YP Power

Young professionals do a world of good with 5 of the most fun events in Dallas

A competitive golf tournament. A swank, celebrity chef-led dinner. An exclusive fashion show. They sound like appointments in an A-lister’s social datebook, but it’s just a sampling of the events hosted by Young Texans Against Cancer (YTAC) Dallas.

YTAC is a group of young professionals — all of whom have been touched by cancer in some way — that chooses to fight cancer in its own way, by fundraising and advocating for organizations involved in research, care, and support of cancer patients and their families. And with annual events like the Chili Cook-off for a Cure and a race/fun run, as well as this year’s first-ever STRUT fashion show, YTAC members know how to have fun while changing the world.

Here’s what 2016 has in store for YTAC members:

STRUT Fashion Show
On March 3, guests will gather at Front Door Fashion in the Dallas Design District for a posh fashion show called STRUT: Striving to Resolve, Unite & Triumph in the fight against cancer. This year is STRUT’s first and includes a VIP reception before the fashion show.

VIP ticket holders will meet and greet the models while enjoying exclusive tastings from Urban Taco, Sissy’s Southern Kitchen, and Nothing Bundt Cakes, as well as top-shelf drinks from Stoli, Deep Ellum Brewing Company, and David Frost Wine. They can also shop the Nicole Miller pop-up shop before doors open for general admission at 7 pm.

General admission attendees will get to sample from the same restaurants, plus imbibe Stoli cocktails, beer, and wine. STRUT also features a silent auction — including jewelry, bags, clothing, and a private tasting dinner from Nick & Sam’s — and the requisite party photo booth.

Local personalities Steve Kemble and Natalie Solis will emcee the runway show, featuring beneficiary models accessorized exclusively by Kendra Scott. Adding to the deeply personal feel of the event is the fact that each beneficiary model is a member of the Dallas-Fort Worth community and has been touched by cancer in some way.

“We found models who really deserve some pampering,” said YTAC Dallas president Phuong Tran. “It’s a great way to bring awareness to real women battling a very real disease.” Partners include Benefit Cosmetics, DryBar NorthPark, and Kate Somerville Skincare, making beneficiary models feel fabulous. RSC Show Productions and the Callidus Agency are also donating time and services to the event.

After the beneficiary fashion show, attendees will be treated to highlights of Nicole Miller’s new line. Silent auction winners will be announced at the dance party near the end of the event, which is expected to run until 10 pm.

STRUT takes place on Thursday, March 3, 7-10 pm, at Front Door Fashion. Tickets may be purchased online in advance of the event.

Chili Cook-off for a Cure
Members will bring the heat at this year’s fourth annual chili cook-off held at The Foundry. The hip outdoor space is the perfect place for competitors to spread out and make some killer chili while listening to some live local music, including local favorite Troy Cartwright.

Guests will enjoy sampling competitors’ recipes and washing down the spicy eats with ice-cold beer from Four Corners Brewing Company this April, just when things start to heat up here in North Texas. Local celebrity chef judges will award prizes for the best-tasting chili, best theme/costume, and more.

YTAC’s Chili Cook-off for a Cure takes place on Saturday, April 2, 1-4 pm, at The Foundry. Tickets are available online.

YTRAC
Lace up your running shoes for YTRAC: Young Texans Race Against Cancer this summer. The 5K, 10K, and fun run event benefits Camp iHope, a summer camp that serves children from 7 to 16 years of age with any cancer diagnosis.

Developed by Medical City Children’s Hospital in 2011, Camp iHope also serves siblings of cancer patients and lets kids “just be kids” during a week-long camp in a supportive, safe, and fun environment. YTRAC will allow 110 kids with cancer and their siblings to attend camp this year.

Runners will gather at Trinity Groves on Saturday, May 7, at 8 am for the fun run; the 5K/10K starts at 8:30. Be sure to register at YTRAC.org.

BubblyQ
It goes without saying that YTAC’s biggest annual fundraising event is BubblyQ. Who wouldn’t want to party it up at Fearing’s Restaurant while giving back to the community? Last year the event raised $200,000 for local Dallas beneficiary organizations, and members are hoping to beat that amount in 2016.

Led by chef Dean Fearing and friends, BubblyQ showcases dishes from some of Dallas’ best chefs and cocktails from top local mixologists. More than 60 percent of YTAC’s $1 million-plus funds given to North Texas organizations has come from this event, which celebrates its ninth year in 2016.

