Two x Two at 22

Dallas' most glorious gala and art auction draws a surreal $11 million

Here's a statistic that'll make you drop your Dom Perignon: Of the $104 million raised for amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art in Two x Two Gala's 22 years, an eye-popping $11 million of it came at a gala last weekend. In the year of corona-recovery, 2021.

Cheers to their theme "Big Love."

On Saturday, October 23 (while the other half of the city was whooping it up at Cattle Baron's Ball), the sold-out, black-tie dinner and contemporary art auction attracted 490 guests to the Rachofsky House for what has become one of fall's grandest galas. Until last fall, that is, when we-all-know-what canceled the whole affair.

“Welcome back, and this year welcome back really means something," said Howard Rachofsky, who along with his wife, Cindy, founded the event and co-hosted with Lisa and John Runyon. "As we reflect on these past 18 months and the dramatic changes in everyone’s daily life, the opportunity to get together for two profoundly worthy causes is a reason to cheer. After a surreal absence last year, we are thrilled to be supporting amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art.”

Presented by Nancy C. Rogers and designed by Todd Fiscus of Todd Events, the dinner took place in the traditional 7,000-square-foot geodesic dome tent, which soars 48 feet in the center. It was transformed into a space inspired by honored artist Yoshitomo Nara’s works: organic shapes and colors, a prominent leaf motif, and palettes of chartreuse, burgundy, orange, and ivory inside and outside of the tent.

The evening began with a Tequila Casa Dragones, Moët Hennessy USA, and Belvedere cocktail reception and an art and luxury item silent auction, followed by a seated, multicourse dinner.

AmfAR co-chairs T. Ryan Greenawalt and Kevin McClatchy presented Nara with amfAR’s 2021 Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS.

After dinner, pop singer Rita Ora entertained with a set of her hits, including, "Let You Love Me,” “Ritual,” “Lonely Together,” and “Anywhere.”

There were 130 artworks offered in the live and silent auctions, plus a number of luxury and experiential packages. Conducted by Michael Macaulay of Sotheby's, the live auction featured works by María Berrío, Bosco Sodi, Asuka Anastacia Ogawa, Peter Bradley, Joel Mesler, Jiro Takamatsu, and Nara. When the final gavel was dropped, $11 million had been raised.

The party didn't stop when the bidding ceased. An after-party, presented by Neiman Marcus and conceptualized by Todd Events with the theme "Big Love," rocked the back garden of The Rachofsky House until the wee hours. It was officially the third party of the Two x Two weekend, as the First Look preview party had taken place two days earlier at Highland Park Village.

Two x Two has become the largest fundraiser in the United States for essential AIDS research at amfAR, as well as the largest single annual source of funds for contemporary art acquisitions at the DMA. Through its funding, the DMA has added more than 295 major works of contemporary art to its permanent collection.

Notable gala attendees included Dirk and Jessica Nowitzki, Jerry and Gene Jones, Cornelia Guest, Adam Lippes, Justin and Kimberly Whitman, Jack Moody, Elle Moody, Ross Moody, Elaine and Neils Agather, Elisa and Stephen Summers, Nancy Dedman, Capera Ryan, Hugh Washburne, Wes Gordon, Geoffroy Von Raemdonck, Gerald Ford, Electra Ford, Kelli Ford, Hassan Pierre, Naznin and Mahmoud Khimji, Ceron, Tracy and Josh Madans, John and Deborah Scott, Mariel Sholem, Carolina Alvarez-Mathies, Karl Michael, Kristen and Reed Gibbins, Lele and Armand Sadoughi, Kara Goss, Stephanie Seay, Bela Cooley, Teal Black, Lee Evans Lee, Tina Craig, Leigh Ann Clark, Brittney Webb, Mark Solomon, Alvise Orsini, Filippo Tattoni-Marcozzi, Paul Arnold, Susan and Bob Kaminski, Phil and Samantha Wortley, Deena Abdulaziz, Christen Wilson, Muffin Lemak, Aindrea Emelife, Dana Arnold, Bernard and Michelle Nussbaumer, Channing Corbett, Moll and Charlie Anderson, Simon Bland, Kaleta Blaffer Johnson, Jordan Jones Munoz, Christian Munoz, Brian Bolke, Faisal Halum, Cameron Silver, Stephen Farish, Lauren Allday, Kevin Kramer, and James and Kristin Hallam.

Capera Ryan, Hugh Washburne

Photo by Bruno, Snap the Picture

Capera Ryan, Hugh Washburne

galas

Hot to trot

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

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.

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.