Gala season in full swing for Houston society

TRUE BLUE GALA

Catherine Sdao, from left, Mallory Michaelis, Tammy Michaelis and Meagan Michaelis at the True Blue Gala benefiting Houston Police Department. TRUE BLUE GALA

Catherine Sdao, from left, Mallory Michaelis, Tammy Michaelis and Meagan Michaelis at the True Blue Gala benefiting Houston Police Department. Photo: Gary Fountain, Contributor Photo: Gary Fountain, Contributor Image 1 of / 48 Caption Close Gala season in full swing for Houston society 1 / 48 Back to Gallery

Houston society turned out over the past few weekends with checkbooks in hand to raise funds for a variety of local causes.

Rockets owner and billionaire entrepreneur Tillman and Paige Fertitta opened their home Saturday, Nov. 3, for the 11th annual Houston Police Foundation fundraiser.

At Una Notte in Italia gala Nov. 2, KPRC anchor Dominique Sachse emceed the grand soiree and all-male fashion show, with Houston Texans' safety Kareem Jackson, cornerback Johnathan Joseph, center Greg Mancz, defensive end Christian Covington, safety Andre Hal, and safety Tyrann "Honey Badger" Mathieu rocking the runway Friday evening at the Royal Sonesta Hotel.

Some 325 arts patrons turned out Thursday for the new Menil Drawing Institute building’s first soiree Thursday. Patrons, artists and curators celebrated JohnstonMarklee’s light-and-shadow based architecture. The building is less dramatic at night inside, but has a beautiful glow outside from a distance. Houston Chronicle subscribers can read all about the evening here.

The Crime Stoppers of Houston gala Oct. 26 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown raised a record $473,000 with a packed house of more than 350 guests, including several Houston Texans stars and an Astros Hall of Famer. The evening honored Joanne King Herring for her passion and commitment to humanitarian causes, including partnering with Crime Stoppers to help fight human trafficking. Houston Chronicle subscribers can read more about the event here.