A Night to Re:Member

MTV RE:DEFINE maximizes star power for 6th spectacular year

If you’re lucky enough to have grabbed a ticket to this year’s sold-out MTV RE:DEFINE on Friday, March 24, at the Dallas Contemporary, you’re in for quite a night. Always one of the most anticipated moments of the spring season, the gala kicks off what has now evolved into Dallas’ “Arts Month,” bringing in heavy hitters among the honorees, performers, and attendees alike.

Beyond Grammy award-winning artist Chaka Khan, beyond the blue-chip-works curated by Neville Wakefield, and beyond this year’s artist honoree Eric Fischl, this year’s RE:DEFINE is sure to have a special emotional resonance all its own.

Co-founded by the Goss-Michael Foundation, RE:DEFINE’s very good causes (the night has raised over $8 million to date for the MTV Staying Alive Foundation) were championed by the foundation’s co-founder, pop star George Michael, who passed away last December. Organizers of this year’s event, which also benefits the Dallas Contemporary, will acknowledge his philanthropic contributions with a special tribute that is sure to bring the house down.

Says Joyce Goss, the foundation’s executive director, “A recipient of multiple MTV awards, George first brought attention to the AIDS pandemic in a MTV public service video. He was an extremely caring and very generous man. His memory lives on in his wonderful music and in the many causes he believed in. This year, our efforts to raise awareness for HIV and AIDS also honors the man responsible for its beginnings."

Michael will also be celebrated with one of the night’s most coveted works: Damien Hirst is contributing a spin-art take on the pop artist’s beautiful visage to the auction.

Bidders will also find gems from the likes of Ross Bleckner, Nick Knight, Michael Craig-Martin, Richard Phillips, Gilbert & George, and Fischl. An icon of American art, Fischl says his participation was a way for him to celebrate organizations such as the Contemporary and the Staying Alive Foundation.

“Through their great programs in arts education and HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, they bring a more meaningful and deeper sensitivity and empathy towards diversity,” says the artist.

Artistic fashion designer Johnson Hartig will also be honored during the evening. If you didn’t manage to get on the now-sold-out guest list, don’t fret: Tickets remain for the event’s after-party, with Hartig behind the decks alongside supermodel Chandra North, aka DJ Dilettante. Post-auction, partygoers will be able to bid on works in the silent auction on-site until the last record is spun.

Despite this year’s stellar lineup, chairwoman Maxine Trowbridge (who is also on board for next year) says this is just the beginning. “I think the nature of the event is every year is an improvement of the last. This year, the art is incredible and it’s more poignantly special, but you do want to keep trying and making it better year after year.”

Stay tuned for 2018.

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MTV RE:DEFINE presented by The Joule is March 24, 7 pm-midnight, at Dallas Contemporary. Tickets start at $1,000. Patrons can also bid on works remotely through Paddle 8.

Art fans can snag Surrounded by Dogs by Eric Fischl at the RE:DEFINE auction on March 24 at the Dallas Contemporary.

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Fundraising fun

Dallas’ Night at the Museum gala brings in $2M for Perot programs

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez

On Saturday, November 8, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science opened its doors, after hours, for one of Dallas’ most anticipated galas of fall: Night at the Museum.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez

Led by co-chairs Shelly and Michael Dee in honor of Sally and Forrest Hoglund, the 2025 Night at the Museum immersed guests in a science-y wonderland of interactive exhibits, fun cocktails, unique cuisine, and more.

Guests agreed: The couldn't-miss highlight of the evening was the 10-Minute Restaurant, which transformed the museum gift shop into a five-star culinary adventure by Wolfgang Puck Catering, reminiscent of how they serve celebrities at the Oscars. Amid all the night's action, it was a great way to sneak in a quick bite and some one-on-one time with a date in a VIP-like setting.

Attendees also noshed from a Living Crudité Bar, an Off the Bone beef station, a paella station, enjoyed "roaming tiramisu," and stopped servers in their tracks for the famous Night at the Museum pot pies. No one went thirsty, either, as guests sipped creative cocktails like Sorbete de Sangria de Cava and the sparkling “Aqua Pearl,” enjoyed a 196 Vodka Seltzer Bar, and a refueled at a coffee cart that opened at the after-party.

Guests got to dig like paleontologists at the Paleo Lab, ooh and ahh at the sparking Aquamarine on the display in the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall, and learn all about little creepy-crawlies in the Bug Lab Exhibit. Another favorite activity was the Iris Photography, which turned photos of the human eye into works of art.

In total, the crowd of "after-hours scientists" raised $2 million to help fund field trips, outreach, discounted admission and memberships to the Perot, and more.

Among the notable attendees were Margot Perot, Dr. Linda Silver, Marilynn Thoma, Carl Thoma, Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez, David and Mary Henderson, Katie and Jerome Rose, Lyda Hill, Cade McCarter, DeWitt McCarter, Kelly Compton, Kenna McCarter, John Sughrue, Marlene Sughrue, Kate and Steve Sigfusson, Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart, Grace Cook, Laura Compton, Angus Mitchell, Rachel Mitchell, Martine and Michael Philippe, and many more patrons and supporters.

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