No Tie, No Problem

Charitable Dallasites chase a sugar high at artful annual fundraiser

There were many sweet reasons to celebrate during this year's No Tie Dinner & Dessert Party, which held its 12th annual shindig on April 8. More than 1,500 guests poured into the Frontiers of Flight Museum, all intent on raising funds for AIDS Services of Dallas (ASD) — and looking casually chic while doing so.

Presented by Purple Foundation and chaired by David Nelson and honorary co-chairs Tricia Sims and Dr. Alan Berg, this year's event honored ASD's 30th anniversary with the mod theme "An Artful Life." A trio of Andy Warhol impersonators mingled with the crowd, while a pair of models dressed as Roy Lichtenstein-inspired superheroes posed for pictures when not grooving atop a cupcake platform at the entrance.

That cupcake signified No Tie's signature refreshment: table after table of desserts from some of Dallas' best bake shops and eateries. Crush Sweets, Daisy Cakes, Dr. Sue’s Chocolate, Frosted Art Bakery & Studio, and many others brought an abundance of cupcakes, cookies, cheesecakes, and brownies, ensuring everyone got a sufficient sugar high. The night's signature cocktail, The Warhol, helped balance all the sweets with a refreshing mixture of Reyka Icelandic vodka, club soda, and angostura bitters.

DJ Mark Ridlen provided the beats as guests watched artists Christina D. Yielding and Clay Austin create works of art on the main stage. The live auction was heavy on one-of-a-kind experiences — everything from a week's stay in southwest France to a Steamboat Springs ski trip to a New York City excursion for Bruno Mars' 24k Magic World Tour — while the silent auction offered up valuable sports and entertainment collectibles, local experiences, and more than a few tempting baskets of wine.

ASD's 30-year mission to deliver quality, affordable, service-enriched housing for individuals and families in need was honored with a moving video. Wayne Thomas was awarded the Sheila Dolezal Humanitarian Award, while Mary Beth O’Connor was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The talented Hedda Layne then took the spotlight, singing from across the room and giving an explosive performance as she made her way through the crowd to the stage.

Notable attendees spotted in that crowd included ASD president and CEO Don Maison; ASD chairman of the board Don Neubauer; ASD board member and founder of No Tie Dennis Kershner and his partner John Moreno; past honorary chair LeeAnne Locken of The Real Housewives of Dallas; radio host Nicole Barrett; and Purple Foundation's Blake Baker, Chris Huffstutler, Sara Fangmeyer, and Dylan Orwell.

Don Neubauer, Deanna Cahill, David Nelson

Photo by Crystal Chatmon

Don Neubauer, Deanna Cahill, David Nelson

galas desserts charity fundraisers

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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