March!
March 2-23, all locations are firing up Jalapeño Chicken Fried Steak for the rodeo! Think top round steak, flavored with taco seasoning, that’s fried until extra crispy and covered with spicy gravy. Yee-haw!
Yes, even ramen is getting in the cowboy spirit! The Heights-area ramen shop is offering 10 percent off March 4 through March 23 to guests who arrive in Western attire.