BubblyQ takes place on Thursday, October 13, 7-10 pm, at Fearing’s at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas.

Drive Cancer Away Golf Tournament
Every year, golf enthusiasts and players of all skill levels come together for YTAC’s Drive Cancer Away Golf Tournament. This year, four-person teams will play 18 holes to raise money for cancer education, research, and patient support through North Texas organizations. Although the date and location have yet to be determined, golfers will be playing for a good cause this November.

YTAC’s 2016 beneficiaries include Hope Lodge Dallas, First Descents, Leukemia Texas, Bridge Breast Network, 1 Million for Anna, Clayton Dabney, Medical City Children’s Hospitals’ Camp iHope, Mary Crowley Research Center, and UT Southwestern Research.

Find out more about YTAC’s beneficiary organizations by visiting the website, following along on Facebook, or signing up for email updates.

Julia Tran, Natalie Solis, Phuong Tran, and Rupal Patel at last year's BubblyQ.

Julia Tran, Natalie Solis, Phuong Tran, Rupal Patel

Photo by Michael Bruno

Julia Tran, Natalie Solis, Phuong Tran, and Rupal Patel at last year's BubblyQ.

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Hot to trot

Equest Dallas patrons pony up record $700K at blue ribbon-worthy ball

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

A sold-out crowd of 570 supporters stampeded into Gilley’s Dallas on April 25 for the 44th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala. The Western-chic affair, always one of the most highly anticipated galas of spring, would have a record-breaking night.

Co-chairsKristin and James Hallam and honorary chairs The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and Natalie and David Taylor welcomed patrons decked out in cowboy boots and hats to Gilley's, which had been transformed into a shimmering celebration of all things Equest by event designer Steve Kemble. A “disco saddle” centerpiece even hung from the ceiling.

Emcee Calvert Collins-Bratton welcomed the crowed with a hearty "yee haw!" Equest founder Susan Schwartz presented the Founders Award to Carol Chamberlin, whose three decades of service as volunteer, donor, and barn manager have made her an Equest organization legend. The Citation Award went to Donna and Tim Weber and their daughter Katherine, an Equest client.

New CEO Eric Lindh took the stage to underscore Equest’s mission to provide equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling (much of it free of charge) to children, adults, and veterans. He shared the nonprofit's bold vision for the future, focusing on the number “22,” a call to action inspired by the 22 percent of Dallas County residents living with a disability, the 22 veterans lost to suicide daily in the U.S., and the 22 percent of Americans living with mental illness, while less than half of those receive treatment.

His pledge to expand services to first responders struck a chord with the crowd, as did the moving testimonials from Equest clients.

Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand urged the crowd to “Bid boldly. Bid big. Bid with heart,” and patrons did that in spades. Auctioneer Louis Murad encouraged bidders to raise paddles stridently, starting from initial $10,000 bids onward. Bidding got fast and furious live auction packages that included fabulous trips (with destinations such as France, Antigua, and Montana) and more. The most memorable moment came when a guest insisted Murad - ever the showman - auction off his own sparkling jacket. It fetched $2,000, a purchase by Tim Weber (who clearly loves a good statement piece).

In total, the gala raised $700,000, the largest fundraising amount in Equest’s 44-year history. The Blue Ribbon Ball's proceeds go directly to equine-assisted therapies and other services provided by Equest; for more information, visit the organization's website.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

After a night of sipping, dining, and fundraising, patrons tried their luck at casino games and danced the night away to Jordan Kahn’s Manhattan Orchestra.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were Donna Weitzman, Nancy Greenbach, Natalie Taylor, Therese Rourk, Anne Seanor, Courtney Conley, Maggie Spiegel, Tyler Bridges, Lea LaFortune, Lee and Paul Michaels, Ryan and Kelly Casey, Christina Eubanks, Megan Pharis, Julie Bagley, Laura Johnson, Parker and Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Max Clark, Jordan Glasgow, Anna Gresham, Khaki Christopher, Jessie Dornak, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Sarah and Trey Pederson, Luis Araujo, Amy Green, Kayten Elder, Sila Grogan, Melissa Placet, Tayler Reiter, Danny and Tanya Rice, Tina and Michael Beasom, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.