White Linen Night draws local celebrities to the Heights
“White Linen Night used to be kind of a reunion for people who live in the Heights,” one neighborhood resident observed ahead of last weekend’s festivities.
Those days are long gone. Organizers reported that a record 40,000 Houstonians attended Saturday’s block-partystyle bash. Back in 2006, when Kay and Chris Thayer, Hurricane Katrina transplants from New Orleans, introduced the event modeled after a French Quarter Arts District tradition to the Heights, most of the revelry took place on and around 19th Street.
Now the day-to-night activities span the entire neighborhood. Though business owners aren’t complaining — it’s a great opportunity for gallery owners, fashion boutiques and restaurateurs to connect with a new audience.
Take Boulevard Realty’s soiree. Company owner Bill Baldwin seized the opportunity to show off his new office space — the real-estate firm relocated into an industrial space at 927 Studewood last spring — and chic new neighbors by putting an “open house” spin on White Linen Night.
On the first floor, Mastrantos Global Tastes served tapas to reflect its diverse menu; nearby, YourSpace featured work by local artists including Ann Johnson, Daniel Tesfai, Mathieu Jean Baptist, Floyd Newsum, Melissa Aytenfisu, Rhonda Radford and Carolyn Crump. One level up, First Imperial Mortgage and Taff Weinstein partnered to host a bevy of livemusic performances. And on the third floor, Dr. Johanna Yepez and Pure Prosthodontics doled out sweet treats next to Aspire Fine Homes’ ice-cold beer station and a photo-booth setup. Even Mayor Sylvester Turner posed for a selfie or two.
Tilman Fertitta, another bold-face Houston name, made a low-key cameo closer to the action on 19th Street. He was spotted in the crowds just before the late-afternoon rain shower, which did little to deter attendance or combat the sweltering temperatures.
Fortunately for Manready Mercantile invitees, the menswear shop’s owner, Travis Weaver, always throws an indoor shindig. The line for entry into his annual blowout wrapped around the block. And those lucky enough to score VIP wristbands were in for an extra treat: FM Kitchen sliders prepared by chef Ryan Hildebrand, Truth Barbecue, 8th Wonder beer and Deep Eddy cocktails.
Definitely not a reunion anymore.