Editor’s note: If you want to know where all of Dallas’ social butterflies were this year — and what organizations benefited most from their partying, er, charitable ways — then look no further than the most-read society stories from 2016:
1. The 7 fall events in every Dallas young professional’s social datebook. If you’re a young professional in Dallas with a desire to do good in the community, then this was the list for you (as was the one below it). These were the fall social events in every YP’s datebook.
2. The 8 best spring events for charitable young Dallasites. Dallas CASA kicked off the fundraising season with the inaugural Casablanca on January 30, and the charity continued from there with spring’s best social events for young professionals.
3. Dallas’ most elegant art patrons turn out for their favorite spring ball. Once a year, Dallas’ most elegant philanthropists descend on the Dallas Museum of Art for one of the highlights of the spring social season: Art Ball. This year’s fete, themed “Art + Architecture,” managed to further raise the bar, thanks to co-chairs Ann and David Sutherland.
4. An indispensable Dallas guide to young professional charity groups. Dallas is one of the best cities for working millennials, and given the city’s charitable reputation, it isn’t that surprising that young professionals here have plenty of opportunities to socialize, network, and give back — regardless of their interests.
5. Dallas Mad Hatters put on a good show for Steel Magnolias-themed luncheon. At the 28th annual affair, themed “Steel Magnolias” after the beloved film, lovely ladies donned creative chapeaux and drank champagne while socializing and raising money for the Dallas Arboretum’s Women’s Council. The longtime spring event was made all the more famous thanks to the Real Housewives of Dallas.
6. Dallas-Fort Worth food fanatics get their fill at best Tastemaker Awards yet. Hundreds of hungry fans packed the Hall of State in Fair Park for the 2016 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, the grand finale of our annual program that honors the top talent in the Dallas-Fort Worth restaurant and bar communities. This year was better than ever: Eighteen restaurants served up small plates that showed off the best in local dining.
7. 9 Dallas hot spots to see and be seen in spring 2016. Whether you were eating, drinking, or working on your beauty and fitness regimens, these Dallas hot spots offered top-notch people-watching.
8. DIFFA Dallas confirms that fundraising can be the greatest show on earth. House of DIFFA returned to the Omni Dallas hotel on May 21, and the city’s most colorful gala-goers turned out in droves for the spectacular annual fundraiser. This year’s grand affair boasted a Circo Rouge theme, which can best be described as a circus on acid.
9. Devoted young philanthropists restore grand Dallas gala to full bloom. There was little chance those attending the Yellow Rose Gala wouldn’t shed a tear during the evening. But that’s to be expected when you consider that event chairman Fallon Wynne Way, herself a new mother, resurrected one of the city’s most cherished charitable events to carry on her mother’s legacy.
10. Fancy young professionals do it up right at Dallas’ favorite autumn party. On November 4, the wait was finally over: the fourth annual Dallas Autumn Ball had arrived. So young professionals got dressed to the nines and headed for Hotel ZaZa not only to party, but also to help improve education in the city.
Shaun Moore, Michelle Keys, Paige Phillips, and James Edward at Dallas Autumn Ball 2016, one of fall's must-attend social events.
Texas Ballet Theater and The Dallas Opera performed together during cocktail hour.Photo by Can Turkyilmaz
Headliner Michael Cavanaugh and honorees Shannon and Ted Skokos.Photo by Can Turkyilmaz
Dinner was served on the Winspear Opera House stage.Photo by Can Turkyilmaz