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MOONLIGHT + MAGIC Mother Nature provided clear skies for lunar gazing, enhanced by telescopes loaned by the Houston Astronomical Society. Meanwhile, MC2 Architects' Van Nguyen, Garland Fielder, and co-founder Chung Nguyen devised lunar landscapes with astronauts, which took over the lawn surrounding the chapel. (Departing guests heisted a Styrofoam astronaut or two.) The evening also tilted to the Cuban: Top toque Ryan Hildebrand of Triniti Restaurant crafted bites that would have been at home in Old Havana, while guests imbibed slow-aged mojitos and Sanguinello mules, fueled respectively by Flor de Caña and Reyka Vodka, both courtesy William Grant & Sons. El Rectorado del Son had everyone on the dance floor after partaking in tours of the chapel. Revelers clinked cocktails between sets and/ or pulled on El Cubano cigars, hand-rolled on the spot. Among the 300 sky gazers: Rothko Chapel's board chair Christopher Rothko, in from New York, dishing with past chair Gayle DeGeurin; board members Wil McCorquodale and Mike Piana; the chapel's cultural ambassador Lynn Wyatt, striking a glam note in Chanel, dashing from a downtown event to attend; outgoing chapel director Emilee Whitehurst and interim chapel director Claudia Horwitz; Tatiana and Craig Massey; Katherine and Eric Houston with Heather and David Houston; architectural historian Stephen Fox salsa-ing with art restorer Jill Whitten; and John Kerr Smither dancing in the moonlight with a bevy of partners, including Cherryhurst House's Dallas McNamara. Ashley Landers Katherine Houston Jill Whitten Stephen Fox Charissa Miller Will Stukenberg Laura Robertson DECEMBER | PAGE 28 | 2014 MOONRISE Kingdom Rothko Chapel's Membership Mixer, Set to a Lunar Glow CATHERINE D. ANSPON DOES SOME STARGAZING. PHOTOGRAPHY JENNY ANTILL. ROTHKO + NEWMAN There are parties on plazas, then there are parties on the plaza — as in the storied space that connects the Rothko Chapel, dedicated 1971, to Barnett Newman's totemic Broken Obelisk, 1963–1967, all on the Menil campus. Always an oasis of contemplation and human-rights observations, for the second October in a row the chapel has opened up and hosted a membership mixer that seeks to gain new acolytes and the next generation of devotees. A well- connected host committee and benevolent underwriters came together for the perfect fall benefit, christened Moonrise Party on the Plaza, curated by the Rothko's Thuy Tran, who dreamed up the surreal fête. Thuy Tran Gayle DeGeurin Pyramid power Christopher Rothko Lynn Wyatt Eric Houston Glen Gonzalez Heather Houston Kate Stukenberg Francine Ballard Stuart Nelson Al Amado Tessa Ward Catherine Giuffre Todd Ward Paul Beauchamp Bronwyn Beauchamp BUONGIORNO, UNA NOTTE Valentino continued its annual stylish tradition of munificently hosting the kick off luncheon for Una Notte in Italia benefitting Bo's Place. Shopping ensued, both before and after the intimate seated repast catered by A Fare Extraordinaire. Valentino's Yelena Katchan, Mary Massey, and Sonya Shernak welcomed the well-heeled crowd, and many added a pair of Valentino pumps, bag or frock to their wardrobes. Shiny red shopping bags were the accessory of the day. Verrrry Valentino: luncheon co-chairs Melissa Mithoff and Alissa Maples, with mom Virginia Steppe; gala co- chair ladies Jennifer Brown and Christie Sullivan; gala honorary chair Debbie Festari, delivering opening remarks; Tatiana Green; Katherine Treistman; Vivian Dugger; Lisa Pitts; Liz Glanville; Joanna Marks; Cindi Colvin; Ericka Graham and Devi Brown, who are the Mrs. of Houston Texans; and Andrea Sivells of Bo's Place. SOCIAL TIMBER + CARLOS' VOLUMES Weeks later, celebratory cocktails and bites were again in order; the occasion, a PA by Valentino's global brand ambassador, Carlos Souza, at the Valentino boutique. Lynn Wyatt served as hostess; sleek in black Valentino, she also did serious shopping, acquiring a gown for the then- upcoming MFAH Grand Gala Ball. The evening did double duty as a book signing for Souza's hot-off-the-press Assouline volume, #Carlos's Places, as well as the kickoff of the 25th anniversary Trees of Hope Gala, with Valentino donating a percentage of proceeds. Socials standing tall: Trees of Hope board member Kelli Weinzierl, rocking a hot-pink Valentino mini frock; ball co-chairs Rachel and Christopher Boehler and Laura and Steve Jones; Trees executive director Gwen Koch; Star of Hope prez and CEO Hank Rush and wife Elisabeth (Stars of Hope is the beneficiary of the gala); Susie and Sanford Criner; Pepper Edens; Amanda Davis; Lesha Elsenbrook; Jennifer Ducote; Cindy Cook; Angela Sturm; and Madeleine Elmer. Post-party, an intimate dinner at BCN hosted by Miz Wyatt for her long-time friend Carlos Souza. "People ask how long Carlos and I have known each other. Three of four years? No — it's been 34 years!" exclaimed Wyatt. Tales ensued of days and nights in Gstaad, Rome and at Liz Hurley's Indian wedding, all worthy of an entry in Andy Warhol's diaries. Christy Rowland Matt Rowland Gwen Koch at Carlos CARLOS SOUZA + RED SHOPPERS: Valentino Gives Back CATHERINE D. ANSPON DOES THE PHILANTHROPIC FASHION REPORT. PHOTOGRAPHY MICHELLE WATSON, ROSWITH VOGLER. Two stylish fêtes raise funds and kick off Una Notte in Italia and Trees of Hope. — Carlos Souza in #Carlos's Places "IN MY PAST LIFE I WAS THE ASSISTANT OF MARCO POLO. " Lauren Godwin at Carlos Karla Garza at Carlos Heather Holmes at Carlos Leda Netland at Carlos Manfred Jachmich Cindy Cook Duane Kyrish at Carlos Kathy Kyrish Denise Ozene Elizabeth Alpaugh Co-chair Alissa Maples at Una Notte Christie Sullivan at Una Notte Tatiana Green at Una Notte Lisa Pitts at Una Notte Sonya Shernak at Una Notte Yelena Katchan at Una Notte Monica Bickers Andrea Sivells Katherine Treistman Jennifer Brown Co-chair Melissa Mithoff Debbie Festari Lynn Wyatt at Carlos Carlos Souza Mod girls at Valentino