I Am What I Am

Broadway legend leads Turtle Creek Chorale's glam gala with glorious concert

Co-chairs Craig Davis, Kathleen Frankford, Denise Lee, Brandon Mosley

Photo by Sheryl Lanzel and Justin Yoder

In March 2020, Turtle Creek Chorale blew its audiences away with the inaugural Rhapsody gala featuring Idina Menzel. Then the pandemic hit. But now, two years later, Rhapsody returned with a bang by bringing in six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald for a concert at the Meyerson Symphony Center on March 5.

The hour-long concert by the most decorated performer in musical theater history was certainly a highlight, but the evening overall brought together glamorous guests ready to support the most recorded men's chorus in the world.

Presented by Lexus and benefiting the Turtle Creek Chorale, the gala also pledged a portion of funds raised to support the work for racial equity and social justice of Black Theatre United, an organization founded by McDonald and other Black artists.

Co-chairs Craig Davis, Kathleen Frankford, Denise Lee, and Brandon Mosley welcomed guests to an elegant meal in the Meyerson lobby before the concert, and encouraged several rounds of fierce bidding for the live auction.

Following a performance by the Turtle Creek Chorale, McDonald appeared to join them on the iconic song "I Am What I Am" from La Cage aux Folles. Her ensuing set included some of her biggest hits, from "Summertime,""Climb Every Mountain,""Stars and the Moon," and an encore of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

Then it was time to dance the night away in the lobby, where the crowd had swelled in size thanks to members of the public that also been welcome to purchase tickets to the concert.

Spotted on the dance floor were Jimmy O'Reilly, David Andrews, Dr. Steven Pounders, LeeAnn Locken, Steve Kemble, Chad Collom, Dr. Carla and Joey Russo, Regina Bruce, John Pickett, Liz Mikel, Ryan Matthieu Smith, and TCC membership president Wes McCormack, board chair Daniel Kuhn, and artistic director Sean Mikel Baugh.

The Turtle Creek Chorale was founded in 1980, and today is comprised of more than 250 singing and auxiliary members who contribute over 100,000 hours annually to rehearsals, performances, and community outreach. You can learn more, donate, and see the Chorale's performance schedule here.

Guests danced the night away following the performance.

Photo by Sheryl Lanzel and Justin Yoder

Guests danced the night away following the performance.

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Night at the museum

Perot Museum gala-goers with a taste for adventure raise $2 million

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Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

On a balmy Saturday night in November, the doors to Dallas' Perot Museum of Nature and Science closed to the public and reopened for nearly 1,000 chic party-goers. They dined, danced, and played with the exhibits to raise funds at 2024 Night at the Museum Gala.

Led by co-chairs Dr. Pamela J. Okada and Mark Okada, the crowd of "after-hours scientists" raised $2 million to support the museum’s educational programs and expand STEM learning opportunities across North Texas.

Perot Museum, Night at the Museum Gala 2024

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

The event, designed by Valdivia Ventures, included live music, a captivating performance by dancers of Texas Ballet Theater, and innovative food activations by Wolfgang Puck Catering (the flaky, piping hot truffle pot pies that gala guests always look forward to).

As patrons explored the museum, they were greeted by hundreds of white orchids from Jackson Durham Events and were serenaded in exhibit hall by musicians provided by Jordan Khan Music Company.

A highlight of the evening was the "10-Minute Tasting Restaurant," an adventurous pop-up type experience that transformed the Museum Store into a five-star dining experience. Of course there were cocktails, too, and the lychee martini was a fan-favorite.

The evening concluded with a high-energy after-party on the lower level of the museum, presented by the Eugene McDermott Foundation. Guests danced the night away to beats by DJ Romi Q, struck a pose at the interactive photo booth, and ended the night at a decadent dessert room featuring a variety of sweet treats.

Funds raised from Night at the Museum will support educational programs, fund day-to-day operations, and provide financial aid to ensure the museum remains a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night, were Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps, Chris Shurtleff, Tim Peck, Missy Rogers Peck, Tori Mulford, Linda Silver, Emory McKim, Shelby Wagner, Niven Morgan, Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez, Regen Horchow, Ken Hersh, Dennis Cail, Annika Cail, Grace Cook, Caleb Stearns Wiley, Sarah-Michelle Stearns Wiley, Jason Valdivia, Katherine Stenesen, Chantel Boudreaux, Jeffrey Bragalone, Lexi Dennis, Mickie Bragalone, John Spradling, Miriam Spradling, KC Hurst, Koli Hurst, Magda Veja, Ashley Chellgren, Maria Zajia, Geraldine Parker, Meredith Abbott, and many more patrons and supporters.

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