PROVINCIALLY CHIC

PROVINCIALLY CHIC

by | Aug 31, 2022 | R.S.V.P. DALLAS, 2022 September October, Parties

ReuNight Fundraiser Benefits The Family Place With French Country Theme

By Cynthia Smoot        Photography by Tamytha Cameron, Nate Rehlander and Hal Samples

THE SETTING: It was an enchanting Evening in Provence theme for a limited one hundred seventy-five guests at the annual ReuNight fundraiser benefiting The Family Place, the Dallas-based family violence agency and largest such service provider in Texas. At the Nasher Sculpture Center Garden, the gorgeous al fresco setting for the evening, guests mixed and mingled amidst exquisite contemporary art to bring awareness to and raise money for ending domestic violence. DJ Steffi Burns entertained guests as they meandered throughout the gardens and socialized on the chic lounge furniture.

 

THE STYLE: For dinner, guests strolled to the elegant outdoor dining setting that included architecturally chic floral décor created by Bryan Long of Grey Gardens Florist, which also complemented the art on display throughout the gardens. Each place setting was accompanied by a small piece of handmade art and a hand-tied bundle of lavender made by a child at The Family Place. After sponsors were thanked, Wolfgang Puck Catering served a delicious meal for the evening. During the dessert and French cheese course, Wendy Lambert with Lambert Auction Company led a spirited yet intimate luxury live auction, which included six fabulous packages. The evening concluded with an energetic paddle raise, enhanced with matching gifts by two anonymous donors. Through these donations alone, The Family Place raised enough funds to provide 3,027 nights of shelter beds for the men, women, and children of domestic violence who they serve.

THE PURPOSE: ReuNight’s co-chairs this year were Marisa Howard, Roni Proter Kelly, and Max Trowbridge, along with Shelle Sills serving as the honorary chair. The Family Place is the largest family violence service provider in Texas, with three emergency shelters providing 177 shelter beds each night, including the state’s only shelter for men and children, and three counseling centers with services being provided in English and Spanish. 

ENTER STAGE LEFT

ENTER STAGE LEFT

by | Jun 29, 2022 | 2022 July August, R.S.V.P. DALLAS, Parties

Broadway Dallas Dinner Series Debuts With New Name

 

By Cynthia Smoot         Photography by Thomas Garza

THE SETTING: Recently, Dallas Summer Musicals announced a name change to “Broadway Dallas” as well as its 2022/2023 Germania Broadway Series Season at the opening of an exciting new Spotlight Dinner Series of fundraising evenings generously sponsored by PNC Bank. Ken Novice, Broadway Dallas President and CEO, served as host for the first Spotlight Dinner on the stage of Music Hall at Fair Park. The intricately curated program was imagined and executed by Hamilton A. Sneed of HAS Events. 

 

THE STYLE: Starting in the elaborately decorated Music Hall lobby and in celebration of the upcoming show announcement of My Fair Lady, Act One had guests sipping on British-inspired cocktails paired with passed hors d’oeuvres. Riley Jones, a student from the Broadway Dallas High School Musical Theatre Awards program, entertained during Intermission with a solo performance of I Could Have Danced All Night. For Act Two of the evening, the attendees dined on a four-course meal inspired by the 2022-2203 Broadway Dallas season.

 

The evening concluded with the curtain lowering and rising again with an encore bow, lights, applause, and a champagne toast to celebrate the announcement of Moulin Rouge! as the theme for the Broadway Dallas Gala to be held in April 2023. Kathryn and Craig Hall will serve as honorary chairs.

 

THE PURPOSE: This intimate event series, filled with song, fun facts, and always a surprise or two, benefits artistic and educational excellence at Broadway Dallas, including programs in classrooms and throughout the community, serving more than 40,000 students and families each year. Interested patrons can select the dinners that entice them the most or subscribe to the entire series.

