The Scottish Rite Theater never looked so swanky. Black lounge decor transformed the 1870s German social hall into the setting for a 1960s cocktail party. Dressy folks mingled, nibbled, sipped and listened to music and speeches.
Reuel Meditz, John Hogg and David Garza
The Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce — whose name is ripe for rebranding — staged the party on an otherwise quiet January night. Upon entering, I encountered Dr. John Hogg and construction boss David Garza. On his lapel, Garza wore a stunning diamond pin that turned out to be vintage Harry Winston, a holiday gift from his partner Hogg.
Colby Livingston and Lorena Gomez
Inside the lounge, I ran into Reael Meditz, the pianist and composer who is blazing a career path off the usual music industry map. Also ready for chat was wise and witty Perla Cavazos who filled me in on the dignitaries speaking onstage. (I wish she’d run for office again!)
Working the crowd was Andy Brown, who is running for Travis County Judge and expanding his already vast network of contacts. Onstage were two of the most revered figures in the Hispanic community, former State Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos and former Mayor Pro Tem John Treviño.
Tim Valderrama and Melissa Fornier
They recalled the early fights for civil rights in Austin, but they also gave credit to two businessmen, brothers Joe Molina and John Molina, as role models. The evening’s honorees had parlayed educational opportunities into a oil rig business that, by all accounts, is doing quite well. Son and nephew Stefan Molina runs the chamber’s foundation.
While I’d love to profile all these figures, I made my strongest case to Elizabeth Gonzales, the insurance pro who invited me to my first chamber event. My advice: Listen to her.