summer soiree

Former Cowboys great helps Dallas charity stride ahead at Blue Ribbon Ball

Ivan and Leslie Rousseau with Equest mini ambassadors Ranger and Dare.

Photo by Nate Rehlander

What: Equest 41st Annual Gala: Blue Ribbon Ball

Where: Equest at Texas Horse Park

The 411: On a balmy Saturday night, June 4, Blue Ribbon Ball co-chairs Carol and Bill Huckin, Finley and Eric Konrade, and Elsa Norwood, along with honorary chairs Leslie and Hawkins Golden, welcomed more than 550 patrons to the 41st edition of the beloved gala.

Partygoers arrived to the covered outdoor affair, first grabbing bubbly libations from the champagne wall, then posing for photos with Equest's "equine friends" along a blue ribbon-inspired carpet that ran the length of the horse barn aisle.

Once inside the Al Hill, Jr. Arena, attendees enjoyed signature cocktails, wine, and beer, while bidding on fabulous silent auction items and purchasing raffle tickets for a chance to win five different prizes.

At dinnertime, guests were greeted by emcee Jody Dean, the color guard from American Legion Post 21, a performance of "America the Beautiful" by Jana Bell, and an invocation by the Rev. Virzola Law of Northway Christian Church. Equest’s CEO Lili Kellogg then underscored the mission of the organization — to provide physical and occupational therapy, therapeutic horsemanship, and equine-facilitated counseling to those in need.

Patrons enjoyed a multicourse meal starring bistro filet of beef and lemon basil chicken, capped off by peach and blackberry shortcake; and dancers from Arthur Murray entertained.

The coveted Citation Award was given to former Equest board chair Lane Cates and her husband, Brad McLain, before featured speaker, former NFL Dallas Cowboys player Timmy Newsome, took the stage. He delivered a powerful message about his own personal journey with his son, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at an early age, and will be attending Collin College this fall.

Auctioneer Louis Murad led a spirited auction for one-of-a-kind travel experiences, and partygoers hit the dance floor to move and groove to the sounds of the Mattison Live Band. For more information about Equest, visit equest.org.

Who: David Reed, Chloe Reed, Aimee Ives, Alan Ives, Karl Metzger, Sara Metzger, Abby Tonne, Brandon Tonne, Priscilla Vargas, Joslin Gonzalez, Elizabeth Gallegos, Rodolfo Gallegos, David Davidson, Tiffany Divis, Michael Faircloth, Bill Noble, Kristin Brittan, Gregg Podleski, Kendall Laughlin, Lisa Loy Laughlin, Jessica Hipschen, Austin Hipschen, Teal Griffeth, Annie Griffeth, Louise Griffeth, Sophie Ward, Carolyn Anderson, Inez Browning, Ivan Rousseau, and Leslie Rousseau.

David Davidson, Tiffany Divis, Michael Faircloth

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

David Davidson, Tiffany Divis, Michael Faircloth

galas

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.

museums fundraisers galas