BURSTING WITH JOY

BURSTING WITH JOY

by | May 30, 2020 | Summer 2020, Parties, Austin

Dell Children’s Medical Center Announces $30 Million Matching Grant By Michael And Susan Dell

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Ben Porter

THE SETTING: The Fairmont Hotel in Austin was the setting recently for the annual Dell Children’s Medical Center gala. This year’s theme, Share Your Joy, more than lived up to the name. Nearly 1,000 of the Capital City’s most notable philanthropists, sociables, and community influencers joined together for an unforgettable evening of fun, fundraising, and the announcement of a substantial gift by two of Texas’ most influential philanthropists.

 THE STYLE: The black tie attired crowd began the evening as guests posed for pictures against a gorgeously colorful backdrop to commemorate the evening. Once inside, partygoers headed to the V.I.P. lounge for a cocktail reception where patrons sipped spirits and brimmed with anticipation for the festivities ahead. The action then headed to the main ballroom for the evening’s program.

 Guests were treated to a heartwarming video regarding the impact of Dell Children’s Medical Center on the community, as they dined on a delicious multi-course meal. Other highlights included emotional words from families whose children’s lives were saved due to the efforts of the organization, as well as a spirited live auction and fund-a-need. The highlight of the evening was the announcement by Michael and Susan Dell of a matching grant of $30 million for the HERE Campaign for the advancement of pediatric care at Dell Children’s. The guests, now on a joyous high over the Dell’s generosity, kept the festivities going into the wee hours of the next morning at the V.I.P. after party as they danced the night away to the tunes of DJ’s Amy Edwards and Society Texas’ own Lance Avery Morgan.

 THE PURPOSE: The event was led by a committee known as 20 for 20, symbolizing the number of philanthropic couples who have shaped the first decade of Dell Children’s Medical Center. In addition to the $30 million match by Michael and Susan Dell, the event raised a record-breaking $2.1 million for Dell Children’s Medical Center. Proceeds from the event will go towards construction of the new Dell Children’s Specialty Pavilion. The new outpatient facility, scheduled to open in 2021, will expand specialty care for children.

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SIGNED, SEALED & DELIVERED

SIGNED, SEALED & DELIVERED

by | Feb 28, 2020 | 2020 March April, Austin

Performance by Grammy Award Winning Artist Seal Caps Off Andy Roddick Foundation Gala

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Tyler Schmitt Photography

THE SETTING: The Moody Theatre at ACL Live in Austin was the recent setting for the 14th Annual Andy Roddick Foundation gala. In total, over 2,000 philanthropists, sociables, and music lovers were on hand for an evening that combined two of Austin’s favorite past-times: fundraising and music.

THE STYLE: The stylish crowd began the evening with a VIP reception and cocktail hour. The 400 attendees of the main gala then moved into the orchestra level of the Moody Theatre for the main program. As guests dined, they were treated to videos showing the positive impact the organization has had on many youths in the Austin community. Next was the live auction, which included a tennis match with Roddick at the Billie Jean King US Tennis Center during the 2020 US Open in New York that went for over $150,000 to not one, but two lucky winners.

The patrons of the gala were then joined by 1,600 music lovers perched on the mezzanine level of the Moody Theatre to listen to a concert performed by Grammy Award-winning artist Seal. The legendary performer dazzled the audience with a mix of new tunes and classic hits that had the crowd on their feet throughout…capping off a night for the ages.

THE PURPOSE: The event raised well over $1 million for the Andy Roddick Foundation. The mission of the Andy Roddick Foundation is to provide high- quality learning and enrichment activities for at-risk students during out of school hours so children can discover their passions in life.

 

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ALWAYS CELEBRATE LIFE

ALWAYS CELEBRATE LIFE

by | Feb 28, 2020 | 2020 March April, Austin

Celebration of Life Luncheon Features Breast Cancer Survivors, Fashions From Julian Gold

By Rob Giardinelli Photography courtesy of Seton Breast Care Center and the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation

THE SETTING: The JW Marriott hotel in Austin was the recent setting of the Celebration of Life luncheon. One of the capital city’s most anticipated annual luncheons, this year’s gathering met the high expectations, with over 400 of Austin’s most notable sociables and philanthropists for a delightful afternoon of fashion, funand fundraising.

THE STYLE: The luncheon-chic crowd kicked off the festivities in style with champagne during a fun and lively cocktail reception, where the fashionable crowd had the opportunity to mingle with one another. The action then moved to the main ballroom for the program and fashion show. Emcee Lauren Petrowski effortlessly kept the audience entertained as they dined on a light lunch and heard words from key event leaders.

Next, came a series of fashion shows sponsored by Julian Gold and Webber Productions. The first show featured some of the over 120 breast cancer survivors and fighters on hand as they modeled their favorite looks down the runway. The second fashion show featured an array of the latest Julian Gold fashions that dazzled the fashionistas, capping off an afternoon of largesse and style.

