What: Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Southern Savour Supper Club
Where: The Dallas estate of Amanda and Brint Ryan
The 411: As the sun descended on a sparkling spring evening, the Suzuki Strings serenaded guests arriving to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League's spring benefit April 28. Amanda and Brint Ryan welcomed 200 people to their magnificent Preston Hollow estate for a night of exquisite cuisine, convivial company, and sweet music — all with Southern-style hospitality.
Event chair Bettina Hennessy, co-chair Renée Querbes Farren, honorary chair Sherwood Wagner, and DSOL president Lisa Loy Laughlin created a night full of extra-special details (such as flour-sack tea towels with sassy sayings set at each place on the tables).
The "Supper Club," a chic garden party, was based on a concept from two separate organizations: The St. Francisville Southern Garden Symposium and the Delta Supper Club, the organizers said.
Guests sipped wine and craft cocktails featuring Dallas-distilled Duckworth vodka as they admired the art and furnishings inside the Ryans' home on their way to the back outdoor terrace. There, dozens of silent auction items lined the balcony overlooking the pool and backyard. Patrons could bid on high-end wines, retail and restaurant experiences, jewelry, and more. A generous wine pull ensured that everyone could go home with a bottle, even if they didn't have a winning auction bid.
When it was time to sit down to dinner — set up al fresco on the front lawn — a family-style feast commenced. Revered chef Dean Fearing and his team from Fearing's had prepared a menu full of Southern classics, and he personally greeted guests as they dined. Favorite dishes included Granny Fearing’s “paper bag shook” fried chicken, heirloom tomato pie, Homestead Mills jalapeño cheese grits, roasted okra with applewood smoked bacon and cherry tomato, and sweet corn and crawfish maque choux with voodoo peppers. A dessert station was set with bourbon pecan tarts, banana pudding, Key lime pies, and assorted macaroons.
The award-winning One O’Clock Lab Band from the University of North Texas provided the live soundtrack to dinner from a stage set up near the tables.
Laughlin and the event chairs formally welcomed guests and gave a special "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" best-dressed gentleman award to Bill Caruth.
Auctioneer Wendy Lambert made sure bidding got competitive in a live auction of several fabulous items, including a getaway to Kiawah Island, South Carolina; dinner at Fearing's and Ritz-Carlton hotel stay; and tickets to next year's DSO Gala starring superstar violinist Joshua Bell.
Patrons were generous, as every dollar raised went to DSOL's mission to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Community Outreach and Education Programs, such as DSO on the Go, Community Concerts and Performances, Cecil and Ida Green Youth Concerts, Symphony Yes!, DSO Kids, and Young Strings. The group has raised over $20 million in its 72 years of existence.
Who: Dallas Symphony CEO Kim Noltemy, Kendall Laughlin, Michael Hennessy, Fallon Hennessy, Shareese Rowland, Brad Rowland, Minnie Jean Caruth, Marena Gault, Roger Gault, Barbara Daseke, Don Daseke, Shelby Fuqua, Deborah Brown, and Don Averitt.
Shareese Rowland, Brad Rowland
Natalie Boerder, Kaleta Blaffer-Johnson, Meredith Connally, Jennifer Cifuentes, Nathalie Barrera, Hayden Hrncir.Photo by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio
A quartet played Rodgers and Hammerstein tunes during dinner. Photo by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio