Renée Fleming’s Spellbinding Performance Crowns Special Opera Ball Honoring Patrick Summers

Tania Kanga, Nancy Gonzalez, Denise Reyes, Ona Alicia Okeke and Destiny Fernandisse (photo by Dave Rossman)

By Jeff Gremillion

The Houston Grand Opera Brilliance Ball glowed with special significance this year, becoming not just a luminous white-tie celebration of light and legacy — but also a heartfelt sendoff to beloved Artistic and Music Director Maestro Patrick Summers. It raised over $1.8 million to boot.

On April 11 at the Wortham Theater Center, nearly 400 distinguished guests gathered for an evening of elegance and inspiration that perfectly captured HGO’s 2025-26 season theme, The Light We Hold. Chaired by devoted philanthropists John G. Turner and Jerry G. Fischer, the 2026 Opera Ball honored Summers’ more than 25 years of visionary leadership with the company’s Silver Rose award and culminated in a once-in-a-lifetime performance by internationally acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming.

In her remarks, HGO General Director and CEO Khori Dastoor thanked the evening’s chairs and generous donors, then paid tribute to Summers. His “unshakable vision,” she said, “has transformed our company and enriched our city.” Summers, visibly moved, told the crowd, “I thank you all for this long privilege of your support, friendship, and for our shared love of this company. I ask that you please continue to ensure that this company is a beacon in the arts world.”

Fleming, accompanied by HGO Chief Artistic Officer and Chorus Director Richard Bado on piano, held guests spellbound with an intimate program that included “I can smell the sea air” from André Previn’s A Streetcar Named Desire, “O mio babbino caro” from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Andrew Lippa’s “The Diva,” and a stirring “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Rodgers and Hammerstein II’s Carousel.

The evening began with an elegant cocktail hour featuring caviar on freshly prepared blinis and a martini bar, while fashion sketch artists captured guests in their evening attire as personalized keepsakes. The live auction offered a show-stopping item: a Steinway Model M Spirio piano pre-loaded with recordings by Patrick Summers himself.

City Kitchen Catering served a refined dinner of seasonal asparagus salad, duck à l’orange with duchess potatoes, and a classic finish of Black Forest cake and floating islands. The Events Company transformed the space into a luminous wonderland of soft lighting, candlelight, gold accents, and elegant white floral arrangements — the perfect backdrop for dinner and dancing that lasted into the early morning hours with The Big Beyond.

Guests included James Gaffigan and Marta Wasilewicz-Gaffigan, Margaret Alkek Williams, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Zane and Brady Carruth, Theresa Chang, Anne and Albert Chao, Isabel and Danny David, Anna Dean, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Elaine Finger, Brigitte Kalai, Beth Madison, Denise Monteleone, Beth Muecke, David Peck and Michelle Phillips, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Louisa Sarofim, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor and Jesse Tutor.

James Gaffigan, Khori Dastoor and Patrick Summers (photo by Michelle Watson)

Matt Healey and Denise Reyes take to the dance floor (photo by Dave Rossman)

Scott Wise, Huda and William Zoghbi and Khori Dastoor (photo by Michelle Watson)

Beth Muecke (photo by Michelle Watson)

Marilyn Ingham, Sid Moorhead and Lauren Hall (photo by Michelle Watson)

Neil Hershey and Carey Kirkpatrick (photo by Dave Rossman)

James and Marta Wasilewicz-Gaffigan (photo by Dave Rossman)

Valerie and Stephen Toups (photo by Dave Rossman)

Annie Labatt and Blair and Barbara Labatt (photo by Dave Rossman)

Terrylin Neale and Jane Cizik (photo by Dave Rossman)

BenJoaquín Gouverneur and Khori Dastoor (photo by Michelle Watson)

With Year of the Horse Theme and Star-Studded Lineup, Cotton Q Club Rides Back in Style

Zinat Ahmed at The Gold Pony Club (photo courtesy Cotton Holdings)

By Jeff Gremillion

The always memorable Cotton Q Club returned in grand fashion this year, transforming into the hottest tent at the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest and kicking off the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in true Texas style.

