What do you get when you open up a multistory museum to 1,500 millennials after dark? One heck of a high-energy party.
The second annual Dallas Millennial Gala, benefiting Millennials for STEM, took place at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science downtown. Themed "A Night at the Museum," the event brought out more than double the number of young professionals who attended last year's inaugural gala. Men donned black tie, and women dressed to impress in long gowns — many with sequins; some with flowy, Grecian-inspired silhouettes; and more than a few with glamorous, fishtail trains.
It was clear from the entrance that this was not their parents' or grandparents' party. Instead of sitting down to a formal dinner, party-goers mixed and mingled around high-top tables — stilettos be damned. They noshed on cheese and crackers and sipped on wine, bubbly, and mixed-to-order cocktails from bars on each floor.
Millennial Club founders Christiana Yebra and Noble Madu welcomed all to the gala, and notable speakers, including U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, talked about the important roles millennials play in the community. Club leaders gave awards to representatives from The Power Group (Best Place to Work), Moxie’s Bar & Grill (Best Place to Eat), Conexlink (STEM Giving Award), and Park Place Dealership (Millennial Brand of the Year).
When all the business was finished, it was time to party. Influencers who came to play included Bachelorette sweethearts Rachel Lindsay and Bryan Abasolo, as well as former Bachelor contestants Alexis Waters and Sarah Vendal, Good Morning Texas host Alanna Sarabia, and TV sports host Kat Dunn.Other YPs joining the fun included Cadi Shubert, Meredith Mickler, Haylee Terry, Arez Aziz, Rozha Azmar, Sneha Kuruvila, Jesus Aguilar, Cam Allison, John Paul Turnham, Moises Madrid, Dani Rios, Dani Austin, and members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Emcee Matt Ransdell and DJ Jesse Koo kept the crowd entertained and moving on the dance floor in the main lobby. Some tried their luck at a casino and raffles set up one floor below. The women carefully raised their floor-length gowns to ride up museum escalators. There, the party continued among the gemstones and dinosaur skeletons, as attendees were free to explore and experience the museum without the hassle of regular-hours crowds.
Well after midnight, a long line of Uber and Lyft cars began to form to take the ride-sharing millennials home.
The event raised a total of $68,500 for Millennials for STEM, which empowers Generation Z to learn, engage, and build passion in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
The Dallas Millennial Club also aims to challenge the "lazy millennial stigma" by gathering young professionals to be leaders, philanthropists, and influencers in the community. The club hosts year-round networking and fundraising events.
Members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Ice skaters showed off their moves in the "Central Park" rink.Photo by Ashley Gongora
The Kilgore Rangerettes channeled the Radio City Rockettes.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Dessert included a cake that looked like a blue Tiffany box.Photo by Michael Merry