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    Dallas' grandest gala

    Colorful Crystal Charity Ball tangos into Dallas with South American flair

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Dec 11, 2019 | 2:10 pm

    Crystal Charity Ball 2019 brought vibrant South American style to Dallas' grandest gala.

    Ball chairwoman Pat McEvoy chose the theme "South American Mosaic" for its 67th edition and transformed the Hilton Anatole Hotel's foyer and ballroom with the sights, sounds, and tastes of that colorful continent.

    More than 1,500 guests, dressed in their most dazzling ballgowns and tuxedos, arrived to the hotel for the beloved event on December 7. Upon entering, they walked down a hallway of towering plants and flowers made to look like a tropical rain forest, complete with performance artists costumed as a butterfly, big cat, and exotic bird.

    The Instagram-worthy backdrops continued inside the lobby, where a gurgling fountain and brilliant floral creations were popular photo stops.

    After having professional portraits made by John French Photography and grabbing glasses of wine and bubbly, attendees — including Sabrina Harrison, Field Harrison, Chuck Steelman, Keana Meyer, Dean Fearing, Wanda Fearing, Julia Kananna, Leah Pasant, Luane McWhorter, Lisa Cooley, C.A. Anderson, Annette Anderson, Jennifer Sampson, and Edward Sampson — snaked their way around the silent auction offerings.

    Up for grabs this year were dozens upon dozens of magnificent trips, fine jewelry, artwork, runway fashion experiences, one-of-a-kind accessories, and many more exquisite items. One head-turning piece was a stunning Alexander McQueen gold bead and pearl-encrusted knuckle clutch, which didn't get too far in bidding before someone opted to "buy it now" for $1,500. Ditto on a chance to spend Thanksgiving Day with the Dallas Cowboys, which was sold quickly for $22,000. Of special note this year were several packages featuring stays and experiences at the dazzling new Hall Arts Hotel in the Dallas Arts District. The impressive array was arranged by silent auction chair Jennifer Dix and her team.

    Guests daintily loaded their plates with South American-inspired canapes like beef empanadas and sweet potato crema, then crossed the room for the oversized displays of jumbo Gulf shrimp, donated for the evening by Cassandra Fine Catering.

    Patrons also perused the Plaza del Mercado for holiday gifts, including small electronics and beautiful housewares. Those who wanted to try their luck before dinner hit the casino early.

    At 9 pm, the Chantilly Ballroom doors opened to reveal a scene that evoked a South American nightclub in a lush, tropical setting. Tango dancers, dressed in red, floated around the dance floor to the South American-symphonic stylings of the James Davis Orchestra.

    The dancers and musicians were so entertaining, folks couldn't help but capture video on their phones before finding their seats. Patrons finally sat down to their tables, which were adorned with opulent white and gold arrangements of roses, orchids, and hydrangeas. In contrast, colorful displays of pink and orange roses, lilies, orchids, and more climbed around the stage.

    The orchestra continued playing as patrons dined on a sumptuous multicourse dinner created by Hilton Anatole executive chef Rigoberto Lemus, executive banquet chef Mike Youssef, and executive pastry chef Shirley Chavez. It started with coriander crusted King scallop with corn and wild mushroom relish and roasted corn jus. Main course was a cotija crusted seared beef tenderloin served with aji creamy demi, onion chorizo stack, asparagus, charred carrots, cipolini onion, and blistered tomatoes.

    The crowning touch was South American Coffee Chocolate Delight, a flower-shaped dessert — complete with numerous delicate petals and edible gold flecks in the center — that was almost too beautiful to eat. (But far too delicious not to.)

    Throughout the evening, wines from Ehlers and Beringer Private Reserve and were poured generously by the attentive wine stewards.

    Spotted in the crowd, enjoying dinner, were Bruce Dietz, Gayle Fischer, Jennifer Lind, Emily Elolf, Stari Ewert, Sabiera Figueroa, Maggie Morales, Amberly Sisneros, Sheridan Horn, Kaylan Montgomery, Vinette Montgomery, Tiffany Lawson, Leigh Anne Haugh, Alan Schoellkopf, Karen Schoellkopf, Conner Searcy, Gina Searcy, Randi McParlin, Angela Seaman, Brittany Graft, Jordan Graft, Rosie Caruth, Ian Caruth, Wynne Wideman, Craig Wideman, and many, many more.

    It didn't take long for the music to gear up again and for the dance floor to fill to the brim. A party band whose beats ranged from boogie woogie to Bruno Mars kept the room on its feet long after the last bites of dinner had been eaten.

    Those with tired feet scooped up their party favors — including a big box from Tiffany & Co. containing an elegant crystal candlestick — and exited back to the foyer. There, they could check silent auction bids one last time; hit the casino tables again; and try for one last chance in a raffle for a 2020 Lexus, which was parked inside.

    On the way to the valet stand, guests got one last taste of South America — fresh, hot churros covered in cinnamon, and hot coffee for the ride home.

    Tom Addis of Tom Addis Productions, Junior and Maria Villanueva of The Garden Gate Floral Design, Curtis Butts of Talent Associates, and a host of others helped bring the "South American Mosaic" night to life.

    Crystal Charity Ball is the grand finale of the social season and benefits children's charities around the city.

    "Your support helps ensure that all children in Dallas have the opportunity to achieve greatness in their lives and make this a stronger community and better world," McEvoy writes in the introduction to this year's Crystal Charity Children's Book, which highlights the work of each beneficiary.

