Having a Ball

Junior League shows Dallas how it's done at marvelous 52nd annual ball

Having a Ball

Junior League shows Dallas how it's done at marvelous 52nd annual ball

Noelle LeVeaux, Kate Rose Marquez, Joanna Clarke, Gillian BreidenbachPhoto by Dana Driensky
Annika Call, Wendy Messmann, Katy BockPhoto by Dana Driensky
Heather Roberts, Laura Johnson, Julie BagleyPhoto by Dana Driensky
Tyler Perkins, Shivangi PokharelPhoto by Dana Driensky
Susan Wells Jenevein, Bob JeneveinPhoto by Dana Driensky
Wendy Messmann, Boyd MessmannPhoto by Dana Driensky
Katherine LaLonde, Gillian BreidenbachPhoto by Dana Driensky
Laura Johnson, David JohnsonPhoto by Dana Driensky
This year's theme was “Rio Carnival ... A Night in La Cidade Maravilhosa ... The Marvelous City.”Photo by Dana Driensky
Bob Scheider brought down the house.Photo by Dana Driensky
The entrance set the tone for the evening.Photo by Dana Driensky
A drumline led guests into the Chantilly Ballroom.Photo by Dana Driensky

More than 600 supporters filled the Hilton Anatole for the 52nd annual Junior League of Dallas Ball. Although the crowd comprised mostly the glam gals of the Junior League, there were quite a few handsome gentlemen there to share in the momentous occasion.

In keeping with the theme, “Rio Carnival ... A Night in La Cidade Maravilhosa ... The Marvelous City,” masquerade dancers flanked the entrance to greet guests, who began the evening sharing cocktails and stories about a fantastic year of service and leadership in the community.

Following the cocktail reception, a drumline led attendees — including Noelle LeVeaux, Kate Rose Marquez, Joanna Clarke, Gillian Breidenbach, Annika Cail and Katy Bock — into the Chantilly Ballroom, which was a vision of silver and gold, with abstract table arrangements filled with ostrich and peacock feathers.

Once the group was seated, ball chair Wendy Messmann and Junior League of Dallas president Laura Johnson reflected on the league’s accomplishments and celebrated the JLD’s many donors, members and volunteers. Katherine LaLonde and Margaret Crow, this year’s honorary chairs, were also given some much-deserved recognition.

After an elegant meal of confit duck leg pozole, grilled filet of beef chimichurri, and cinnamon ice cream chocolate sundaes, it was time for the real party to begin. The Junior League enlisted Bob Schneider to share in the celebration, and he obliged with a one-of-a-kind musical performance featuring funk, soul, folk, country and rock. The evening ended with a late-night party featuring entertainment by Professor D.

Founded in 1922, the Junior League of Dallas trains members for effective participation in the community and is dedicated to the belief that volunteer service is an essential part of responsible citizenship.

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Matcha News

Dallas TikTok star Keith Lee crafts matcha drink for flood relief

Keith Lee hoists his special matcha drink. Instagram

The devastating floods that swept across Central Texas on July 4 are bringing out all kinds of charitable endeavors — and that includes a limited-edition beverage from Dallas' favorite TikTok food influencer Keith Lee.

Lee, a social media sensation whose online food reviews have benefited hundreds of small restaurants, is partnering with Dallas-based La La Land Cafe on a special drink: Called the La La Land X Keith Lee Latte, it's a matcha drink in which 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards Kerr County flood relief.

La La Land is the coffee chain founded in Dallas in 2019 with a mission to provide opportunities for fostering youth and individuals in need. It now has 10 locations across Dallas-Fort Worth, plus three in Houston and six in Southern California.

The new Keith Lee Latte will consist of double ceremonial matcha, with secret syrup, matcha cloud, a whole fresh strawberry, flaky salt, and matcha powder. (Lee can be seen enjoying the beverage in this video.)

Matcha is the Japanese green tea powder that has experienced a surge in popularity, appearing in everything from drinks like the matcha latte to desserts like matcha mousse.

Keith Lee Latte is a matcha drink.Instagram

Lee, who relocated to Dallas in 2024, has been on a matcha kick ever since he tried it in Chicago, which he says "led me down a rabbit hole," and it has become his trademark drink. In May, he visited seven cafes across DFW in search of the perfect matcha in town, and that included La La Land, where he ordered a matcha with almond milk.

He also has a charitable history, including a special visit he made to Taste Project in Fort Worth to donate $4,000 to support the nonprofit's mission to fight food insecurity.

The Keith Lee Latte will be available at all La La Land cafes beginning Friday July 11, for a limited time only. From July 11-27, 100 percent of all proceeds will support flood relief efforts in Kerr County - "a community in our home state that’s hurting," La La Land Cafe says.

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