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 Natalie Bracken

Andrea Perez and Ethan Minshull.

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

Tastemaker Awards

Tastemaker Awards party salutes the best in Dallas restaurants in 2025

Ashley Gongora

Dallas Tastemaker Awards

Foodies from all across Dallas showed up for the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, celebrating Dallas' top restaurants, bars, and chefs who've led the local dining scene most in the past year.

After months of buildup, the winners were revealed at an awards ceremony and tasting event on on Thursday, May 1 at the Astoria Event Venue in Irving.

The presentation of the awards was the pinnacle in a night of food and drink, in which more than a dozen nominated chefs and restaurants served up delicious bites, while bartenders crafted cocktails incorporating spirits from event sponsors including: Still Austin Whiskey and Hornitos Tequila, along with Pennsyvania-based Yuengling Beer, who served their traditional lager as well as Flight, their light lager.

There were specialty cocktails from Silent Pool Gin (English G&T), Hornitos Tequila (Hornitos Paloma, ranch water, and neat), Reyka Vodka (Reyka espresso martini and cucumber martini), and Still Austin Whiskey (Still Austin old fashioned, plus neat pours of Straight and Cask Strength Bourbon and Rye Whiskey).

Alcohol-free options included the Honey Berry Fizz from Punch Bowl Social, the Cucumber Garden mocktail from Seedlip, and an irresistible pistachio espresso martini from Ritual Zero Proof.

Saratoga Spring Water kept everyone hydrated, and also dispensed goody bags containing a box of chocolates, notepad & pen, wine key, key chain, and bottle of water to the nominees. Brioche Gourmet handed out rich bread items to all attendees.

The tastiest plates of the night included Chicken kofta meatballs from Goodwins, Peking duck wraps and spicy tuna cones from Komodo, Salmon bowl box and sesame rice noodles from Loro (served in a cool take-out box), rigatoni Genovese from Perch Bistro, pimento cheese and Benton's country ham sandwiches from The Porch, and pineapple char siu pulled pork baos from Scout at the Statler.

Favorite sweet options included strawberry matcha and pink champagne macarons from Ollio Patisserie, and a medley of treats from LA 57 that included mini almond croissants, mini cannoli, and mini cajeta empanadas. Caffeine fans were rewarded with honey lavender cold brew from Well Grounded Coffee and iced coffee from Whataburger.

After all that eating and drinking, it was time for the awards, delivered by charming emcee Mark Schechtman. For weeks leading up to the event, we published a special editorial series that highlighted nominees in nine categories. Winners were chosen by a panel of local food and beverage experts — except for the category of Best New Restaurant, which was voted on by readers in a bracket-style competition online.

Ashley Gongora

Dallas Tastemaker Awards

These winners were announced and presented with glass trophies, as the crowd enthusiastically cheered for each one:

Rising Star Chef of the Year: Roman Murphy, Perch Bistro
Pastry Chef of the Year: Ryan Stipp, Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa
Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: The Porch
Bar of the Year: Columbian Country Club
Best Coffee Shop: Merit Coffee
Best Eatertainment: Chicken N Pickle
Best New Restaurant: Nikki Greek Bistro & Lounge
Chef of the Year: Jeff Bekavac, Goodwins
Restaurant of the Year: Mister Charles

A portion of the proceeds benefited Harvest Project Food Rescue, an indigenous led environmental nonprofit fighting food insecurity by redirecting surplus produce to DFW communities each week.

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Hungry to be a part of it all next year? You can read about all the winners here, and we'll see you in 2026. The Tastemaker Awards ceremony is brought to you by The Yuengling Company, Brioche Gourmet, Still Austin Whiskey, Hornitos, Whataburger, Reyka Vodka, Silent Pool Gin, and PicMe Events. A portion of the proceeds benefitted our nonprofit partner, Harvest Project Food Rescue.

awards bests tastemaker awards