Social Scene

Austinites party with Top Texans Under 30 at playful CultureMap Social

Young professionals filled 800 Congress on Tuesday evening for the CultureMap Social: Top Texans Under 30 Edition to celebrate the Austin winners of our first-ever Top Texans Under 30.

Cooper Anderson and Ross McLauchlan, Jason Bornhorst, Ben Doherty and Zac Maurais, Katie Fang, Kelly Wynne Ferguson, Anne Gardner, Stephanie Hansen, Paul Hedrick, Adam Jacoby,Dominik Stein, Lizzie Velasquez, and Whitney Wolfe were saluted for making things happen across the state, and sometimes the world.

Upon arrival, guests sipped cucumber vodka mojitos and bergamot orange margaritas courtesy of Austin Cocktails, beer from Oskar Blue Brewery, and wine from Austin Winery. A lucky group of 50 early-bird attendees grabbed swag bags with goodies from Nicely Noted, Olive + M, Hiatus Spa + Retreat, Outdoor Voices, and Sugarfina. Royal Fig Catering provided a delectable build-your-own macaroni and cheese bar and tasty sliders.

And, as has come to be expected at CultureMap Socials, guests participated in fun activities like a DIY flower pin station courtesy of Austin Learnshop, a Henna tattoo station, and DIY charms from Psyche Jewelry. Guests posed at a fun photo booth and played at the videogame multiplex provided by Game Plan Entertainment. And there was music too: DJ Charles Moon set the vibe with an epic playlist.

A brief presentation from network editor in chief Jennifer Chininiscelebrated the twentysomething trailblazers. Spotted at the party were Sarah O'Brien, Katy Stover, Melissa Grady, Isabella Sheehan, Shelbie Johansson, Sara Pendley, and CultureMap Stylemaker readers' choice winner Lamar Sanchez.

This was the final installment of CultureMap Social: Top Texans Under 30 Edition — Dallas and Houston held shindigs earlier this month. All proceeds from the party will benefit charities chosen by our Top Texans, including Andy Roddick Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, College Forward, Dance Another World, Girlstart, Helping Hand Home for Children, Hill Country Conservancy, Out Youth Austin, Rising Tide Capital, and Susan G. Komen Austin.

Sarah O'Brien, Katy Stover, and Melissa Grady.

CultureMap Social Top Texans Under 30 Sarah O'Brien Katy Stover Melissa Grady

Photo by Shelley Neuman

Sarah O'Brien, Katy Stover, and Melissa Grady.

top-texans-under-30 jwvideo

Night at the Museum

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

Laguna Gloria at night

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

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