The newly minted Almquists savor a romantic and intimate “last dance” amid the chandeliers at the end of their reception.
Lilith's Lullaby cocktail (photo by Angie Cavazos)
Co-founded in 2023 by long-time hospitality pros Alexis Mijares and Angelique Cook Cavazos, this spooky, seasonal immersive pop-up has everything a glamourous ghoul could want: crazy, creative cocktails (more on those in a minute), tarot card readings by The Aunty Alchemist, and spellbinding burlesque performances by the bodacious Belle be Damned & Jadore Productions. “We are going even bigger this year with creative design and spirited activities,” says Mijares. “This year has completely different visuals for a new experience for those who have visited us before.”
Cook, who serves The Cursed Cauldron as its artistic director, has led the transformation of Aero Cocktail Co. into a witchy woman’s abode, complete with curated artwork, a 3D fireplace (we’re not sure what that is…), and plenty of Instagram-worthy nooks and crannies. “I love incorporating tiny details into the installation,” says Cook. “We’ve spent a lot of time crafting this multi-layered experience, and I’m excited for our guests to find new mystical details to explore.”
Meanwhile, Mijares has concocted a menu of creative libations for guests to consume. Along with such classics as the Hexpresso Martini and Sex Magic On The Beach, the new cocktails include Oshun’s Offering, a combination of rum, pumpkin, brown butter, almond, orange liqueur, and lime; Coven’s Calling, an alchemic blend of gin, dry sherry, elderflower, sage, black pepper, lemon, and Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water; and Freyja’s Cup, a fertile mix of vodka, strawberry, rose, honey, lemon, and Fever-Tree Blood Orange Ginger Beer. Spirit-free options will also be on tap, and to keep your stomach full, Aero Cocktail Co.’s kitchen offers Hocus Pocus Popcorn, Paranormal Pizza, and Char-Boo-terie Boards.
“The design transformation, the drinks, it’s all very first-class,” says Nick Galvan, owner of Aero Cocktail Co. “We can’t wait for everyone to come check it out!” (Cue: Thunder, a black cat screeching, and maniacal laughter.)
Alexis Mijares and Angie Cavazos
Oshun's Offering cocktail
Sex Magic on the Beach cocktail
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A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Per the custom, the highlight of the party was a semi-scandalous fashion show featuring swimwear, underwear and lingerie, produced by Todd Ramos with hair and makeup by Edward Sanchez and his team. Male and female models from the Page Parkes agency, a longtime CityBook partner, strutted the hip bar in sometimes revealing looks by clothiers including Top Drawer Lingerie, Leather by Val, Manready Mercantile and Manbuns.
Chapman & Kirby servers handed out delicious bites including miniature beef Wellingtons. And bartenders mixed up special cocktails for the occasion such as mango margaritas, smoked Old Fashioneds and espresso martinis, thanks in part to generous spirits sponsors Cazadores tequila, Angels Envy bourbon and Grey Goose vodka. Wine and sparkling wine also flowed.
Magazine editor Jeff Gremillion welcomed about 200 guests, including Valen Custer and her Brazilian fiancé Vitor Villar, the real-life model couple who appeared in the 2024 Sexy Issue’s racy fashion shoot. “People always marvel at how attractive the crowd is at the Sexy Party,” Gremillion brags. “I guess we stack the deck a bit, when we make sure our hottest models turn up!”
As presenting sponsor of the Sexy Issue and co-host of the bodacious bash, Indigo displayed fabulous cars out front for guests to consider renting. Lamborghini or Rolls Royce, anyone?
CityBook’s Sexy Issue, with its provocative fashion imagery, has been a staple of summer in Houston since the magazine launched in 2016.
Lindsay Yates and Brian Ching
Jason Clayden and Aaron Matthews
Thy Mitchell
Valen Custer and Vitor Villar
Jazmin Porter
Addison Freeman and Amanda Pascali
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
David Croatto, Valeria Croatto, Lukkaew Arasrisuwan, Krystal Hatchett
Rosendo Mendoza, Joshua Schirmer, Nicholas Guidry
Tyler Treadwell, Joshua T. Dada and Shawn Harris
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Tom Hedge, Lety Turullols and Andrea Oliver
Magen Pastor and Rene Garza
Anisa Hoxha
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Maricela Olivo, Dieter Lehman and Ashley Escobar
Richard Hester and Mary Patton
Jeff Jacobitz and Chris Casey
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Greta Connolly and Steven Rodriguez
Karen Parker, Michael Gilg
Mitchell Greco, Todd Ramos, Brandon Weinbrenner
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Demitri Benson and Nicholas Glenn
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Lisa Gochman and Chris Beverly
Van Morris and Patrick Curphey