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    Diana's Social Diary

    Elegant Dallas Symphony Orchestra gala resonates long after final note

    Diana Oates
    Sep 19, 2016 | 6:00 am

    Every year the Dallas Symphony Orchestra hosts the first official gala of the fall, as a way to get its patrons excited about the season to come. But the 2016 soiree had special significance, because conductor Jaap van Zweden announced earlier this year that he is leaving the DSO for a post at the New York Philharmonic.

    The importance of this was not lost on gala chairs Marena and Roger Gault and honorary chair Sherwood Wagner, who welcomed well-heeled DSO patrons to the Meyerson Symphony Center on September 16 for an evening of unforgettable music and good times.

    Attendees — including Kara and Randall Goss, Rhonda and Fraser Marcus, Barbara and Don Daseke, Lisa and Clay Cooley, Ross Perot, Lynn McBee, Nancy Nasher, and David Haemisegger — posed for pictures, greeted friends, and sipped on glasses of bubbly while waiting for the dinner bell to sound. After dining on a delicious meal by Culinaire International, music lovers filed into the performance hall for the official program.

    It began with a public ceremony to honor Sanford I. Weill for his incredible contributions to arts and education in the United States. Weill, who was in from New York City, is chairman emeritus of Citigroup and CEO of Casa Rosa Ventures. He served as the chairman of Carnegie Hall for 24 years before retiring.

    Humbly accepting a standing ovation, Weill stressed the importance of keeping arts education in public schools, with the help of the private sector. He also commented that the evening’s star performer, Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang, is to classical musical what Jordan Spieth is to golf.

    The headliner was the most involved musical guest in recent memory, performing with the DSO from start to finish, including selections from both Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev. He even played multiple piano solos that left guests in awe of his musical endurance and remarkable talent.

    Once the final applause died down, it was back to the Meyerson lobby for the after-party, hosted by chair Nicholas Boulle and honorary chair Anna-Sophia van Zweden, as well as a committee of young professionals, including Shelby and Travis Goff, Amy and Wade Havins, Kristin and Jack Sheneman, Julian Leaver, and Javier Burkle and Mason McCleskey.

    Sumptuous dessert buffets, including a special display from the Original Cupcakery, awaited, but a decidedly wilder time could be found around the side.

    Fueled by margarita shooters and guacamole with fresh-made chips, after-partiers packed the dance floor, manned by DJ Steffi Burns. Respite could be found outside in the Meyerson’s courtyard, where party lights twinkled prettily in the trees.

    To soothe attendees’ soles after a long night in heels, the Ritz-Carlton Spa was doling out foot massages and slipping pedicured toes into complimentary Swarovski crystal-accented Lady Lanell’s platform sandals. That helped keep the crowd going well past midnight.

    Proceeds from this year’s gala provide support to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s education and community programs. These initiatives reach 270,000 North Texas residents annually, 30,000 of whom are children.

    Clay Cooley, Lisa Cooley, Tracy Lange, Ben Lange

    Clay Cooley, Lisa Cooley, Tracy Lange, Ben Lange
      
    Photo by Sylvia Elzafon
    Clay Cooley, Lisa Cooley, Tracy Lange, Ben Lange
    fundraisersgalassymphonymusic
    news/society

    Hot to trot

    Equest Dallas patrons pony up record $700K at blue ribbon-worthy ball

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    May 9, 2025 | 1:45 pm
    Equest Blue Ribbon Gala 2025
    Photo by Tamytha Cameron
    Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

    A sold-out crowd of 570 supporters stampeded into Gilley’s Dallas on April 25 for the 44th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala. The Western-chic affair, always one of the most highly anticipated galas of spring, would have a record-breaking night.

    Co-chairsKristin and James Hallam and honorary chairs The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and Natalie and David Taylor welcomed patrons decked out in cowboy boots and hats to Gilley's, which had been transformed into a shimmering celebration of all things Equest by event designer Steve Kemble. A “disco saddle” centerpiece even hung from the ceiling.

    Emcee Calvert Collins-Bratton welcomed the crowed with a hearty "yee haw!" Equest founder Susan Schwartz presented the Founders Award to Carol Chamberlin, whose three decades of service as volunteer, donor, and barn manager have made her an Equest organization legend. The Citation Award went to Donna and Tim Weber and their daughter Katherine, an Equest client.

    New CEO Eric Lindh took the stage to underscore Equest’s mission to provide equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling (much of it free of charge) to children, adults, and veterans. He shared the nonprofit's bold vision for the future, focusing on the number “22,” a call to action inspired by the 22 percent of Dallas County residents living with a disability, the 22 veterans lost to suicide daily in the U.S., and the 22 percent of Americans living with mental illness, while less than half of those receive treatment.

    His pledge to expand services to first responders struck a chord with the crowd, as did the moving testimonials from Equest clients.

    Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand urged the crowd to “Bid boldly. Bid big. Bid with heart,” and patrons did that in spades. Auctioneer Louis Murad encouraged bidders to raise paddles stridently, starting from initial $10,000 bids onward. Bidding got fast and furious live auction packages that included fabulous trips (with destinations such as France, Antigua, and Montana) and more. The most memorable moment came when a guest insisted Murad - ever the showman - auction off his own sparkling jacket. It fetched $2,000, a purchase by Tim Weber (who clearly loves a good statement piece).

    In total, the gala raised $700,000, the largest fundraising amount in Equest’s 44-year history. The Blue Ribbon Ball's proceeds go directly to equine-assisted therapies and other services provided by Equest; for more information, visit the organization's website.

    Equest Blue Ribbon Gala 2025
      

    Photo by Tamytha Cameron

    Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

    After a night of sipping, dining, and fundraising, patrons tried their luck at casino games and danced the night away to Jordan Kahn’s Manhattan Orchestra.

    Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were Donna Weitzman, Nancy Greenbach, Natalie Taylor, Therese Rourk, Anne Seanor, Courtney Conley, Maggie Spiegel, Tyler Bridges, Lea LaFortune, Lee and Paul Michaels, Ryan and Kelly Casey, Christina Eubanks, Megan Pharis, Julie Bagley, Laura Johnson, Parker and Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Max Clark, Jordan Glasgow, Anna Gresham, Khaki Christopher, Jessie Dornak, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Sarah and Trey Pederson, Luis Araujo, Amy Green, Kayten Elder, Sila Grogan, Melissa Placet, Tayler Reiter, Danny and Tanya Rice, Tina and Michael Beasom, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.

    news/society

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