THE PURPOSE: The event, chaired by Lara Burns Boyda with Fayruz Benyousef serving as honorary chair, raised funds for the Seton Breast Care Center and the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation, which provides awareness, education, and treatment to women who have breast cancer.

 

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MOTOWN’S MAGIC

MOTOWN’S MAGIC

by | Feb 28, 2020 | 2020 March April, Austin

The Kindness Campaign Partners With Grammy Museum To Host Motown’s 60th Anniversary

By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Ben Porter

THE SETTING: A private residence in Austin was recently the setting for a special evening that honored one of the world’s most beloved music genres, the soul of Motown. In total, 230 of the city’s most notable philanthropists, sociables, and music lovers were on hand for the Art of Kindness, which celebrated Motown’s 60th anniversary in a special partnership between The Kindness Campaign and the Grammy Museum.

THE STYLE: The winter-chic crowd began the evening with cocktails where guests mingled, sipped cocktails, and brimmed with anticipation of the entertaining night ahead. The music lovers then headed to their seats for the program, conversation, and concert. The program included a Q&A with legendary Motown singer Claudette Robinson, of The Miracles, as well as a live auction that featured such luxe items as the Red Carpet Treatment package that included a VIP tour of the Grammy Museum and tickets for four to Conan, and a Pampering in Paradise private getaway for six in the Caribbean, which fetched the highest dollar amount of the evening. The night was capped off by a surprise concert by Grammy Award-winning musician, Estelle, who brought the crowd to its feet and had them dancing the night away into the wee hours of the morning.

THE PURPOSE: The event, co-chaired by Amber Allen and Lawton Cummings, raised over $450,000 for The Kindness Campaign. The Kindness Campaign’s mission is to provide positive and accessible tools to promote emotional health for students based on the core message I Am Enough.

 

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CONSERVING FOR THE FUTURE

CONSERVING FOR THE FUTURE

by | Feb 28, 2020 | 2020 March April, Parties, Austin

Pease Park Conservancy Hosts Second Annual Gala, Past Present Pease

By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Matt Lanke

THE SETTING: The Austin Central Library was the recent setting for an evening of fun and fundraising for one of Austin’s most beloved public spaces. The Pease Park Conservancy hosted its second annual event, Past, Present and Pease, which drew 350 of Austin’s most notable sociables, philanthropists and nature lovers for an evening of fun…and fundraising.

THE STYLE: The winter-chic crowd brought indoors the spirit of being outside for the event, with many donning their favorite cold-weather attire including sweaters, sport coats, overcoats, and jackets that were as warm and inviting as the attendees themselves. The evening began with a fun and lively cocktail hour, where the conversation flowed as freely, as the spirits as old friends reacquainted and new friends were made. The patrons then turned their attention to the main stage for the evening’s program which included words from Pease Park CEO Heath Riddles and Outdoor Voices CEO Ty Haney, among others, highlighting the impressive work of the Pease Park Conservancy. The organization is in the midst of revitalizing Pease Park, one of Austin’s most beloved public spaces, with a new vision for it to be brought to life.

THE PURPOSE: The event, co-chaired by Morgan Gaddis and Jennifer Skloss, raised over $200,000 for the Pease Park Conservancy. The funds from this event will go directly towards the revitalization of Kingsbury Commons, which will transform how Austinites enjoy the public space in the heart of the city.

 

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CLOSER TO THE GOAL

CLOSER TO THE GOAL

by | Dec 31, 2019 | 2020 January February, Parties, Austin

Darrell K. Royal Alzheimers Foundation’s 4th and Goal Gala Raises Breaks Fundraising Record.

By Rob Giardinelli – Photography by Ben Porter

THE SETTING: The Moody Theatre at ACL Live in Austin was recently the setting for the annual 4th and Goal gala. Several hundred of Texas’ most notable philanthropists and sociables were treated to an special evening that combines sport, music and philanthropy like no other in the state and the result was a magical evening those on hand will not soon forget.

 

THE STYLE: The fun began in the foyer of the ACL Theatre with a cocktail hour where partygoers were able to mingle, socialize and sip spirits while perusing an impressive array of sporty silent auction items that included among other things a private tour of Jay Leno’s one-of-a-kind car collection.

The festivities then moved inside for the main program. Against the backdrop of replay highlights commemorating the silver anniversary of the legendary 1969 game where Texas defeated Arkansas 15-14 en route to their 1969 NCAA championship, guests dined on a multi-course meal that was capped off with individual chocolate cakes in the shape of Texas. The evening continued with an impressive live auction that included a BMW X7, which fetched $127,000 and a bucket list experience with Andrea Bocelli in Italy that scored $195,000. The night was capped off in style by a performance from The Doobie Brothers, who brought the crowd to their feet, as they sang along to new songs and legendary tunes by the iconic band.

 

THE PURPOSE: The evening raised over $1.6 million for the Darrell K. Royal Research Fund for Alzheimer’s Disease. The mission of the DKR Fund is to provide excellence in research and care for Texas to attempt to cure Alzheimer’s in our lifetimes.

 

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