Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1044932
26 MOONLIGHT MADNESS MATCH CATHERINE D. ANSPON CANVASSES THE SCENE. PHOTOGRAPHY QUY TRAN. M idtown Arts & Theater Center Houston (MATCH) served as a matchless setting for the Moonrise Party, a cosmos-invoking benefit for Rothko Chapel that also marked the 110th birthday of the late Dominique de Menil. Executive director David Leslie began the fête with a toast to its great patron, who unveiled the nondenominational sacred space for art and activism with her husband, John de Menil, nearly a half century ago. Clever party details contributed to the celestial vibe, which channeled a walk on the moon, beginning with Bergner & Johnson's surreal flora and lighting. Cuchara crafted artful tacos, while Herb Hochman and Sister Glo Knows gave astrology readings. Austin band Como Las Movies performed, and DJ Mexican Blackbird manned the turntable. IN ORBIT: Grand dames Adelaide de Menil (in from NYC), Sissy Farenthold, and Helen Winkler Fosdick; Rothko Chapel director of advancement Thuy Tran with James Tiebout; in- coming board chair Michael Piana and fellow board members Ludmila Golovine, Sanford Dow and wife Heather Dow, and Maconda O'Connor Abinader and husband Sacha Abinader; Gayle and Mike DeGeurin; Christie's Jessica Phifer; Matthew Greives and Colin Moussa; gallerists Barbara Davis, Meg Poissant, Erin Dorn, and Sharon Graham; Mark Sullivan; Tatiana and Craig Massey; Mavis Kelsey; Brooke and Carlos Silva; artists Michael Ray Charles and Bennie Flores Ansell; art restorers Jill Whitten and Rob Proctor; newlyweds Ann Hyde Smither and John Smither (as in Smither Park); Dallas McNamara; and Adam Adams. ROTHKO CHAPEL'S FULL-MOON BENEFIT WAS ALSO A BIRTHDAY BASH. at Bennie Flores Ansell, Ricardo Guajardo Robert Shelton, Mary Beth Arcidiacono Ludmila Golovine, Slavka Svarc, Alejandro Chaoul Erika de la Garza Arturo Rodriguez, Lorena Medinilla, Eric Van Der Wal Andrew Lundstrom, Garrett Hunter Colin Moussa Carlos & Brooke Silva Michel Coret, Tatiana Sorkin Duyen & Marc Nguyen David Leslie Helen Winkler Fosdick Adelaide de Menil Sharon Graham, Yvette Salazar, Erin Dorn Michael Ray Charles Heather Dow, Amelia Culwell Tatiana Massey Ann Hyde Smither & John Smither