There are some social butterflies who would never miss a theme party — or a chance to do good. The 18th annual Toast to Life, benefiting Resource Center Dallas, fulfilled both.
Held at the Empire Room in the Dallas Design District and co-chaired by Judy Sherman and Steve Atkinson, this year’s event had a Mad Hatter theme. So imagine all the terrific toppers — from a typical top hat to a bowler with fuzzy pink bunny ears to a magical mushroom. (I can’t say no one tried to lick it.)
Restaurant such as Truluck’s, R+D Kitchen, and Stock & Barrel provided bites to soak up the champagne and Stoli cocktails. That food was important to fuel the folks tearing up the dance floor, thanks to tunes spun by DJ Lady Bunny.
Fun aside, fundraising was the point of this awesome evening, helped along by a live auction, led by the incomparable Steve Kemble. A silent auction, officially dubbed the Queen of Hearts’ Garden, included everything from jewelry and artwork to restaurant gift certificates and luxury hotel stays.
When not bidding, dancing, or drinking, festive attendees — LeeAnn Locken (fromthe Real Housewives of Dallas) and cohort Cynthia Smoot, Anne Tramer and Johnathan Brownlee, Mike Cowan, Tom Boyd-Lloyd, Joe Grimes, Roger Poindexter, Darnell Williams, Jhonatan Arreola, Ralph Randall, and Lucilo Pena — took turns at the step-and-repeat or snapped selfies on their phones.
Toast to Life benefits the programs and services of Resource Center Dallas, which empowers the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities and all people affected by HIV through improving health and wellness, strengthening families and communities, and providing transformative education and advocacy.
Lady Bunny
