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42 BOOGIE LIKE AN EGYPTIAN BY HOLLY MOORE. PHOTOGRAPHY DAVE ROSSMAN. K ing Tut looked on approvingly from the side garden pavilion as the family and friends of architect and professor Shafik Rifaat celebrated his milestone 80th birthday at Sheridan and John Eddie Williams' River Oaks home. After watching Rifaat gyrate like a Pharaoh well into the night, all agreed that his 80 is the new 60. The party, hosted by the Williamses — close friends of Rifaat for nearly three decades — was months in the making, with Sheridan, Richard Flowers of The Events Company, and restaurateur Tony Vallone collaborating. Flowers transformed the backyard into an Egyptian fantasy, with a convincing replica of King Tut's sarcophagus, belly dancers flown in from L.A., and the sounds of Moodafaruka. Gilded chandeliers were strung between trees, and tables sprouted tall palm trees. Honoring the request for poolside Egyptian sheikh attire, several men wore authentic galabeyas (dishdashas) from Dubai, including Ceron, Mark Sullivan, and Mike Mayell; caftans were de rigueur for many, including Karen Mayell, Lynn Wyatt, Phoebe Tudor, Melinda Berkman, Patsy Fourticq, Cynthia Allshouse, and Meg Goodman. Tony's catering crew, led by Scott Sulma, served up a cold seafood bar stocked with raw oysters, Gulf shrimp, Tony's famed giant lump crab meat, and lobster, followed by lavish Middle Eastern fare of beef tenderloin, stuffed grape leaves, grilled lamb, moussaka, and Tony's famed flaming red snapper (Rifaat's favorite). After dinner and two gyrating performances by the Belly Twins dancers, a stunning birthday cake was revealed: a gilded sphinx and a massive chocolate pyramid, masterfully crafted by baker Susie Edwards of Susie's Cakes & Confections. CELEBRATING: UH College of Architecture & Design dean Patricia Oliver, Susanne Byram, Vesta and Dr. Pedro Frommer, Greg Fourticq, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, Nancy and Rich Kinder, Bucky Allshouse, Lynne and Joe Hudson, Dr. Norman Berkman, Sharon Adams, Patrice Ferguson and John Camp, John and Becca Cason Thrash, and Diane Lokey Farb. Moodafaruka Shafik Rifaat & Shelby Hodge Ceron, Becca Cason Thrash Bucky & Cynthia Allshouse, Richard Flowers Tony Bradfield, Marguerite Swartz, Kevin Black Dr. Hassan & Roberta Rifaat Lynn Wyatt, Phoebe Tudor, Franci Neely Karen Mayell Diane Lokey Farb John Eddie & Sheridan Williams Meg Goodman & Mike Bonini Joe & Lynne Hudson Dancie Ware, Sharon Adams Cathy & Dr. Gary Brock Donna & Tony Vallone