Yee-Haw!

Bruce Wood Dance Dallas saddles up for cowboy-themed 15th anniversary gala

It was all cowboy boots and sequins at Gilley's Dallas on March 29, where supporters of Bruce Wood Dance Dallas turned out in their glam Western best for the company's annual fundraising gala.

This year's 15th anniversary celebration was themed after late founder Bruce Wood's Cowboy Songs, his heartfelt tribute to the spirit of the Lone Star State.

That cowboy can-do attitude was apparent before guests even walked in the door — a giant longhorn steer named Gus was benignly parked in front of the famous event space in Dallas' Cedars neighborhood, posing for pictures with awestruck attendees (some of whom were even brave enough to climb on up into the saddle).

Bruce Wood Dance Dallas 2025 gala Honorary gala chairs Nancy and Richard Wallace.Photo by Natalie Bracken

Inside, BWDD executive director Gayle Halperin and artistic director Joy Bollinger welcomed the dance company's supporters, along with gala chair James Lynn Williams and honorary chairs Nancy and Richard Wallace.

A relaxed cocktail hour gave guests the chance to buy raffle tickets for artwork, jewelry, hotel stays, and numerous ticket and performance packages from DFW's top theater, music, and dance troupes. All proceeds from this, as well as funds raised throughout the night, benefit BWDD's dancers and education programs.

Cheery red-and-white checkered tablecloths and sunny sunflowers decorated the long picnic tables at dinner, as guests sat under a canopy of bistro lights. A hearty meal of barbecued chicken, brisket, beans, and salad was topped off with mini apple pies, lending the whole experience a community barn-raising feel that encouraged conversation and new friendships.

Spotting chatting over dinner rolls were Dallas Arts District executive director Lily Weiss, singer Denise Lee, Arts Mission Oak Cliff co-founders Lola and Todd Lott, TACA president and executive director Maura Sheffler, Resource Center CEO Cece Cox, Bruce Wood Dance Dallas associate producer Larry Lane, Heritage Auctions co-chairman James Halperin, Texas Ballet Theater executive director Vanessa Logan and artistic director Tim O'Keefe, and Bruce Wood Dance Dallas board members Rubi Deslorieux, Phil Clemmons, Amanda Lenox, and Rodger Kobes.

Bruce Wood Dance Dallas 2025 gala The friendly dinner set-up was laidback and fun.Photo by Natalie Bracken

Photo by Amitava Sarkar

2025 BRUCE Award honorees Read and Steve Gendler.

Reflections and toasts from BWDD's artistic team were complemented by a heartfelt tribute by former company dancer Harry Feril, which led into a record-breaking paddle raise of $119,000. This surpassed the $100K goal that Williams had set for a donation match, doubling the company's total for the night.

Dinner guests then joined general ticket-holders in the main performance space, where carnival games beckoned before the show's start.

But first it was time to present the 2025 BRUCE Award to Read and Steve Gendler, in recognition of their unwavering support for the arts in Dallas. Their decades of advocacy and philanthropy have been instrumental to the growth of BWDD, as well as numerous other organizations including TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND, The Hockaday School, andTexas Ballet Theater.

Bruce Wood Dance Dallas 2025 gala Cowboy Songs "Cowboy Songs."Photo by Amitava Sarkar

Then, the performance. The Bruce Wood Dance Dallas company of dancers were joined by a trio of guest artists: Broadway composer and music director Joseph Thalken, Broadway performer Jeremy Landon Hayes, and Grammy-winning singer and musician Ginny Mac, all backed by a country band.

Cowboy Songs premiered in 2003 at Bass Hall in Fort Worth, and is set to music that ranges from Lyle Lovett, Irving Berlin, and Wylie Gustafson to the theme from Lonesome Dove.

Following this high-kicking performance, guests were then invited onto the main floor for a lesson in two-stepping from 14-time Country Dance Champion Tony New.

Bruce Wood Dance Dallas' next performance is with Verdigris Ensemble in SHAMS, running May 23-25 at Moody Performance Hall.

dance fundraisers bruce wood bruce wood dance dance company gilleys dallas cowboy songs galas

Hot to trot

Equest Dallas patrons pony up record $700K at blue ribbon-worthy ball

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

A sold-out crowd of 570 supporters stampeded into Gilley’s Dallas on April 25 for the 44th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala. The Western-chic affair, always one of the most highly anticipated galas of spring, would have a record-breaking night.

Co-chairsKristin and James Hallam and honorary chairs The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and Natalie and David Taylor welcomed patrons decked out in cowboy boots and hats to Gilley's, which had been transformed into a shimmering celebration of all things Equest by event designer Steve Kemble. A “disco saddle” centerpiece even hung from the ceiling.

Emcee Calvert Collins-Bratton welcomed the crowed with a hearty "yee haw!" Equest founder Susan Schwartz presented the Founders Award to Carol Chamberlin, whose three decades of service as volunteer, donor, and barn manager have made her an Equest organization legend. The Citation Award went to Donna and Tim Weber and their daughter Katherine, an Equest client.

New CEO Eric Lindh took the stage to underscore Equest’s mission to provide equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling (much of it free of charge) to children, adults, and veterans. He shared the nonprofit's bold vision for the future, focusing on the number “22,” a call to action inspired by the 22 percent of Dallas County residents living with a disability, the 22 veterans lost to suicide daily in the U.S., and the 22 percent of Americans living with mental illness, while less than half of those receive treatment.

His pledge to expand services to first responders struck a chord with the crowd, as did the moving testimonials from Equest clients.

Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand urged the crowd to “Bid boldly. Bid big. Bid with heart,” and patrons did that in spades. Auctioneer Louis Murad encouraged bidders to raise paddles stridently, starting from initial $10,000 bids onward. Bidding got fast and furious live auction packages that included fabulous trips (with destinations such as France, Antigua, and Montana) and more. The most memorable moment came when a guest insisted Murad - ever the showman - auction off his own sparkling jacket. It fetched $2,000, a purchase by Tim Weber (who clearly loves a good statement piece).

In total, the gala raised $700,000, the largest fundraising amount in Equest’s 44-year history. The Blue Ribbon Ball's proceeds go directly to equine-assisted therapies and other services provided by Equest; for more information, visit the organization's website.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

After a night of sipping, dining, and fundraising, patrons tried their luck at casino games and danced the night away to Jordan Kahn’s Manhattan Orchestra.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were Donna Weitzman, Nancy Greenbach, Natalie Taylor, Therese Rourk, Anne Seanor, Courtney Conley, Maggie Spiegel, Tyler Bridges, Lea LaFortune, Lee and Paul Michaels, Ryan and Kelly Casey, Christina Eubanks, Megan Pharis, Julie Bagley, Laura Johnson, Parker and Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Max Clark, Jordan Glasgow, Anna Gresham, Khaki Christopher, Jessie Dornak, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Sarah and Trey Pederson, Luis Araujo, Amy Green, Kayten Elder, Sila Grogan, Melissa Placet, Tayler Reiter, Danny and Tanya Rice, Tina and Michael Beasom, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.