An evening party or other gathering given usually at a private house, especially where guests are invited to participate, oftentimes by listening to, playing or dancing to music. According to the dictionary, that’s the definition of the word “soiree.” But add the word “grand,” and the meaning becomes so much more. The Grand Soiree, a collection of stylish events scheduled for September 25th through October 27th, takes the meaning of the word “soiree” to a whole new level. Created by the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, along with title sponsors Sienna Plantation and Riverstone, The Grand Soiree is the ultimate collection of stylish events designed to deliver excitement, luxury and elegance.

The Birth of The Grand Soiree

With the success of The Grand Wine & Food Affair, now in its seventh year, the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce felt compelled to create a fall event of equal magnitude focusing not on food and wine, but on fashion, design, art and luxury lifestyle. The collection of stylish events, designed to provide entertainment, excitement and exposure for Houston and surrounding cities, was a natural fit for the chamber’s role promoting the community. “With the enthusiastic support from our founding sponsors, Sienna Plantation and Riverstone, we knew that together, we could provide a showcase of luxurious events highlighting our quality of life,” said Keri Schmidt, Vice President of the Fort Bend Chamber.

With the concept firmly in place, Schmidt, along with The Grand Soiree’s founding sponsors, began the collaborative effort of laying the groundwork for a unique collection of festivities featuring home and clothing designers, entertainment, exhibits of art and home design, VIP receptions and exclusive dinners in Houston and Sugar Land. For the two Johnson Development Corporation communities, the creation of a signature series of events was an easy sell. “Both Sienna Plantation and Riverstone have enjoyed a productive, long-standing relationship with the Fort Bend Chamber,” said Susie Goff, Marketing Director for Sienna Plantation. “Six years ago, we co-developed the Sienna Sip & Stroll, which takes place in our community as one of the feature events of The Grand Wine & Food Affair. It’s a unique and extremely well-attended event that we enjoy hosting so it was easy for us to see the potential and play a major role in The Grand Soiree.”

The collection of events spotlighting Houston and Fort Bend’s finest include art exhibits, fashion shows, a famous 3D chalk artist showcase, a champagne bus tour to the Houston Design Center’s Fall Market, The International Risotto Festival, a Women and Wine Art Dinner with artist Kathy Womack, a Fire and Ice themed dinner at The Post Oak Grill in Sugar Land and a bartender’s challenge at the new M Lounge. Ten stylish events – The Grand Soiree – featuring fashion, designers and artists. Just how does one kick off such an impressive collection of posh fall events? With a pirate-themed, over-the-top event benefiting an incredible organization: The American Cancer Society.

High Seas and High Fashion

The Grand Soiree kicks off on September 25th with Couture for the Cause, a treasure trove of fashion, food and fun where guests are encouraged to fashion themselves in pirate couture. The event, themed Escape to Treasure Island and presented by Sterling McCall Lexus, features a couture style show with fashions provided by TOOTSIES. Exotic models will walk the gang plank-style runway suspended over a pool at Sienna Plantation’s newest resort-style water park – The Resort at Sienna Springs. Noted fashion show coordinator Lenny Matuszewski will choreograph the crew of local celebrity and professional models along with cancer survivors in the lush, tropical setting. Some of the event’s survivor models include CEO of Johnson Development Larry Johnson and his wife, Suzie; local Realtors Barbara Montgomery and Brenda Pullen; former Harris County District Attorney Dennis Cain; top-selling romance novelist Jan Freed, and Houston attorney Joe B. Allen.

The area’s finest restaurants will feature an array of delectable delicacies for guests to enjoy throughout the evening. Participating restaurants include Amici’s, Aura, Berryhill Baja Grill, Candelari’s, Chef Rey’s Restaurant and Catering, Japaneiro’s Sushi Bistro & Latin Grill, Meat & Greet, Pier 36 and Post Oak Grill. A special memorial honoring cancer survivors and those who have lost the fight will be a focal point of the evening. The memorial will feature hundreds of candles placed up the tower wall at The Resort at Sienna Springs.

Kicking off The Grand Soiree with a benefit was a natural for the Escape to Treasure Island committee led by Honorary Chairmen Marvin and Debbie Marcell and Michael and Molly Cooper. “Escape to Treasure Island will be both a meaningful and fun event,” said Marvin Marcell. “It’s the perfect way to support an organization who does so much for those battling cancer, and it’s a perfect start to an extraordinary month of festivities.”

The Gulf Coast Region American Cancer Society (ACS) provides hope and support to cancer patients and their families every day by providing patients with temporary housing during their treatment process in Houston. In 2009, 421 women received a weighted prosthesis and two bras from ACS after their breast cancer surgery. Through ACS’s Reach to Recovery program, those recently diagnosed with breast cancer receive a one-on-one visit from a breast cancer survivor. The net proceeds from Couture for the Cause will support ACS’s mission of saving lives and eliminating cancer.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for those who wish to join the pirate crew ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, and individual tickets are available for $100. Memorial opportunities also begin at $100.

Chalk It Up to Fabulous

Internationally acclaimed 3D chalk artist Tracy Lee Stum with one of her illusionary masterpieces depicting a scene from “Alice in Wonderland.” Stum will be creating an original masterpiece during The Grand Soiree in October in a multi-million dollar custom estate home by Sterling Classic Homes in Riverstone.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras and interact with the work of internationally acclaimed 3D chalk artist Tracy Lee Stum, the focal point for The Grand Soiree’s first October event. Considered one of the world’s foremost street artists, Stum will create a new 3D masterpiece inside a newly completed, multi-million dollar custom estate by Sterling Classic Homes in Riverstone.

