Songs and Styles of Italy

When

Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

River Oaks Country Club
1600 River Oaks Blvd – Houston

Individual Tickets

Our Songs and Styles of Italy Fashion Show & Luncheon is sold out, but you can donate to support the ICCC scholarship fund here.

Tables

Our Songs and Styles of Italy Fashion Show & Luncheon is sold out, but you can donate to support the ICCC scholarship fund here.

Join us for the fourth annual Italian Cultural & Community Center Fashion Show and Luncheon. This year we are saluting the Songs and Styles of Italy as we will applaud our esteemed Guests of Honor Roz Pactor and Steve Tyrell.

 

Our luncheon and fashion show will feature Italian designs curated by Neiman Marcus, lunch at the River Oaks Country Club, a chance to win spectacular prizes, and other exciting activities, including a silent auction which will launch online one week before the luncheon.

Since 2000, the Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston has awarded more than $263,000 in scholarships to college students in the greater Houston area. This event helps further the ICCC’s goal to create opportunities for advanced learning, including for those students who are participating in a study-abroad program in Italy. We hope you will help us inspire these young, bright students to achieve their dreams!

Tickets and Tables


The Way You Look Tonight – $10,000

Lead sponsor underwriter for the Fashion Show portion of the event.

  • 1 VIP runway table for 10 guests
  • Name/logo on all event marketing materials and ICCC webpage with link to your company webpage and a one year ad in La Voce Italiana
  • Signage at the event
  • 2 spots in an ICCC group language class (7-week long course)
  • 10 tickets to ICCC films or lectures
  • 2 raffle tickets to fashion show and luncheon

I’ve Got the World On A String – $7,500

  • 1 VIP table for 10 guests
  • Name/logo on all event marketing materials and ICCC webpage with link to company webpage and a one year ad in La Voce Italiana
  • 1 spot in an ICCC group language class (7-week long course)
  • Credit towards 2 hours of private Italian lessons at ICCC

Let the Good Times Roll – $5,000

  • 1 VIP table for 10 guests
  • Name list on event invitation and program, ICCC webpage and La Voce Italiana
  • 8 tickets to ICCC films or lectures

Come Fly With Me – $2,500

  • Table for 10 guests
  • Name listed on event invitation and program, ICCC webpage and La Voce Italiana

Give Me the Simple Life – $1,000

  • 1 VIP ticket with premier seating to fashion show and luncheon
  • Name listed on event invitation and program, ICCC webpage and La Voce Italiana
  • 1 raffle ticket to fashion show and luncheon

Isn’t It Romantic? – $500

  • Preferred seating for 1 individual at the event
  • Name listed on event invitation and program

Nice ‘N’ Easy – $250

  • 1 ticket to fashion show and luncheon (limited number available)

The River Oaks Country Club


River Oaks Country Club was founded in 1923 in the River Oaks neighborhood in Houston.

Prominent architect John F. Staub was hired to design the original two-story Spanish revival clubhouse. The club house was built south of the golf course that was designed by Donald Ross. The current clubhouse was built in the 1950s on the same site as the original. River Oaks is known for its philanthropic and community-leading membership and its beautiful views. It is extremely exclusive. It is located at 1600 River Oaks Boulevard, Houston TX.

Neiman Marcus


Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., originally Neiman-Marcus, is an American chain of luxury department stores owned by the Neiman Marcus Group, headquartered in DallasTexas.

The first Neiman Marcus store was opened in 1907 in Dallas. The company was founded by Herbert Marcus, his sister, Carrie Marcus Neiman, and his brother-in-law, Al Neiman. The Bergdorf Goodman flagship store opened in 1901 in New York City. That company was founded by Herman Bergdorf in 1899 as a tailor shop. That tailor shop was purchased by Edwin Goodman in 1906 and the business started evolving to the luxury retailer it is today.

“It’s never a good sale for Neiman Marcus unless it’s a good buy for the customer.”

– Herbert Marcus

Luncheon Chairs


Lesha Elsenbrook

Lesha Elsenbrook is a second-generation native Houstonian and is proud to call this city her home. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, she began her career as an oil and gas landman. After the birth of her first child, she chose to use her business skills in the areas of non-profit organizations and become a full-time volunteer.

Her main focuses are education and serving women and children. She has chaired many fundraising events for various organizations, including American Heart Association, March of Dimes, Child Advocates, Yellowstone Academy, Houston’s A+, Houston Hospice, Houston’s Methodist Hospital, Spring Spirit, and more. She served as guild president for Heart and Yellowstone.

The main charity she supports is the Ronald McDonald House of Houston. She has served on their board for over 18 years including acting as board president and chairman of their successful $24 million capital campaign. She has recently joined two committees: the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Champagne Cowgirls, a women’s buying group that has raised over $3 million for rodeo scholarships.

Lesha’s honors include “Woman of Distinction” by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, “Woman of Substance” by Mission of Yahweh, “Person on the Move” by MS Society, “Houston Treasure” by the Social Book and, along with her husband, “Distinguished Alumni Parents” by Second Baptist School.

