Just The Beginning
Aug 16, 2010 Arts, Celebration, Fine Arts, Social Hour
Event: First Anniversary Celebration of Arts of India Gallery
Venue: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas
Sitar was in the air and beautiful examples of Indian Art on display for select guests from the Indo-American community who were invited to join the Museum of Fine Arts (MFAH) staff and trustees in celebrating the first anniversary of the permanent Arts of India Gallery.
Special guests at the anniversary celebrations included gallery patrons Nidhika and Pershant Mehta, University of Houston Chancellor Renu Khator and Dr. Suresh Khator, Consul General of India in Houston and many other friends of the Indian community.
Tags: MFAH, Museum Of Fine Arts
Annual Indian Film Festival of Houston
Aug 3, 2010 Bollywood, Film, Non-Profit, Social Hour
September is just around the corner and that means it is time to gear up for the Indian Film Festival of Houston. “This will be the second Indian Film Festival and all I can say is that it will be bigger and better,” says Sutapa Ghosh, Festival Director.
The Indian Film Festival of Houston (IFFH) is a nonprofit organization devoted to creating a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by showcasing quality films that honor entertainment industry performers and film makers while promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian Diaspora through an annual event.
“We have received 75 submissions of feature films, documentaries and shorts of which 15 will be chosen to be shown during the festival,” added Ms Ghosh.
The second Annual Indian Film Festival of Houston (IFFH) will take place from September 22nd to 26th, 2010 at Studio Movie Grill, 805 Town & Country Lane, Houston TX 77024.
IFFH showcases a combination of features, shorts films and documentaries. The Festival provides programming and activities that no other film festival in Houston offers and serves a community of Indian and international filmmakers that has the potential of reaching a crossover audience. IFFH offers the Houston community a unique opportunity to learn about India’s multi-faceted culture and long history of filmmaking. During the weekdays there will be four showings and during weekends there will be eight.
The Award’s Night will be held on Sunday, September 26, 2010 at the Royal Oaks Country Club, located at 2910 Royal Oaks Club Dr, Houston, TX 77082.
Lights Camera Action will be there to capture all the details from the Opening Night Cocktail till the closing Night Gala.
For more information please call 713-260-9630 or visit www.iffhinc.org.
Tags: iffh
Prime Minister of Singapore in Houston
Jul 27, 2010 Political, Social Hour
Event: Prime Minister of Singapore in Houston
Venue: Hyatt Regency Downtown Houston
Date: July 12, 2010
Greater Houston Partnership along with Asia Society Texas Center hosted Asian head of State Prime Minister of Singapore to discuss trade ties.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was in Houston e at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Houston to talk about the close global trade ties between the East Asian country and the Houston region during a signature luncheon called ‘ East Asia in the Next Decade.’
Present at the event was the Mayor of Houston Annise Parker, Consul General of India Sanjiv Arora, Jeff Moseley President of the Greater Houston Partnership, Martha Blackwelder Executive Director of Asia Society Texas Center, and many other dignitaries.
Let the “Guys” Cook
Jul 22, 2010 Culinary, Fund Raiser, Social Hour
Event: Let the “Guys” Cook Fundraiser Event
Venue: Hilton Post Oak, Houston, Texas
Exotic aromas filled the ballroom of the Hilton Post Oak when chefs joined hands to cook up for Cancer Counseling’s 14th Annual “Let the Guys Cook” fundraiser. Participating restaurants and Celebrity Chefs presented small samples of their favorite and newest creations.
Everyone had good reason to feel good while they ate since all proceeds from this event continue to provide free professional therapy to individuals and their families in Houston struggling with the emotional affects of cancer. Cancer Counseling, Inc. annually offers therapy to over 4,000 people, offering six personal sessions and unlimited group sessions to each patient, their family members, or their caregiver.
The list of Professional chefs included:
Arturo’s Uptown Italiano, Arturo Boada
Buffalo Grille, Jose Araniva
Café Chino, Eddie Chan
Canopy & Shade, Claire Smith
Elegant Edibles, Diane D’Agostino
Kirby’s Prime Steakhouse, Daniel Nemec
Memorial Hermann Catering, Roy Mauricio & Virginia Zajac
Merlion on 4th, Andrew Lobeck
Mockingbird Bistro, John Sheely
Olivette @ the Houstonian, Jeffrey Everts
P.F. Chang’s Bistro, Scott Boyd
Ray’s Grill, Soren Pedersen
Tags: Food
Sex and the City
Jul 13, 2010 Fashion, Social Hour
Event: Sex and the City 2 Party
Where: Tiny Boxwoods, Houston, Texas
This summer Sex and the City 2 has been one of the most talked about movies. To keep up with it Houston socialite Edward Sanchez hosted a Sex and the City themed party at the beautiful garden cafe Tiny Boxwoods located in the Highland Village area. Fashion enthusiasts, die hard fans of ‘Sex and the City’, and party goers dressed up as their favorite character and enjoyed the party. Also making an appearance, NYC fashion designer Cesar Galindo, flaunted his hair piece creations.
