Philanthropy is Fun

The 7 top Dallas young professional parties to put on your spring 2020 social calendar

Dallas' young movers and shakers keep a busy calendar of fabulous events that benefit good causes. This spring's soirees and galas whisk guests to Monte Carlo on one night and "Deep in the Heart of Dallas" on another. Better brush up on your blackjack skills and be ready to bust a move because casinos and dance floors will be rockin' all season. And don't forget to buy your hat by Kentucky Derby Day. Here are the seven can't-miss YP charitable events of spring in Dallas.

CASAblanca, February 1
The Dallas CASA Young Professionals kick off YP social season with this evening of casino games, cocktails, appetizers, prizes, and lots of fun at The Hall on Dragon. It's all headed by co-chairs Bela Cooley, Elise Nichols, and Megan Sterquell, who promise a can't-miss event. After trying their luck at the roulette wheel and blackjack, poker, and craps tables, guests can dance to the sounds of The Special Edition band. The event benefits Dallas CASA, which advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children. Buy tickets, starting at $125, here.

Masquerade, February 22
The Genesis Young Leaders are throwing a Monaco-themed fête dubbed "Midnight in Monte Carlo" at Sixty Five Hundred. Taylor and Alex Turner are co-chairing this annual event, with the help of a host committee a mile long. This year's masquerade party will feature the Georgia Bridgwater Orchestra, casino-style games, cocktails, bites, raffles, and a silent auction. GYL is a group of young professionals dedicated to ending domestic violence in the community. Tickets, starting at $100, are now on sale.

Junior League Auction Party, March 28
The Junior League heads "Deep in the Heart of Dallas" for its 2020 Auction Party. Happening at The Statler downtown and chaired by Brenda Bailey Latman, the evening starts with an hour-long VIP reception, followed by the main event. It features heavy hors d'oeuvres, casino-style games, premium open bar, sweet treats, silent auction, dancing to the Jordan Kahn Orchestra, and much more. The fun party benefits the organization's various civic projects around Dallas. Tickets start at $125 and can be purchased here.

Salvation Army Echelon 30M Gala, April 18
Echelon is a community of diverse young adults working to serve the Salvation Army through fellowship and networking, donations and fundraising, and service and volunteering. The Echelon 30M Gala is named in honor of the 30 million people the Salvation Army serves in the United States every year. The multi-generational event will take place at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas this year. Tickets for non-members are $150-$250 and can be purchased here.

Ronald McDonald House Young Friends Party, April 24
Co-chairs Lauren Rellihan and Lauren Gross are moving this buzzy event to Hickory Street Annex for a night of fun for an important cause. Guests can expect high-energy entertainment from the Georgia Bridgwater Orchestra, open bar, delicious bites, and a silent auction. Tickets are $85 for members and $100 for non-members. The Young Friends of the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas is a lively auxiliary organization of Ronald McDonald House Dallas, which assists the house in meeting the needs of seriously ill children and their families.

YTAC Chili Cook-Off, April 26
Taking place at Four Corners Brewery, the 2020 chili cook-off, presented by Young Texans Against Cancer and chaired by Holland Carroll and Natalie Swart, will feature local celebrity judges who give prizes for best tasting, best spirit, and best costume. Hungry guests get to sample chili, sip cold beer, and listen to live music. Guests can also enter to win prizes, and tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. All proceeds go to cancer research through various Texas organizations. Tickets are not yet available, but check back soon.

Day at the Races, May 2
If it's Kentucky Derby day, it's also the day for Turtle Creek Conservancy's big event. Fascinators, fedoras, and everything in between will bob about Arlington Hall, where more than 500 guests will assemble to watch the most exciting two minutes in sports. Guests can also expect Southern-style cuisine, libations, auctions, lawn games, live music, and some friendly Derby wagering. The event, which began as a tradition of the Junior Conservancy group, raises funds for the beautification, maintenance, and development of the 80-year-old Arlington Hall and the Turtle Creek Park. Check back for ticket sales here.

