How to put the art in party

More stunning than the art and the bidders: MTV RE:DEFINE raises more than $1million

Guests enjoyed a painting performance by artist Dave White; the piece was soldin the auction.
Photo by Jerry McClure
An art-filled backdrop set the scene for schmoozing guests.
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure
Art lovers were jumping out of their seats, excited for the bidding.
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure

Highlighting a mix of established and emerging artists, the MTV RE:DEFINE art exhibition and auction returned to the Goss-Michael Foundation September 22. Created by the MTV Staying Alive Foundation to fight the speed and threat of the ongoing HIV and AIDS epidemic, MTV RE:DEFINE offered a rare opportunity for attendees to score spectacular works by the likes of Kai and Sunny, Ryan McGinniss, Michael Craig-Martin, Swoon, Juergen Teller and Gérard Rancinan.

Patrons were definitely in the mood to buy, and multiple purchases and behind-the-scenes art swapping kept the moments between bids and bites even more interesting. Arkansas-based event stylist Bartus Taylor and his partner won a piece of laser-cut currency by artist Scott Campbell, but they had already traded it with tablemates before the evening was over.

The point was less about scoring something to hang on the wall and more about supporting a cause the patrons really believed in. “Because I’m from Iberia, this is a cause very close to my heart,” Taylor said. “I know how people struggle in Africa, and I’m so lucky that it’s better to share.”

The festive yet frenetic mood of the auction was definitely moved along by the ever-charming Simon de Pury, one of the art world’s leading figures and co-founder of the auction house Phillips de Pury & Company. Not above shaming a partygoer who was getting cold feet on her bid for an Inez and Vinoodh private portrait session, his good-natured ribbing nonetheless drove the final auction total to more than a million dollars — nearly $300,000 more than last year’s charitable haul.

“I’m very happy,” said de Pury at the auction’s conclusion. “Already we have a really huge success. What MTV and Goss-Michael are doing is very formidable, and there is so much support from the artists. Marc Quinn donated one of his very best pieces! It’s so beautifully organized, and there is so much enthusiasm from everyone in Dallas.”

Other stellar attendees included Joyce and Tim Goss, Kenny Goss, Gabrielle and John de Papp,Dallas star Josh Henderson, Laura Noble, Jessica Olsson and Dirk Nowitzki, Rajan Patel, Nancy Rogers, Jesse Schroeder,and Anna-Sophia van Zweden.

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Season Announcement

Kitchen Dog Theater unleashes immersive 2025 season in new Dallas space

Kitchen Dog Theater presents Safe at Home

Photo by Jordan Fraker

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Seven years after announcing it had purchased a building in the Design District, Kitchen Dog Theater is finally ready to move into its new home.

The third and final production of its 2025 season — the theater company's 34th — will take place all around the new "Doghouse." The other two productions will follow the immersive format at non-traditional performance spaces that was established last season.

With three fully produced events that each run the gambit from captivating and gutsy to heartfelt and hilarious, the monthly New Works Festival Staged Readings Series returns, as does the 23rd annual PUP Fest, nurturing high school talent from all over DFW.

First up is the area premiere of Will Eno's Wakey, Wakey, directed by KDT's artistic director Tina Parker and starring KDT co-artistic director Christopher Carlos.

"Is it now? I thought I had more time." These first words in Will Eno's play are spoken by Guy, a man who knows, like all of us on some level, that he is about to die. The play questions why we are here and the journeys that everyone takes to eventually get to the same place. Performances will take place at Expo Park, 840 Exposition Avenue, and run February 7-23, 2025.

Production No. 2 is full of mystery: The title and performance location will be announced soon and run in March/April 2025.

The Happiness Gymby Ken Weitzman closes out the season in August 2025 (exact dates TBA).

This regional premiere is a joyous, experiential event based on the science of well-being. Participants take part in a curated theatrical experience meant to boost their sense of happiness, joy, and feelings of connection. This one-of-a-kind project will be the soft opening to Kitchen Dog’s new theater and will take place all over the entire facility, giving patrons unparalleled access to KDT’s new home.

From March to July 2025, the 26th annual 2025 New Works Festival will showcase four-to-five staged readings of the newest and most exciting local and regional playwrights working in contemporary theater today. Each reading will feature some of DFW's most accomplished actors and directors and will take place at different venues across DFW.

For its 23rd annual event, PUP Fest will feature six staged readings of jury-selected plays written by DFW high school students, featuring student actors directed by area professional directors. PUP Fest is the culminating event of Dallas Playwriting Arts Collective (D-PAC), a partnership with Dallas ISD and Junior Players. Performance location is TBA, but the event will happen June 7, 2025.

For more information, visit kitchendogtheater.org or call 214-953-1055.

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