Presented by Cotton Holdings as title sponsor, the invite-only event once again delivered championship barbecue, elevated hospitality, and unforgettable entertainment for Houston’s best. From February 26–28 at NRG Park, the Cotton Q Club lived up to its legendary reputation with a high-energy weekend that perfectly blended culinary excellence, standout musical performances, and distinctive design touches. The powerhouse stage lineup featured Gabby Barrett headlining Thursday night, Sammy Kershaw opening Friday, followed by a show-stopping set from Josh Turner, and Braxton Keith closing out the weekend on Saturday with pure country flair.

Cotton Culinary kept the flavors flowing with a dynamic, themed menu: Thursday’s steak night, Friday’s fajitas, and Saturday’s full barbecue spread, each evening capped with desserts designed to match the theme. Guests raised their glasses with premium beverages and spirits from Constellation Brands, Whistle Pig, Dripping Springs Distillery, and Republic National Distributing Company.

In honor of the Year of the Horse, the main tent dazzled with striking red rose horses suspended across the ceiling — a bold, artful contrast to the classic green décor that symbolized agility, strength, and the spirited values at the heart of Cotton Holdings. Tucked inside the tent, the coveted speakeasy known as The Gold Pony Club made its triumphant return as a hidden, high-style escape.

Guests were greeted by The Stirrup martini bar, presented by Sophie, serving three signature martinis and caviar-stuffed olives in a refined ranch setting. Kinetic art pieces by artist Sneha Merchant adorned the emerald-green walls, while specialty cocktails like the Cotton Signature Sour and Spicy Gold Pony flowed alongside offerings from Casa Dragones, Simple Spirits, Ace of Spades, and DR Delicacy caviar. 1932 Cattleman’s Club provided exclusive bites and desserts, and on Friday night, Bun B surprised the crowd with his famous Trill Burgers.

Leading the weekend were Cotton Holdings executives including Founder and Chairman Pete Bell, Chief Marketing Officer Zinat Ahmed, President and Co-CEO Johnny Slaughter and his wife Debra, and Co-CEO Chris Sneck and his wife Margaret. Notable attendees included Mayor John Whitmire, Dr. Chris Boleman, Pat Mann Phillips, Jeff Hildebrand, Bun B, Andre Johnson, Blake Feritta, Tony Bradfield, James Scaife, Kevin Freeman, Russell and Stacey White, Jeff and Kristen Erler, Dawn and Ed Buckingham, Elizabeth Kurpis, Tara Martin, Heather Almond, Morgan Hale, Teressa Foglia, Ty Hays, Lyndsey Zorich, Ceron, Kaleta Blaffer Johnson, Hailey and Jacob Daniels, Kailey and Paul Fletcher, Suzanne Droese, and Marc and Whitney Lawson.

Josh Turner (photo courtesy Cotton Holdings)

Andre Johnson (photo by Kaitlin Saragusa)

Tony Bradfield and Zinat Ahmed (photo by Kaitlin Saragusa)

Gabby Barrett (photo by Kaitlin Saragusa)

Teressa Foglia and Ty Hays (photo by Kaitlin Saragusa)

Mayor John Whitmire (photo by Kaitlin Saragusa)

Johnny Slaughter, Chris Sneck, Coast Guard Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, Pete Bell and Zinat Ahmed (photo courtesy Cotton Holdings)

Ashley Muncie (photo coutesy Cotton Holdings)

Pete Bell and Zinat Ahmed (photo courtesy Cotton Holdings)

Sammy Kershaw (photo courtesy Cotton Holdings)

Tara Martin and Elizabeth Kurpis (photo by Kaitlin Saragusa)

Bun B and his Trill Burgers (photo courtesy Cotton Holdings)

Chandeliers and horses fashioned of roses ad Cotton Q Club (photo byKaitlin Saragusa)

With Billowing Blooms and Evocative ‘Clowns,’ Williams’ Opera Ball Celebrates $2 Million Take

Patrick Summers, Margaret Alkek Williams and Khori Dastoor (photo by Michelle Watson)

By Jeff Gremillion

Originally published April 2025

When the grande dame of Houston philanthropy steps up to chair the annual gala for one of Houston’s most elite cultural institutions, expect high elegance to abound and big bucks to roll in.

