POW! BAM! ZAP!

POW! BAM! ZAP!

by | Feb 28, 2021 | 2021 March April, R.S.V.P. HOUSTON, Parties

Children’s Museum Of Houston Hosts Virtual, Superhero Theme Gala

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design

THE SETTING: Homes around Houston recently hosted small, socially safe gatherings in support of one of the cities’ most beloved cultural institutions. The Children’s Museum of Houston took their annual gala virtual and hosted a superhero-themed event, titled A Marvelous Night. And, in the process, they had over a thousand Houstonians glued to their screens for a night of fun and fundraising.

 

THE STYLE: The evening featured a mix of patrons, who donned early evening cocktail attire, and others who got into the spirit of the evening by dressing up as their favorite superheroes, many with their children in tow. Before the virtual gala festivities began, Captain CMH and Lady CMH swooped into the homes of select underwriters to excite the children…and their parents for the fun festivities ahead.

 

Families then moved to their screens to watch the evening’s program. Emcees Deborah Duncan and Ernie Manouse effortlessly kept the audiences glued to their devices, large and small, with their banter and humor. Highlights of the evening included top underwriters receiving a catered, three-course meal delivered to their homes, a live auction that included a 60 bottle Instant Wine Cellar collection, and most touchingly, a video medley of children who sang the lyrics to the Pharrell song Happy as a show of support and gratitude to the museum.

 

THE PURPOSE: The event raised over $700,000 for the Children’s Museum of Houston. Proceeds from the evening will go towards an array of innovative exhibits and multi-lingual learning programs for children up to the age of 12. The organization’s mission is to empower children, and transform communities through innovative, child-centered learning.

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THE POWER OF SUPPORT

THE POWER OF SUPPORT

by | Aug 1, 2020 | 2020 September October, Parties, Houston

Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Fourth Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon

By Jennifer Roosth     Photography by Jenny Antill and Michelle Watson

THE SETTING: Pre-COVID-19, the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Ladies for Literacy Guild welcomed over 800 guests to the fourth annual Power of Literacy Luncheon at The Post Oak Hotel in Uptown Houston. The event featured OscarÒ-winning actress, singer and author, Julie Andrews, along with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton. The Events Company led by Richard Flowers, beautifully decorated the ballroom in light and royal blue linens with floral centerpieces, and a copy of Julie Andrew’s new biography, Home Work–A Memoir of My Hollywood Years was placed on every chair.

THE STYLE: This luncheon shined a light on the cause former First Lady Barbara Bush championed for nearly 30 years–literacy. The conversation with Andrews and Hamilton, moderated by Public Media’s Ernie Manouse, spanned a variety of topics including Andrews’ globally recognized entertainment career, her family life, and relationships. The mother-daughter duo kept the crowd entertained by sharing personal experiences from Andrews’ career, as well as the time they spent together writing more than 30 bestselling children’s books, as well as Andrews’ new biography. “Reading and writing has played an important role in both my professional career and my personal life for many, many years. Through our own books, Emma and I strive to not only entertain readers, but also to inspire them to experience the wonder of life,” said Julie Andrews. “We were so pleased to make Houston the first stop in our book tour and support the cause of literacy, which we are both so passionate about.”

THE PURPOSE: The event, co-chaired by Lilly Andress and Vicki West, raised $600,000 for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. The Ladies for Literacy Guild’s President Donatella Benckenstein joined the co-chairs on stage to share her remarks on the accomplishments of the Ladies for Literacy Guild, which included the building of children’s libraries at the Mission of Yahweh and New Hope Housing Reed. In addition, she shared that, through a partnership with Harris County Public Library, more than 25,000 books have been distributed and more than 7,000 children served by the original Curiosity Cruiser mobile library, which launched in late 2017.

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