A little spring storm couldn't stop the determined women behind the 2014 Girls Party benefiting Dallas Children's Theater. And good thing because this year's garden chic soiree at Nancy Carlson's Park Cities home would not tolerate the hail that rained down on the burbs.
Guests — including Katherine Coker, Cara French, Tara Lewis, Heather Centurioni, Kitsy Haiman, Annika Cail andSharron Hunt — snacked on hors d’oeuvre and desserts, indulged in a hibiscus cooler or two, and danced to a girl-power soundtrack put together especially for the event. The best part? This garden party was actually outside: Carlson's bedecked backyard was the perfect backdrop for a girls night out themed "Surprise It's Your Birthday," which served as a salute to DCT's 30th anniversary season.
Event co-chairs Maggie Kipp and Tara Lewis truly outdid themselves by securing Linda Gray, star of TNT's Dallas, as a celebrity guest host. Gray graciously posed for photos with guests, but perhaps more impressive was her laid-back demeanor as she mingled throughout the evening. Everyone in attendance enjoyed the Hawaiian luau dance lesson, a high-energy performance by the Dallas Youth Repertory Project and a live painting performance by JD Miller. The painting then went on sale at Samuel Lynne Gallery, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to DCT.
The evening came to a close with drawings for some spectacular prizes, including a JD Miller painting; a Highland Park Village shopping spree; a luxurious Santa Fe getaway; and a meal catered by Mico Rodriguez, the man behind Mr. Mesero.
The evening supported Dallas Children's Theater in its mission to inspire young people to creative and productive lives through the art of theater.
The evening came to a close with drawings for some spectacular raffle prizes! JD Miller donated another ones of his paintings, and Gloria Tarpley was the lucky winner . Kersten Rettig donated a Highland Park Village shopping spree to the raffle. We invited her to draw a ticket, and in a funny, karmic coincidence, Kersten drew her own name! “Enjoy your shopping spree, Kersten- you deserve it!,” cried the crowd. Other raffle winners include Michelle Godo, who will enjoy a stay in a luxurious Santa Fe resort, and Nancy LaVerde. Nancy will have a meal catered by Mico Rodriguez, the master chef behind Mr. Mesero. - See more at: https://blog.dct.org/girls-party-a-chic-success/#sthash.VHkb8Xb5.dpuf
The evening came to a close with drawings for some spectacular raffle prizes! JD Miller donated another ones of his paintings, and Gloria Tarpley was the lucky winner . Kersten Rettig donated a Highland Park Village shopping spree to the raffle. We invited her to draw a ticket, and in a funny, karmic coincidence, Kersten drew her own name! “Enjoy your shopping spree, Kersten- you deserve it!,” cried the crowd. Other raffle winners include Michelle Godo, who will enjoy a stay in a luxurious Santa Fe resort, and Nancy LaVerde. Nancy will have a meal catered by Mico Rodriguez, the master chef behind Mr. Mesero. - See more at: https://blog.dct.org/girls-party-a-chic-success/#sthash.VHkb8Xb5.dpuf
The evening came to a close with drawings for some spectacular raffle prizes! JD Miller donated another ones of his paintings, and Gloria Tarpley was the lucky winner . Kersten Rettig donated a Highland Park Village shopping spree to the raffle. We invited her to draw a ticket, and in a funny, karmic coincidence, Kersten drew her own name! “Enjoy your shopping spree, Kersten- you deserve it!,” cried the crowd. Other raffle winners include Michelle Godo, who will enjoy a stay in a luxurious Santa Fe resort, and Nancy LaVerde. Nancy will have a meal catered by Mico Rodriguez, the master chef behind Mr. Mesero. - See more at: https://blog.dct.org/girls-party-a-chic-success/#sthash.VHkb8Xb5.dpuf
The evening came to a close with drawings for some spectacular raffle prizes! JD Miller donated another ones of his paintings, and Gloria Tarpley was the lucky winner . Kersten Rettig donated a Highland Park Village shopping spree to the raffle. We invited her to draw a ticket, and in a funny, karmic coincidence, Kersten drew her own name! “Enjoy your shopping spree, Kersten- you deserve it!,” cried the crowd. Other raffle winners include Michelle Godo, who will enjoy a stay in a luxurious Santa Fe resort, and Nancy LaVerde. Nancy will have a meal catered by Mico Rodriguez, the master chef behind Mr. Mesero. - See more at: https://blog.dct.org/girls-party-a-chic-success/#sthash.VHkb8Xb5.dpuf
The theme of the evening was “Surprise! It’s Your Birthday,” a nod to DCT’s 30th anniversary season. The surprises kept coming! Nancy and event co-chairs Maggie Kipp and Tara Lewis truly outdid themselves. They were able to secure Linda Gray, the star of TNT’s “Dallas,” as a celebrity guest host! Linda, looking chic in a sheer blazer and sky-high heels, gamely posed for photos with guests. Guests were also treated to a high-energy performance to Christina Aguilera’s “Glam” by the Dallas Youth Repertory Project. Next, guests were presented with leis and had a Hawaiian luau dance lesson. Another highlight of the evening was artist JD Miller’s live painting performance. Miller, a resident artist at Samuel Lynne Galleries, set up shop in Nancy Carlson’s backyard and painted the night away. The finished piece, inspired, as Miller said, by the “amazing energy” of the evening, is for sale at Samuel Lynne, with 50% of the proceeds going to DCT. - See more at: https://blog.dct.org/girls-party-a-chic-success/#sthash.VHkb8Xb5.dpuf
Linda Gray with members of the Dallas Youth Repertory Project Company.
Photo by Bret Redman
Linda Gray with members of the Dallas Youth Repertory Project Company.