Two by Two Sneak Peek

RSVP not required: You don't need a ticket to the gala to bid on the art at Twox Two

April Gornik “Forest Light.” 2009.  Charcoal on paper . 24 x 30 inches.Estimated retail value: $35,000.
Eva Rothschild “Why Don’t You.” 2012.  Aluminum ring, modrock, jesmonite,fibreglass, paint and lacquer . 45 1/4 x 45 1/4 x 3 1/2 inches. Estimated retailvalue: $28,800.
Josephine Meckseper/ Nancy Gonzalez . 2012.  Crocodile with suede lining, furtails and metal fixture, acrylic, fabric, and paper on canvas with metal chain. 23 1/8 x 12 1/4 x 4 3/4 inches. Estimated retail value: priceless.

You may never get a chance to attend Two by Two for AIDS and Art, the annual charitable event benefiting the Dallas Museum of Art and amfAR, or the First Look preview party. In its 13-year history, the gala and art auction has raised more than $35 million to support amfAR’s AIDS research initiatives and the contemporary art acquisition program at the DMA, making it the largest U.S. fundraiser for amfAR and the museum. The event is hosted by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and draws big-deal donors, influencers and art collectors every year.

But now you don’t need an invitation to see – or acquire – the spectacular selection of works donated by renowned artists. The new Two by Two website includes an online catalogue of all artwork up for auction and gives collectors a chance to absentee bid – or, better yet, buy something they love on the spot. At the very least, you get to look, right?

As you cruise around the site, keep an eye out for Own It Now caricature icons next to key pieces selected by host and patron Howard Rachofsky; Jeffrey Grove, Hoffman Family Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at the Dallas Museum of Art; and Allan Schwartzman, curator of the Rachofsky Collection. These three identified hidden gems and under-the-radar pieces available for sale starting October 15. Those that remain will be put in the live auction at the October 20 gala.

The new Two by Two website includes an online catalogue of all works and gives collectors a chance to absentee bid – or, better yet, buy something on the spot. At the very least, you get to look, right?

“With the new website linked to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, Two x Two has a wider reach than ever,” said Cindy Rachofsky in a statement. “The amazing donation by our honored artist Richard Phillips, along with donations of over 140 works of art by renowned artists and dealers will make the 14th year of Two by Two for AIDS and Art another one for the record books.”

This year, Richard Phillips will receive amfAR’s 2012 Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS. Among the donating artists are Karla Black, whose show at the DMA opens October 19; Eva Rothschild, who has a show at the Nasher Sculpture Center starting October 19, and Tom Orr, whose works are on display at the Barry Whistler Gallery through October 13. Past Two by Two honorees April Gornik and Tom Friedman also contributed works for this year’s auction.

In addition, Two by Two has collaborated with famed accessories designer Nancy Gonzalez to create a series of signature handbags for the benefit auction. The organization commissioned 10 artists – including honoree Richard Phillips, Jenny Holzer, Will Cotton, former Two by Two honoree Jim Hodges and Josephine Meckseper – to customize matte white crocodile-skin totes, creating one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

A VIP preview of 47 works, along with the 10 artist handbags, takes place tonight, September 13, at Sotheby’s New York. The Rachofskys will be joined by Two by Two director Melissa Meeks; Amy Phelan, Two by Two event chair; honoree Richard Phillips; donating artists Chuck Webster and Ken Solomon; Dr. Maxwell L. Anderson, Eugene McDermott director at the DMA; Kiehl’s Since 1851 President Chris Salgardo; and 30 Rock’s Cheyenne Jackson.

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Season Announcement

Kitchen Dog Theater unleashes immersive 2025 season in new Dallas space

Kitchen Dog Theater presents Safe at Home

Photo by Jordan Fraker

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Seven years after announcing it had purchased a building in the Design District, Kitchen Dog Theater is finally ready to move into its new home.

The third and final production of its 2025 season — the theater company's 34th — will take place all around the new "Doghouse." The other two productions will follow the immersive format at non-traditional performance spaces that was established last season.

With three fully produced events that each run the gambit from captivating and gutsy to heartfelt and hilarious, the monthly New Works Festival Staged Readings Series returns, as does the 23rd annual PUP Fest, nurturing high school talent from all over DFW.

First up is the area premiere of Will Eno's Wakey, Wakey, directed by KDT's artistic director Tina Parker and starring KDT co-artistic director Christopher Carlos.

"Is it now? I thought I had more time." These first words in Will Eno's play are spoken by Guy, a man who knows, like all of us on some level, that he is about to die. The play questions why we are here and the journeys that everyone takes to eventually get to the same place. Performances will take place at Expo Park, 840 Exposition Avenue, and run February 7-23, 2025.

Production No. 2 is full of mystery: The title and performance location will be announced soon and run in March/April 2025.

The Happiness Gymby Ken Weitzman closes out the season in August 2025 (exact dates TBA).

This regional premiere is a joyous, experiential event based on the science of well-being. Participants take part in a curated theatrical experience meant to boost their sense of happiness, joy, and feelings of connection. This one-of-a-kind project will be the soft opening to Kitchen Dog’s new theater and will take place all over the entire facility, giving patrons unparalleled access to KDT’s new home.

From March to July 2025, the 26th annual 2025 New Works Festival will showcase four-to-five staged readings of the newest and most exciting local and regional playwrights working in contemporary theater today. Each reading will feature some of DFW's most accomplished actors and directors and will take place at different venues across DFW.

For its 23rd annual event, PUP Fest will feature six staged readings of jury-selected plays written by DFW high school students, featuring student actors directed by area professional directors. PUP Fest is the culminating event of Dallas Playwriting Arts Collective (D-PAC), a partnership with Dallas ISD and Junior Players. Performance location is TBA, but the event will happen June 7, 2025.

For more information, visit kitchendogtheater.org or call 214-953-1055.

kitchen dog theater theater

Two by Two Sneak Peek

RSVP not required: You don't need a ticket to the gala to bid on the art at Twox Two

Season Announcement

Kitchen Dog Theater unleashes immersive 2025 season in new Dallas space

Where to drink in Dallas: 7 holiday drink specials for December

Donatos Pizza totes its unique crust to new location in Flower Mound

Familiar names take over Quonset hut for new Far-Out Dallas bar