The ‘Sex and the City’ themed party made a statement, be it New York or Houston, girls just wanna have fun!
Tags: Fashion
Health and Fitness Magazine Swimsuit Fashion Show
Jun 10, 2010 Fashion, Health, Social Hour
Event: Health and Fitness Magazine Swimsuit Fashion Show
Venue: Champps Americana at Uptown Park, Houston, Texas
Date: HOT HOT Summer Day
The 4th Annual Swimsuit Fashion Show at Champps Americana Uptown Park witnessed a full house and the credit for sure can be given to Health and Fitness Magazine for hosting an engaging swimsuit fashion show. The designer swimwear was provided by Dkoko (Costa Rica), La Mode, Pleasure Zone and Sea & Mark.
Fashion Meets Craft
Jun 8, 2010 Arts, Fashion, Social Hour
Event: The Paper Runway
Date: June 4, 2010
Venue: Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, 4848 Main Street, Houston, Texas
I always knew that it took creativity to be fashionable. This actually came true when the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft presented The Paper Runway, an exhibition of extraordinary paper clothing and accessories.
At the opening reception held on Friday June 4, 2010 art and fashion enthusiasts experienced this extraordinary exhibition of nearly 50 stunning works of paper clothing and accessories. Featuring everything from handcrafted evening gowns to men’s vests, jewelry made from magazine pages, and a suit made from lottery tickets, each garment-inspired artwork is created from different types of paper.
Materials ranged from recycled cotton rags and coffee filters to various handmade papers, created from fibers like abaca (banana leaf) and kozo (mulberry bark). The featured works encompass a dazzling array of patterns, textures, colors and exquisite detail. Some pieces would look right at home on the couture runways of Paris; others are inspired by the wild beauty of nature. Some pieces are whimsical and innovative, and others have a deeply personal story to tell.
The selected works were created by artists from the United States and from countries around the world, such as England, Chile, Israel, Tibet, Japan, and Canada. Though most work included in the exhibition is for display only, The Paper Runway also presents the work of Deepak Shrestha, a renowned artist from Tibet who makes shifu clothing. Shifu is a craft specific to the Himalayas that involves creating wearable, functional garments out of paper.
A not to be missed free art exhibit. Located in the Museum District at 4848 Main Street, HCCC is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM, and Sunday, Noon – 5 PM. The exhibition is to be ongoing from June 4, 2010 to September 4, 2010.
Asia Society Tiger Ball 2010
Jun 5, 2010 Fund Raiser, Gala, Social Hour
Event: Asia Society Tiger Ball 2010
Venue: InterContinental Hotel, Houston, Texas
Date: June 2, 2010
Even though it was a Wednesday evening, the party people were out in force. Aussies, Houston socialites, philanthropists, entrepreneurs and others enjoyed the 2010 Asia Society Tiger Ball celebrating 70 years of Diplomatic Relations between Australia and the United States.
Asia Society’s focus this year was Australia. During the day they hosted their Annual Corporate Conference focusing on ‘Shaping the Energy Future: The Emerging Role of Australia’ followed by a black tie fundraiser.
The evening was honored by distinguished guests. Chairman of Asia Society Texas Center Charles C Foster welcomed Diplomatic Hosts Hon. Kim Beazley AC Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Australia to the United States, the Hon. Phillip Scanlan AM Consul General of the Commonwealth of Australia in New York.
The locals who enjoyed the event were Hon. Nana Booker AM Honorary Consul General of the Commonwealth of Australia in Houston, Executive Director Asia Society Martha Blackwelder, Asia Society Board members Nat and Leela Kishnamurthy, Dr. Virendra Mathur, University of Houston President Renu Khator, ABC 13 Reporter Miya Shay and many other from the arts and culture scene.
Overall the event was fun and the main highlight was spotting Houston Rockets star Yao Ming as Yao bagged the Asia Society Texas Center Award for contribution to the Global community.
In spite of a few extra long speeches such as the lengthy page by page reading executed by Hon. Kevin Rudd, MP 26Th Prime Minister of Australia, the guests thoroughly enjoyed the roasted Australian lamb rump with native mint Jus, black olive tapenade with smashed white beans. This delicious entree was prepared by Australian Chef Jason Gould. The performance of the Australian Guitar duo Rupert Boyd and Jacob Cordover added to the good memories.