Lesha and her husband, Tom, recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Traveling around the world is their new hobby. They have three grown children: Evan, Seth, who is married to Emma, and Elyse, who is married to Drew. It is her greatest joy that they all live in Houston because she enjoys spending time together. She has a newborn grandson, Charlie, and she is enthusiastically embracing this new role.

 

 

Ginger Niemann

Ginger has no Italian heritage, but she is Italian by choice. She married into a large Italian family, and she has loved being a part of it. Ginger’s husband, John, is one of eleven children. His mother was 100% Italian. Trips to John’s home in St. Louis were all about food and noise!

As a certified public accountant, Ginger has used her skills for countless charitable organizations. She most recently served as the president of the Charity Guild of Catholic Women. Currently, she serves on the boards of Catholic Charities and the Charity Guild of Catholic Women. Past philanthropic endeavors include serving as a board member for Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart for many years and, ultimately, becoming a board chair. In addition, she John chaired a very successful capital campaign for Duchesne. She is a member and past president of the Donne Di Domani, and she is a Sustainer in the Houston Jr. League. She is a past president of the Jr. League of the Woodlands. Other organizations that she has supported include Ronald McDonald House, The University of St. Thomas, and National Charity League.

While Ginger enjoys entertaining and traveling with friends and family, her first love is her growing family. She and John have been married for 39 years. They have three grown children and six grandchildren: four boys and two girls. They are her main focus and the loves of her life. “Nothing tops spending time spoiling them,” Ginger said.

Guests of Honor


Roz Pactor

Roz Pactor is a fashion/marketing consultant and fashion & lifestyle blogger/influencer based in Houston, Texas with more than four decades of experience in fashion that has spanned Foley’s Department Store, Bloomingdales NY and Neiman Marcus. She was most recently employed as the Vice President/Fashion Director for Foley’s before starting her own company, The Pactor Group. She has adapted her own fashion and retail skills and knowledge to consulting with clients and industry colleagues on both the business and personal level, assisting them through her years of experience.

Roz is best known for her personal fashion statement that has evolved from her many years of wearing only red glasses. It has become her primary focus in the development of her blog and social media, “My Red Glasses (MRG).” Through MRG, she is able to provide her own unique perspective on the world of fashion from a seasoned insider. She has expanded the site to include beauty, health, dining, fine arts, home and travel, believing that fashion is at the core of it all. Through her collaboration with BPP Tours, Roz has explored and expanded her reach to include Italian fashion and shopping. She travels to Florence and around the Tuscan region twice a year to take women shopping internationally as a part of the Italian itinerary.

She believes in the importance of giving back to the field that she loves and to charities/organizations that are most important to her and to our community. One of the organizations she prioritizes dedicating her time and resources to is the American Heart Association, which she is passionate about because of her family’s history of heart disease. She is also passionate about Donne Di Domani, known as the group of Italian ladies who annually make tomato sauce to sell at the Nutcracker Market. All proceeds from the sale of the sauce are given to various local charities. She has been an active member of the Heart Guild, serving as president, and worked on the development and creation of the Shop With Heart Card. She works closely with the Italian Cultural & Community Center and co-chaired the first Fashion Show and Luncheon in March 2020 because she values participation in all things that enhance the exposure to Italian culture in our city. She was a charter board member and Chair for University of Houston Department of Retail for several years, actively participating in class and in practical training of their Retail Internship Program. She has been honored as a “Woman of Distinction” by the Chronicle/Colitis Foundation. She is also a ten year member on the Hermann Park Conservancy Advisory Board, among other charities and organizations she regularly supports, such as MS Society, Fashion Group International, Passion for Fashion for Houston Community College, and a newest favorite charity, Diaper Foundation.

In closing, Roz’s pride and joy is her family: Alan, her husband of 45 years, daughters, Crystin and Nicole, and Nicole’s family, husband Michael Graham and daughters Haylie, Harper and Harley. They are at the core of her existence and the light of her life. Roz is also the proud sister of Houston’s own and Grammy award winner, Steve Tyrell, and she cherishes his family as her own.

 

 

Steve Tyrell

Grammy Award-winning producer and vocalist Steve Tyrell “brings a touch of Texas grit to the Great American Songbook,” according to the San Francisco Chronicle. That makes sense since Tyrell hails from the Lone Star State. He was just 19 when he left Houston and headed to New York to begin his career in the music business. Since then, he has achieved great success as a singer, producer, musical supervisor, and radio host.

His breakthrough performances in Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride II helped Tyrell reinvent and re-popularize classic pop standards for a modern-day audience. His hits, “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Give Me the Simple Life,” “I’ve Got a Crush on You,” and “On the Sunny Side of the Street” have been featured in major motion pictures and launched millions of romances. N.A.S.A. took a particular liking to his iconic version of “On the Sunny Side of the Street” and used it to wake up the astronauts in outer space!

As an artist, 12 of 13 of his American Standards albums have achieved Top 5 status on Billboard’s Jazz charts, including his #1 smash album – A Song For You, which was released in 2018 and features songs by Van Morrison, Joe Cocker, Ray Charles and Leon Russell, among others. His album, The Disney Standards, landed in the Top 10.  His first album, A New Standard, was among the best-selling jazz albums for more than five years. Steve just released his 13th album Shades of Ray, his tribute to Ray Charles.

