Films, Fashionable Luncheons and My Fair Ladies
Society with Ruchi
The weekend started with much entertainment with independent films, fashionable Indian women at a charity luncheon and A Ball! The 44th WorldFest International Film Festival opened in Houston on Friday April 8, 2011 at the AMC Studio 30 Dunvale. The opening night film ‘Exodus Fall’ directed by Indian origin Ankush Kholi and Chad Waterhouse was a success with an interesting story line of three teen siblings struggling with the death of their father and trying to live with an abusive mother.
The Film festival is being held from April8-17, 2011 World Fest offers a vast array of premieres from around the world, with the 2011 festival presenting 55 new American Independent and Foreign Films, plus 100 award winning Short Films, with 150 new ‘Indie Films’. WorldFest Houston is a non-profit educational and cultural organization that was founded in 1961, by J.Hunter Todd.
Another movie that was creating a lot of buzz is ‘Sugarbaby’ directed by Houston resident Indian born Trisha Ray. ‘Sugarbaby’ is her third feature as a director. Ray comes from a family of artists with parents who were in a theater troupe. ‘Sugarbaby’ is shot in her hometown Kolkata, India, “and what was exciting about the film is we have non-Indian actors playing Indian characters,” added Ray. Overall a festival not to be missed.
If you have any doubts about Indian women and fashion then one should have been at the EK DISHA Charity Luncheon hosted at the Westin Oaks Galleria on Thursday. Women at the luncheon showcased their flare for keeping up with the latest trends and style. Chic business suits or semi casual spring dresses, the event was definitely a treat to the eyes. It was very impressive to see ladies experiment with colors and different dress styles. Martha Blackwelder Executive Director of Asia Society adopted the classic black business attire and so did Indo American News journalist Kalyani Giri with her traditional South Indian sari. Some of the trendsetters paired bold handbags with black dresses. However Anjali Arora did steal all the limelight with her very spring dress and blue Prada handbag.
Encore The Opera Ball After Party with event chairs Divya and Chris Brown was all about food, fun, and friends…Texas style. Guests enjoyed a wine bar in the alcove spaces of the Grand Foyer of the Wortham Theater Center. After dancing and the Ball festivities, a midnight breakfast kept everyone fueled up until 2:00 AM. Parasols, flowers and fun was the guiding mantra of the evening as Houston Grand Opera’s beloved ‘prince of patron services’, Rudy Avelar, took the reins as chair of the 2011 Opera Ball themed My Fair Ladies. An exciting evening as they honored the fair ladies of Houston for their support of Houston Grand Opera.
Encore After party was a sell out event with about 250 guests catered by the HGO’s young professionals group with $60 tickets. Those who missed this affordable evening affair and would like to stay tuned with Houston Grand Opera events can contact gpircher@houstongrandopera.org.
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