Party Peepers

Neon-lit Eye Ball focuses on fun for Dallas Art Fair

What: Fifth Annual Eye Ball Celebration for the Dallas Art Fair

Where: The Eye

The 411: More than 700 attendees flooded the lawn of Tony Tasset’s 30-foot sculpture for a neon-lit, over-the-top '80s club-themed bash. Guests noshed on Asian fare in Chinese takeout boxes, Jiffy Pop, and Orange Julius push pops while posing for pictures with costumed models and playing a variety of arcade games. The highlight of the evening had to be the surprise performance by Morris Day and The Time, who brought down the house complete with break dancers that hit the glowing dance floor during the set.

This Girls Just Wanna Have Fun-inspired event was thrown in honor of the Dallas Art Fair, an event attended by more than 85,000 people since 2009. The 2018 DallasArtFair featured nearly 100 prominent national and international art dealers and galleries exhibiting painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, video, and installation by modern and contemporary artists.

Who: Brian Bolke, Faisal Halum, Peter Doroshenko, Justine Ludwig, Chandra Johnson, Marlene and John Sughrue, Chandra North, Bridget Hall, Jane Aldridge, Christen Wilson, Joyce Goss, Shelby Wagner, Muffin Lemak, Kimberly and Justin Whitman, Todd Fiscus, Fred Holston, Jenny Kirtland, Chuck Steelman, Lucy Wrubel, Jennifer Karol, Maxine Trowbridge, Jane McGarry, Clarice Tinsley, Samantha McCurdy, Augusto Arbizo, Nicelle Beauchene, Erin Cluley, Iliya Fridman, Kathy Grayson and Bertie The Pomeranian, Jason Jacques, Nadine Knotzer, Peggy Leboeuf, Harlan Levey, Nino Mier, Bill Powers, Lora Reynolds, Angela Sala, Pascal Spengemann, Rachel Uffner, Tim Van Laere, and Cris Worley.

Krystal Sarna, Rachel Scoggins, Vodi Cook

Photo by Fort Lion Studio

Krystal Sarna, Rachel Scoggins, Vodi Cook

parks fundraisers

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