Cheers for a Cause

Dallas revelers get in the holiday spirit at bourbon-laced social

What's the quickest way to get people in the holiday mood? A festive cocktail — or four. Woodford Reserve and CultureMap served up seasonal libations and party inspiration at the Holiday Spirit Social, which was held at 3015 Trinity Groves and culminated in a expert-led whiskey tasting and four-course meal from Harlowe MXM.

Guests could get menu ideas (and recipes!) for their upcoming holiday soirees by sampling the pairings, which ranged from sweet to savory.

A tart and tangy cranberry mule made with Woodford Reserve bourbon accented a brioche topped with whipped goat cheese and Asian spiced pear, while a maple old fashioned balanced bites of praline-pecan chicken. The Holiday Chai Boulevardier packed a woody, spicy punch thanks to its chai tea-infused sweet vermouth, and went well with the Thai pork satay skewers. Woodford Reserve rye and spiced cherry bitters put a fruity spin on the classic Manhattan, which was served with sweet potato cakes topped with a dollop of harvest chutney.

Once everyone had sipped and nibbled from the starters, it was time to sit and learn about not only bourbon, but the night's cause. One hundred percent of the ticket sales from the Holiday Spirit Social were donated to Mankind, a Dallas-based nonprofit that raises funds and awareness for prostate cancer. Travis Robertson, Dan Russell, and William Whaling explained Mankind's mission before turning the stage over to Brown Forman's Charlie Moore and head chef at Harlowe MXM, Ben Leath.

Moore led the crowd through a tasting of three different kinds of Woodford Reserve bourbon, explaining the notes and complexities of each and demonstrating how different flavors (such as cranberry, dark chocolate, and hazelnut) could enhance event further.

Chef Leath introduced the special menu he had prepared for the evening, which began with an apple-bacon tartelette drizzled in Woodford Reserve caramel. Second was a salad of Woodford Reserve-glazed, grilled Seckel pears and arugula, topped with Camembert cheese and toasted pecans. The main course was free-range turkey roulade with Woodford Reserve safe stuffing, roasted cranberry mustard jou, and crispy Brussels sprouts. A Woodford Reserve orange dreamsicle tart with orange whiskey caramel and an almond crust signaled the end of the meal.

Before heading out into the night (an Uber discount was thoughtfully provided for those who felt they'd sampled a bit too much), guests could graze at the dessert bar, which included everything from mini chocolate mousse cups to macarons.

Katie Moore, Jake Mitchell

Photo by WJNPHOTO

Katie Moore, Jake Mitchell

dinner holidays cocktails

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.