Two social spaces opened officially this week.
Moya Khabele and John Mulvany at Vuka, an events venue
Vuka is a surprisingly vast events venue owned by Brian Schoenbaum and managed by Moya Khabele of the Khabele School. It doubles as an office and studio space. But primarily, it’s an informal meeting place on West Monroe Street just east of South First Street.
Formerly an architectural antiques shop — and many other things — it shares a tall metal warehouse structure with an antique car collector (owned by the son of coin dealer and active benefactor Milton Verret).
The most amazing thing about the spot is the back yard. At a third of an acre, it winds around a lazy bend in East Bouldin Creek. I’ve walked by this building thousands of times without suspecting this patch of green sprouted behind the big metal box. A host could fit a lot of people into Vuka’s lofty interior and laid-back exterior.
Now, I don’t know what the other neighbors think yet — we’re among them on West Monroe Street — but I enjoyed the open house and any time I spend with Khabele, who wisely married into the entrepreneurial Means-Khabele family.
David Heisler and Crystal Truehart at his photographic studio
Fashion photographer David Heisler held a private open house for his airy studio on East Eighth Street between Congress Avenue and Brazos Street. The former art gallery and former Cap Metro info office — and many other things — is sleek and inviting.
It quickly filled with Heisler’s admirers from his times in Austin, Houston, San Marcos and Los Angeles.
It’s easy to see why Heisler has attracted so many admirers in the fashion community so quickly as moving here last year from L.A. His work is superb. But he’s also a cool guy, easy to know, easy to like.
Loved meeting his striking and sweet girlfriend Crystal Truehart, former high fashion model and now a real estate agent, as well as her sister, Rachel Truehart, who appeared on “The Bachelor.”
Spent time with PR insider Jeff Szymanski and modeling agents, photographers and David’s charming family. I can see this studio operating as a fine party room during SXSW and other festivals as well.