FIRST TWO

FIRST TWO

by | Oct 12, 2022 | Blog

First Look Art Preview Kicks Off Two X Two for AIDS and Art

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Bruno and Snap The Picture

Cindy and Howard Rachofsky

THE SETTING: The residence of Cindy and Howard Rachofsky in Dallas was the setting for a kick-off of one of the Lone Star State’s most well-known and most successful philanthropic fundraisers, Two X Two for AIDS and Art. Over 450 top philanthropists, art patrons and sociables were on hand for First Look. The event, presented by Neiman Marcus, allowed art-lovers the opportunity to preview the works of art available for auction in advance of Two X Two gala on Saturday October 22nd.

Christian and Jordan Jones Munoz

THE STYLE: The elevated cocktail attire crowd got into the giving…and holiday spirit. As guests approached the red bow-wrapped Rachofsky home for the evening’s festivities, they were greeted by artificial snow falling and holiday-clad ice skaters in a specially constructed rink that created a festive mood. One inside the winter wonderland-themed night continued where partygoers encountered beautifully lit trees, candy cane striped accents and the opportunity to pose for photos with Santa.

Jessica Nowitzki and Robyn Sills

Revelers mingled about the Rachofsky residence where the fun flowed as freely as the cocktails. The evening offered two signature cocktails, a Belvedere Claus-mopolitan and Cindy’s Margarita and Anejo Tequila featuring Tequila Casa Dragones, which was named in honor of the event hostess. As guests sipped on their favorite spirits, they had the opportunity to preview a selection of the 131 expertly curated art pieces and luxury packages to be featured at Two X Two, most of which are curated by event host Howard Rachofsky himself.

Fenil Ghodadra and Kira Nasrat

After finishing the preview of the spectacular packages, the fun continued with a host of magical experiences that left the audience wanting more. Thrill seekers were able to play various games for prizes around the Rachofsky grounds including tossing ping pong balls into wreaths in the pool, guessing the number of peppermints in a jar and knocking down a tower of Neiman Marcus gift-wrapped boxes with a baseball. To top it all off, partygoers were able to dance the night away around a snowglobe to the tunes DJ RomiQ that kept the party going well into the night.

Lisa and John Runyon

Todd Fiscus and Ceron

THE PURPOSE: First Look and the upcoming, sold-out Two X Two black-tie gala, hosted by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and John and Lisa Runyon, raises funds for amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art. During the much heralded 22-year history of the event, it has raised over $100 million dollars for the two organizations.

Abigail and Fred Perpall

ARTFULLY AVANT-GARDE

ARTFULLY AVANT-GARDE

by | Feb 28, 2022 | R.S.V.P. DALLAS, 2022 March April, Parties

Two X Two Raises Over $11M For amfAR And Dallas Museum of Art, Eclipses $100M Mark In All-Time Event Fundraising

 

By Rob Giardinelli      Photography by Bruno and Kevin Tachman

THE SETTING: The estate of Cindy and Howard Rachofsky was the recent setting for a historic evening that will forever live on in the annals of Texas fundraising lore. Almost 500 of the world’s most notable sociables and philanthropists gathered for the 22nd annual Two X Two for AIDS and Art event, with pandemic protocol in place and, in the process, raised eight figures in one night, eclipsing the $100 million fundraising mark over the history of this storied event.

 

THE STYLE: The black-tie crowd began the evening with cocktails on the grounds of the Rachofsky residence, courtesy of Tequila Casa Dragones, Moët Hennessy USA, and Belvedere Vodka, the latter of which featured a signature cocktail Cindy’s Filthy Martini, in a nod to the event’s hostess. During the cocktail hour, and throughout the evening, patrons viewed and bid on over 130 pieces of silent and live auction art, as well as experiential packages that were personally curated by the event host Howard Rachofsky and event Co-Chair John Runyon.  

