Eyes on the Ball

A chic circus party around a giant eyeball is the only way to wrap up Dallas Art Fair

Another Dallas Art Fair has come and gone, but not without a fantastic finale at The Joule. On Sunday, all the social butterflies gathered around Tony Tasset’s Eye sculpture for the cocktail-fueled, circus-themed Eye Ball.

Everyone with enthusiasm for the arts made an appearance — Tim Headington, Kenny Goss, Joyce Goss, Shelle Sills, Brian Bolke, Faisal Halum, Barbara Daseke, Capera Ryan, Peter Doreshenko, Marlene and John Sughrue, Sara and Michael Moldovan, Lisa and John Runyon, Jonah Freeman, Arden Wohl, Jennifer Karol, and Anna-Sophia van Zweden — and one attendee noted they seemed to let loose more than usual. Or maybe they were loopy from all the party-hopping they’d been doing?

Styled under the direction of Jan Strimple, Rob Bradford costumed all performers; even the waiters were perfectly coiffed and painted by Gigi Coker and L.b. Rosser. Guests relived their childhood on a giant swing set and marveled over the surrealist arm installations. Were those real arms in there? Even the porta-potties were works of art. Only in Dallas, baby!

For entertainment there was Leon Bridges with special guests the Quaker City Night Hawks, plus DJs Scott Reeder and Tyson Reeder. Snacks ranged from Tex-Mex favorites such as tamales, tacos and roasted corn to candy, popcorn and doughnuts befitting the circus theme.

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Kendall Morgan contributed to this report.

Photo by Kelly Taub BFA

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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.

museums night at the museum perot museum gala galas

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Night at the museum

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