BubblyQ Is Back

Charitable young professionals get ready for Dallas’ bubbliest party of the year

Plenty of people boast throwing the “party of the year,” but Young Texans Against Cancer can really stake the claim. BubblyQ, the group’s chef-driven party hosted at Fearing’s, returns for the ninth year on Thursday, October 13, led by celebrity chef chair Dean Fearing, YTAC event chair James Carroll, and honorary chair Katherine Harper.

Delicious eats and tantalizing libations are on tap for the fête. Guests sample dishes from some of Dallas’ best kitchens — Fearing’s, Uchi, Nobu, 18th & Vine, Parigi, Pappas Bros., Central Market, Hibiscus, The Joule, Lockhart Smokehouse — and craft cocktails from famed Dallas barman Eddie “Lucky” Campbell. Other highlights include sweet treats from Hospitality Sweet and Frost 321, a bubbles bar, Social Light photo booth, a Benefit Cosmetics beauty touch-up bar, and dance-worthy tunes courtesy of DJ Jennifer Miller.

Tickets go on sale September 15. They are $110 for YTAC members and $135 for non-members.

With its incredible eats and fantastic turnout year over year, BubblyQ is no ordinary party. In fact, it’s one of Dallas’ premier fundraisers. Last year, YTAC and Fearing’s raised more than $200,000 for local cancer initiatives, and they’re looking to surpass that sum via a signature silent auction. This year, the silent auction starts online, and bidders can participate before the event, even if they’re unable to make it to BubblyQ itself.

“The fight against cancer is a personal cause for me,” Fearing says. “I am proud to have served as the chef chair for BubblyQ for the past eight years. I know that the money YTAC raises goes to help get us one step closer to a cure.”

This year’s funds benefit each of YTAC’s beneficiaries:

1 Million 4 Anna, which offers kids support through three Dallas-area Anna’s Closets. YTAC supports these closets by helping to add to their supply of gift and toy items for children battling cancer.
First Descents, a program that provides young adult cancer fighters and survivors free outdoor adventure experiences. Focused on empowering these young fighters, First Descents offers climbing, paddling, surfing, and other activities to help them reclaim their lives.
Hope Lodge Dallas, a home away from home for cancer patients and caregivers. YTAC is focused on raising funds to help the American Cancer Society and Baylor Healthcare System construct Hope Lodge Dallas for patients who live more than 40 miles outside of the city, but must commute in for outpatient treatment.
Leukemia Texas, whose patient aid program and support of leukemia research benefits from YTAC’s support, specifically for its $1000 direct patient aid program checks for Texas leukemia patients.
Clayton Dabney Foundation for Kids, which provides support and assistance to families of terminal pediatric cancer patients through its Medicine of the Heart program.
Medical City Children’s Hospital Camp iHope, a camp for kids ages 7 to 16 with any cancer diagnosis, and their siblings, where they get to be kids again.
Bridge Breast Network, an organization that helps underinsured, uninsured, and low-income individuals across 17 North Texas counties who would otherwise go without cancer screenings or treatment.
Mary Crowley Cancer Research Center, which has enrolled more than 5,300 patients in over 300 FDA-approved clinical trials. YTAC funds support a clinical trial serving triple-negative breast cancer phase one drug testing.
UT Southwestern research and Dr. Erin Lampson, the chief fellow at UT Southwestern’s division of pediatric hematology and oncology. She and her team are researching medical complications affecting pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors.

The ninth annual BubblyQ is October 13, 7-10 pm, at Fearing’s at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas hotel. Ticket purchases and silent auction registration can be done online.

BubblyQ wouldn’t be possible without the help of BubblyQ chef chair Catharine Flagg, operations chair Daniella Giglio, and silent auction chair Heidi Benda; sponsors such as Bloomberg and Sewell; and the continued support of various philanthropic families in the YTAC community.

Want to get involved with YTAC? Learn more about the organization via their website, or sign up for regular updates via email.

James Carroll, Katherine Harper, Phuong Tran, Dean Fearing

Photo courtesy of YTAC

James Carroll, Katherine Harper, Phuong Tran, Dean Fearing

young-professionals fundraisers promoted

Hot to trot

Equest Dallas patrons pony up record $700K at blue ribbon-worthy ball

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

A sold-out crowd of 570 supporters stampeded into Gilley’s Dallas on April 25 for the 44th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala. The Western-chic affair, always one of the most highly anticipated galas of spring, would have a record-breaking night.

Co-chairsKristin and James Hallam and honorary chairs The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and Natalie and David Taylor welcomed patrons decked out in cowboy boots and hats to Gilley's, which had been transformed into a shimmering celebration of all things Equest by event designer Steve Kemble. A “disco saddle” centerpiece even hung from the ceiling.

Emcee Calvert Collins-Bratton welcomed the crowed with a hearty "yee haw!" Equest founder Susan Schwartz presented the Founders Award to Carol Chamberlin, whose three decades of service as volunteer, donor, and barn manager have made her an Equest organization legend. The Citation Award went to Donna and Tim Weber and their daughter Katherine, an Equest client.

New CEO Eric Lindh took the stage to underscore Equest’s mission to provide equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling (much of it free of charge) to children, adults, and veterans. He shared the nonprofit's bold vision for the future, focusing on the number “22,” a call to action inspired by the 22 percent of Dallas County residents living with a disability, the 22 veterans lost to suicide daily in the U.S., and the 22 percent of Americans living with mental illness, while less than half of those receive treatment.

His pledge to expand services to first responders struck a chord with the crowd, as did the moving testimonials from Equest clients.

Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand urged the crowd to “Bid boldly. Bid big. Bid with heart,” and patrons did that in spades. Auctioneer Louis Murad encouraged bidders to raise paddles stridently, starting from initial $10,000 bids onward. Bidding got fast and furious live auction packages that included fabulous trips (with destinations such as France, Antigua, and Montana) and more. The most memorable moment came when a guest insisted Murad - ever the showman - auction off his own sparkling jacket. It fetched $2,000, a purchase by Tim Weber (who clearly loves a good statement piece).

In total, the gala raised $700,000, the largest fundraising amount in Equest’s 44-year history. The Blue Ribbon Ball's proceeds go directly to equine-assisted therapies and other services provided by Equest; for more information, visit the organization's website.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

After a night of sipping, dining, and fundraising, patrons tried their luck at casino games and danced the night away to Jordan Kahn’s Manhattan Orchestra.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were Donna Weitzman, Nancy Greenbach, Natalie Taylor, Therese Rourk, Anne Seanor, Courtney Conley, Maggie Spiegel, Tyler Bridges, Lea LaFortune, Lee and Paul Michaels, Ryan and Kelly Casey, Christina Eubanks, Megan Pharis, Julie Bagley, Laura Johnson, Parker and Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Max Clark, Jordan Glasgow, Anna Gresham, Khaki Christopher, Jessie Dornak, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Sarah and Trey Pederson, Luis Araujo, Amy Green, Kayten Elder, Sila Grogan, Melissa Placet, Tayler Reiter, Danny and Tanya Rice, Tina and Michael Beasom, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.