SHELBY ABOUT TOWN

They partied in LaLa Land like there was no tomorrow

Man-about-town Michael Kezirian, with one foot planted firmly at home in Los Angeles and one in Houston, invited local pals to a spectacular party in Los Angeles over the weekend — the 105th anniversary Bachelors Ball at the Beverly Hilton.

The Boeing engineer, who consults here with NASA, has belonged to the venerable organization of single gents since 1996 and has attended his share of the "fancy dress" balls that go on all night long. Literally. The curtain doesn't fall on this bacchanal of costumed revelry until 4 a.m.  Open bar for the invitation-only crowd all night long. As is tradition, Friday night's fest went on until almost dawn with the James Gang Band playing non-stop until the bitter end.

As for the"'fancy dress," it is strictly a costumed affair— no typical party clothes allowed. Our town's contingent dressed in various modes while guests at other tables around the ballroom followed their own creative themes. The theme of the ball itself, never announced until the doors open (go figure), was Celebracion de los Muertos.

Joining Kezirian were Meghan Watkins, Phuong Linh and Doug Morsches, Erica Siverson and Ben May, and Jenny Antill with Nic Phillips.

Fashion note

Handbag designer Beth Younger of Houston was on cloud nine Sunday night when she was part of a Valentine's Day media reception in the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge in the tents at Bryant Park, all part of New York Fashion Week.

In the crush of Mercedes-Benz honchos and fashion press was a sprinkling of Houstonians. Schmoozing over cocktails and swooning over Younger's JulieBeth handbag line were Liz Glanville and daughter Ali Greenfield, who just landed a post at Halston in New York; Mark Horn and James Blair of Solution for Hair + Makeup; artist Hanh Tran and blogger Mary Rambin.

Guests went home with JulieBeth Versailles bags as party favors. Younger will debut her couture handbag designs in New York today (Tuesday) in conjunction with Cesar Galindo's runway show.

Among those walking out with the JulieBeth creations were singer Heather Schmid, bathing suit designer Red Carter, and J. Alexander, America's Next Top Model host.

Words on paper

Former President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush were guests of honor last week at a Celebration of Reading event at the swank home of Sue and Lester Smith. The former first couple hosts the annual fundraiser for literacy programs that is set this year for April 22 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

In addition to hearing more about the popular author evening, the gathering of 200 was treated to a reading by Lester from his book, You Gotta Dance Like No One's Watching, written in conjunction with Trish Morille. The humorous and poignant book publishes in May with all proceeds going to breast cancer and genomic research.

Applauding his work were guests including Maria and Neil Bush, Annette and George Strake, Laura and John Spalding, Kelli and Eddy Blanton, Shahla and Hushang Ansary, Lily and Charles Foster and Cathy and Joe Cleary.

A really belated birthday

Mayor Annise Parker threw a much-belated 60th birthday bash last week, a surprise party at that, for her partner, Kathy Hubbard, at Cafe Adobe. Hubbard's actual birthday was back in August in the heat of the mayoral campaign. She declared then that she wanted no party for the milestone, rather her only wish was that Parker would win the city's highest office.

Among the 50 close friends joining the celebration were powerful political players including the mayor's campaign chairman Gilbert Garcia and wife Dr. DeeDee Garcia, the mayor's chief of staff Waynette Chan, State Rep. Garnet Coleman, political consultant Kathryn McNiel, photographer David Bray and marketing/PR specialist Cindy Clifford.

• Bachelors Ball, Celebration of Reading, New York Fashion Week
• Annise Parker, Barbara Bush, Beth Younger, Cesar Galindo, Doug Morsches, George H.W. Bush, George Strake, Hushang Ansary, Jenny Antill, Liz Glanville, Mike Kezirian, Neil Bush, Nic Phillips

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The Masquerade Theatre presents Rent

The Masquerade Theatre presents Rent

The Masquerade Theatre presents Rent

The Masquerade Theatre presents Rent

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Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

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