Dallas' grandest gala

Colorful Crystal Charity Ball tangos into Dallas with South American flair

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 performance artist costumed as an exotic bird greets guests on the way in.

Photo by WJNPHOTO

A performance artist costumed as an exotic bird greets guests on the way in.

galas fundraisers

Dallas' biggest party

Dallas Cattle Baron’s Ball '25 fires on all cylinders with Post Malone

Photo by Nate Rehlander

Mike O'Malley, Madison Sieli

A weekend deluge tried its best to bring the 2025 Dallas Cattle Baron’s Ball to a screeching halt. But co-chairs Nina Sachse, Courtney Derderian, and their pit crew of hundreds had been working with the theme “All Cylinders” for over a year. Rain wasn’t going to slow them down now.

Neither were guests’ spirits dampened as they arrived on Saturday, October 25 to find much of the Southfork Ranch event grounds tented. Volunteers helpfully pointed out on maps which features had moved under cover. Well-defined walkways helped avoid the deepest mud puddles.

Like magic, a golden sunset peeked out in time for evening selfies in front of the iconic Cattle Baron’s Ball Ferris wheel. Not a single raindrop fell after the party began.

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2025 The rain stopped in time for a perfect sunset behind the iconic Ferris wheel.Photo by Nate Rehlander

Cattle Baron’s Ball is known officially as the world's largest single-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and unofficially as Dallas’ biggest party of the year. The 52nd edition welcomed 3,500 guests - a sell-out crowd that was noticeably younger than in years past.

That was, no doubt, in part to the 2025 featured entertainer, Post Malone. The rapper-rock ‘n roller - a global superstar but a relative country music newcomer - brought a distinctly edgier vibe to the traditionally Western-glam hootenanny. (Back to him in a sec.)

Mistress of ceremonies Deborah Ferguson welcomed early arrivals to a VIP party presented by Anne Davidson inside the Southfork Ranch Event and Conference Center. Singer-songwriter Chandler Walters entertained while VIPs noshed on sliders, quesadillas, and Dr Pepper short ribs, and got their first sips of Grey Goose Blackberry Lemonade - the hit signature drink of the night. (Although those who really knew what they were doing zoomed first to the White Rhino Espresso Martini bar in the casino before the long lines formed.)

At 6:30 pm, the masses arrived and the event revved up to full throttle. One reason Cattle Baron’s Ball is such a bucket-list ticket is that it’s a mega-night with so much to do in so many places. You could spend six hours there and miss entire rooms. Pacing and exploring are important.

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Linger too long in the Champagne & Caviar lounge inside the Mary Kay Glam & Swag room and you see later on Instagram that you missed the Neiman Marcus Elevator Gallery (featuring a replica of the iconic Neiman’s Downtown elevator). Stay loyal to the Hugo Spritz bar - your favorite last year - and find out you’ve missed out entirely on an Irish Coffee bar.

Cattle Baron’s Day is also not a good day for an Ozempic microdose. Eating all night long is key to the experience. Vestals Catering prepared a dinner buffet of salads, jalapeno tamales, macaroni, chicken sausage, prime beef brisket, and all sorts of mini desserts. Also on offer: Frito pie-in-a-bag, smoked chicken wings, Fletcher's Corny Dogs, and so much more. Concert munchies and late-night sliders and tacos helped nourish those who’d gotten a bit too Grey-Goosey in the wee hours.

As people perused the giant silent auction, bought raffle tickets, and tried their luck in the casino, the marching band from Post Malone’s alma mater, Grapevine High School, marched through the crowd to corral everyone to the Live Auction room.

Self-described “auction-tainer” Letitia Frye got the room to quiet down for a tribute to Jacque Wynne, the co-founder of Cattle Baron’s Ball who'd recently lost her own battle with cancer. "We're gonna honor our beloved Jacque Wynne and break every record tonight," Frye announced.

