Deep in the Heart of Texas

Treasure Street lures supporters to Scottish Rite for fun Texas-themed fete

More than 1,000 supporters of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children enjoyed an evening under the stars at the hospital’s largest annual fundraiser, Treasure Street. These philanthropists may know how to have a good time, but they mean business, having raised more than $8 million for the care of young patients since the inception of this signature event in 1996.

Event co-chairs Stacey and State Rep. Dan Branch truly outdid themselves, working with the theme "The Great State of Texas" to bring guests some of the best comfort food around.

Their best move was bringing in chef chair Janice Provost of Parigi, who served wild boar Frito pie right from the bag. Lisa Perini of Perini Ranch Steakhouse offered peppered beef tenderloin and chopped blue cheese salad, while Wayne Bartley came all the way from Arkansas to make his Dutch oven peach cobbler onsite.

Guests also partook of mini brisket tacos from Matt’s Rancho Martinez, catfish sliders with spicy Cajun remoulade and praline pecan bites from 3015 at Trinity Groves, pork ribs and baked potato casserole from Sammy’s BBQ, and Little Leaguers sliders and Blue Bell ice cream from Balls Hamburgers. Komali provided margaritas.

Dressed in jeans, boots and other Western attire, supporters — includingDee and Dodge Carter, Betsy and Richard Eiseman Jr., Bob Walker, Dr. Dan Sucato, Dr. Steve Richards, J.C. Montgomery Jr., Dr. Tony Herring, Dr. Karl Rathjen, and Lori Ashmore-Peters — were entertained by the one and only DJ Lucy Wrubel and country artist Stoney LaRue.

And, like most successful philanthropic events, the auction was the subject of much attention, with a 1929 Model A Ford and three custom all-terrain hunting buggies up for grabs. A ladies Hermès watch generously donated by Eiseman Jewels was also raffled off.

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is one of the nation’s leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopedic conditions, certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders. Admission is open to Texas children from birth to 18 years of age. Patients receive treatment regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

Molly Heckendorn, Brittani Travelstead, Breean Nugent, Heather Torres, Michelle DeVore

Photo by Lee Baker

Molly Heckendorn, Brittani Travelstead, Breean Nugent, Heather Torres, Michelle DeVore

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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