In August 2015, Tyrell added radio host to his long line of credits. Every Monday through Friday, he can be heard on “The Steve Tyrell Show,” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. PT on KJAZZ 88.1 in Los Angeles and online at jazzandblues.org.

Steve has played for Heads of State, including Presidents Clinton, Bush, Trump, and President Santos of Columbia. He has also performed for the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

As for American royalty, the Sinatra family has long embraced Steve and his music. Together, with Quincy Jones, they handpicked Steve to be the featured performer with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra at their season opening concert in which Frank Sinatra was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. Also, at the request of the Sinatra family, he reprised that performance at Carnegie Hall. This was one of the rare times the family has reached into the vault of original Sinatra arrangements to share them with another artist.

Although Steve tours mainly with his band, he has also sung with some of the most renowned orchestras in the world. He has enjoyed multiple performances with The Boston Pops, The New York Pops, The Nashville Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, and The Houston Symphony.

In 2005, after the passing of the legendary Bobby Short, Steve was asked by New York City’s famed Café Carlyle to take over their revered holiday season of November and December, which Mr. Short had not missed for 36 years. Since then, he has been ringing in the New Year in swinging style and selling out the famed nightclub.

Tyrell’s work in the studio as a record producer has included collaborations with such diverse and legendary artists as Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville, Bonnie Raitt and Blood Sweat and Tears, among many others. He produced Woody Allen’s classic comedy album, Woody Allen – Stand Up Comic, as well as an album with the late Andy Griffith, which won a Grammy in 1995 for “Gospel Album of the Year.” His productions have earned over 11 GRAMMY® Awards.

Steve is currently enjoying major success with Emmy and Tony Award-winning Broadway superstar, Kristin Chenoweth.  Their 2017 collaboration, The Art of Elegance, skyrocketed to the #1 spot on several of Billboard’s charts. They are again celebrating with the success of their latest album For The Girls which debuted in September 2019 and also hit #1 on the Billboard charts.

As a music producer for film and TV, Tyrell has worked with such distinguished directors as Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Nancy Meyers, Steven Soderbergh, and Charles Shyer.

As a songwriter, his songs have been recorded by such revered artists as Ray Charles, Diana Ross, LL Cool J, Elvis Presley, and blues legend Joe Bonamassa.

Aside from being a GRAMMY® Award winner, Tyrell is a Daytime Emmy Award winner and has earned two Prime Time Emmy nominations. He’s also garnered three Ace Nominations, the 2004 American Society of Young Musician’s “All That Jazz Award,” a 2004 The Wellness Community “Human Spirit Award,” a 2006 Society of Singers “Lifetime Achievement Award,” 2008 Los Angeles Jazz Society’s “Jazz Vocalist of the Year,” and 2013 City of Hope’s “Goodwill Ambassador Award.”

Steve Tyrell lives in Los Angeles, but relishes his days in the Big Apple where he can spend time with his children and grandchildren.

Grazie Mille to our Sponsors!


The Way You Look Tonight

A Place for Peanut — Jacquelyn Leone and Megan Cardet

Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook

Sandra Celli Harris / Mary Ann Yamin / Anna McCormick

Roz Pactor and Steve Tyrell

 

I’ve Got the World On A String

Ginger and John Niemann

 

Let The Good Times Roll

Cathy Borlenghi / Gloria Kalman / Joan Imperato

Johnny Carrabba

Deborah Aspromonte Simon / Ilene Allen / Lu Caltagirone

Strake Foundation

Randa Weiner

 

Come Fly With Me

Dee and Jim Avioli

Margaret Bannon

Friends of Lesha

Carolyn Garofalo

Gina Gusemano Leck

ICCC Past Presidents and Friends

Chris Kase

Julie Mastroianni

Ray and Maureen Miller / Raluca Dalea and John Munroe

Angel Muñoz

Sandra Porter

Claudia Gentile Sims

Dominique Varner

 

Give Me the Simple Life

Olivia A. Pacini

Joyce Standish

 

Isn’t It Romantic?

Pamela Earthman

Renee Jongebloed

Joanna Porche

Elizabeth Stein

 

Tickets and tables are sold out at the moment, but you can still donate to support the ICCC’s scholarship fund here. You can also join our waitlist by contacting us via one of the following methods.

By fax:
713-524-6121

By mail:
Italian Cultural & Community Center (ICCC) of Houston
ATTN: Fashion Show & Luncheon
1101 Milford Street, Houston, Texas 77006

By email:
emyers@iccchouston.com

Sponsorship Policy

Sponsorship commitment must be received no later than September 15, 2023 in order to guarantee inclusion in promotional materials. This form executed by a principal/representative with at least 50% payment of selected sponsor level is necessary to ensure sponsor commitment. This serves as an agreement between sponsor and the Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston. Please note that no refunds will be issued in the event of inclement weather or cancellation of the event due to circumstances beyond the control of the organizers of the event. The Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c )(3) nonprofit organization. All charitable contributions are tax deductible as provided by law.

Special Thanks


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