Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/106149
T exas art patriarch Bert Long Jr. gets his day — or more accurately his month: This February, the Houston scene is given over to a tribute to Long, with a film screening at The Menil Collection plus a university opening. One of the state's few Prix de Rome winners, Long is also a past Texas Artist of the Year and numbers among the most exhibited of our grand masters, with a history extending back to the original Lawndale Art Center, as well as works in high and mighty permanent collections ranging from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to our own Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Long's longevity is matched by his fascinating transformation from a chef presiding over the buffet stations of the booming '70s-era Hyatt Regency downtown to the most august walls of the international art world. This month's tribute begins on Valentine's Day, when The Menil Collection and the Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) come together to screen a biopic produced and directed by patron John Guess Jr. Entitled Bert, the feature-length film interweaves interviews with seminal art world figures such as Project Row House founder Rick Lowe and is narrated by the late MFAH director Peter Marzio and fellow artist John Alexander. The 7 pm screening at the Menil is followed by a reception in Long's honor. Then, on Thursday, February 28, Houston Baptist University curator Jim Edwards brings together some rarely shown Long masterworks in "Bert Long," an astute homage to our Fifth Ward's native son in the university's Contemporary Art Gallery (through April 18). All events gratis; seating limited at The Menil Collection. Catherine D. Anspon Bert Long Jr. I s there any value in talking to strangers next to you on an airplane? Sales gurus will say "Absolutely," because you never know if that's your next client sitting there. For about the past 20 years, my answer has been "absolutely not," because I myself don't like being annoyed and become cold when someone turns to talk — no matter how cute or well-dressed they are! I deviated about a year ago on a flight to L.A. First, I had to ask this young woman to move out of my seat (I was a professional pilot in my 20s, and I love sitting in a window seat). Then, because she had grabbed the current issue of PaperCity I'd set down and read it like she owned it, I had to ask for it back (when she was finished, of course). Turns out her name was Gaby and she was from Peru — the town of Cusco, which she explained was the starting point for all treks into the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. She said she was, in fact, a tour guide. She was nice enough, and though I had no sights on Peru, we became friends on Facebook and never communicated again. A few months later and in a FEBRUARY 2013 | STYLE | FASHION | SOCIAL in this ISSUE 12 Party: Celebrating Vuitton's new Galleria digs Party: Rio revelry at Zadok Jewelers Party: I W Marks fête for Boys & Girls Country Party: Women's Fund Rockin' Resiliency Luncheon 17 22 26 Party: Tenenbaum & Co.'s sparkling holiday party 19 Party: Welcoming Charming Charlie Fashion: Spring's distinct contrast Inside the Nest of: Gallerist David Shelton PaperCity WEDDINGS 33 38 Wedding Primer: The bride's little blue book Wedding: James Kicinski and Aubrey McCoy's rural rites 40 Jim Kastleman, publisher jim@papercitymag.com Cornered 4, 6, 8 P O P. C ULTUR E. GOSSIP. 10 relationship with someone who had Machu Picchu on her bucket list, I found myself planning a trip to Peru. Did I research tour guides, costs, etc.? No. I bought a book on Peru, e-mailed Gaby for her help with an itinerary and took a leap. Wow, did I make the right decision. I was blown away by Peru — the ancient Inca civilization, history and ruins, the spirituality and the industriousness of modern Peruvian people. Gaby wove the history from sun up to sun down, while winding through stunning valleys and mountains in cars and trains. So if you're not lucky enough to sit next to a Peruvian tour guide and indeed want to go, let me know and I'll give you her contact info. In the meantime, I've loosened