White Hot

Young Dallas professionals party at sizzling South Beach-inspired soiree

The gardens of Marie Gabrielle Restaurant glowed as partiers clad all in white showed up for the sixth annual White Party. The Young Friends of the Wilkinson Center's biggest fundraiser of the year turned the Harwood District hot spot into a South Beach-inspired soiree, complete with chic lounge areas and VIP enclaves for bottle service.

Host chair Jenna Owens, of The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show, and her fellow committee members OJ De Souza, Meredith Diers, Alex Flores, Marty Martinez, Jessica Serna, and Amanda Tumey, with the help of Gro Designs and CodeBlue Sound & Entertainment, built a dazzling celebration that rivaled any Miami dance club.

Glamorous guests — including J-Si Chavez, Kinsey Chavez, Claudia McGlovkin, Sheila Cardenas, Ana Martinez, Areli Gonzalez, Mercedes Fowler,Natalie Westbrook, Jesselyn Hayes, Meridith Zidell, Jeremey Zidell, Omar Aridi, Kathryn Dunn, Jasmine Alley, and Mary Galbraith — grabbed cocktails from the cash bar before hitting the shiny white dance floor, where DJ Souljah was spinning the tunes. Fountains of sparklers erupted throughout the night, illuminating the floor and playing with the lasers that cast colorful shadows on the crowd. Canary-yellow paper fans, courtesy of sponsor Bumble, helped keep everyone cool while they danced up a storm.

When attendees needed a breather, they could purchase raffle tickets for packages that included a diamond necklace, Harwood District restaurant gift cards, an array of clothes from activewear brand Fitish, jewelry gift cards, and a stay at any Omni hotel in the U.S., with American Airlines miles to help get them there.

Now in its sixth year, the White Party helps raise funds for the Wilkinson Center, a leading poverty rescue and prevention agency serving over 10,000 people annually, mainly in east and southeast Dallas. They help transform the lives of Dallas families by providing pathways to self-sufficiency with dignity and respect, tackling food insecurity, unemployment and underemployment, economic instability, and lack of education.

Sheila Cardenas, Ana Martinez, Areli Gonzalez, Mercedes Fowler

Photo by Lisa Means

Sheila Cardenas, Ana Martinez, Areli Gonzalez, Mercedes Fowler

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