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Frank Caliendo Gets Audience to
“Stand Up For Our Youth” at
CHILDREN AT RISK Gala
The Bayou Music Center was rocking, as Frank
Caliendo kept the audience laughing. The crowd was
thrilled, while leaning back anticipating who was next. The
master impressionist known for impersonating everyone from
Charles Barkley to Al Pacino (including a few
ex-presidents), was on fire. Sports fans recognize Caliendo
from his work on ESPN and Fox NFL Sunday, while others
recognize him from Madtv and his “gut busting” stand-up
routines. “An Evening with Frank Caliendo - Standing Up For
Our Youth,” was the show that will have Houstonians laughing
out loud as they look forward to
next year’s gala.
Over 400
people attended the gala, which benefited CHILDREN AT RISK
and its education reform initiative. The event raised
$300,000 and was co-chaired by Nicole and Jim Perdue, Jr.,
Sai and Karun Sreerama, and Heather and Bob Westendarp.
Major benefactors included Leslie Alexander/Houston
Rockets, MJC events/Lucia and Michael
Cordúa,
AIG, and Perdue, Kidd & Vickery.
Jennifer Esterline, Janet Harman, and Beau
Ross received the 2013 Founders Award for their vision and
work as champions of Texas public schools. In addition to
Caliendo, the spectacular event also featured a VIP
reception, and an exclusive live auction.
Michael Cordúa catered the gala which began
with a private reception featuring cocktails and passed hors
d’oeuvres. True to the education theme, guests dined on
gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, smoked tomato soup,
buffalo frito pie, Churrasco and exquisite fish sticks.
For dessert, guests were served Cordúa’s famed Tres
Leches and twankies (not Twinkies).
Emmy-winning anchor Dominique Sachse of
KPRC-2 News was the mistress of ceremonies. Ultimate
Weatherman Frank Billingsley, chief meteorologist of KPRC-2
News, led the fast-paced live auction.
Faces in the crowd included Lucia and Michael
Cordua, Al Deshon, Sheriff Adrian Garcia, Melanie and Jerry
Martin, and the honorable Russell Hamley.
The Bayou Music Center was roaring, as
Caliendo’s voice and mannerisms mocked his subjects
magnificently. One of comedy’s best had the ‘loud’ crowd
standing up for better schools, dedicated teachers and
successful students. The night ended with VIPs meeting and
taking photos with the comedian.
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