Such was exactly the case when Margaret Alkek Williams chaired the 2025 Opera Ball at the Wortham Center, raising a record of more than $2 million for Houston Grand Opera — with a romantic, old-school, spring-savvy “Love Is in the Air” theme, brought to life with thousands of fragrant pastel-colored florals at every turn, and a sea of ballgowns in shades of seasonal pink and green. This was the second $2 million+ ball Williams has chaired for HGO, with this year’s haul beating her own personal best from back in 2014.

A surprise highlight of the evening was a stirring performance honoring the gala’s honorees, Dian and Harlan Stai, who have supported the opera company for decades. HGO General Director and CEO Khori Dastoor “welcomed legendary mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade to the stage, where she performed accompanied [on piano] by HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers,” noted a rep for the company. “Her moving interpretation of Stephen Sondheim’s seminal classic, ‘Send in the Clowns,’ left the audience spellbound.”

Dinner was decadent, with a chilled Romanesco soup, a pairing of prime beef and pan-seared seabass, and a chocolate explosion of a dessert, with bits of fudge cake and chocolate ice cream and mousse, all bursting from a tempered sphere — again, lavishly old school. After dinner, dancing broke out on the gleaming dance floor.

In room full of VIPs, some of the top-tier swells included Anna Dean, Anne and Albert Chao, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Brigitte Kalai, Alicia Smith, Charles and Lily Foster, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Fady Armanious, Bill Baldwin, Franklin and Cindi Rose, Hallie Vanderhider, Jim and Dancie Ware, Jim and Molly Crownover and Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman.

Nancy Gonzalez, Denise Reyes, Christina Jack, Destiny Fernandisse (photo by Emily Jaschke)

Brigitte Kalai, Betty Tutor and Ann Ayre (photo by Michelle Watson)

Ilyas and Elizabeth Abraham (photo by Emily Jaschke)

Frederica von Stade (photo by Michelle Watson)

Jim and Dancie Ware (photo by Michelle Watson)

Jonathan and Ann Ayre and Rachel and Warren Ellsworth (photo by Michelle Watson)

Michael Broderick and Cindy and Franklin Rose (photo by Emily Jaschke)

Staycation Idea: Newly Renovated Moran a Chic Homebase for CityCentre Adventure

The Moran in CityCentre

By Jeff Gremillion

THINKING OF INTERESTING ideas for a staycation this spring? Consider the newly renovated Moran boutique hotel in CityCentre.

If you haven’t spent much time in CityCentre lately, it’s definitely worth an immersive experience. And The Moran CityCentre, recently named a top-three Houston hotel by Travel + Leisure, is a bright, lovely homebase. Thanks to the Midway company’s multi-million-dollar reno, the property now touts a new front desk, lobby bar and terrace space, a prominent new ground level entrance, along with recently completed refreshed rooms and expanded meeting spaces.

The lobby bar is terrific. It’s called The Allegory Bar, and it overlooks CityCentre’s central plaza — a green space surrounded by killer shopping, cute patio restaurants, and an ice cream shop that stays busy. From Allegory, which mixes a sleek, marble bar with a cozier dining space that resembles a chic, urbane library, you can see all the action. And on breezy summer nights, there’s always a lot of action. (A stroll through the CityCentre plaza on a bustling evening should be on anyone’s up-to-date Houston bucket list, to be honest.) 

At Allegory, beautiful Texas-y cocktails like the smoked Lonesome Dove (small-batch bourbon, pecan syrup and bitters) wash down apps like brisket-stuffed jalapenos and entrees such as redfish with wild rice and lemon cream. There’s also a smart new breakfast spot, Café Moran, just off the sexy pool deck, awash in natural light and billowing treetop views. Very pleasant.

The hip bar and accomplished new restaurant is only part of the redo. “All 244 guestrooms have been refreshed with stylish new furnishings, premium bedding, modern lighting, and technology upgrades,” notes a Midway rep. “Thoughtfully curated amenities, including chic bar carts stocked with Texas-based liquors, a selection of snacks and Illy coffee service, custom bath products, plush robes, and handheld steamers, further enhance the guest experience, reflecting the property’s dedication to comfort and luxury.”

Other perks include discounted day passes to the sprawling, upscale Life Time mega-gym across the way. This alone may be worth making a weekend of it, as Life Time is notoriously hard to access without member credentials. 