my own "don't talk" policy with airplane seatmates. You never know. The Corner Table by Chef Bruce Molzan, 2736 Virginia St., 713.568.9196, cornertablebhm.com Chef Bruce Molzan (Ruggles, Ruggles Green) is back with another environmentally considerate and mostly organic concept. The Corner Table by Chef Bruce Molzan is actually the first of three entities opening in the former stead of The Brownstone on Virginia Street. Its companions — scheduled to debut as we go to press — are 1919 Wine & Mixology (the bar's name reflects the year the building, a former oak mill, was erected) and The Oak Bar and Nightclub. The Corner Table's galley-like dining room is clad with reclaimed hardwood floors, with more vintage wood salvaged to create shelves on the wall of stacked wine bottles. Owners Darla Lexington and her mom, Michelle Coopwood, are working with Molzan to revamp the rambling spaces, where you'll find perfect pizzas that pair such intriguing ingredients as duck confit with candied shallots, pear, béchamel and aged gruyère ($16). He even takes up the Paleo cause, with dishes such as turkey Bolognese ($14) and chicken enchiladas ($17) adhering to the tenets of today's latest eating craze, the Paleolithic diet. For lunch and dinner, Molzan trots out a litany of appealing dishes priced from $8 (soups) to $33 (grass-feed beef filet or rack of lamb entrees). And did we mention the stellar kids' menu? The neighborhood denizens along Ferndale and Bammel Lane are fast claiming The Corner Table as their own eatery and watering hole. Laurann Claridge JENNY ANTILL JOAN BATSON A Valentine for Bert Owners Darla Lexington and Michelle Coopwood Chef Bruce Molzan Wedding Inspiration: Seven experts share blissful details. Hair Dos Claudie and Rino Jasper Stylingbar, 2401 Times Blvd., 713.960.1010; service@stylingbar.com We love the sheer cuteness of Stylingbar in Rice Village. It opened last May, but owners Rino and Claudie Jasper, who have roots in the beauty industry in Houston (Jacques Dessange, Prestige & Creation, Beauty ID), have turned it on its head with a new do: bright bursts of tangerine lights and accessories, and a new menu of wash and blow-dry styles — all in 30 minutes for $35 and with a glass of bubbly in hand. The pros here dry and dye only, no haircuts and no nonsense. Try the Color Bar, too — highlights and touch-ups in 45 minutes. WEDDING TRUNK SHOWS BELLA BRIDESMAID March 15 – 16: Watters April 5 – 6: Justin Alexander April 26 – May 5: Blue by Enzoani May 17 – 18: Stella York May 24 – 25: Jim Hjelm BELLE MARIÉE BRIDAL CASA DE NOVIA BRIDAL COUTURE 2611 Greenbriar Dr., 713.528.2778; bellabridesmaid.com February 1 – 2: Amsale February 7 – 9: LulaKate 2509 River Oaks Blvd., 713.523.0068; bellemarieehouston.com February 15 – 16: Kenneth Pool February 22 – 23: Anne Barge March 29 – 30: Modern Trousseau April 12 – 13: Ines di Santo BRICKHOUSE BRIDAL 200 Valley Wood Drive A300, The Woodlands, 281.681.3430; brickhousebridal.com February 15 – 16: Martina Liana February 18 – 23: Paloma Blanca March 4 – 9: Allure River Oaks, 713.523.9090; casadenoviabridal.com March 21 – 23: Monique Lhuillier April 5 – 6: Palazzo May 9 – 11: Vera Wang IVORY BRIDAL ATELIER 2800 Kirby Dr. in West Ave, 713.550.1622; ivorybridalhouston.com February 1 – 2: Rivini February 15 – 16: Reem Acra March 1 – 2: Lazaro March 15 – 16: Liancarlo JOAN PILLOW BRIDAL SALON Highland Village, 4001 Westheimer, 713.622.1122; joanpillowbridal.com February 14 – 16: Anna Maier Ulla-Maija with Charles Bunstine II February 28 – March 2: Oscar de la Renta with Lauren Tirone March 7 – 9: Romona Keveza Couture and Legends with Orlando Cosmeli March 21 – 23: Marchesa May 2 – 4: Anna Maier Ulla-Maija with Charles Bunstine 11 May 16 – 18: Carolina Herrera with Shanna Chaityn May 30 – June 1: Monique Lhuillier with Lauren Thompson NOW AND FOREVER BRIDAL BOUTIQUE 3701 Kirby Dr., 713.218.0369; nowandforeverbridalbtq.com February 15 – 16: Tara Keely by Lazaro March 15 – 16: Victoria Nicole with Victoria McMillan March 29 – 30: Hayley Paige May 10 – 11: Tara Keely by Lazaro June 7 – 8: Blow-Out Sample Sale Vera Wang trunk show at Casa de Novia Bridal Couture Romona Keveza at Joan Pillow Bridal Salon