Gelato and Giving Back: Una Notte Italiana for Vita Living

Gelato and Giving Back: Una Notte Italiana for Vita Living

Brian Crawmer, Sarah Crawmer, Marilyn, and David Guion

VITA LIVING WELCOMED over 300 guests to its annual Pearls of Wisdom Fiesta at the River Oaks Country Club. This year’s dinner — themed Una Notte Italianaraised more than $207,000 in support of lifelong care for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.


In true Italian style, the evening began with a lively cocktail hour featuring Aperol Spritzes and a silent auction. Top items included a six-night Colorado retreat, a private casita stay in the Yucatán, and Golden Koi, a striking photograph by Joe C. Aker. Guests.

Dinner in the ballroom followed, where guests — dressed in bright Italian summer colors — enjoyed an Italian meal and an inspiring program. Emcee Kip Altstaetter opened the evening, followed by remarks from CEO Joseph Cooper and event co-chairs Kristen Perrin, Pamela Perilloux and Bryan P. Smith. A moving video presentation highlighted testimonials from those touched by Vita Living’s work.

The live auction brought plenty of energy, led by auctioneer Johnny Bravo. The night ended on a sweet note with an After Event Toast and gelato bar, where guests finished the night in dolce vita fashion.

Kara Willis, Chacole Santiago

Allison Padon and Luke Fechtman

Christina O'Donnell and Larry O'Donnell

Isabel Wynn, Livi Ingram, and Larkin Steen

John Hoffman, Beth Hoffman

Johnny Bravo

Niki Galbert, Lorrie Chretien

Myrla Menn, Roberto Vanegas, and Myrla Vanegas

Peter Cawthorne, Krystyna Cawthrone, John Hoffman, Beth Hoffman

Parties

Októ will have a lively bar like the one at Doris Metropolitan, pictured here. (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)

AFTER YEARS OF operating solid, Israeli-influenced concepts — Doris Metropolitan on Shepherd, and Badolina and Hamsa in Rice Village — Sof Hospitality is set to debut its latest concept in Montrose Collective this summer. Surprise, this time it’s Mediterranean cuisine!

Keep Reading Show less
Food

“DO YOU KNOW how a river forms?” is the question that begins Houston author Vaishnavi Patel’s new book, Goddess of the River. The voice belongs to Ganga, goddess of India’s Ganges river, who has been transformed against her will by Lord Shiva from “a tributary of the cosmic ocean” into the physical form of a mere winding river, with no path to the heavens, only the sea. Later, Ganga runs afoul of a powerful sage who transforms her yet again into a human, and as it happens in myths, things get complicated.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment