Artful Philanthrophy

Dallas' glam MTV Re:Define gala celebrates powerful women in art

If there were ever an arts event that was site-specific, it would be MTV Re:Define. Now in its seventh year, the gala benefiting the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and the Dallas Contemporary has always been one of the highlights of the social season, and — depending on the venue — possesses a wildly different spirit from year to year.

At its original location at the Goss-Michael Foundation, the event tended to be rollicking and raucous; at the Contemporary, more subdued and sophisticated (at least until the after party). So, having moved to NorthPark Center, how would the auction’s new environs affect the celebratory vibe?

To be sure, holding a gala inside a mall is a bit of an outlier move. But NorthPark is far from your ordinary mall. Full of acclaimed 20th and 21st century art, the setting is quite often the first museum a Dallasite will ever encounter, and an art-filled destination for tourists.

For NorthPark co-owner and co-founder of the Nasher Sculpture Center Nancy Nasher, Re:Define’s new location makes perfect sense.

“We’re thrilled to host tonight,” she said. “We love (event hosts) Kenny and Joyce Goss, and everything they’ve done to build this. It’s such an important cause, and it brings great art and great artists to our community. I can’t say enough about them as art lovers and people that truly give back in important ways.”

Having raised more than $12.5 million to date for HIV prevention through MTV Staying Alive, and the Dallas arts community through Dallas Contemporary, Re:Define is a significant event, no matter where it occurs. Still, mixing and mingling with the likes of artists Kenny Scharf and Marc Quinn in the shadow of a Louis Vuitton boutique felt surreal.

When the Contemporary’s assistant curator Lilia Kudelia joked that “this looks like something out of a Fellini movie,” she wasn’t wrong. But if Re:Define were a Fellini film, it would most definitely be La Dolce Vita, with all the pleasure and indulgence that famous flick embodies.

Curious onlookers couldn’t help but stare as well-dressed partygoers sipped cocktails and sampled savory caviar macaroons. Once everyone filed into the courtyard and entered the greenhouse-like tent in the shadow of artist Leo Villareal’s illuminated Buckyball sculpture, it felt like glamorous business as usual.

Guests grazed on a salad of endive and beets and an entrée of duck, potatoes, and glazed sea bass while Dallas Contemporary director Peter Doroshenko delivered his opening remarks, revealing that Ian Davenport and Francesco Clemente are slated for shows in 2019.

For Dallas Contemporary deputy director and chief curator Justine Ludwig, who is soon leaving Dallas to helm New York’s arts organization Creative Time, the night was significant because of its unusually large stable of female talent.

“2018’s Re:Define is all about power women,” she said. “(It’s) chaired by Brooke Davenport and Maxine Trowbridge and supported by generous donations including those by important established and emerging female artists Ghada Amer, Alicia Kwade, Valerie Keane, Amélie Bouvier, Chloe Wise, and Sarah Morris."

Then Joyce and Kenny Goss introduced honoree Tracey Emin. Renowned for her confessional and polarizing works, she was surprisingly soft-spoken while speaking about her auction lot of a rare neon artist’s proof and three gouaches.

“They came from my personal collection because Kenny said, ‘You’ve got to pick something that’s really good and really special,’" she said. "They’re supposed to be for me, but I took them out of my auction so if you don’t bid on them, I probably will.”

Some lucky guest snapped up the quartet for $220,000, setting the pace for a fast and furious set of bids led by expert auctioneer Simone de Pury. A Marc Quinn piece also garnered $220,000 and Scharf’s colorful canvas went for a cool $70 grand.

After a set by singer-songwriter Arlissa, guests filed out into the empty mall to look over their winnings. Although the final tally is still being counted, Kenny Goss said he was ecstatic at both the sales and Re:Define’s new venue.

“This is so great, there was so much energy,” he said as patrons filed out into the night. “If they invite us back next year, we’re there."

Adding life to the proceedings were attendees Brian Bolke, Heidi Dillon, Tammy Cotton-Hartnett, Lynn McBee, Melissa Enriquez, Faisal Halum, Jason and Nancy Koen, Muffin Lemak, Dr. Nimesh and Bina Patel, Amanda Lund, Jane McGarry, Anne and Steve Stodghill, Chuck Steelman, Jeremy Strick, David Simmons, Capera Ryan, and Taylor Tomasi-Hill.

Ekaterina Kouznetsova, Michael Dylan

Photo by WJNPHOTO

Ekaterina Kouznetsova, Michael Dylan

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Denim & rhinestones

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2024 wrangles record $7.1 million

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Cattle Baron's Ball 2024 chairs Marjon Henderson and Lora Farris had chosen the theme "New Horizons" for their Carrie Underwood-headlined event. By the end of the night, they'd changed their anthem to her hit "Blown Away."

"We just broke every record!" Henderson enthused as she passed out hugs during the live auction.

The big record they were going for was $100 million - a grand total raised in all 51 years of Cattle Baron's Ball. Entering the night, they only had a couple million to go. No sweat for this event. And, they made it.

Henderson and Farris revealed on November 6 that the grand total raised at the 2024 ball was (drumroll, please) $7,122,663.

Cattle Baron's Ball is the largest single-night fundraiser in the nation for cancer research through the American Cancer Society.

It's also Dallas' biggest party of the year.

