News

A Mad Men worthy party shakes up
the usual fundraiser scene with
Martini Madness

January 21, 2013

Don Draper and Betty Francis would have appreciated the Mad Men vibe that pulsated through the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft as the fifth annual “Martini Madness” fundraiser celebrated a mid-century esthetic.

No, smoking wasn’t allowed but the martinis were bottomless and the 250 guests favored skinny ties, full skirts and pillbox hats.

Marie Louise and David Kinder chaired the artful romp that found guests selecting their favorite martini glass from a slew of artist-created options, feasting on taste treats from Sorrel Urban Bistro and sipping to their heart’s content on libations courtesy of Deep Eddy Vodka. Traditional martinis were served along with lemon drops, cosmopolitans and winter wonderlands (white chocolate/peppermint), a nod to the wintry decorative theme.

Raising their glasses in celebration of the evening were honorary chairs Judy Nyquist, Alton LaDay and Libbie Masterson. They were among those getting a kick out of the Evan Mallett’s retro photo booth, grooving to the swinging jazz sounds of the Jeremy Dorsey Trio and bidding at the Big Board where KTRK Channel 13 news anchor Melanie Lawson conducted the lively competition.

In mid-century mode were Jonathan Glus, Lisa and Michael Pearson, Victoria and Marshal Lightman, Minnette Boesel, Lindsey George, Heidi and George Vaughn, Jeff Shell, Jacqueline and Robert Guevara, Julie Farr and Pilar Uribe.

By Shelby Hodge for CultureMap

More News

May 22, 2026

by Paul Middendorf Houston boasts its excellence and holds claim to a great many things. From its spectacular Bar-B-Q, its wide open spaces ( God’s

May 21, 2026

By Amber Elliott Khori Dastoor is a woman on the move. The former opera singer — she’s a soprano! — became CEO and the fourth

March 27, 2026

This article is part of a series of pieces celebrating Glasstire’s 25th anniversary. To see other stories from this series, go here. To see pieces

March 23, 2026

by Michael McFadden Houston has always answered to more than one name. Bayou City, Space City, H-Town, Screwston: each nickname captures a real part of

March 21, 2026

Congrats to our executive director, Leila Cartier, who has been named one of “Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women of 2025” by Houston Woman Magazine! Each

March 4, 2026

These seven public gardens highlight Houston’s biodiversity during the city’s most beautiful season. By Claire Sewell My grandmother (Nonnie, we called her) loved roses. Growing

4848 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is located in the Houston Museum District, two blocks south of Highway 59, near Rosedale St. Visitors should park in the free parking lot located directly behind the building, off Rosedale and Travis Streets, and enter through the back entrance. 

Free Admission

OPEN TUESDAY – SATURDAY, 10 AM – 5 PM

4848 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is located in the Houston Museum District, two blocks south of Highway 59, near Rosedale St. Visitors should park in the free parking lot located directly behind the building, off Rosedale and Travis Streets, and enter through the back entrance. 

Free Admission

OPEN TUESDAY – SATURDAY, 10 AM – 5 PM