    Beneficiaries of this year's ball are Child & Family Guidance Center, Community Partners of Dallas, Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep, For the Nations Refugee Outreach, Interfaith Family Services, Jubilee Park & Community Center, Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic, Mercy Street, Promise House, and Readers 2 Leaders.

    A featured violinist plays with the orchestra.

    Crystal Charity Ball 2019
      
    Photo by WJNPHOTO
    A featured violinist plays with the orchestra.
    galasfundraisers
    news/society

    Meet the debs

    42 new Dallas Symphony debutantes begin 2026 Presentation Ball prep

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    May 26, 2025 | 10:30 am
    DSOL Debutantes
    Photo by Gittings
    Meredith Burkhart, Ryan Brown, Margaret Thompson, Ellie Browne, Olivia Zambrano, Elena Zeballos

    The end of the schoolyear brought the beginning of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League debutante year for 42 local young women.

    Just a few months after last year's DSOL debs "Texas dipped" into society (and raised big bucks for the symphony), the organization introduced a new class during Announcement Weekend festivities in Dallas. Their parties, philanthropy, and training will culminate with the 40th Presentation Ball on February 21, 2026 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

    The year will be one of special milestones for the DSOL. Not only will the League celebrate its 80th anniversary, the Presentation Ball will mark its 40th year, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will turn 125 years old.

    The mega-weekend began with the Announcement Party, emceed by Stan Gardner, on the evening of Thursday, May 15. Events continued with a Deb and Honor Guard Family dinner at a restaurant and couture gown presentations at local luxury department stores. (Per tradition, each deb will wear a white ballgown to her Presentation Ball.)

    The 2026 Presentation Ball is under the guidance of co-chairs Maggie Kipp and Kristin Hallam, along with DSOL President Claire Catrino. Hallam's in-laws, Fanchon and Howard Hallam, will serve as the honorary chairs. The Hallams are longtime passionate DSO patrons whose leadership gift was pivotal in launching the Kim Noltemy Young Musicians program – one of the initiatives supported by the Ball; they also have endowed the DSO Co-Concertmaster Chair.

    Catrino made her debut in 2011 and has been a part of the DSOL ball’s planning and organization ever since.

    “Our debutantes and their families will enjoy many wonderful events, make new friends and have one-of-a-kind experiences all while supporting the outstanding education and outreach programs of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra," she says with authority.

    2026 DSOL debutantesThe 2026 DSOL debutantes.Photo by Gittings

    Now, for the most important part. The 2026 debutantes are: Claire Francis Andrews, Madeline Grace Behrens, Claire Louise Bradshaw, Ryan EllaMarie Brown, Eleanor Baxter Browne, Meredith Lilly Burkhart, Catherine Sophia Cox, Larkin McKay Devening, Marbella Mora Duarte, Sophie Elizabeth Dybala, Kathryne Grace Eastin, Gisele MaryRose Enrico, Ashley Shannon Goldman, Stella Jane Grabham, MaKenna Loy Harvey, Elizabeth Ann Hautt, Jane Penny Hochman, Madeleine Christine Jenkins, Livia Grace Lange, Charlotte Bryant Lauten, Sue Sealy McGowin, Attales Grace Meyer, Elizabeth Catherine Nance, Madelyn Leigh Neuhoff, Carly Nicole Polka, Chloe Olivia Polka, Rachel Camille Rader, Sofia Marie Reyes, Marlo Elizabeth Rivas, Campbell Ann Schultz, Kathleen Brooks Searcy, Lindy Kate Smith, Sienna Alexis Stagen, Tessa Elizabeth Stephenson, Charlotte Spencer Stiles, Harper Catherine Tagg, Margaret Lee Thompson, Corinne Elizabeth Tinker, Georgia Bedell Williamson, Virginia Anne Wilson, Olivia Constance Zambrano, and Elena Catherine Zeballos.

    The Assembly, a group of former debutantes who assist the Symphony League by helping with event arrangements throughout the season, was represented by Emily Hea, Katie Kottwitz, Marena Gault (advisor) Isabella Cox, Danielle Ward, Kennedy Downing, and Catherine Hunt.

    Parents and notable attendees included The Hon. Clay and Ramsey Jenkins, David and Lee Thompson, Suzanne and Adam Stiles, Diane and Scott Sealy, Denton Bricker, longtime League member Barbara Paschall Averitt, Roger Gault (DSO Chairman of the Board of Governors) and Michelle Miller Burns (Ross Perot President and CEO of the DSO).

    DSOL Debutantes
      

    Photo by Gittings

    Meredith Burkhart, Ryan Brown, Margaret Thompson, Ellie Browne, Olivia Zambrano, Elena Zeballos

    The presentation of Dallas Symphony debutantes is a time-honored tradition for many of Dallas' most influential and philanthropic families. The debs are of college age and typically are graduates of Dallas-area high schools, but may be attending college out of the area.

    Participation is open to all young women. Much like a sorority, participants pay fees and participate in parties, fundraisers, classes, and other events throughout the year, all leading up to the Presentation Ball.

    The Presentation Ball, which was first held in 1987, is the largest fundraiser for the DSOL. Founded in 1946, the DSOL's mission is to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through service, education and fundraising activities. Since 1998, the League has contributed over $25 million in support of the Dallas Symphony Association’s Community Outreach and Education programs, which bring the symphony to thousands of young people and adults across greater Dallas.

    announcement weekenddallas symphony orchestrafundraisersgalaspartiespresentation ballsymphonysymphony debutantes balldebutantes
    news/society
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