Right at Home

Chic crowd gets sneak peek at Austin's most anticipated decor store

What: Unveiling of RH Austin

Where: Domain Northside

The details: On Wednesday, Austinites gathered for the reveal of RH Austin, the new Restoration Hardware outpost in Domain Northside. The sophisticated party atmosphere included a DJ set from Chris Malinchak, bites by chef Rene Ortiz of Launderette, dessert from Delysia, bellinis by Cipriani NYC, and more. The sparkling event, which attracted the likes of Camila Alves and Bella Hunter, benefited Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas and the Just Keep Livin Foundation.

Guests were treated to a sneak peek of the four-story home decor store, which includes an entire floor dedicated to modern design and a rooftop park for outdoor furnishings.

"Our vision with RH Austin is to reimagine the retail experience by blurring the lines between residential and retail, indoors and outdoors, physical, and digital — creating an environment that is more home than store," said chairman and CEO Gary Friedman in a statement. "We are proud and excited to unveil our latest work in one of the most innovative and forward-thinking cities in the world."

RH Austin opens to the public on September 16.

Who: Camila Alves, Gary Friedman, Bella Hunter, Camille Styles, Katie Kime, Christian Helms, Kelly Krause, Jessi Afshin, Ava Late, Catherine Robb, Ana Stapleton, Bill Stapleton, Milton Verret, Adam Zeplain, Claire Zinnecker, Evangelina Kreeger, Keith Kreeger, Maria Groten, Alex Winkelman, Taylor Ellison, Michael Hsu, Andy Langer, Kelly Wynne, Brady Matthews, Adam Moore, Courtney Shields, Anne Nicholson, Lauren Smith Ford,and Lisa Hickey.

Camila Alves, Camille Styles, and Katie Kime.

Rh Austin opening party Restoration Hardware 2016 Camila Alves Camille Styles Katie Kime

Photo by Miguel Angel

Camila Alves, Camille Styles, and Katie Kime.

Night at the Museum

Austin museum opens lush gala afterparties to the public for first time

Photo from Thecontemporaryaustin.org.

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For 11 years now, the Contemporary Austin has been hosting "Art Dinners" at its lakeside location, Laguna Gloria. These fairytale-like galas take place as dusk sets in, surrounded by twinkling lights strung across the property's sprawling 14-acre sculpture park. But until now, they've been invitation-only affairs. For the first time ever, the Contemporary Austin is inviting the public to the best part this magical evening: a late-night afterparty.

The Art Dinners have welcomed 300 art luminaries, collectors, civic leaders, and philanthropists over these years to raise funds for the museum's classes and exhibits.

On October 25, once the dishes are put away and the early birds have weeded themselves out, the Art Dinner Afterparty will begin. It will go from 9:30 until "late evening."

Guests can expect a pop-up cocktail bar by the cool Austin speakeasy Garage, with specialty drinks like espresso martinis. Plus, there will be late night snacks from Dolce Bacio Gelato and Restart CBD. Live music and performances will be provided by J'cuuzi and DJ SuperNova of Pangea Sound. Highlights also include: tarot card and palm readings, live body painting, and fire dancing. All of this set to the stunning backdrop of Laguna Gloria's grounds at night. It's basically A Midsummer Night's Dream.

A DJ performs at a late-night Laguna Gloria party. Live music for this after party will include performances by J'cuuzi and DJ SuperNova of Pangea Sound. Photo courtesy of Giant Noise

"We're excited for the magic of our iconic Art Dinner to reach wider audiences," says the museum's Earnest and Sarah Butler executive director and CEO, Sharon Maidenberg, in a release. "We wanted to extend the welcome to more folks and give them the opportunity to engage with our gala, which has historically been a very intimate affair."

Tickets are now on sale on the Contemporary Austin's website at $160 for members and $200 for nonmembers. Ticket sales will benefit the museum's exhibits and educational programming. The Contemporary is Austin's only museum focused solely on contemporary artists and their work. It offers year-round exhibitions, classes, workshops, and events.

$The Contemporary Austin \u2014 Laguna Gloria$ The Contemporary Austin — Laguna Gloria is one of the most beautifu Artwork by Tom Friedman, photo by Brian Fitzsimmons via the Contemporary Austin

Event organizers recommend that guests "dress sharp." Valet parking will be provided, but if this night is as Shakespearian as we think it might be, you may want to catch a rideshare.

More information about the museum is available at thecontemporaryaustin.org.

museums galleries galas dinner visual art