On the Red Carpet

Watch the celebs descend on Dallas power couple's star-studded party

When the stars come out to play, CultureMap is there.

Host Dawn Neufeld greeted guests attending the Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational Gala on May 6 at the Omni Dallas Hotel, chatting with those of local and national fame.

Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw were on hand to receive this year's Roger Staubach Award, which recognizes "individuals who have brought together the world of sports/entertainment and business to make an extraordinary impact on the lives of children and youth."

Real Housewife LeeAnne Locken stopped to gab, as did Neufeld's husband, Ryan, a former tight end with the Dallas Cowboys. The hosts themselves, Emmitt and Pat Smith, also took a moment to explain why their charity work, especially with young people, means so much to them.

The night's festivities were emceed by comedian and entertainer Broderick Rice, and musician Chris Daughtry rocked the ballroom with a live set. Honorary chairs Lee Ann and Alan White, event chairs Carmen and Thomas Surgent, and guests including former Dallas Cowboy Daryl Johnston and his wife Diana, Tammy and Kirk Franklin, Melissa Rountree, Stephania Shirru, and Tiffany and Aaron Hendra turned out to support their community-minded friends. The morning after the May 6 gala, golfers rallied at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney for a philanthropic round of 18 holes.

The Celebrity Invitational is a weekend of fundraising for Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities, which support education programming for underserved children. Proceeds raised throughout the weekend will fund summer camps, afterschool programs, college tuition, and other educational programming that impact more than 25,000 children annually.

Watch the video above to see more celebs who joined the sparkling procession.

Pat Smith, Emmitt Smith

Pat Smith, Emmitt Smith

Photo by Thomas Garza Photography

Pat Smith, Emmitt Smith

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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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