There is a certain old Hollywood feel that comes with any black tie event at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, and the 48th annual TACA RBC Wealth Management Custom Auction Gala was no exception. More than 300 North Texas performing arts supporters — dressed to the nines, of course — gathered at the chic Dallas hotel for an evening of fine food and fundraising.
After a cocktail reception, guests took their seats in the main dining room and upstairs for a meal prepared by executive chef Bruno Davaillon and his star culinary team. First was an amuse bouche of corn custard with chili granola goat cheese foam and piquillo. That was followed by chilled ahi tuna with tomato jelly and heirloom tomato in sea broth, and Prime filet and short rib on a sweet potato puree with pickled root salad and Thai herb.
After dinner, attendees — including Barbara and Don Daseke, Shelby Wagner, Lynn McBee, Michele and Stephen Vobach, John Swords, Tara Lewis, Nick Even, Niven Morgan, Capera Ryan, and Gillian and Mark Breidenbach — convened in the ballroom for champagne and miniature desserts by Mansion pastry chef Nicholas Blouin, including chocolate composition, berries panna cotta glass and pistachio cherry macaron.
Once everyone's sweet tooth was satisfied, bidders stood shoulder-to-shoulder for the exclusive live auction, chaired by Wanda Gierhart. Christie’s Los Angeles president Andrea Fiucyznski served as auctioneer and kept those paddles in the air for one-of-a-kind experiences like a trip to New York fashion week with Vogue, heading to Art Basel in Miami followed by a trip to Virgin Gorda, and even a trip to London that included a behind-the-scenes look at Christie’s and runway seats for the Burberry Prorsum fashion show.
All tallied, the live auction raised a record-breaking $195,000 for North Texas performing arts programs. To celebrate that success, sophisticates hit the dance floor and grooved to beats provided by DJ Sista Whitenoise.
“I’m thrilled to announce that this year’s TACA RBC Wealth Management Gala raised an unprecedented $615,000 through the generosity of our sponsors, friends and volunteers,” said event chairman Heather Esping. “Thank you to our many supporters who donate their time, talent and financial resources to help cultivate the arts and artists in our region.”
Shelby Wagner, Niven Morgan
More than 300 people packed On The Levee.Photo by Kim Leeson and Nate Rehlander
THRIVE award recipients Janet Moll and Dave Ashworth.Photo by Kim Leeson and Nate Rehlander