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CHARMED CENTURIAN

CHARMED CENTURIAN

by | Jun 29, 2022 | 2022 July August, R.S.V.P. DALLAS, Parties

Junior League Of Dallas Celebrates Century Of Service 

 

By Cynthia Smoot         Photography by Tamytha Cameron and Celeste Cass

THE SETTING:  The Junior League of Dallas hosted its Centennial Gala, presented by the Sewell family, in the Chantilly Ballroom at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. Led by Centennial Co-chairs Andrea Cheek and Margo Goodwin, the 1920s Art Nouveau-inspired soirée was the celebration of the century. The evening’s festivities served as the exciting conclusion to the League’s week-long celebration of its 100 years of service to the Dallas community. 

 

THE STYLE: The evening featured a VIP cocktail reception sponsored by Tolleson Wealth Management, a seated dinner, dancing, a big board auction, and a raffle. Guests were also treated to a performance by dancers from the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Guests then hit the dance floor and danced to the upbeat, lively tunes from Stratosphere, a 16-piece dance band performing under Jordan Kahn, sponsored by Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians. As an additional treat, guests looked inside JLD’s impressive 100-year-history through a Centennial exhibit available throughout the evening. Sponsors of the Gala included: the Sewell family, presenting sponsor; Dallas Osteopathic Physicians, entertainment sponsor; Tolleson Wealth Management, VIP Reception; Gittings Portraiture, VIP Photography, and Great Southwestern Fire & Safety served as the auction sponsor.

 

THE PURPOSE:  The Junior League of Dallas cultivates leaders who collectively address the critical needs of the community. Founded in 1922, the Dallas branch is one of the most prominent Junior Leagues in the world, and the largest and oldest training organization for women in Dallas. The JLD provides leadership opportunities to nearly 5,000 women each year through more than 26,000 cumulative hours of experiential and formal training. Uniquely member-run, the JLD contributes over 130,000 hours of volunteer service and approximately $1 million in funding to area nonprofits each year. 

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CAPTIVATING CHAPEAUX

CAPTIVATING CHAPEAUX

by | Jun 29, 2022 | 2022 July August, R.S.V.P. DALLAS, Parties

Women’s Council Of The Dallas Arboretum And Botanical Garden Hosts 34th Annual Mad Hatters Tea

 

By Cynthia Smoot      Photography by Danny Campbell, Thomas Garcia and Rob Wythe

THE SETTING: Claire Catrino, Mad Hatter’s Tea chair, Lisa Loy Laughlin, president of the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, and honorary chair Laurie Sands Harrison welcomed chapeau-donned guests to the 34th Annual Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. This year’s theme, Dallas, encouraged the attendees to enjoy their own interpretation of how to represent the city in a hat or fascinator. Guests promenaded down a red carpet vying for coveted awards in various categories. This year’s judges included Mary Brinegar, Dallas Arboretum CEO, Kim Noltemy, Barbara Bigham, Vanessa Logan, Amy Hofland, and Tanya Taylor, who was the featured celebrity designer.

 

THE STYLE: The afternoon’s program included an elegant luncheon service and a European-style fashion show produced by Jan Strimple Productions, which highlighted the styles of the spring season and featured designs by Tanya Taylor. Emcee Calvert Collins announced category winners to a rapt luncheon crowd. Marena Gault and Elizabeth Smith tied in the category of “Best Use of Botanical Components: Bluebonnets.” Prashe Shah won “Most True to Theme: Flying Horse,” and Dr. Linda Burk won “Best Big Over the Top Texas Hat: Everything is Bigger in Texas!” In addition, Venise Stuart was awarded “Best Fascinator: Uptown Girl,” Debbie McKeever’s table won “Best Group Hats: Dallas Dynasty,” Robert Wilson was bestowed “People’s Choice Award: Deep in the Hat of Texas,” and Sharla Bush and Terry Irby tied for “Best in Show: Don’t Mess with Dallas.”