Tags: Asia Society
Interview with Mayor of Houston Annise Parker
May 18, 2010 Political, Talking Points
Houston Correspondent Ruchi Mukherjee caught up with Mayor of Houston Annise Parker at a Rotary Club of Houston Skyline event.
In this interview Ms Parker expressed her views on the recent bomb incident in Times Square, New York, in light of minority groups in Houston; about the contributions of the South Asian community, and on a personal note about her pet loss.
Tags: Annise Parker, mayor
Bizzy Women Gets Fashionable
May 6, 2010 Fashion, Social Hour
Lights Camera Action (www.rmrmedia.com) a multimedia production site tracking the South Asian scene in Houston, Texas was proud to present the second in a series of fun filled mixers called ‘Bizzy Women’ on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at Poshak Boutique, Hillcroft, Houston, Texas.
Ruchi Mukherjee is a Houston based freelance TV Asia Journalist/ Host of Lights Camera Action hosted the event which aims to highlight a woman owned small business. This mixer highlighted fashion designer Sameera Faridi.
Each event provides an opportunity to mix, mingle, dress up and be photographed. The idea is to have fun while at the same time help each other’s business goals. Surprises await at each mixer.
This chic fashion mixer was a full house with a fashion show as the main highlight of the evening. Guests also enjoyed complimentary tasty bites by Mezban and tiramisu cupcakes provided by Madhavi Gokhale of Desserts ‘n’ More, a specialty home based dessert company that caters special occasions, that are simple yet delicious, made with only the finest ingredients. Local radio host Samia Adil emceed the event with poise and grace. The show was a success as Neal Hamil Models walked the ramp with confidence with flawless make up by Fashion Face.
Present at the event HCC Fashion Instructor Textiles Lisa Waering and Jessica Dolan, Judy Gulgun FGI Regional Membership Director, Tanaz Choudhury who recently made a debut as a fashion designer showcasing her line at Tootsies, Reji Josheph, Sangeeta Pasrija, Houston Young Professionals for Arts’ Committee member Mahek Shah, Shawn Broussard from Health and Fitness Magazine, and many others.
Tags: Bizzy Women, Fashion
Pratham Houston Gala 2010
May 3, 2010 Gala, Non-Profit, Social Hour
Event: Pratham Houston Gala
Venue: Westin Galleria Ballroom
Date: May 1, 2010
Saturday May 1, 2010 saw a packed ballroom with 700 plus socialites as Pratham USA, a non-profit charity organization that works for literacy in India, hosted their Annual Gala themed ‘A Passage To India’. Honorary chairs for the gala Nidhika Mehta, looked stunning in a white and gold saree, accompanied by her husband Prashant Mehta. The couple is very active with various charity organizations. This young couple says it is not about how much you make but it is about how one can give back to those who are in need.
The gala opened with an enthralling dance performance from the classic ‘Umrao Jaan’ movie and the entertainment included bollywood fusion dance performances by Arzan Gonda and a group from Rhythm India Dance Company.
The chief guests for the evening was Former Mayor of Houston Bill White and Andrea White who also support the cause very strongly. Andrea White who is a voracious reader and a writer herself shared pride in Pratham’s dedication to literacy as “there is nothing more important than to educate someone,” says Andrea White.
Seen at the gala were Madhav Chavan, Founder of Pratham, Vijay Goradia, Pratham USA Founder, Yogi Patel, Pratham Ambassador, Dr. Atul Varadhachary, Pratham USA President, Pratham Houston President Sonu Anand and other board members like Meena Dutt (who was also the emcee for the event), Omana Abraham, Chitra Divakaruni, Mona Parikh and others socialized at the evening.
Tags: Pratham
Hot Piyolet With Roz
Mar 30, 2010 Health, Life Bytes, Social Hour
Event: Hot Piyolet With Roslyn
Venue: Yoga One Studio, Travis, Houston, Texas
Date: March 27, 2010
Houston based Roslyn Bazzelle has taken yoga to a new level. HOT PIYOLET is a workshop with sequences and movements combining PI-Pilates, YO-Yoga and LET-Ballet fused together in an amazing, fun, and invigorating workout for the entire body in a room heated to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
In one workshop you can burn from 700 to over 1,000 calories! Completing the exercises in a “hot” environment enhances detoxification while working all the major muscles of the body to make them strong and supple.
TV Asia/Lifestyle journalist Ruchi M caught up with Roslyn to learn more about it. Watch the video to know more.
Tags: Ballet, Exercise, Fitness, Health, PIYOLET, Roslyn Bazzelle, Yoga
