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Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball celebrates 50 years with iconic gala starring Shania Twain

The word “Iconic” proved the perfect theme for the 50th anniversary Cattle Baron’s Ball. From record-breaking auction items to headliner Shania Twain, the 2023 edition of Dallas' ultimate Western-glam party was one for the ages.

More than 3,400 patrons packed the grounds of Southfork Ranch on October 14 for the big bash benefiting American Cancer Society. Co-chairs Isabell Novakov Higginbotham and Andrea Cheek guided a committee of more than 100 hard-working baronesses (clad in gold boots for CBB's golden anniversary) and countless more volunteers to pull together the sold-out, epic event.

Attendees donning all the rhinestones, sequins, feathers, fringe, and leather in DFW filed out of party buses, limos, and ride-shares. Saddled-up cowgirls and smiling, waving Kilgore Rangerettes welcomed them to the famous grounds of the TV show Dallas, site of the first Cattle Baron’s Ball in 1974.

An exclusive VIP party, presented by Anne Davidson inside the Southfork Ranch Event and Conference Center, got the evening off to a rollicking start. Mistress of ceremonies, NBC 5's Deborah Ferguson, gave a hearty welcome and introduced Texas country-rock giant Randy Rogers Band to the stage.

Early arrivals got the first chance to sip the night's signature “Iconic” cocktail, featuring Grey Goose Essences Watermelon Basil, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, and Topo Chico; and to nibble hors d’oeuvres like applewood bacon-wrapped apricots, bacon-wrapped quail, and smoked ancho pulled work with sweet apple chips and sweet potatoes.

At 7 pm, the masses arrived and the ball officially began. It was a picture-perfect fall evening to take a Ferris wheel ride at sunset, ride the mechanical bull, or mug for cute photos and videos at several different booths outside.

Cattle Baron's Ball 2023 The cowbell ringers got a workout during the live auction.Photo by Ashley Gongora

Most of the action took place inside the Conference Center, where each room was abuzz with activity. The main event was the massive silent auction. Bidders browsed and bid via smartphones for hundreds items from local retailers, restaurants, exquisite jewelry and fashion, trips, home decor, sports and music memorabilia, and more.

The casino room was unusually busy. Not only were folks trying their luck at the gaming tables, but the room was home to some of the best cocktails of the night: fan-favorite espresso martinis featuring White Rhino coffee, and seasonally appropriate apple cider old fashioneds with Angel’s Envy Bourbon.

Inside the dining hall, Vestals Catering served up a "Flavors of Texas" buffet as big as the Lone Star State: prime beef brisket, smoked chicken thighs, cheese enchiladas, Mexican corn, mac & cheese, cole slaw, vegetables, and rolls and corn bread with Dallas honey butter.

A parade of cowgirl bell-ringing baronesses signaled it was time for the live auction to begin. This year's jaw-dropping prize packages and fantasy trips included an Orlando getaway with use of an entire JSX plane (sold for $37,500); a Libertine fashion experience (endorsed onstage by co-chair Higginbotham, sporting a custom Libertine Cattle Baron's 50th jacket; the package sold for $50,000); and an "Ultimate Tailgate" with Troy Aikman and chef Kent Rathbun (sold for $100,000).

Cattle Baron's Ball 2023 Chef Dean Fearing spurs on the crowd to bid for a chefs' dinner.Photo by Ashley Gongora

Each year, one of the most coveted auction items is a wine dinner prepared by some of Dallas' finest chefs — including Kent Rathbun, Dean Fearing, Nick Barclay, and Richard Chamberlain. In a poignant moment, Fearing told the crowd of his son’s recent battle with leukemia. After wild cheers and applause at the news that he's now cancer-free, two dinners were sold for $135,000 each, bringing in a record-breaking total of $270,000.

For the first time, a Cattle Baron’s “paddle raise ambassador” took the stage to help inspire direct giving. Ava Danuser, 17, of Highland Park, battled with a rare form of bone and tissue cancer called Ewing Sarcoma. After an emotional video, she emerged onstage and waved as patrons gave from $1,000 to $100,000. If the total (including matching funds) reached $1 million, a special fund would be named in her honor. The goal was reached.

Finally it was time to head into a sprawling tent for headliner Shania Twain. Making their way across the grounds, patrons picked up “concert snacks” including Frito pie in bags, popcorn, and “Texas trash” snack mix.

“I wore my party dress tonight,” said Twain, fitting right in with the CBB crowd, in her silver sequin minidress and black platform boots.

Cattle Baron's Ball Dallas 2023, Shania Twain Shania Twain swept through her biggest hits.Photo by Ashley Gongora

VIP patrons packed the standing-room area beneath the stage to fill their social media feeds with close-up pictures and videos. (A last-minute and unevenly enforced security measure, however, prohibited credentialed press photographers from shooting photos near the stage - a bummer for this story presentation.)

