Social High Note

Vivaldi Patron Circle throws stylish kickoff for DSO gala after-party

Social High Note

Vivaldi Patron Circle throws stylish kickoff for DSO gala after-party

Anna Sophia van Zweden, Anne StodghilPhoto by Kristina Bowman
Chad Cohen, Chrystal ClarkPhoto by Kristina Bowman
Christie Douglas, Sara Dawn Wilkins, Keith Diamond, Allison EdwardsPhoto by Kristina Bowman
Jenny Shepard, Nick Weege, Cat SimmondsPhoto by Kristina Bowman
Steven Lindsey, Ron Orta, Julian LeaverPhoto by Kristina Bowman
Michael Wilkens, Jessica PainePhoto by Kristina Bowman
Jessica Beasley, Nina Barbier-Mueller TollettPhoto by Kristina Bowman
Christie Douglas, Jose Reyes, Allison EdwardsPhoto by Kristina Bowman
Caneel Anthony, Blake MasoPhoto by Kristina Bowman
Boyd Lyles, Melanie Wright, Jenny ShepardPhoto by Kristina Bowman

Dallas social butterflies don’t wait for the big event to start celebrating. They gather at an abundance of kick-off parties in sweet anticipation of the grand galas that define the fall social season.

The Vivaldi Patron Circle, the young professionals group of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, is no exception to this rule. To kick off the 2013 AT&T DSO gala and the after-party hosted by Vivaldi, stylish young philanthropists — including evening host Jose Reyes, Jenny Shepard, Blake Maso, Christie Douglas, Allison Edwards, Sara Dawn Wilkins, Chad Cohen and Cat Simmonds — gathered at the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum: The Samurai Collection for a night of music and mingling.

The party began with an awe-inspiring performance of Torisho Miyuzami's “Banraku.” Later, DSO gala chair Anne Stodghill introduced Anna Sophia Zweden, this year’s after-party chair, who announced after-party honorary chair Capera Ryan.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 28, when internationally renowned soprano Renée Fleming joins DSO music director Jaap van Zweden for an inspired performance. The after-party will bring small bites, drinks, jazz and beats by DJ Lucy Wrubel.

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Matcha News

Dallas TikTok star Keith Lee crafts matcha drink for flood relief

Keith Lee hoists his special matcha drink. Instagram

The devastating floods that swept across Central Texas on July 4 are bringing out all kinds of charitable endeavors — and that includes a limited-edition beverage from Dallas' favorite TikTok food influencer Keith Lee.

Lee, a social media sensation whose online food reviews have benefited hundreds of small restaurants, is partnering with Dallas-based La La Land Cafe on a special drink: Called the La La Land X Keith Lee Latte, it's a matcha drink in which 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards Kerr County flood relief.

La La Land is the coffee chain founded in Dallas in 2019 with a mission to provide opportunities for fostering youth and individuals in need. It now has 10 locations across Dallas-Fort Worth, plus three in Houston and six in Southern California.

The new Keith Lee Latte will consist of double ceremonial matcha, with secret syrup, matcha cloud, a whole fresh strawberry, flaky salt, and matcha powder. (Lee can be seen enjoying the beverage in this video.)

Matcha is the Japanese green tea powder that has experienced a surge in popularity, appearing in everything from drinks like the matcha latte to desserts like matcha mousse.

Keith Lee Latte is a matcha drink.Instagram

Lee, who relocated to Dallas in 2024, has been on a matcha kick ever since he tried it in Chicago, which he says "led me down a rabbit hole," and it has become his trademark drink. In May, he visited seven cafes across DFW in search of the perfect matcha in town, and that included La La Land, where he ordered a matcha with almond milk.

He also has a charitable history, including a special visit he made to Taste Project in Fort Worth to donate $4,000 to support the nonprofit's mission to fight food insecurity.

The Keith Lee Latte will be available at all La La Land cafes beginning Friday July 11, for a limited time only. From July 11-27, 100 percent of all proceeds will support flood relief efforts in Kerr County - "a community in our home state that’s hurting," La La Land Cafe says.

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