Stum’s work launches a two-week showcase of the home where visitors will be able to watch the artist create her work of grand illusion October 6th through 8th. The artwork will be on display as the showcase continues October 9th through 17th. Tickets for both periods are $5 each with a portion of the proceeds benefitting various local charities.

Stum’s work has been featured on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and in the BBC documentary “King of the Strip” about the making of the Venetian Hotel and Casino for which she created an over 11,000-square-foot trompe l’oeil ceiling mural. Currently, Stum holds the Guiness World Record for the largest street painting by an individual for her interpretation of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” commissioned for the DVD release of the film “The Da Vinci Code.”

Dedicated to bring her art form to a wider audience, Stum has created her masterpieces worldwide and is enthusiastic about her Texas project. “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to bring my vision of street art to the Houston area,” said Stum. “I love to entertain by creating worlds that are intriguing to the viewer – that seem as though you can step right into them.”

For The Grand Soiree, Stum will be creating a waterfall and cliff illusion inside the Riverstone custom home, and while countless visitors will be able to view the masterpiece October 9th through 17th, only 250 tickets will be available for an exclusive VIP preview with the artist, Artful Living with Neiman Marcus. During Artful Living on Friday, October 8th, Stum will be on hand to visit with guests, and Neiman Marcus will showcase a sampling of the latest home décor design trends. Guests attending the VIP event will also receive a copy of “The Book,” Neiman Marcus’ signature catalogue. Tickets to the VIP event are $75.

Fall Market, Fashion and Fare

Mid October brings three additional events spotlighting the area’s finest in home design, fashion and food. Touted as the complete source for the best in home and commercial design, guests will have the opportunity to visit The Houston Design Center’s exclusive Fall Design Market via a champagne bus tour departing from Fort Bend. The event celebrates the newest in design trends with 30 exciting showrooms featuring furniture, antiques, rugs, art, lighting, fabrics and more. Guests can mingle with some of the area’s top designers in the 15-acre design center. The event is scheduled from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm on Wednesday, October 13th, and tickets are $40.

Vineyard Style, scheduled for Friday, October 15th, features lunch at Sugar Land Town Square’s The Vineyard. With a lounge, bistro, tasting room and wine shop, the bistro offers an array of gourmet dishes that pair nicely with the restaurant’s wines. A featured fashion speaker will showcase the latest trends and designs while guests enjoy lunch and wine. Tickets are $40.

Perfect for a Sunday afternoon, October 17th features The International Risotto Festival at the Houston Design Center. Enjoy a delicious afternoon of food, fun and festivities with some of the area’s finest chefs competing with one another in a risotto challenge. Participating restaurants to date include Carmelo’s Branch Water Tavern, Grotto, Mockingbird Bistro, Pesce and Trevisio. Guests will be able to sample the risotto creations and enjoy live music, tours of the Houston Design Center’s designer showrooms, tastings of award-winning wines and family entertainment. The event is 2 to 6 pm and tickets are $65.

Women, Wine and Womack

Kathy Womack’s art from her original Women and Wine® series will be displayed at her Gallery Showing during The Grand Soiree.

Artist Kathy Womack, best known for her original Women and Wine® series paintings, travels to Fort Bend for an exclusive art gallery showing in a custom home in Riverstone, a Johnson Development community. The showing will feature an array of Womack’s work including paintings from her Women and Wine® series. A mother of three from Austin, Womack “lives vicariously through her paintings” and describes her inspiration for her well-known series. “My life is very full, just not glamorous. So, there’s this little piece of me that screams to put on some strappy sandals, an evening frock and hit the town. See the girls, have a glass of wine . . . or two!”

Womack’s Gallery Showing is scheduled for Monday, October 18th from 4 to 6 pm, and tickets are $15. Immediately following the showing, guests can attend the Women & Wine Art Dinner with Womack at Aura Restaurant at 6:30 pm. Tickets for dinner with the artist are $75 and include dinner and wine.

Fire & Ice

The posh M Lounge is the scene for Mix It Up at the M Lounge on October 27th. Photo by rtran photography.

Great food, fabulous wine and sparkling jewels are the perfect collaboration for the Fire & Ice Vintner Dinner at the The Post Oak Grill in Sugar Land. Scheduled for Thursday, October 21st, the evening will feature a gourmet meal and wines from Alexander Valley Vineyard and Dry Creek. A special “jeweled” dessert created by Courtney Goff, recently from Washington DC’s number one rated restaurant, Kumi, will finish off the meal. Renowned for their culinary skills and service for over twenty years, The Post Oak Grill’s newest location provides the perfect setting for Fire & Ice: elegance and good taste. To add some sparkle to the night, fabulous jewels will be on display. Tickets for the evening are $150.

The final event in The Grand Soiree lets you mix it up. The newly opened, posh M Lounge in Sugar Land is the setting for an evening of creative libations. Mix It Up at the M Lounge features a bartender’s challenge where guests are judges. David Allan, bartender and writer of the blog “Tipsy Texan,” is collaborating with the region’s top mixologists at this cocktail challenge. Sample original cocktails and vote for your favorite in Fort Bend’s newest hot spot. Tickets are $40.

Tickets for The Grand Soiree events are limited, and they are available at www.TheGrandSoiree.com. Facebook fans will receive the latest updates, and event photos are posted regularly. Indulge yourself in this incredible showcase of luxury and extravagance celebrating good taste: The Grand Soiree.