Billionaire Wedding Luau

Texas billionaire weds son's mother-in-law at lavish New Year's luau in Hawaii

During the holidays, true love was officially sanctioned on the shores of Hawaii's Oahu island when Houston billionaire Fayez Sarofim, 85, after batching it for 15 years, tied the knot with his decades-younger protegée, Susan Krohn.

The lively — sometimes redheaded, sometimes blonde — Krohn blew in from New Orleans on the winds of Hurricane Katrina, landing in the upscale River Oaks neighborhood of Houston. There, the seeds of eternal bliss were planted not only for Krohn, but also for her eldest daughter, Lori.

The groom, who is seldom seen in anything but his three-piece custom suit, wore a tuxedo. The bride dressed in white.

Last May, Lori wed Fayez Sarofim's son Phillip — also in Hawaii. The New Year's nuptials created a family affair in which Phillip and Lori became step-siblings in addition to their status as husband and wife.

Fayez's wedding present to the newlyweds was the River Oaks mansion that Susan Krohn had bought and spent millions refurbishing after resettling in Houston. She moved only a few blocks away into a brand-new mini-mansion.

The senior Sarofims were wed in an afternoon ceremony on New Year's Eve at Fayez's home (the former estate of the late Clare Booth Luce) on the shores of the Pacific. The groom, who is seldom seen in anything but his three-piece custom suit, wore a tuxedo. The bride dressed in white.

The ceremony, officiated by a friend of the bride, took place on the terrace. The weather was perfect. The flowers were beautiful. Friends and family from both Hawaii and Houston attended. Fayez's traditional New Year's luau, always a lavish affair, followed with the addition of a band providing dance music.

And, in the end, The Sphinx — as Sarofim is called for his quiet demeanor — said "I do."

Lori Krohn Sarofim, Susan Krohn Sarofim and Kelly Krohn in a portrait from a Mother's Day event at Tootsies in Houston.

Fashion genes mother daughter April 2014 Lori Krohn, from left, Susan Krohn and Kelly Krohn

Photo by © Phoebe Rourke-Ghabriel

Lori Krohn Sarofim, Susan Krohn Sarofim and Kelly Krohn in a portrait from a Mother's Day event at Tootsies in Houston.

unspecified

Night at the Museum

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

Photo from Thecontemporaryaustin.org.

undefined

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