Dallas Social Circuit

National MS Society hosts passionate philanthropists for On the Move Luncheon kickoff

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society hosted an intimate kickoff happy hour for its annual On the Move Luncheon at the cozy upstairs bar at Mi Piaci. All attendees are passionate about finding a cure for MS.

The group — including Shannon Nelson, honorary chair emeritus Jean and Walker Bateman, Jaime Puskar, Philip Levy, Ron Fry, Janie Robertson, Kate Cheatham, Trey Adams, Rochelle Rubin, Lora Farris, Stacey Lesanto, Judd Chapin, Scott Bennett, Stephanie Chininis, and Mary Wininger — noshed on antipasti and pizza while chatting about this worthy cause.

The annual luncheon raises funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis, and chairperson Eric Affeldt, president and CEO of Club Corp, and honorary chair Jennifer Chininis, editor in chief of CultureMap Dallas, have worked hard to line up an amazing program. Samantha Davies of NBC 5 will serve as emcee, and Kirk Dooley will be the panel moderator.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals will present the Person On the Move Award to Carla Rosenberg, founder and chief visionary officer for Matchpoint Public Relations and Marketing Agency. This year’s keynote speakers are the Hail Merry team — chief nutritionist Dr. Claudia Pillow, chef and food scientistst Allison Brushaber, founder Susan O’Brien, and CEO Sarah Palisi Chapin — who will talk about how to achieve higher health.

On the Move is a nationwide program created to raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis. Each year, On the Move luncheons bring men and women together to encourage people to give from the heart to support their family members, friends and colleagues whose lives are touched by MS and to educate communities about the disease.

Tables and tickets for the November 8 luncheon, presented by Novartis Pharmaceuticals at the Ritz Carlton, Dallas, can be purchased online.

Carla Rosenberg, PJ Levy

Photo by Ceeta Marketing

Carla Rosenberg, PJ Levy

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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