Brian Ching, Lindsay Yates, Rachel and Jeff Bagwell
“The VIP guest list consisted of longtime friends and clients who enjoyed delectable bites provided by close friend and neighbor Ben Berg's The Annie Cafe & Bar,” said a rep for store owners Debbie and Rudy Festari. Bites included house favorites such as quail bites, bacon fritters, crab tostadas and beef skewers — all washed with Champagne and tequila, naturally.
Since the party was held in a boutique, guest couldn’t help but use the occasion for some holiday gift shopping. A collection of leather, velvet and cashmere jackets, beautiful suits and blazers, and great accessories were on offer, the Festaris noted. Custom women’s jewelry fro Kym Jackson's Urban Rocks was also available.
Faces in the crowd included star athletes Carl Lewis, Brian Ching and Jeff Bagwell. Also making the scene were Rachel Bagwell, Michael and Michael Mithoff, Courtney Hopson, Ceron, Don and Laura Sanders, James and Nicole Lassiter, Marc and Duyen Duyen, Roland Maldonado, Melissa Juneau and Travis Torrence.
Iraida Brown, Mason Clark, Michelle Reyna Wymes and Ally Shell
Tarek El-Bjeirmi and Ceron
Jared Nash and Nadia Nichole
Susan Sanders, Don Mafrige, Jr., Cathy Echols and Tony Gibson
Tammie and Dr. Andy Johnson
Jessica Meyer and Laurel Weinstein
Hugo and Esther Guerrero
Christine and Steve Johnson and Marla Hurley
Michael Roa
Marni and Griffin Greenwood
Marc and Duyen Huynh and Irma Brindis with Patrick Ashiofu
Dallas and Ashton Garrison
Cicely Reid and Travis Torrence
James and Nicole Lassiter and Courtney Hopson
Tiffany Wong, Melissa Mithoff, Melissa Juneau
Debbie and Rudy Festari
Adrian Santos, Jonathan Paiz, Alan Prewitt, Sean Malone, Wayne Lopes, Jeff Easley and Josh Richards work on their Taylor Swift themed house
Galvanized by drag performer Duckie DuJour, guests bopped to beats by DJ Cheeks as they channeled their creativity into designing unique gingerbread houses in hopes of taking home a trophy in one of the categories: “Queer Realness” for the best LGBTQ+ themed house, “Sleigh Queen'' for the best holiday themed house and “Your Fifteen Minutes of Fame'' for the best pop culture-themed house. The evening’s entries included odes to Barbie and Oppenheimer, The Eras Tour, Netflix’s Love is Blind, horror movie M3gan, and a recreation of Houston’s pride parade.
Local personalities Emilio Coochie, Papi Culo and Hugh Stone were the evening’s judges. But, before the winners were announced, guests were brought to their feet as a surprise donation of $60,000 was made by Salem Lutheran Church, bringing the till for the night to $87,000. “This event continues to grow every year and we are blown away by the support of our community, donors, and attendees,” said Courtney Sellers, Grace Place executive director.
Grace Place provides a safe environment for vulnerable youth of all sexualities and genders experiencing homelessness. The organization provides meals, clothing, toiletries, bus passes and computers with Wi-Fi access, plus assistance obtaining identification, housing, job readiness and legal aid.
Sarah Yates, Melissa Bacak and Kenny Bacak
Barbenheimer themed gingerbread house
Andrew Clarke, Francesca's CEO, provides opening remarks
Judges Papi Culo, Emilio Coochie, and Hugh Stone
The Wizard of Oz themed house
Drew Hope serving cocktails, beer, and wine donated by local breweries
Rebecca Schlosser and Phanuel Roxas
Team poses in photo booth
Grace Place staff and volunteers with Salem Lutheran Church members during check presentation
Guests pose in photo booth
Duckie DuJour
The Francescas team works on their house
Onjheney Warren and Zach Mckenzie