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    It's Time To Party

    The 12 spring social events that philanthropic Dallasites dare not miss

    Diana Oates
    Jan 20, 2016 | 9:19 am

    A new year brings with it opportunities to make a difference in our community — and have fun doing it. Because this is Dallas, nearly every cause has a luncheon, gala, or party to support it.

    Although these charitable events tend to get publicity for their never-ending bubbly, fancy auction items, and well-dressed attendees, let us not forget the fantastic organizations that benefit from such fabulousness. Here are the events that we have penciled in our datebooks for spring 2016:

    Most Approachable Event: Birthday Party Project Turns Four, January 23
    Happiness is contagious at the annual fundraising event that celebrates bringing joy to homeless children through the magic of birthdays. This laid-back party at Sixty Five Hundred focuses on fun versus fancy, and this year's theme is Live From Dallas It's Saturday Night. Passionate event chairs Jennifer Burns and Julian Leaver promise it's going to be bigger and better than ever.

    Girl Power Philanthropy: Junior League of Dallas Ball, February 20
    This storied ball brings together some of the city's brightest female leaders to toast the service organization that provides hundreds of trained volunteers to Dallas nonprofits every year. Ball chair Ashley Allen and honorary chair Debbie Oates are excited to welcome members past and present to the Hilton Anatole for an evening of dinner and dancing, featuring music by Think Big Party with Bullet Proof Brass. Tickets for this year's ball, themed To Dallas With Love and open to all, start at $250.

    Moving Mentors: Fashion Stars for a Cause Gala, March 25
    Suicide is a tough topic, yet event founder Yvonne Crum raises awareness for it with compassion and grace year in and year out. This fashion show and dinner is different in that you leave having learned the personal stories of all the fashion stars chosen to raise awareness and money for the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas. This year's participants include Sherice Lynette Brown, Francis Harrison Brito, Laura Fedock, Laurie Graham, Gina Marx, Kristy J. Morgan, Shelley Herrera-O’Neal, Shayema Rahim, Whitney Roberts-Kutch, Bridget Sommerlatte, Carmen Sargent, and Amanda Ward. Tickets to this event, being held at Dallas Country Club, start at $250.

    Blast From the Past: Yellow Rose Gala, April 2
    Once one of the most prominent fundraisers in Dallas, the Yellow Rose Gala returns in 2016, and expectations are high. At the helm of this momentous occasion is Fallon Wynne Way, daughter of Yellow Rose founder Dee Wynne, who passed away from multiple sclerosis in 2014. Tickets for this event, at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel, start at $500. Proceeds benefit progressive MS research through the National MS Society.

    Outrageous Art: MTV RE:DEFINE, April 8
    Back for its fifth year, this exhibition and auction held at the Dallas Contemporary brings together iconic and specially commissioned artworks by established and emerging talent. Interesting and inspired attendees come dressed head to toe in wearable works of art. All proceeds from sales benefit the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and the Dallas Contemporary. Tickets start at $1,000.

    Super Speaker: Wings Luncheon, April 14
    This luncheon supports New Friends New Life, a nonprofit that restores and empowers formerly trafficked girls and sexually exploited women and children. This year's speaker is Amal Clooney, who is making her first trip to Dallas to share her passion for protecting human rights. Event chair Jeanne Johnson Phillips is joined by a squad of honorary chairs, including former first lady lady Laura Bush, Ruth Altshuler, Caren Prothro, Annette Simmons, and Nancy Ann Hunt, for this powerful afternoon at the Hilton Anatole. Sponsorships start at $2,000.

    Ladies Who Lunch: Mad Hatter's Tea, April 21
    The Women's Council of the Dallas Arboretum celebrates 28 years with a Steel Magnolias theme. This arboretum luncheon includes champagne, hat judging, and a Jan Strimple-produced runway show featuring looks from Tootsies. This was one of the first times we saw the potential cast of the Real Housewives of Dallas frolicking in their large hats amid spring showers last year — will they return this year? Tickets start at $200.

