You're invited to red carpet event supporting military veterans
HOUSTON (FOX 26) - You have the opportunity to walk the red carpet in Houston at a mansion in the River Oaks neighborhood and will get to meet some "up and coming" actors and musicians, but most importantly, help support the Military Warriors Support Foundation.
As for some of the invited guests you'll see on the red carpet, you may remember Zach Person as an "American Idol" competitor. He'll be performing at the Steele Red Carpet Party, along with several others, like Genevieve Allen. The Nashville-based country singer was injured in a catastrophic car accident in 2015. Her truck flipped over and she was transported by medical helicopter to the Vanderbilt University Hospital emergency room. She was told there was a good chance she'd never walk again, but she proved everyone wrong and will make her big splash at the event. You can also meet the cast of the new show "Dreamsville."
The event takes place at Gene and Astrid Van Dyke's three-acre property in River Oaks. Their home is a natural fit for the party, after it was featured in a major motion picture.
"It was a movie with Jacqueline Bisset and Ryan O'Neal and made in 1972," says homeowner Astrid Van Dyke. She's referring to the film "The Thief Who Came to Dinner." The Van Dyke family is helping host quite a party at the very place that movie was shot.
You can expect entertainment and food galore. Three caterers are donating their time and services to help veterans, including Pedro Angel Garcia, the owner and chef of El Meson Restaurant. He shares one of the delicacies he will serve at the event.
"This is Spain at its best in the middle of Houston," says Garcia. "I'm really happy to be supporting Military Warriors Support Foundation. This is a very important cause for our community and the country at large, and so I'm providing food for it."
As if these grounds aren't beautiful enough, a Houston-area florist will help add even more beauty to the event.
"I'm going for a real naturalistic presentation of a colorful spring garden," explains Darrell Gorski, the Owner of Village Greenery & Flowers. "I believe a botanical feeling goes so well in this environment, so we'll go with that same feeling."
Astrid says it touches her heart to be part of such a special event.
"Absolutely, whatever you can do in your own little way," says a beaming Astrid. She says the party will be outside under her pavilion that easily hosts 300 guests and that visitors can enjoy the property and also take a boat ride on their so-called lake. It's actually a pool, and is believed to be the largest pool in the U.S. It's three tiers with hot tubs hidden under lush landscaping.
Shooting stars like Shannon Washington can't wait. He's the creator and executive producer of the show "Dreamsville" and actors from his show will be at the event.
"We want to get as many people out -- it's big for Houston veterans," explains Washington. "They fight for our country, so that's awesome. We want to do our part and come out as actors as well and feel appreciated because we do a lot of hard work."
It's an up and coming show that he feels is about to take U.S. audiences by storm. It will soon be readily available for your viewing pleasure, so stay tuned for that!
The event is on Saturday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $150 and VIP go up from there. Tickets can still be purchased by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/steele-red-carpet-party-2016-tickets-22550636561.