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2024 Cattle Baron's Ball chairs Lora Farris and Marjon Henderson with some special four-legged guests at the entrance.Photo by Haynsworth Photography

On Saturday, September 28, more than 3,000 party-goers, cowgirl'd and cowboy'd up in their Western-glammy best, descended from party buses and rideshare SUVs to the grounds of Southfork Ranch in Parker. Henderson and Farris, along with their volunteer committee 100 women strong, greeted guests on the famous grounds of the TV show Dallas, site of the first Cattle Baron’s Ball in 1974.

An exclusive VIP party, presented by Anne Davidson inside the Southfork Ranch Event and Conference Center, got the evening off to a festive start. Mistress of ceremonies, NBC 5's Deborah Ferguson, gave a hearty welcome and introduced '90s country tribute band Straight Tequila Night to the stage.

Early arrivals got the first chance to sip the night's signature “Cowboy Casanova” and "Take the Wheel" cocktails, featuring Grey Goose Vodka and Patron Cristalino Tequila, respectively. Longtime CBB-ers know to pace themselves when it comes to food; the entire night is a frenzy of glorious gluttony (keep reading). VIPs nibbled on lobster quesadillas, mini grilled cheese, bacon-wrapped jalapeno popper bites, Dublin Dr Pepper short ribs, Frito pie, and more.

Photo by Haynsworth Photography

Cattle Baron's Ball co-chair Marjon Henderson and her girlfriend group had plenty of reasons to smile.

At 7 pm, the masses arrived and the party really got started. It was a picture-perfect fall evening to take a Ferris wheel ride at sunset or pose for souvenir photos at one of the many interactive photo booths around the grounds.

Each room inside the Conference Center was buzzing with activity. The main event, as always, was the enormous silent auction. Bidders browsed and bid via smartphones for hundreds items from local retailers, restaurants, exquisite jewelry and fashion, trips, home decor, sports and music memorabilia, and more. The showpiece of the room was a stunning blue gown by Dallas designer Ese Azenabor, up for auction and bought for thousands.

For the first time ever, Neiman Marcus sponsored a "Glam Room," where guests could get get makeup touch-ups, enjoy a trendy Hugo Spritz cocktail, and enjoy Neiman Marcus' famous chocolate chip cookies. Next door, folks could shop for boots, cowboy hats, and jewelry at the event's first-ever Marketplace. (Considering everyone was wearing some combination of boots, jewelry, or hats, the room stayed impressively full of people trying on and buying.)

The Casino stayed busy, and so did a Mizzen + Main Sports Lounge next door. Note to next year's organizers: Stock up on the White Rhino espresso martinis. Fans remembered the hand-shaken delights from last year, the line stayed long, and supplies ran out early.

Time for more food. Vestals Catering served up an outdoor buffet as big as Texas: smoked bistro filet; smoked and jalapeno sausages; spicy peach-glazed chicken thighs; butternut squash, kale, and mushroom enchiladas; Texas caviar, cobbler with Blue Bell ice cream, and more.

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2024 A getaway to Mexico was one of several fabulous trips auctioned off for thousands.Photo by Haynsworth Photography

At 8:15 pm, Cowgirl bell-ringing baronesses signaled it was time for the live auction to begin. Led by lively auctioneer Letitia Frye (herself a cancer survivor, she announced), this year's jaw-dropping prize packages and fantasy trips included a Napa wine weekend (sold for $55,000); best seats in the house for the forthcoming Carrie Underwood concert (sold for $75,000) and an "Ultimate Tailgate" with Troy Aikman (sold three times for $75,000).

Each year, one of the most coveted auction items is a wine dinner prepared by some of Dallas' finest chefs — including Kent Rathbun and Dean Fearing. Two dinners were sold for $200,000 each, bringing in a record-breaking total of $400,000.

A “paddle raise” initiative around the room raised an additional $1 million to name a grant in honor of Kace Phillips, a Dallas resident and CBB supporter who died of glioblastoma last January. His wife, Claire, and their young children appeared on stage to remember him and encourage the fundraising.

Finally, it was time to head into a sprawling tent for headlinerCarrie Underwood. Making their way across the grounds, patrons picked up portable “concert snacks” including dill pickle popcorn, rosemary potato chips, and ginger molasses cookies.

Dressed in black sequin shorts and denim-rhinestone jacket, Underwood played a high-wattage show for more than an hour. The crowd crooned along to her biggest hits, from "Church Bells" to "Cowboy Casanova" to "Before He Cheats," and threw their hands into the air, church revival-style, for "Jesus Take the Wheel." Her cover of Guns 'N Roses "Paradise City," for which she shed her denim jacket and head-banged her long blond hair, got the audience rocking along, too.

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2024 The crowd gathers inside the concert tent for the Carrie Underwood show.Photo by Haynsworth Photography

Those who wanted to catch early Ubers home ended the night there, while those who wanted to make a late night of it gathered back inside on the dance floor beneath the Live Auction stage, where Manhattan Orchestra band revved up the after-party until 2 am.

And, oh yes, there was more food for late-night revelers: breakfast tacos; a deep-fried station of tater tots, fried pickles, and onion rings; burgers, and sliders. And for good measure, a Raising Cane's food truck showed up with chicken fingers, too.

Going into the 2024 event, Cattle Baron’s Ball had raised more than $98 million since its inception in 1974. The November 6 check presentation for more than $7 million no doubt had the beneficiaries singing "Blown Away."

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The story originally was published on October 2, 2024. It was updated with the total amount raised on November 7, 2024.

american cancer society carrie underwood cattle baron's ball celebrities fundraisers galas neiman marcus