parties

Take it Outside!

A beautiful Houston spring bloomed just in time for a trio of alfresco fetes. The perennial favorite Hats in the Park luncheon, this year chaired by Stephanie Cockrell, Marita Fairbanks and Houston CityBook’s Lisa Holthouse, honored Cece Fowler and Judy Nyquist for their contributions to the Hermann Park Conservancy’s Art in the Park campaign. Gals — and gents! — donned bright springtime colors and, of course, elaborate headpieces perfect for the sunny afternoon. ... Houstonians also got dressed up to go outside for the second annual Bayou Bend Fashion Show, featuring looks by Oscar de la Renta, whose designs will also be on display this fall during a retrospective exhibit at the MFAH. And thanks to the Galleria and Saks Fifth Avenue, the ladies who lunched could shop the clothing at an onsite pop-up shop! ... And on a splendid Sunday afternoon, Houston Oaks Country Club hosted its first-ever tailgate and exhibition polo match between the Plank Companies and Horsegate teams. Members, guests and families also enjoyed live music and a post-game barbecue.


Parties
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