 

Partygoers then proceeded to the 48-foot high, 7,000 square foot geodesic dome for the main program. The dome, designed by Todd Fiscus of Todd Events, was inspired by the works of acclaimed artist Yoshimoto Nara. A prominent leaf motif was featured throughout that perfectly complimented the organic shapes and evening’s color palette of chartreuse, burgundy, orange, and ivory featured both inside and outside the tent.

 

As guests dined on their decadent, multi-course meals, they were treated to words by event host Howard Rachofsky, as well as a presentation by amfAR Board Co-chairs T. Ryan Greenwalt and Kevin McClatchy, who presented special guest Yoshimoto Nara with the 2021 Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions in the Fight Against AIDS. Next, Michael Macaulay of Sotheby’s hosted a dazzling live auction that included works from such acclaimed artists including María Berrío, Bosco Sodi, Asuka Anastacia Ogawa, Peter Bradley, Joel Mesler, Jiro Takamatsu, and Yoshitomo Nara. The evening was capped off by a showstopping concert by Rita Ora, who brought the crowd to their feet as she sang several of her iconic hits, including Let You Love Me, Ritual, Lonely Together, and Anywhere.

 

THE PURPOSE: The event, chaired by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and John and Lisa Runyon, with Nancy C. Rogers serving as the presenting sponsor, raised over $11 million for amfAR AIDS research initiatives and the Contemporary Art Acquisitions Fund at the Dallas Museum of Art. Over the past 22 years, Two X Two has raised over $104 million for these two organizations.

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TWO DAZZLING

TWO DAZZLING

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

Two X Two Raises Over $8 Million For amfAR And Dallas Museum of Art

By Rob Giardinelli – Photography by Ryan Emberley/Getty Images

THE SETTING: The Rachofsky House in Dallas was the recent setting for the 21st annual Two X Two for AIDS and Art. The dinner, featuring 500 of Dallas, and the world’s most prominent philanthropists, capped off a week of fundraising. One of the events, First Look, held a few days before the gala, offered patrons an opportunity to preview the incredible art pieces for auction during the evening.

 THE STYLE: From the moment the creative black-tie partygoers took to the “blue” carpet to pose for photos, they knew they were in for a special evening. After posing for photos, guests engaged in a lively cocktail hour courtesy of Ruinart champagne, Casa Dragones, Moët Hennessy and Belvedere. Here VIP’s mingled as they sipped their favorite spirit of choice while  perusing an array of luxury silent auction items on display.

The festivities then moved into the 7,000 square foot, 48-foot high geodesic dome tent on the Rachofsky estate for the evening’s program. The space, designed by celebrity event planner Todd Fiscus, was a Moroccan inspired theme complete with exotic lanterns, candles, and tiles as well as hombre blue hydrangeas that greeted the guests who entered the space.

Partygoers then took to their seats and dined on a delicious multi-course meal while they  enjoyed the program. Highlights of the evening included the presentation of the 2019 Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS to Alex Katz. Additionally, Oliver Barker, who is Sotheby’s Europe, Senior International Specialist, Contemporary Art, helmed the evening’s live auction. Barker kept the crowd engaged as the bids crept higher and higher for the seven priceless items up for bid, which included works by Sarah Crowner, Derek Fordjour, Barry X Ball, Frank Bowling, Ross Bleckner, and Andre Butzer.

To conclude the main program, the audience was brought to its feet with a show-stopping performance by music superstar Aloe Blacc, as he sang some of his greatest hits, including I, Need a Dollar and The Man. With the energy on a euphoric high, the fun moved to the back garden of the Rachofsky House for the after-party presented by Neiman Marcus. It continued into the wee hours of the morning, capping off an incredible evening those fortunate enough to attend will not soon forget.

 THE PURPOSE: The event, co-hosted by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, and John and Lisa Runyon, raised over $8 million for amfAR AIDS research initiatives as well as the Dallas Museum of Art’s contemporary art acquisitions and exhibitions. Over the past 21 years, Two X Two has raised over $92 million for these two organizations.

 

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