As a die-hard martini maven, I really hated missing Houston Center for Contemporary Craft‘s seventh annual “Martini Madness,” the mid-century themed fundraiser awash in Deep Eddy Vodka.
By all accounts, it was a resounding success with 200 guests joining in the bossa nova motif that lent a Brazilian vibe to the night. The traditional Mad Men fashions — skinny ties, fur stoles, shirtwaist dresses — vied with Hawaiian shirts and other tropical threads for the spotlight. The varied looks were perfect for the Photobomb booth where fedoras, Carmen Miranda style headdresses and silk flowers were among the dress-up selections.
Paula Arnold and Ted Pinson chaired the event where tradition holds that each guest receives a stunning martini glass, created by either a local or nationally-recognized artist. Those vessels of joy juice were filled over and over again as partygoers took advantage of the bottomless offerings.
Providing sustenance to balance the vodka was Green House Catering which supplied the throng with roasted garlic meatballs, tomato bruschetta, blue cheese-stuffed dates wrapped in prosciutto and more.
Charlie Perez and his band, playing against a tropical backdrop of palm trees, kept the mood sultry and sexy with bossa nova and samba tunes. Among those swaying to the seductive sounds were honorary chairs Betsy and Chuck Powell, Bobbie and John Nau, Sara Morgan, Victoria andMarshal Lightman, Kara and Ulises Vidal, Phyllis Childress, Anne Lamkin Kinder, Minette and Peter Boesel and Lisaand Michael Pearson.
