Dallas Doing Good

Charitable Dallasites bring can-do spirit to 2nd annual Wilkinson Center affair

The Dallas Country Club was buzzing with excitement as hundreds of charitable guests filled the ballroom for the Wilkinson Center’s second annual Can Do Luncheon.

Luncheon chair Christie Carter and Anne Reeder, the organization’s executive director, welcomed attendees with words of gratitude. Reeder also had the crowd in stitches as she read aloud some letters written by Wilkinson Center kids, who wished her a speedy hip-surgery recovery.

The funniest letter began, “Dear Mrs. Reeder, don’t die.” Kids really do say the darndest things.

When the lunch bell chimed, guest warmed up with bowls of tomato soup before moving onto herbed chicken with fresh vegetable couscous. Desserts included a citrus tart and chocolate financier. As luncheon fare goes, this meal hit the spot.

Once appetites were sated, it was time to get down to business: presenting the Can Do Awards. This year’s honorees were philanthropists Anne and Terry Conner; the Women of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church; and Wilkinson Center Adult Education client Alphonso Brooks, who recently completed his GED at Wilkinson Center and is now attending his first year of college.

The inspiring afternoon concluded with a final song performed by Kristen and Alex Bumpas and the Saint Michael Choir.

The inaugural affair raised $100,000, and although this year’s totals aren’t in yet because donations are still pouring in, organizers predict the tallies will far surpass that. Not surprising, when the Wilkinson Center counts movers and shakers like Lynn McBee, Caren Kline, Robbie Briggs, and Ellen and John McStay among its supporters.

The Wilkinson Center is a leading poverty rescue and prevention agency for the working poor, serving more than 14,000 people annually, mainly in East and Southeast Dallas.

Brittany Kuykendall, Brandy Rider, Shaneen Lang

Photo by Payne Wingate

Brittany Kuykendall, Brandy Rider, Shaneen Lang

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Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler

Jazz and classical mix at Dallas Symphony Orchestra's New Orleans-style gala

Photo by Kristina Bowman

Patrick Means, Laura Harris-Means, Cassandra Johnson, Avery Johnson.

For one night only, Dallasites got to pretend they were in the Big Easy without ever leaving Texas. More than 420 guests gathered at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center on September 28 for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's gala, themed this year around the colorful culture of New Orleans.

The evening began with a champagne cocktail reception featuring the David Washburn Jazz Band playing New Orleans-style jazz on the Meyerson’s radial staircase. When the time came to transition to dinner service, members of the DSO Young Musicians played “Oh When the Saints Go Marching In” and led a second-line-style procession down the steps and through the lobby.

DSO gala 2024 It'd be impossible not to follow them.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Gala chairs Laura Harris-Means and Patrick Means, along with honorary chairs Cassandra and Avery Johnson, followed with umbrellas waving above their heads to signal to guests that it was time to be seated for an elegant dinner. The New Orleans theme continued with a Creole-inspired menu that included filet of beef, blackened Gulf prawns, asparagus, dauphinoise potatoes, and tricolored carrots.

DSO gala 2024. Patrick Means and Laura Harris-Means led the second line.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Spotted at the tables were Venise and Larry Stuart, Marena and Roger Gault, Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfeld, Rachel and John Koryl, Chuck Steelman, Nancy A. Nasher, David J. Haemisegger, Grace Cook, Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins, and District 14 Councilmembers Paul Ridley and Jamie Resendez.

After dinner, guests moved into the Eugene McDermott Concert Hall to enjoy world-renowned pianist Lang Lang in his first appearance with the DSO orchestra since the 2016 DSO gala.

The sold-out concert begin with Dallas Symphony Association chair of the Board of Governors Cece Smith thanking the 1,700 concert attendees. Smith then introduced Michelle Miller Burns, the DSO’s new president and CEO, who reminded the crowd that proceeds from the evening support the DSO’s education programs, including the Young Strings and The Kim Noltemy Young Musicians programs. These programs touch the lives of more than 243,000 North Texas residents annually, including more than 30,000 children.

DSO gala 2024 Laura Harris-Means and Young Strings student Patrick Miranda.Photo by Kristina Bowman

The 28 Young Strings, Young Musicians, and Teen Council students who were in the audience then stood to thunderous applause.

And with that, the legendary Lang Lang took to the stage on piano alongside the DSO, conducted by music director Fabio Luisi. On the program were Rachmaninoff’s expressively virtuosic Second Piano Concerto and two encores, Charlotte Sohy’s "Romance" followed by his own arrangement of the Disney/Elton John hit “Can You Feel the Love Tonight."

DSO gala 2024 Lang Lang during the performance.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

After the performance, guests returned to a lobby that had been magically transformed into Club Toulouse, an Cajun-flavored after-party experience with savory snacks, sweet desserts, and dancing to tunes spun by DJ Endolena.

DSO gala 2024 Guests danced their hearts out at the after-party.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Photo by Kristina Bowman

Patrick Means, Laura Harris-Means, Cassandra Johnson, Avery Johnson.

Next year’s gala is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025.

fundraisers classical music dso concerts galas