    Quintessential Dallas: Art Ball, April 23
    Dallas Museum of Art is one of the city's treasures, and for that reason, this is one of the most exclusive and highly anticipated galas of the year. Ann and David Sutherland are taking the reins of this year's ball, themed Art+Architecture. Expect a seated dinner, live and silent auctions, and a festive after-party hosted (for the first time) by the Junior Associates. Although we doubt that John Legend's 2014 Art Ball performance can ever be topped (last year Solange Knowles was the guest DJ at the after-party), we know the chairs are up for the challenge. Underwriting opportunities start at $4,500.

    Best Production: House of DIFFA, May 21
    Fashionistas, you've never truly experienced a runway production until you've attended this black tie gala. The spectacle at Omni Dallas hotel, themed Circo Rouge, showcases a curated selection of one-of-a-kind jackets, as well as looks from sponsor Traffic LA and unexpected theatrics. Tickets, which start at just $350, include a cocktail party, silent and live auctions, seated dinner, runway show, and thrilling after-party.

    Laughter as Therapy: Genesis Annual Luncheon, May 6
    This year is sure to be the best yet for Genesis Women's Shelter and its annual lunch, as co-chairs Nancy Rogers and Gina Betts welcome funny guy Tyler Perry as featured speaker at the Hilton Anatole. Perry, an established actor, director, screenwriter, producer, playwright, author, and philanthropist, was born into poverty and raised in an abusive household. He shares his story of strength, faith, and perseverance, which ultimately led to a successful career. Underwriting opportunities start at $1,750.

    For the Foodie: TACA Lexus Party on the Green, May 6
    Go ahead and start praying to the weather gods for this delicious event held on the grounds of the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. This elevated backyard bash showcases the culinary talents of chefs from Dallas and beyond. In addition to sipping sparkling wine and sampling succulent mini dishes, who can resist the opportunity to pick from the plentiful wine pull? For more information, contact TACA at 214-520-3930.

    Theater Thriller: Centerstage Gala, May 14
    Arts enthusiasts return to the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House for cocktails, a seated dinner, and a cozy performance by Justin Guarini and his band. Word on the street is that the after-party will have even the most serious philanthropist busting a move. Tickets start at $1,000, and dress code is listed as creative and fun — aka no tuxes. Funds support the Dallas Theater Center's artistic and educational programming.

    Merry Vose, Sheryl Maas, Rajan Patel, Michael Flores, Dallas Snadon, Niven Morgan, Shelby Wagner, and Nancy Rogers at the 2015 Art Ball at the Dallas Museum of Art.

    Merry Vose, Sheryl Maas, Rajan Patel, Michael Flores, Dallas Snadon, Niven Morgan, Shelby Wagner, Nancy Rogers, art ball
      
    Photo by William Neal
    Merry Vose, Sheryl Maas, Rajan Patel, Michael Flores, Dallas Snadon, Niven Morgan, Shelby Wagner, and Nancy Rogers at the 2015 Art Ball at the Dallas Museum of Art.
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    Celebrity wedding

    Dallas Cowboys cheerleader ties the knot in dreamy wedding in Tuscany

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Jun 16, 2025 | 4:24 pm
    Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Marissa Phillips, Braden Leschber wedding, Tuscany
    Photo by Kseniya Palchi via Facebook/Marissa Phillips and People magazine.
    Marissa Phillips and Braden Leschber wed on June 3, 2025 in Italy.

    Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Marissa Phillips married her college sweetheart, Braden Leschber, in a picture-perfect wedding under the Tuscan sun of Italy on June 3, 2025.

    People magazine got the exclusive on all the wedding details and gorgeous photos by Milan-based photographer Kseniya Palchik.

    Phillips just completed her third year with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and reportedly cut the Italian wedding trip short to return to Dallas and "buckle down" for the next season's auditions. She appeared in Season 1 of Netflix's hit series America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Season 2 begins streaming Wednesday, June 18.

    Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Marissa Phillips, Braden Leschber wedding, Tuscany
      

    Photo by Kseniya Palchi via Facebook/Marissa Phillips and People magazine.

    Marissa Phillips and Braden Leschber wed on June 3, 2025 in Italy.

    Phillips, a Round Rock native, began dating Leschber in 2017 when they were college students: she, at Texas A&M University and he, at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin. They got engaged, fittingly, on the field of AT&T Stadium in Arlington - home of the Cowboys - on August 10, 2023.