And now seems like a great time to pull the trigger on a quick trip. The Stay & Savor package is available through April 4; it’s available Fridays and Saturdays, offering a $199 classic king room with $100 F&B credit.

Houston Ballet Salutes Jim Nelson and Celebrates Margaret Alkek Williams’ 90th Birthday

Angel Rios, Richard Flowers, Duyen and Marc Nguyen

By Patrick Magee

HOUSTON BALLET’S 2025–2026 season opened in high style with a double celebration. After the curtain fell on Onegin — John Cranko’s tale of love and rejection — more than 220 patrons gathered on stage at the Wortham for the annual Opening Night Onstage Dinner, one of the company’s most anticipated traditions.

The evening paid special tribute to Jim Nelson. Nelson, who took the helm as Executive Director in 2012, guided the Ballet through the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and the challenges of COVID. During dinner, Nelson was honored with a proclamation from the City of Houston. Even Nelson’s mother attended and received a special shout-out during his dinner toast. 

The night’s second milestone belonged to Margaret Alkek Williams, Houston Ballet’s beloved benefactor, who celebrated her 90th birthday on the very day. Guests raised flutes of Madame Zéro champagne and shared slices of her favorite indulgence — chocolate cake — served in her honor.

Designed by Bergner and Johnson, the transformed stage offered an enchanting backdrop of mahogany lattice chairs, gold vases of spring blooms and whimsical details. Dinner from City Kitchen matched the setting’s elegance: heirloom tomato tartare with basil sorbet, followed by pan-seared chicken with Madeira jus.

This year’s Opening raised a record-breaking $500,000. 

Charleston Is Hip, Historic and Holiday-Happy — And Don’t Miss the Pimento Cheese

The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, next door to the USS Yorktown

By Jeff Gremillion

THERE'S SOMETHING SPECIAL about an old-school Southern city, with its subtropical landscaping, old bricks, older trees and rib-sticking food everywhere, especially at the holidays. But, then again, a waterfront resort with a huge pool and potent cocktails served under cabanas is hard to beat. Can’t decide? May we suggest The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina? Located across the harbor from downtown Charleston, it offers both.

It’s serious about its coastal Southerness, from the Colonial-era baby blue paint and chunky millwork that pervades the gracious and sprawling space — the whole thing feels a bit like an excellent country club at which you sip sweet tea with purpose and feel important — to the seersucker robes in the guestrooms. There’s maritime-inspired art by local artists in every vividly colorful room, and balconies overlooking the large pool. And, beyond that, the marina and a network of piers and boardwalks, and grassy, bird-beloved marshland that meets Charleston Harbor like a scene from a nature painting.

The grilled salmon at the hotel’s Fish House comes with ratatouille and watercress puree, and the suggested pairing for the Lowcountry classic Shrimp and Grits, which here adds in andouille and sweet peppers, is an Argentine Malbec. Golden sunlight bounces off the harbor and floods in at the magic hour. Above the restaurant is the open-air Bridge Bar with expansive views.

The hotel also offers sailing lessons, taught by faculty from the champion College of Charleston sailing team. Unique holiday-time happenings include Oysters on the Point, at which buckets of steamed oysters go for $13 on some Saturdays and come with a side of live music. The resort also sets up a large ice-skating rink, open till February.

Of course, there’s tons to do off property in the hip and historic Charleston area, including the USS Yorktown, a huge WWII aircraft carrier docked right next door to the hotel and open for tours — and Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began, on a tiny island you can see from The Beach Club. And then there’s simply tooling around Charleston, which is easy to get to by water taxi. The ride alone is an adventure: You’ve never seen so many dolphins putting on a show.

A stroll through the city is enchanting, with its leafy cobblestone streets lined with palmettos — not palms,thankyouverymuch— and French colonial-era homes with longpiazzaporches on the side. It feels like the best of NOLA’s French Quarter and antebellum Natchez combined, with a fresh coat of paint, lots of shade from Live Oaks and curiously not infrequent sightings of hunky hipsters with tat sleeves and man buns. If you’re hungry after a morning walkabout, Miller’s All Day has biscuit sandwiches with fried chicken, pepper jam and the city’s favorite spread, pimento cheese; at most restaurants, the stuff seems to show up on pretty much everything except the peanut butter pie.

And we’re definitely not complaining.