In honor of its 15th anniversary, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) hosted Margarita Madness! Celebrating La Quinceañera, a festive update to our very popular Martini Madness! series of annual cocktail fundraisers. The evening included bottomless margaritas, delicious Latin American food, a silent auction, live Latin music by Trio Fórte, a papel picado making station, and photo-booth fun. All proceeds benefitted HCCC.
At the beginning of the evening, guests chose from an incredible array of margarita glasses—all of which were handmade by local and national craft artists—to use and take home. Guests walked into a festive atmosphere of pinks, oranges and purples in the center’s galleries, which were filled with market lights and papel picado (cut paper) garlands hanging from the ceiling. About 200 guests enjoyed frozen margaritas, margaritas on the rocks, and tequila sunrise cocktails courtesy Agavales Tequila. Trio Fórte turned up the heat with the Latin sounds of salsa, cumbia and merengue, and a surprise appearance by Mariachi Calmecac excited the crowd during the height of the party.
Delicious food was generously sponsored by Green House Catering. On the menu were Sword Fish Ceviche with Tomatillo & Avocado; Tostadas Topped with Chicharrón-Infused Black Beans, Radish & Micro Greens; Shredded Pork Tacos; Marinated Panela Cheese with Local Herbs; Chicken Tinga Empanadas; and Three-Chile Mexico City Street Noodles with Crema Mexicana.
Guests also flocked to an over-the-top quinceañera candy bar, courtesy Candylicious. On display were hundreds of Mexican sweets, like leche quemada, marzapan and tamarind candies, as well as hard-to-find candies like sour tangerine and grapefruit balls, sweet and sour gummy strings, and a variety of lolly pops for guests to enjoy.
Guests had tons of fun posing with boas, paper flowers and more at the Photobomb photo booth, which projected the photos on the gallery wall. Top fashion trends of the evening were quinceañera-inspired garments, including rhinestone tiaras, fabulous tulle skirts, and traditional Mexican dresses. Michael Solis stole the night with his insanely festive ensemble, which included a rhinestone mask, pink tulle skirt with flower appliques, and hot-pink feather boa—all of which was topped with an incredible hat filled with colorful flowers, purple feathers, and white lights. Event co-chair Karina Barbieri also stunned the crowds with a perfectly fitted, dark-green, floor-length dress decorated with a tropical motif.
Popular items at the silent auction included a week’s stay in Puerto Vallarta, a beautiful Bulgari leather bag, a “Margarita Madness To Go” basket of fine tequilas, a ceramic sculpture by current HCCC resident artist Susan Budge, and a couture quinceañera gown from Glitter by Alex.
VIPs spotted in the crowd: HCCC’s incoming Executive Director Perry Price and his wife Rosemary Price, HCCC Board President Edward Lane McCartney & David Gooding, Gracie & Bob Cavnar, Eduardo & Maria Morales, Sara & Bill Morgan, Melanie Lawson & John Guess, Jr., Victoria & Marshal Lightman, Byron & Julie Pettit, Phyllis Childress, Carla Cotropia & Tom Edens, Ulises & Kara Vidal, Lisa & Michael Pearson, Nyala Wright Nolen and Selvin Jarmon O’Keefe, and Catherine Anspon.