    View this post on Instagram
    A post shared by Braden Leschber (@braden_leschber)

    According to People, the couple chose to marry in Italy for two reasons: because of Phillips' proud Italian family heritage and because it was (somehow!) cheaper than a big, traditional Texas wedding. So, they and 75 friends and loved ones jetted off to romantic Tuscany for a destination wedding extravaganza that lasted several days.

    "We wanted to make this celebration as special as it could be and stray away from the typical wedding scene whenever we could," Phillips told the magazine. "We also don’t get a lot of time to slow down and enjoy the company of our friends and family, so we really loved the idea of a destination wedding, where everyone could unplug and spend time together."

    Festivities started Monday, June 2 with a welcome party that included Italy's two most important food groups: pizza and gelato.

    The wedding was held the next day at Borgo Stomennano, a historic estate in the Chianti Classico region, near Florence and Siena. According to the website, the estate's villa and farmhouses are surrounded by woods, vineyards, and olive groves in a tiny village built on ancient Roman and Etruscan ruins that are still visible.

    For the ceremony, People says, the bride wore Katherine Tash's elegant "Luna" wedding dress, featuring a wide-scooped neckline and hand-draped bodice and skirt, from Dallas bridal shop a&bé bridal. To complete her bridal look, she rented diamond stud earrings and a tennis bracelet from Verstolo and wore shoes from Bella Belle Shoes. Her hair and makeup were done by The Styling Stewardess. Bridesmaids wore black dresses from Birdy Grey and Kendra Scott jewelry.

    View this post on Instagram
    A post shared by Marissa Phillips (@marissaphillips__)

    Phillips walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of Lana Del Rey's "Video Games" and Phillips' brother-in-law officiated the Christian ceremony, in which bride and groom exchanged traditional vows.

    "[Marriage] means we are stuck with each other for life, through the good times and the bad, tied together as one under God and what God has joined together, let no man separate," Phillips told the magazine.

    At the reception, guests dined on a three-course plated dinner of Italian favorites, including trofie pasta with arugula and walnut pesto; fagottino (filled pasta) with bufala ricotta and artichokes and pecorino cheese sauce; and pork chops lacquered with honey and chopped pistachios. Dessert was traditional Italian wedding cake, which the couple "made" in front of guests. (A photo shows them sifting powdered sugar on top.)

    Phillips told People that she and Leschber took the food so seriously, they traveled to Italy a year before their wedding for a tasting with their caterer, Il Sorriso Ricevimenti.

    The bride changed into a custom party dress designed by her best friend and bridesmaid, Kathryn Emily of Belvedere Couture, made of fabric, lace and pearls from Phillips' mother's preserved wedding dress. The newlyweds and their guests then danced the night away to the live music of BritPops.

    Marissa Phillips, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders wedding.The bride and fellow Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders performed "Thunderstruck" at the reception.Photo by Kseniya Palchik via People magazine.

    And, in keeping with Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders tradition, members of the squad performed their iconic routine "Thunderstruck."

    Before heading home, the couple and their guests gathered the next day for a "La Dolce Vita"-themed pool party. The new Mr. and Mrs. then slipped away to Lake Como for a quick "mini moon." (They'll take a longer honeymoon at the end of the next Cowboys season, they say.)

    Back home in Dallas, Phillips is not only a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, but also an administrative assistant at an accounting firm and co-owner (with her sister) of the online Joey Lynn Boutique. She's also involved in the Alzheimer's Association in honor of her father, who died of Lewy Body Dementia in 2021.

    She's also a social media influencer. She went viral in December 2024 for gifting each of the 40 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders members a Dyson Airwrap hairstyling tool, valued at $600 each.

    “Huge thank you to @dysonbeauty and @dysonusa for helping me pull off the biggest surprise to the girls who deserve it most! All the love,” she wrote in the Instagram caption of a video of the women opening the $24,000 Christmas haul.

    celebritiescheerleadercowboysitalianreal-housewivesweddingweddingsmarissa phillipsvacationdallas cowboys cheerleaders
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