Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/141341
Motown South Beach: to Sarah Gibson at San Luis Mardi Gras, Galveston Style CATHERINE D. ANSPON UNMASKS THE REVELRY. PHOTOGRAPHY KIM CHRISTENSEN, MICHELLE WATSON, RHEA HEMMINGS. Hailey Polzin Thomas Kleiderer at San Luis Chairmen Paige & Tilman Fertitta Gabrielle Giffords & Mark Kelly at San Luis George & Emily Jackson at Tremont T his went way beyond bountiful beads. Historic preservation, mediJoanie McLeod Bowman cine and a pair of American heroes Alexandra McLeod Lindsey McLeod were toasted at a two high-wattage at San Luis Galveston Mardi Gras fêtes, San Luis Salute and The Tremont House Mardi Gras Ball, which raised funds for, respectively, sustainable neighborhood revitalization and a new $438 million hospital for UTMB Galveston. The weekend revelry began at the San Luis Resort's Galveston Island Convention Center as chairs David Bamford Luis Perez Paige and Tilman Fertitta welcomed a at Tremont masked crowd of 1,200 to honor Dr. David Herndon of the Shriners Burns HospitalGalveston and some very special VIPS: former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, retired NASA Shuttle Commander Mark Kelly, joined by his astronaut brother Scott Kelly and guest Amiko Janie DeGuerin, Brenda Mitchell Kauderer. Design impresarios Janice Hurst, Beverly Floyd at Tremont Richard Flowers and Kirksey Gregg of The Events Company crafted the spectacular South Beach–inspired decor and Kelcy Mayell entertainment, including a at San Luis surprise PA performance by the Go-Go's Belinda Carlisle. The following eve, extravagant costuming continued at The Tremont House's perennially popular Mardi Gras Ball and Parade Viewing Party. Party, indeed — the Motown-themed scene featured The Legacy of the Temptations, in from Vegas, while Mr. Galveston, aka host George Mitchell — joined by sis Maria Ballantyne, son Grant Mitchell with wife Tiziana, and daughter Sheridan Mitchell Lorenz with husband Perry — plus 600 merrymakers vied for beads as Galveston's oldest krewe, the Knights of Momus, glided by. Bill Ross Steve Cunningham at Tremont George Mitchell Maria Ballantyne at Tremont John & Cara Koza at San Luis Carter Ware, Shelby Schulz Lane Ware at San Luis Sheridan & John Eddie Williams at San Luis Tiziana & Grant Mitchell at Tremont Marty Miles at Tremont Sam Collins at Tremont Christine Hopkins at Tremont Karen Mayell at San Luis Hilary Mundinger Glyn Tower at San Luis Michelle Nelson Katherine Samson at San Luis