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2025 Ethan Sanford and Nina Sanford remember their late young daughter, Ceci.Photo by Nate Relander

In another emotional moment, Dallas couple Nina and Ethan Sanford talked lovingly of their young daughter Ceci, who died of a rare spinal tumor. They inspired this year’s “paddle raise,” which brought in hundreds of thousands for ACS.

The live auction, chaired by Katy Brooks and Emily Hill, featured jaw-dropping experiences, jewelry, artwork, and many luxury trips (American Airlines donated over 3 million miles). Auctions can be tough these days; folks are holding onto their money tighter than bull riders strapped in for 8-second rides. Frye challenged the crowd to bid enthusiastically.

Some of the highest-bid items included a Givenchy experience at Paris Fashion Week (which went for $200,000) and a Carolina Herrera experience in New York City ($90,000); an excursion at Trident Ranch (two sold for $100,000 each); trips to Punta Mita ($80,000), Hawaii ($50,000), Big Sky ($55,000), and England ($40,000). A chance to play golf with Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and his fiancee nabbed $20,000; and a big dinner prepared by Dallas' top chefs, led by Kent Rathbun, sold twice - first for $100,000 and again for $75,000.

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2025 Kristi Leatherman and Skyler Baty drum up support for a live auction item.Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Finally it was time to head into a sprawling tent for headliner Post Malone. For about an hour-and-a-half, he ran through his hits including “Rockstar,” “Sunflower,” “Congratulations,” “Better Now,” and country bangers “Pour Me a Drink” and “I Had Some Help,” as the crowd sang and bopped along.

Between songs, he surely broke records for the number of F-bombs dropped on stage at a Cattle Baron’s Ball. While there might have been some turquoise necklace-clutching from those not familiar with his shows, it was easy to recognize the genuine sentiments underneath the colorful language.

“I f---ing love you so much,” he said of the crowd, of DFW, of Grapevine High School, of the mission of the American Cancer Society, and of his beloved Dallas Cowboys.

While Posty barely let go of his Red Solo Cup all show, to the relief of the folks from American Cancer Society, did not smoke on stage (as he is known to do).

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2025, Post Malone Post Malone with his Red Solo Cup on stage.Photo by Adam Degross

Those who wanted to make a late night of it trudged through mud, back to the dance floor beneath the Live Auction stage, where Emerald City Band kept the after-party going past 1 am. Outside as people waited for their ride shares, they snagged chicken fingers from Raising Cane’s truck (which happens to be one of Post Malone's well-known faves, too).

Spotted in the crowd were Kameron Westcott, Porschla Kidd, Jessica Nowitzki, Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, Kari Kloewer, Krystal Davis, David Gilberg, Nelson Beville, Courtney Gilberg, Eric Webber, Fallon Bock, Blake Griffin, David Nash, Lisa Zabelle, Brooke del Tufo, Miles Parker Trapp Danielson, Talley Pike, Daniel Fitzgerald, Anne Davidson, David Timmins, Dawn Estes, Deborah Metrick, Marc Metrick, Isabell Novakov Higginbottom, Andrea Cheek, Marjon Henderson, Lora Farris, Jamie Charles, Ian Charles, Jane Humphrey, Catherine Woodall, Lawrence Bock, Katy Bock, Max Clark, Sharon Lee Clark, Mike O'Malley, Madison Sieli, Nik Simon, Patricia Quirino, Mike McGuire, Sophie McGuire, Maddy McGuire, Natalie McGuire, Pete Foster, Tanya Foster, Kristi Leatherman, Skyler Baty, Ruby Sellers, Shannon Sneed, Brandy Derrick, and thousands more revelers and supporters.

Cattle Baron’s Ball is the premier fundraiser for the American Cancer Society in North Texas, and has raised more than $105 million since its inception in 1974. The 2025 totals are still being counted, but organizers say the final tally was in the millions.

Photo by Nate Rehlander

Mike O'Malley, Madison Sieli

cattle baron's ball fundraisers celebrities post malone young professionals galas american cancer society