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EVENT : URBAN WILD OF MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY “ BRIDGE BASH ” WHERE : LIVING BRIDGE AT MEMORIAL PARK
Emma Brown , George Johnston and Brittany Hildebrand
More than 100 community-driven young Houstonians shared their support of Memorial Park Conservancy ( MPC ) under the stars at the Urban Wild “ Bridge Bash .” A new affinity group for young professionals , Urban Wild provides opportunities to learn more about Memorial Park , build a deeper relationship with MPC and its mission and “ get wild ” with other Memorial Park champions . During the group ’ s second annual Bridge Bash , members and guests gathered on Memorial Park ’ s Living Bridge for drinks , food , music and fun . Highlights included a stellar soundtrack by Aidan Kennedy of the house band Wrestlers , passed appetizers and a dessert station by Underbelly , a Smilebooth and door prizes .
Photography by Priscilla Dickson
Michael Garfield and Amy West
James and Annetta White
EVENT : HOUSTON CINEMA ARTS FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT WHERE : MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON
On the actual 52nd birthday of Austin ’ s legendary Broken Spoke honky-tonk and dance hall , the 8th Annual Houston Cinema Arts Festival kicked off in true Texas fashion at Museum of Fine Arts Houston with a star-studded red carpet ceremony featuring many of the guest artists attending this year ’ s festival alongside Houston trendsetters , socialites , influencers and more . Red carpet attendees enjoyed a pre-screening reception inside the MFAH Pre-Columbian Gallery that featured catering by Brennan ’ s of Houston . HCAF Board Chair Franci Neely and HCAF Artistic Director Richard Herskowitz made general introductory remarks to the packed auditorium before a brief message to the audience from filmmakers Brenda Mitchell and Sam Douglas , who introduced Honky Tonk Heaven : Legend of the Broken Spoke . Following the screening , a lively Q & A session moderated by Richard Herskowitz was conducted with Broken Spoke owners James and Annetta White , who received a standing ovation when they were announced , along with the filmmakers and country artist Dale Watson . To close out the evening , Watson serenaded the audience with several of his songs .
Photography by Daniel Ortiz and Anna Veselova
Dale Watson and Celine Lee
Daniel Kamin and Richard Herskowitz
56 LOCAL | february 17