E6 | Tuesday, March 10,2015 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com xxx STAR SOCIETY DIARIES Gala memorializes Tina Knowles urgeswomen father and son to celebrategreatness By Amber Elliott Sequoia Di Angelo re- centlyhosted the inaugu- By JoySewing ral Denali Foundation gala at the Houstonian Hotel in If youasked the more honor of her late brother, than 550women at the Denali Schmidt, and recent18th annual Table father,Marty Schmidt; Talk Luncheon whoruns Denali and Marty were the world, there would be both killed in 2013 during aresounding cry, “Girls!” an avalanche on K2,the (Echoing the hitBeyoncé second highestmountain Gary Fountain photos song,“Runthe World.”) in the world. PaulaMott PaulaMott, left,and So it seemed fitting co-chaired the event. Sequoia Di Angelo thatthe singer’s mother, More than 200 guests, Tina Knowles,attended wrapped in their bestfurs the event, presented by and black-tie garb, rallied University of Houston’s in support of Di Angelo’s Friends of Women’s Stud- Jon Shapley photos /HoustonChronicle mission to preserve her ies, as honorarychair,with Elizabeth Gregory,left,Tina Knowles and Leonard MandyKao,left,and brother’s artworkand co-chairs Caroline Fant Baynes Caroline Fant provideart supplies to and MandyKao.The indigenous and under- luncheon at the Hilton- “Table Talk is a servedcommunities Americas hotel raised chance for women to around the world. During more than $160,000 to exchangeinformation on the cocktail reception, support the UH Women’s, what worked and what attendees sipped cham- Gender &Sexuality Stud- didn’t in building their pagne as they perused ies program. careers and families auction items, including Omi Abdeen and Shadi “Weare all women’s and making asuccess several prints of Denali’s Abedin studies majors in our own of their livesinafast work.After dinner ser- way,”Knowles told the au- changing environment,” vice,Britishadventurer dience.“We all knowhow said Elizabeth Gregory, Adrian Hayes took the gender affects ourve li s.” director of the Women’s, stageand captivated the Knowles shared her Gender &Sexuality audience with his presen- “ah-ha” momentseveral Studies Program and a tation of “K2 Expedition: years ago: “I forgotIwas Farida Abjani, from left,Mayor Annise Parker and professor of Englishat TheTragedy and Tri- in control of my life.Iwas LeelaKrishnamurthi UH. umph.” trying to figure it out. Ihad Friends of Women’s Thefirst-time fete to realize whoIwas, so I women from diverse in- Ruth Simmons,Haynes Studies president Geordie raised $35,000. wrote down all the things dustries and backgrounds. &Boone LLP partner Hrdlicka also welcomed In the crowd:Honorees Iliked about myself,and it One at each table,the Lynne Liberato,National the crowd. EmilyCotton and Mary- helped me respect myself conversationalists shared Book Award finalist Lacy Aspecial note: Gregory am Afshari, Jentry Kel- more.” their life experiences and Johnson,Baylor Collegeof announced thatbeginning ley, JaredLang, Dana John Blackand Rebecca Knowles encouraged stories with guests seated Medicine professor Eliza- in fall 2015, UH will offer a Kervin Clark, Jaquie Brittain the women to do the same with them. This year, beth Chiao,longshore- major in Women’s,Gender Baly, Tama Lundquist, exercise as away of cel- they includedKnowles, woman Andrea Gardner and Sexuality for the first Gigi Huang, Leslie Wall Allen and Nancy Joiner ebrating their strengths. Houston Mayor Annise and “A merica’sGot Talent” time. Hassen, Halene Hard- Newkirk. Each year,Table Talk Parker,Brown Univer- runner-up BarbaraPa- ing and PatrickBriggs, honors some 50 Houston sity PresidentEmerita dilla,among others. [email protected] Julie Deal, Samantha [email protected] Madonna revels in musical contrasts Madonna from page E1

Madonna. “Rebel Heart,” then, revels in the contrasts thathavedefined the bestofMadonna’smusic: defiance and submission (the title track),strength and vulnerability (“Wash All Over Me”), sex and loss (“HeartBreakCity”). ‘Rebel Heart’ It’s her mostconsistent Madonna album since 2005’s Interscope “Confessions on aDance xxxx Floor.” Thecoverart references aprevious secret society said to be Madonna era. Theuse occupied by politicians of black-and-white, and pop stars whocontrol the ropes across her the world. (“All-seeing face,eventhe hair are eyeiswatchin’tonight!”) reminiscentofimages Shename drops Jay-Z, from her “Sex” book.First Beyoncé, President single “Living for Love” Barack Obama, Oprah soars on a’90s house Winfrey and Lady Gaga. groove and plays likea Religion and sex, cousin to signature hit of course,are regular “LikeaPrayer.” themes in Madonna’s “Hold Tight” and “Veni work.She still manages Vidi Vici”evoke the gauzy to explore them in soul of 1994’s“Bedtime interesting ways.“Body Stories.” Thelatter, Shop” and the “Vogue”- featured on adeluxe sampling “HolyWater” version of the album, is are surprisingly effective, apoetic look back at her despite using what should career via signature song be ridiculous metaphors titles, from “Holiday” to for bodilypleasure. “Express Yo urself”to Madonna asserts her “Music.” place in popdom on atrio ButMadonna has of songs. “Unapologetic neverbeen one to look Bitch” is fueled by a back for long.Muchofthe galloping reggaebeat. album sits in the present “BitchI’m Madonna” day, thankstoproducers comes with afierce Nicki Diplo,Avicii, KanyeWest Minajrap amid producer and Blood Diamonds. Diplo’s wall of fuzzy Hervoice often sounds sounds. lush,bright and focused. And whoelse has the It’s the mostnatural and nerve,and the right,to strongestshe’s sounded dub asong “Iconic?” It’s a since “RayofLight.” forceful declaration that’s “Ghosttown”isa equal parts personal sweeping standout that statementand self-worth reinforces the power anthem (withamuch- of Madonna’sballadry. buzzed-about, albeitbrief, “Joan of Arc” is equally intro by Mike Tyson). poignantinits honesty. “Tell me I’mnogood (“Each time they write a and I’ll be great,” she hateful word/Dragging challenges. ”Say Ihaveto my soul into the dirt/I fight and Ican’t wait.” wanna die/Never admitit It’s arallying crythat but it hurts.”) sums up much of the West’s fuzzy album —and the entirety production stampis of Madonna’scareer. all over“Illuminati,” an alternatelycampy [email protected] and ominous odetothe twitter.com/joeyguerra

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