Pivoting for charity

5 hot virtual fundraisers every Dallas socialite should click to attend now

Coronavirus wiped out the entire spring calendar of big fundraising events in Dallas. And, while many charitable luncheons and galas got canceled or moved to an already crowded fall, some are using technology to go digital.

From online auctions to virtual visitors at Zoom meetings, here are five hot high-tech initiatives raising money for worthy causes in Dallas this month.

Junior League of Dallas
Junior League's annual Auction Party is one of the most anticipated events of spring for Dallas young professionals. This year's party, themed, “Deep in the Heart of Dallas,” got canceled. But the community agencies JLD supports still need them, so the group has taken its auction online.

JLD's virtual auction, May 7-14, features more than 275 items including getaways, jewelry, clothes, spa and gym packages, photography packages, items for the home and pet, golf outings, kids' items, restaurant gift cards, and more. Bidding ends at 10 pm Thursday, May 14, and items will be available for pickup at JLD Headquarters May 21-23. There's even a diamond pull for $50 per ticket.

To view items and join the auction, go here.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra League
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League is hosting an online raffle in place of its annual Savor the Symphony seated dinner. Proceeds benefit the outreach and education programs of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

Raffle items are divided into two tiers. Tier 1 items include a Bravo! Festival in Vail package and a Gold Stradivarius Membership. Tier 1 tickets are one for $500, three for $1,200, five for $2,000. Tier 2 Raffle items include Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala Tickets, Loge Tickets & Dinner, and Sip & Savor and Wine & Dine packages. Tier 2 Tickets are one for $100 and seven for $500. In addition, underwriting sponsorships and "in honor of" donations may be made.

Raffle ticket payments must be received by Wednesday, May 13 to be included in the drawing. Blind drawings will take place on May 22.

For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit the Savor the Symphony website.

AWARE
The annual AWARE Affair gala raises critical funds for organizations that help to fight Alzheimer's. The canceled gala has been turned into an online auction for dozens of fabulous prize packages and experiences. They include gift cards to top Dallas restaurants, fashion accessories and shopping excursions, spa treatments, sports tickets, and luxury hotel stays. Bidding opens at 9 am Friday, May 15 and closes at 8 pm Friday, May 22.

Browse the auction items and register to bid on the event's website.

Girls Inc.
To celebrate 50 years of transforming girls’ lives, Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas will hold a virtual gala at 5:30 pm Saturday, May 16. Former WFAA anchor Gloria Campos will host the evening, which will include with a special musical performance by best-selling singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor. Cecilia and Garrett Boone will be honored at the interactive event. The virtual gala is free to attend, but registration is required by May 15.

The goal of Girls Inc. is to provide young girls — especially those in low-income households — with academic and emotional support that will help them overcome obstacles they face growing up.

For more information and registration, visit the event's website.

Equest
Equest provides equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling to children and adults with physical, cognitive, sensory, coping and learning disabilities, as well as veterans. The organization has made a creative pivot after the loss of its big spring gala.

Equest’s therapy horses are making cameo appearances on company video conference calls. Customers can reserve 10 minutes live with one of Equest’s 30 therapy horses — miniature or full-sized — or Taco the miniature donkey, for a $50 donation. Money raised helps support Equest’s mission to provide hope and healing through the human-horse connection.

To schedule a horse appearance, call 972-412-1099 with the date and time of the video conference, payment information, and horse preference. Horses are available weekdays, 9 am-5 pm, on a limited basis.

For more information and to view the horses, visit Equest's website.

Taco from Equest can join your Zoom meeting, too.

Photo courtesy of Equest

Taco from Equest can join your Zoom meeting, too.

fundraisers charity

Standing Ovation

Dallas crowd rocks out and raises record-breaking funds at Bravo Gala

Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico.

It might have been pouring rain on November 20, but that didn't stop more than 300 arts supporters from flocking to the ruby-lit Winspear Opera House for the 2025 AT&T Performing Arts Center's Bravo! Gala.

Gala co-chairs Alina and Ruben Esquivel and Candice and Adam C. Wright welcomed a crowd that included longtime arts champions, civic leaders, philanthropists, and supporters, among them honorees Shannon and Ted Skokos, whose dedication to the Center’s mission was celebrated throughout the night. Does that name sound familiar? It should if you've ever seen a show at the Winspear — their name is emblazoned on the front of the stage.

2025 ATTPAC Bravo Gala Texas Ballet Theater and The Dallas Opera performed together during cocktail hour.Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

The evening unfolded as a journey through the heartbeat of Dallas arts. All five of ATTPAC's resident companies took the stage (the lobby landing) during cocktail hour for spotlight performances that showcased the range and richness of the Center’s artistic ecosystem.

Guests cheered the vibrant traditions of Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico and the emotional depth of Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and a standout moment came when The Dallas Opera and Texas Ballet Theater united for a gorgeous performance together. Zachary J. Willis, a Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company member, represented Dallas Theater Center by crooning several jazz standards during dinner on the Winspear stage.

2025 ATTPAC Bravo Gala Headliner Michael Cavanaugh and honorees Shannon and Ted Skokos.Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

Damon and Adrienne Mosley, Shameka and William Matthews.

But it was the night’s featured performer, Grammy- and Tony-nominated artist Michael Cavanaugh, who brought the house fully to its feet. Handpicked by Billy Joel for the Broadway hit Movin’ Out, Cavanaugh delivered the same electricity as his mentor. His voice channeled the grit and soul of Joel's songbook, along with some of Elton John's biggest hits. As he moved between piano and vocals with magnetic ease, the audience responded exactly as if they were at a rock concert: clapping, cheering, and dancing along.

That same energy carried seamlessly into the after-party, where DJ EndoLena kept the dance floor packed well past the official end time.

Spotted mingling throughout the night were ATTPAC president and CEO Warren Tranquada, Deedie Rose (of Potter Rose Performance Hall legacy), Barbara Thomas Lemmon, Hal and Diane Brierley, soon-to-be-retired Arts District executive director Lily Cabatu Weiss and husband Jeff Weiss, Eugene McDermott Foundation's Grace Cook, AT&T's Matt Hickey, Brendan McGuire and Amber Scanlan from PNC, and ATTPAC board chair Jill Louis and board vice-chair Lynn McBee.

2025 ATTPAC Bravo Gala Dinner was served on the Winspear Opera House stage.Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

Throughout the night, excitement also swirled around the raffle, with packages that had guests dreaming of future adventures. A luxury Broadway weekend in New York promised first-class travel, a plush hotel stay, and tickets to two shows of the winner’s choosing. A Dallas staycation offered indulgence closer to home with a night at HALL Arts Hotel, dinner at Ellie’s, and box seats to a performance at the Center. Groups of friends imagined piling into a party bus for a Broadway Girls’ Night Out, while others eyed a $2,500 Eiseman Jewels shopping spree or “The Perfect 10,” pairing restaurant gift cards with seats to five Broadway at the Center productions.

All told, the AT&T Performing Arts Center’s signature event raised a record-breaking $550,000 to fuel the Center’s education, engagement, and free public programming initiatives.

fundraisers concerts attpac winspear opera house att performing arts center broadway bravo gala michael cavanaugh billy joel galas

Pivoting for charity

5 hot virtual fundraisers every Dallas socialite should click to attend now

Taco from Equest can join your Zoom meeting, too.

Standing Ovation

Dallas crowd rocks out and raises record-breaking funds at Bravo Gala

Crazy wave of Dallas restaurants and bars have all just opened

Ambitious Indian restaurant Jashan opens at Plano's Legacy North

Surprising Dallas neighbor ranks among hottest ZIP codes in U.S.