Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/470425
Brian Thomas Candace Thomas Chair Bill Toomey Chair Carmen Mach Chair Butch Mach Chair Courtney Toomey MARDI GRAS REVELRY CHILDREN'S MUSEUM ANNE LEE PHILLIPS STROLLS THROUGH THE QUARTER. PHOTOGRAPHY MICHELLE WATSON FOR CATCHLIGHT GROUP. L aissez les bons temps rouler, indeed. Bayou City residents paraded on their very own Bourbon Street at the Children's Museum of Houston's annual gala benefitting its educational and outreach programs. Chairs Kathryn and Jeff Smith tapped Rebekah Johnson's Bergner and Johnson to transform The Corinthian into the Crescent City with vibrant tablescapes, greenery, fuchsia flowers and cast-iron street lamps. A spirited musical trifecta included a procession by the Second Line Brass Brand featuring two grand masters, dueling pianos during the seated dinner and dancing to NOLA's ELS Band. Jackson and Company produced a Creole feast, and free-flowing hurricanes encouraged heavy bidding in the auction, chaired by Elizabeth DeLuca, Robin Klaes and Kelly Sklar; proceeds from the auction, combined with underwriting, totaled more than $900,000. In the carousing krewe: underwriting chair quartet Courtney and Bill Toomey, and Carmen and Butch Mach; CMH board president Randy Allen and wife Lori; Greggory and Patrick Burk; Scotia and Darren Daugherty; Allie and Jay Fields; Jennifer and Lance Gilliam; Megan Lovoi; and Julie Oliver. for Chair Jeff Smith Greggory Burk Jay Fields Allie Fields Stephanie Cockrell Jennifer Gilliam Kendra Carbonari Larry Norman Sharin Norman Cesar Carbonari Lance Gilliam Jim Rogers Lisanne Rogers Hunt Harper Allison Harper Lori Allen Randy Allen Second Line Brass Band Chair Kathryn Smith Michael Mithoff Melissa Mithoff Tiffany Smith Rick Smith MARCH | PAGE 12 | 2015 TWENTY YEARS + A MacARTHUR A BRIGHT GALA NIGHT FOR PROJECT ROW HOUSES' DOUBLE DECADES CATHERINE D. ANSPON REPORTS. PHOTOGRAPHY ALEX BARBER. I n the mid-1990s, I was just beginning to cover the Houston art scene and heard buzz about Rick Lowe and Project Row Houses. I trekked over to the Third Ward just in time to catch Bert Long Jr.'s show in one of Row Houses' intimate domestic structures turned art spaces. (This marked the beginning of one of my most extraordinary art-world friendships.) Flash forward, and Lowe and six other artist founders — including the no-longer-with-us James Bettison and the mythic Bert — were acknowledged at PRH's 20th Anniversary Gala. The moving night was held under the stars in the nonprofit's backyard campus adjoining its simple, historic row houses that have been such a catalyst for the community. The poignant, personal evening brought out the best of the art family, still euphoric on the recent announcement of Lowe's MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant — a prize he humbly noted in his remarks that he shared with those who co-created Row Houses and contribute to its life. At the record-breaking fête, down-home touches lent charm and authenticity: comfort fare provided buffet style from eateries including Frenchy's, Lucille's, Carrabba's and Sparrow; Milton Hopkins + Band belting out R&B standards; local wildflowers in Mason jars; and rows of long tables under strands of white lights lending enchantment. Toasting 20: gala co-chairs Cheryl Creuzot and Rebecca Trahan, joined by 20th Anniversary co-chair Emily Todd (Trahan also co-chaired the anniversary-year happenings); board prez Amanda Edwards and board VP Andrew Speckhard; Adelaide de Menil, in from Manhattan; outgoing executing director Linda Shearer and PRH public art director Ryan Dennis; former artist in residence Selven O'Keef Jarmon; Jill Whitten and Rob Proctor, sashaying on the dance floor; and Row Houses co-founding artists, who joined Lowe on the stage, Jesse Lott, Floyd Newsum, Bert Samples, and George Smith. Anita Smith Bennie Flores Ansell Gerald Smith Ryan Dennis Rick Lowe Rick Lowe Co-chair Rebecca Trahan David Ansell Mise en scène Rosine Kouamen, Regina Agu Tamika Evans Shawnell Holman Jesse Lott Emily Todd Co-chair Cheryl Creuzot Jah Jah Amanda Edwards Milton Hopkins + Band Andrew Speckhard Adelaide de Menil Adelaide de Menil