 

THE PURPOSE: Since 1986, the primary goal of the Women’s Council has been the design, construction, funding, and endowment of A Woman’s Garden, the only public garden in the United States conceived  and funded by the efforts of women and dedicated to the spirit of women. The Women’s Council is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 

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FEELIN’ GROOVY

FEELIN’ GROOVY

by | May 1, 2022 | R.S.V.P. DALLAS, 2022 May June, Parties

Dallas Museum of Art’s Art Ball 60th Anniversary Pays Homage To Inaugural Art Ball With 60s-Themed Soirée

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Bruno and Kaitlin Saragusa/BFA.com

THE SETTING: A picture-perfect spring evening in Dallas was the recent setting for the Dallas Museum of Art’s TABLEAUX: 60 Years of Art Ball (1962-2022) event. The affair, which featured 350 of Dallas’ (and the country’s) most notable patrons of fashion and the arts, effortlessly combined a nod to their inaugural ball…and today, which resulted in a magical evening for the ages.

 

THE STYLE: Upon arrival, the black tie-attired patrons were greeted at the Dallas Museum of Art’s Ceremonial Entrance, which featured a vintage 60s Cadillac accented by couture-clad models wearing ensembles from Moschino by Jeremy Scott. Once inside, guests sipped cocktails in multiple 60s themed experiential activations, including Martini’s and Motown and
Champagne and Supremes, each of which included 60s-themed appetizers that got the partygoers into the spirit. Additionally, the art-loving crowd was able to view the Slip Zone exhibition of Post-War Contemporary Art in the Barrel Vault of the Museum, as well as preview six highly curated items available for a “Buy It Now” auction.

 

Partygoers then heard the dinner bell and were whisked away through a blackened passageway to the Harmon Atrium for the next part of the evening. As they entered the 60s-esque supper club inspired by art inside the venue, the crowd was treated to tunes by DJ Lucy Wrubel, who rocked a Moschino gold leather guitar-shaped dress. Once seated, the audience was treated to a scrumptious, multi-course meal and main program, which was capped off with a performance by Bob’s Dance Shop, which kicked off the afterparty, ensuring the fun lasted into the wee hours of the morning.

 

THE PURPOSE: The event, co-chaired by Agustin Arteaga and Brian Bolke, raised over $1.7 million for the Dallas Museum of Art. Funds raised from the evening will go towards DMA’s commitment to providing innovative educational programs, presenting diverse exhibitions, and offering engaging access to incredible works of art.

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STANDING TALL

STANDING TALL

by | May 1, 2022 | 2022 May June, R.S.V.P. DALLAS, Parties

Annual Destiny Award Luncheon Benefits St. Philip’s School

 By Cynthia Smoot                    Photography by Tim Heitman

THE SETTING: More than 1,200 guests filled the Landmark Ballroom at the Downtown Dallas Hyatt Regency recently for a big personality…and even bigger cause. St. Philip’s School and Community Center welcomed Basketball Hall-of-Famer and cultural icon Shaquille O’Neal as its guest speaker for the 22nd annual Destiny Awards luncheon. It featured a comedic and heartfelt conversation between O’Neal and NBA Champion and former Mavericks coach Avery Johnson. O’Neal shared that excellence is not a singular act with St. Philip’s students, who also performed at the luncheon. Also, Dr. Bobby Lyle was honored with the Mona & David Munson Humanitarian Award for his outstanding commitment to the school.

 

THE STYLE: Standing at 7 feet 1 inch, no one stood taller or caused greater excitement than the guest of honor. Before the luncheon, O’Neal greeted fans and engaged in a quick game of hoops with the St. Philip’s students. He also toured a dynamic student showcase that included sports trivia, the math of basketball, and more. It was no surprise the event was packed with friends of St. Philip’s, donors, and sponsors from across the metroplex.

 

THE PURPOSE: Pete Chillan served as the event chair. The St. Philip’s School and Community Center luncheon raised more than $1.2 million. These funds will facilitate the expansion of St. Philip’s School in the 2022-2023 school year. St. Philp’s mission is to develop each student’s mind, body, and soul. The school is committed to excellence in academics and community service.

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