Things get spicy at the YTAC Chili Cook-off.

Photo courtesy of YTAC

Things get spicy at the YTAC Chili Cook-off.

young-professionals fundraisers galas

Standing Ovation

Dallas crowd rocks out and raises record-breaking funds at Bravo Gala

Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico.

It might have been pouring rain on November 20, but that didn't stop more than 300 arts supporters from flocking to the ruby-lit Winspear Opera House for the 2025 AT&T Performing Arts Center's Bravo! Gala.

Gala co-chairs Alina and Ruben Esquivel and Candice and Adam C. Wright welcomed a crowd that included longtime arts champions, civic leaders, philanthropists, and supporters, among them honorees Shannon and Ted Skokos, whose dedication to the Center’s mission was celebrated throughout the night. Does that name sound familiar? It should if you've ever seen a show at the Winspear — their name is emblazoned on the front of the stage.

2025 ATTPAC Bravo Gala Texas Ballet Theater and The Dallas Opera performed together during cocktail hour.Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

The evening unfolded as a journey through the heartbeat of Dallas arts. All five of ATTPAC's resident companies took the stage (the lobby landing) during cocktail hour for spotlight performances that showcased the range and richness of the Center’s artistic ecosystem.

Guests cheered the vibrant traditions of Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico and the emotional depth of Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and a standout moment came when The Dallas Opera and Texas Ballet Theater united for a gorgeous performance together. Zachary J. Willis, a Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company member, represented Dallas Theater Center by crooning several jazz standards during dinner on the Winspear stage.

2025 ATTPAC Bravo Gala Headliner Michael Cavanaugh and honorees Shannon and Ted Skokos.Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

Damon and Adrienne Mosley, Shameka and William Matthews.

But it was the night’s featured performer, Grammy- and Tony-nominated artist Michael Cavanaugh, who brought the house fully to its feet. Handpicked by Billy Joel for the Broadway hit Movin’ Out, Cavanaugh delivered the same electricity as his mentor. His voice channeled the grit and soul of Joel's songbook, along with some of Elton John's biggest hits. As he moved between piano and vocals with magnetic ease, the audience responded exactly as if they were at a rock concert: clapping, cheering, and dancing along.

That same energy carried seamlessly into the after-party, where DJ EndoLena kept the dance floor packed well past the official end time.

Spotted mingling throughout the night were ATTPAC president and CEO Warren Tranquada, Deedie Rose (of Potter Rose Performance Hall legacy), Barbara Thomas Lemmon, Hal and Diane Brierley, soon-to-be-retired Arts District executive director Lily Cabatu Weiss and husband Jeff Weiss, Eugene McDermott Foundation's Grace Cook, AT&T's Matt Hickey, Brendan McGuire and Amber Scanlan from PNC, and ATTPAC board chair Jill Louis and board vice-chair Lynn McBee.

2025 ATTPAC Bravo Gala Dinner was served on the Winspear Opera House stage.Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

Throughout the night, excitement also swirled around the raffle, with packages that had guests dreaming of future adventures. A luxury Broadway weekend in New York promised first-class travel, a plush hotel stay, and tickets to two shows of the winner’s choosing. A Dallas staycation offered indulgence closer to home with a night at HALL Arts Hotel, dinner at Ellie’s, and box seats to a performance at the Center. Groups of friends imagined piling into a party bus for a Broadway Girls’ Night Out, while others eyed a $2,500 Eiseman Jewels shopping spree or “The Perfect 10,” pairing restaurant gift cards with seats to five Broadway at the Center productions.

All told, the AT&T Performing Arts Center’s signature event raised a record-breaking $550,000 to fuel the Center’s education, engagement, and free public programming initiatives.

fundraisers concerts attpac winspear opera house att performing arts center broadway bravo gala michael cavanaugh billy joel galas