LOCAL Houston | The City Guide April 2018 | Page 72

SCENE SCENE EVENT: 12TH ANNUAL HSPVA FRIENDS ENCORE LUNCHEON EVENT: 11TH ANNUAL MAKING A DIFFERENCE LUNCHEON WHERE: HOTEL ZAZA WHERE: MARRIOTT MARQUIS 300 people gathered at the Hotel ZaZa in the Museum District for the 11th annual Making a Difference Luncheon benefiting El Centro de Corazon, a health center serving low-income, medically underserved children, adults and families living in Houston’s East End community and the Greater Houston area. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and his wife Gwen were recognized for their work in the community. Houston Pilots were the Corporate Leader Honoree for the event. ABC News vet- eran and host of “What Would You Do” John Quinones was the keynote speaker for the night. The event was a success, raising $120,000 for El Centro. HSPVA Friends held its 12th Annual Encore Luncheon, American Artist, honoring Pulitzer Prize finalist Susan Choi as their 2018 Distinguished Alumna. HSPVA Musical Theatre students performed musical numbers from the Broadway musicals Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen. Former First Lady Andrea White, a novelist and a member of the Houston Chronicle editorial board, interviewed Choi onstage where they discussed various topics ranging from her time at HSPVA to her work as a writer. The Encore Luncheon raised over $125,000 in support of HSPVA’s programs and students. Photography by Daniel Ortiz 72 L O C A L | 4 . 2018 Photography by Kim Coffman, Kim Coffman FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE EVENT: HATS, HEARTS, & HORSESHOES EVENT: SPRING PARTY: BIG APPLE BRUNCH WHERE: THE ASTORIAN WHERE: TOOTSIES More than 400 guests attended the brunch for Houston children, raising over $230,000. Guests were treated to a ballroom decorated with sparkling chan- deliers and an incredible view of downtown Houston. Guests socialized and sported their most stylish hats in honor of the Fifth Avenue Hat Parade in New York. The event was emceed by Cynthia Cisneros of KTRK-13. President and CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK Dr. Bob Sanborn and Houston Food Bank president and CEO Brian Greene spoke about the importance of Houston children having access to healthy meals. A vibrant crowd gathered with custom hat designer Christine A. Moore for the kickoff of the upcoming Hats, Hearts & Horseshoes event benefiting Bo’s Place, a support center to those who have experienced the death of a loved one. The center offers multiple services that include education and resources for adults, chil- dren and families. Floral, flouncy oversized hats and whimsical hats topped with faux macarons delighted the crowd. Photography by CatchLightGroup Photography by Roswitha Vogler 4 . 2018 | L O C A L 73