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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Park news

Dallas civic leader Calvert Collins-Bratton named Klyde Warren Park CEO

Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the new executive director of Klyde Warren Park.

A respected figure in Dallas philanthropy and parks is stepping into a new leadership role: Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the next president and CEO of Klyde Warren Park, beginning September 1.

Collins-Bratton succeeds Kit Sawers, who led the park for eight years; her final day in the role was July 20.

The transition comes as Klyde Warren enters its next phase, including a recently announced expansion that will add 1.7 acres over Woodall Rodgers Freeway.

Collins-Bratton most recently served as chief relationships officer at Communities Foundation of Texas, where she oversaw fundraising, donor engagement, corporate philanthropy, and community partnerships, a press release notes. Her ties to Klyde Warren Park stretch back more than a decade through her service as chair of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, where she advocated for investments in public spaces. She's also been a longtime donor and supporter of the park.

"Few people understand the significance and potential of Klyde Warren Park as deeply as Calvert does," foundation board chairman Jody Grant says in the release. "She has been an advocate for public spaces throughout Dallas, a trusted philanthropic leader, and a longtime supporter of the Park. Her experience and expertise make her exceptionally qualified to lead Klyde Warren Park into the future."

Klyde Warren Park has recently announced an ambitious expansion project. Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Before joining Communities Foundation of Texas, Collins-Bratton was vice president of communications and strategic events for Methodist Health System Foundation. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade as a television reporter and anchor in Omaha, Las Vegas, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

She was selected following a national search led by former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, a member of the Klyde Warren Park Foundation board.

As president and CEO, Collins-Bratton will oversee the park's operations, programming, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and long-term vision as the 5.4-acre deck park continues to grow.

"Klyde Warren Park is one of Dallas' great success stories and one of the most beloved gathering places in our city," Collins-Bratton says. "I look forward to working with the Foundation's board, staff, donors, partners, and community supporters to build on its incredible momentum and ensure its impact continues to grow for generations to come."

In a separate, farewell note, Sawers announced she'll become CEO of the newly created SMU Dallas Office on August 3. She called leading Klyde Warren Park one of the greatest privileges of her career.

"I leave knowing the Park is exceptionally well positioned for the future. It has a talented and dedicated team, an engaged Board, strong community support and exciting opportunities ahead, including a 1.7-acre expansion," Sawers wrote. "The overwhelming response to this summer’s World Cup watch parties once again demonstrated the Park’s unique ability to bring our community together."

Since opening in 2012, Klyde Warren Park has become one of Dallas' signature public spaces, drawing more than 2 million visitors annually with free concerts, fitness classes, festivals, food trucks, and other community programming, they say. The park recently unveiled plans for a $175 million expansion that will nearly double its event lawn and add new green space, play areas, and pedestrian connections.

Collins-Bratton's appointment comes on the heels of another key Dallas leadership announcement: That of Ahava Silkey-Jones as executive director of the Dallas Arts District.

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