A Night for the Arts

High notes: Cellist Yo-Yo Ma sizzles at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra AT&T Gala

Photo by Robert Bostick
Photo by Robert Bostick
Photo by Robert Bostick
Photo by Robert Bostick
Photo by Robert Bostick
Photo by Robert Bostick
Photo by Robert Bostick
Photo by Robert Bostick
Photo by Robert Bostick
Photo by Robert Bostick

The city’s finest ladies and gents descended on the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s biggest fundraiser, the AT&T Gala. Bold yellow and black décor provided a stunning backdrop for the reception outside of McDermott Concert Hall, as dressed-to-impress guests in gowns and tuxedos dined under a striped gazebo-like tent. After a sit-down dinner, guests made their way to the concert hall, anxious to hear world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Gala chairs Coley Clark and his wife Jennifer, dressed impeccably in a yellow gown, took center stage to welcome attendees to the fifth annual celebration. Honorary chairs Stacey and Rep. Dan Branch recognized the DSO for providing educational music programs to underprivileged students throughout the city. Branch also recognized new symphony CEO and president, Jonathan Martin.

After an epic set with the DSO led by Jaap van Zweden — the most engaged and emphatic conductor we’ve ever seen — Yo-Yo Ma came out with his shiny cello and bright smile. His stellar performance, delivered with clarity and passion, left the audience awestruck. Then it was time to switch gears — from Ma’s harmonious strings to DJ Lucy Wrubel’s digital beats — for the after party.

LeeAnne Locken and Janet Fresquez were among the first to hit the dance floor. But Linda and Steve Ivy were really the ones to watch. Their effortless moves left the crowd wishing they had even a hint of their swagger. Who else sipped on cocktails and sweet treats post-performance? Kenny Goss, Krystal Schlegel, Jodi and John Harris, Matt Cain, Hannah and Searcy Ferguson,and Nancy and Clint Carlson.

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Museum News

National Medal of Honor Museum offers preview at downtown Dallas event

AT&T

The AT&T Discovery District hosted a mobile museum pop-up.

A high-profile museum opening in 2025 offered a preview in downtown Dallas: It's The National Medal of Honor Museum, slated to open in Arlington, at Nolan Ryan Expressway and AT&T Way in the Stadium district in spring 2025.

To give folks a preview of coming attractions, the institution dispatched a mobile museum to make a visit to the AT&T Discovery District on November 20, during lunchtime when foot traffic is brisk.

Imagine the sense of wonder and amazement that downtown Dallas denizens must have felt upon the sight of a double decker bus, parked in the District, equipped with video and historical information about the Medal of Honor award, stories of the recipients, and a rendering of how the museum in Arlington will look.

The National Medal of Honor MuseumCourtesy rendering

The goal of The National Medal of Honor Museum is to inspire Americans by honoring and preserving the history of the highest military decoration awarded for valor in combat.

They hope it will serve as a national landmark, illustrating the historical thread of sacrifice and patriotism that runs through all U.S. military service members, past and present.

Beyond its state-of-the-art, interactive experiences, a critical part of the Museum’s mission will be to use the stories of Medal of Honor recipients to inspire their fellow Americans.

It will incorporate the AT&T Virtual Recipient Theater, an augmented reality experience where visitors can interact with with Medal of Honor recipients. The space will be equipped with cutting-edge conversational AI technology complete with voice recognition to allow museum goers to have a conversation in a 3D format with medal of honor recipients living and past.

It will also have AT&T Branded Wi-Fi throughput the museum.

Interior of the mobile Medal of Honor Museum.AT&T