Viola Davis in Dallas

Academy Award nominee amps up anticipation for attorney luncheon

To ensure its 28th annual luncheon is one that supporters never forget, Attorneys Serving the Community has secured keynote speaker Viola Davis. The Academy Award-nominated actress takes the stage June 20 at the Hilton Anatole.

Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the Foundation for the Education of Young Women, a network of public schools that support single-gender, college-preparatory education to provide young women — many from economically disadvantaged situations — an opportunity to achieve academic and leadership success. Specifically the funds support an internship program at Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, the first FEYW network school in Dallas, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

“We thank Attorneys Serving the Community for selecting the Foundation for the Education of Young Women as the beneficiary of this luncheon,” said Lynn McBee, CEO of FEYW. “Since our founding, we have invested funds and resources with impressive results: 100 percent of our seniors graduate from high school, and 100 percent are accepted to college. We are also excited to hear from Viola Davis, whose story is similar to so many of our young women.”

Davis is best known for her performances in The Help and Doubt, as well as her role opposite Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love. Raised in abject poverty, Davis fell in love with theater early in high school as a form of escape.

She earned a full scholarship to the Young People’s School of the Performing Arts, after which she attended the prestigious Juilliard School. Davis has achieved success on Broadway, television and film and was named one of Time’s most influential people of 2012.

This year’s luncheon chairs are Dena DeNooyer Stroh of Murchison Oil & Gas Inc. and Kelli Hinson of Carrington Coleman. Kim J. Askew is the event’s honorary chair. Tickets are available for $100 each; sponsorships start at $1,500. For more information, call 214-824-1400 or email Cindy Ryan at cryan@feyw.org.

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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