Pop-up party

Partygoers glimpse American history at DFW nonprofit's pop-up event

What: VIP reception for "12 Score & 3 Years Ago: The Unfinished Promise of Unity" pop-up exhibit

Where: Mercury One studios in Irving

The 411: Mercury One hosted a VIP sneak-peek of its current special exhibition for the nonprofit's avid patrons and supporters on June 26. "12 Score & 3 Years Ago" is an immersive, pop-up museum exploring slavery and abolition, celebrating the lives of black heroes and innovators in the United States.

The exhibit showcases more than 100 artifacts, photographs, and historical documents, including original documents from Abraham Lincoln. There are also five eye-opening augmented reality experiences and educational tools that provide a fascinating insight into both American history and the problem of modern-day slavery around the world.

At the VIP party, Mercury One’s executive director, Suzanne Bock Grishman, welcomed guests, and COO Michael Little announced exciting partnerships for "12 Score" with The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the African American Museum of Dallas, the Frontiers of Flight Museum, the Dallas Historical Society, and the Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture.

While guests enjoyed refreshments and drinks, Mercury One founder Glenn Beck explained how the exhibit probes the Founding Fathers’ unfinished pledge of freedom in the modern American landscape. “We have to learn from our history so we can get better… The day we truly live up to the words of the Declaration of Independence, it’s time for a new mission statement," he told the crowd. "But that is so hard to do that no man or society has ever come close. We need to strive for that.”

The exhibit runs through July 7. Learn more about Mercury One and the exhibit by visiting its website.

Who: Abigail Ours, Alicia Bush, Kelly Singleton, Jim Bridgeman, Chris Charlton, Kevin Dahlberg, Molly Nolan, Brandon Deshong, Jason Buttrill, Estela Buttrill, Sam Renz, Kate Renz, Matt Payne, Kari Payne, Reggi Kemp, Yolander Thomas, and Christopher Knipp.

Michael Little, Christopher Knipp

Photo by Dana Driensky

Michael Little, Christopher Knipp

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Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler

Jazz and classical mix at Dallas Symphony Orchestra's New Orleans-style gala

Photo by Kristina Bowman

Patrick Means, Laura Harris-Means, Cassandra Johnson, Avery Johnson.

For one night only, Dallasites got to pretend they were in the Big Easy without ever leaving Texas. More than 420 guests gathered at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center on September 28 for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's gala, themed this year around the colorful culture of New Orleans.

The evening began with a champagne cocktail reception featuring the David Washburn Jazz Band playing New Orleans-style jazz on the Meyerson’s radial staircase. When the time came to transition to dinner service, members of the DSO Young Musicians played “Oh When the Saints Go Marching In” and led a second-line-style procession down the steps and through the lobby.

DSO gala 2024 It'd be impossible not to follow them.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Gala chairs Laura Harris-Means and Patrick Means, along with honorary chairs Cassandra and Avery Johnson, followed with umbrellas waving above their heads to signal to guests that it was time to be seated for an elegant dinner. The New Orleans theme continued with a Creole-inspired menu that included filet of beef, blackened Gulf prawns, asparagus, dauphinoise potatoes, and tricolored carrots.

DSO gala 2024. Patrick Means and Laura Harris-Means led the second line.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Spotted at the tables were Venise and Larry Stuart, Marena and Roger Gault, Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfeld, Rachel and John Koryl, Chuck Steelman, Nancy A. Nasher, David J. Haemisegger, Grace Cook, Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins, and District 14 Councilmembers Paul Ridley and Jamie Resendez.

After dinner, guests moved into the Eugene McDermott Concert Hall to enjoy world-renowned pianist Lang Lang in his first appearance with the DSO orchestra since the 2016 DSO gala.

The sold-out concert begin with Dallas Symphony Association chair of the Board of Governors Cece Smith thanking the 1,700 concert attendees. Smith then introduced Michelle Miller Burns, the DSO’s new president and CEO, who reminded the crowd that proceeds from the evening support the DSO’s education programs, including the Young Strings and The Kim Noltemy Young Musicians programs. These programs touch the lives of more than 243,000 North Texas residents annually, including more than 30,000 children.

DSO gala 2024 Laura Harris-Means and Young Strings student Patrick Miranda.Photo by Kristina Bowman

The 28 Young Strings, Young Musicians, and Teen Council students who were in the audience then stood to thunderous applause.

And with that, the legendary Lang Lang took to the stage on piano alongside the DSO, conducted by music director Fabio Luisi. On the program were Rachmaninoff’s expressively virtuosic Second Piano Concerto and two encores, Charlotte Sohy’s "Romance" followed by his own arrangement of the Disney/Elton John hit “Can You Feel the Love Tonight."

DSO gala 2024 Lang Lang during the performance.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

After the performance, guests returned to a lobby that had been magically transformed into Club Toulouse, an Cajun-flavored after-party experience with savory snacks, sweet desserts, and dancing to tunes spun by DJ Endolena.

DSO gala 2024 Guests danced their hearts out at the after-party.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Photo by Kristina Bowman

Patrick Means, Laura Harris-Means, Cassandra Johnson, Avery Johnson.

Next year’s gala is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025.

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