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Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball lassos Old Dominion and new venue for 2022

Old Dominion headlines Cattle Baron's Ball 2022.

Cattle Baron’s Ball is going back to the ranch. Dallas' biggest party is headed to the famed Southfork Ranch for its 2022 edition, with superstar country band Old Dominion as the headlining entertainer and multi-platinum singer Chris Young playing the VIP party.

The ball — set for September 17 — gets back to its roots this year, as it was held at several well-known North Texas ranches from its debut in 1974, to 2013. The past several years, it's been at Gilley's Dallas.

Ball Chairs Nancy Gopez and Kris Johnson have picked the theme “Lasso A Cure” for the big American Cancer Society fundraiser; Texas Oncology will be the presenting sponsor for the second year. The announcements were made at a reveal party January 13 at Yardbird Table & Bar.

Old Dominion has been the Country Music Association Vocal Group of the Year 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, known for hits like "One Man Band," "Never Be Sorry, and "I Was On a Boat." VIP party entertainer Young shot to superstardom after winning season 4 of Nashville Star; his biggest hits include "The Man I Want to Be," "Gettin' You Home," and "Drowning."

The VIP and Live Auction Stage will be outside on the ranch, with the Main Stage under a tent and the silent auction inside the Southfork Ranch Event and Conference Center, organizers say.

In addition to the signature ball, the second annual Cattle Baron’s Golf Tournament is scheduled for May 2 at the TPC course at The Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas.

For more information, underwriting, and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.cattlebaronsball.com

“Underwriters’ support of the Cattle Baron’s Ball and/or Golf Tournament will not only ensure the event’s success but will also help the committee raise critical funds for cancer research in the hopes of find a cure for cancer in our lifetime,” Gopez said in a statement.

Added Johnson, “Such profound generosity, such as the lead taken by Texas Oncology, contributes to revolutionize cancer research in fields such as immunotherapy and breast cancer."

Cattle Baron’s Ball is the premier fundraiser for the American Cancer Society in North Texas, and has raised more than $89 million since its inception in 1974. The ball is the largest single-night fundraising event for cancer research in the world.

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Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler

Jazz and classical mix at Dallas Symphony Orchestra's New Orleans-style gala

Photo by Kristina Bowman

Patrick Means, Laura Harris-Means, Cassandra Johnson, Avery Johnson.

For one night only, Dallasites got to pretend they were in the Big Easy without ever leaving Texas. More than 420 guests gathered at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center on September 28 for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's gala, themed this year around the colorful culture of New Orleans.

The evening began with a champagne cocktail reception featuring the David Washburn Jazz Band playing New Orleans-style jazz on the Meyerson’s radial staircase. When the time came to transition to dinner service, members of the DSO Young Musicians played “Oh When the Saints Go Marching In” and led a second-line-style procession down the steps and through the lobby.

DSO gala 2024 It'd be impossible not to follow them.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Gala chairs Laura Harris-Means and Patrick Means, along with honorary chairs Cassandra and Avery Johnson, followed with umbrellas waving above their heads to signal to guests that it was time to be seated for an elegant dinner. The New Orleans theme continued with a Creole-inspired menu that included filet of beef, blackened Gulf prawns, asparagus, dauphinoise potatoes, and tricolored carrots.

DSO gala 2024. Patrick Means and Laura Harris-Means led the second line.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Spotted at the tables were Venise and Larry Stuart, Marena and Roger Gault, Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfeld, Rachel and John Koryl, Chuck Steelman, Nancy A. Nasher, David J. Haemisegger, Grace Cook, Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins, and District 14 Councilmembers Paul Ridley and Jamie Resendez.

After dinner, guests moved into the Eugene McDermott Concert Hall to enjoy world-renowned pianist Lang Lang in his first appearance with the DSO orchestra since the 2016 DSO gala.

The sold-out concert begin with Dallas Symphony Association chair of the Board of Governors Cece Smith thanking the 1,700 concert attendees. Smith then introduced Michelle Miller Burns, the DSO’s new president and CEO, who reminded the crowd that proceeds from the evening support the DSO’s education programs, including the Young Strings and The Kim Noltemy Young Musicians programs. These programs touch the lives of more than 243,000 North Texas residents annually, including more than 30,000 children.

DSO gala 2024 Laura Harris-Means and Young Strings student Patrick Miranda.Photo by Kristina Bowman

The 28 Young Strings, Young Musicians, and Teen Council students who were in the audience then stood to thunderous applause.

And with that, the legendary Lang Lang took to the stage on piano alongside the DSO, conducted by music director Fabio Luisi. On the program were Rachmaninoff’s expressively virtuosic Second Piano Concerto and two encores, Charlotte Sohy’s "Romance" followed by his own arrangement of the Disney/Elton John hit “Can You Feel the Love Tonight."

DSO gala 2024 Lang Lang during the performance.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

After the performance, guests returned to a lobby that had been magically transformed into Club Toulouse, an Cajun-flavored after-party experience with savory snacks, sweet desserts, and dancing to tunes spun by DJ Endolena.

DSO gala 2024 Guests danced their hearts out at the after-party.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Photo by Kristina Bowman

Patrick Means, Laura Harris-Means, Cassandra Johnson, Avery Johnson.

Next year’s gala is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025.

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