Fresh off a sold-out show at Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena on her “Queen of Me” tour the night before, Twain swept through the biggest hits of her decades-long career without missing a beat. She had the crowd singing along in three-part harmony on “Honey I’m Home;” joining in on the chorus of her new song “Giddy Up!;” and yelling that famous line, "Okay, so you're Brad Pitt" on "That Don't Impress Me Much."

Remarkably, Twain was the first female entertainer ever to headline Cattle Baron’s Ball. She ended the night, appropriately, with “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!,” and cannons of turquoise confetti shot over the crowd.

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Salvator La Mastera, Austin Phillips, Steven Safra, Alex Hicks

Those who wanted to catch early Ubers home ended the night there, while those who wanted to make a late night of it gathered back inside on the dance floor beneath the Live Auction stage, where Jordan Khan's Taylor Pace Orchestra band revved up the after-party until 2 am.

Cattle Baron's Ball 2023 Dallas Sierra Jones poses with the famous Ewing Cadillac in front of a Neiman Marcus vintage CBB fashion presentation.Photo by Ashley Gongora

Among the thousands spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night, were Megan Clark, Catherine Woodall, Jane Humphrey, Vodi Meagher, Tyler Catlett, Damian Wingate, Stephanie Fischer-Wingate, John McCarley, Judith Garcia-Curzio, Alexis Bourn-Lipsett, Ben Lipsett, Abby Muggerud, Ashton Ulrich, Shevawn Barder, Olivia Barder, Bree Dahl, Rachel Haefliger, Micheal Marsh, Chae Marsh, Hillary Hancock, Claire Phillips, Logan Vanderslice, Allie Woldert, Jean-Charles Alvarez, Jessica Jesse, Peggy Panosh, Susan Alvarez, Peter Bowers, Traci Mcguiness, Mary Ellen Young, Janis Crayvens, Katie Kennemer, Alissa Wikert, Mandy Blount, Ese Azenabor, Nipa Nobel, Katy Brooks, Kameron Westcott, Martha Greenberg, Lauren Stewart, Sharon Lee-Clark, Sierra Jones, Ilana Levy, Tina Rich, Kim Resnick, Tanya Davis, Cinthia Everett, Annie Fernández, Courtney Derderian, Jamie Charles, Jacque Wynne, Catherine Fullam, Corky Nix, Jonika Nix, Katherine Wynne, Doug Box, Paris Lovelady, Sierra Hughes, Micheal Simpson, Alley Murchison, Beth Albright, Salvator La Mastera, Austin Phillips, Steven Safra, and Alex Hicks.

Cattle Baron’s Ball is the premier fundraiser for the American Cancer Society in North Texas, and has raised more than $93 million since its inception in 1974. The 2022 event alone raised $4,170,617.

The ball is the largest single-night fundraising event for cancer research in the world.

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Park news

Dallas civic leader Calvert Collins-Bratton named Klyde Warren Park CEO

Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the new executive director of Klyde Warren Park.

A respected figure in Dallas philanthropy and parks is stepping into a new leadership role: Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the next president and CEO of Klyde Warren Park, beginning September 1.

Collins-Bratton succeeds Kit Sawers, who led the park for eight years; her final day in the role was July 20.

The transition comes as Klyde Warren enters its next phase, including a recently announced expansion that will add 1.7 acres over Woodall Rodgers Freeway.

Collins-Bratton most recently served as chief relationships officer at Communities Foundation of Texas, where she oversaw fundraising, donor engagement, corporate philanthropy, and community partnerships, a press release notes. Her ties to Klyde Warren Park stretch back more than a decade through her service as chair of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, where she advocated for investments in public spaces. She's also been a longtime donor and supporter of the park.

"Few people understand the significance and potential of Klyde Warren Park as deeply as Calvert does," foundation board chairman Jody Grant says in the release. "She has been an advocate for public spaces throughout Dallas, a trusted philanthropic leader, and a longtime supporter of the Park. Her experience and expertise make her exceptionally qualified to lead Klyde Warren Park into the future."

Klyde Warren Park has recently announced an ambitious expansion project. Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Before joining Communities Foundation of Texas, Collins-Bratton was vice president of communications and strategic events for Methodist Health System Foundation. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade as a television reporter and anchor in Omaha, Las Vegas, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

She was selected following a national search led by former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, a member of the Klyde Warren Park Foundation board.

As president and CEO, Collins-Bratton will oversee the park's operations, programming, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and long-term vision as the 5.4-acre deck park continues to grow.

"Klyde Warren Park is one of Dallas' great success stories and one of the most beloved gathering places in our city," Collins-Bratton says. "I look forward to working with the Foundation's board, staff, donors, partners, and community supporters to build on its incredible momentum and ensure its impact continues to grow for generations to come."

In a separate, farewell note, Sawers announced she'll become CEO of the newly created SMU Dallas Office on August 3. She called leading Klyde Warren Park one of the greatest privileges of her career.

"I leave knowing the Park is exceptionally well positioned for the future. It has a talented and dedicated team, an engaged Board, strong community support and exciting opportunities ahead, including a 1.7-acre expansion," Sawers wrote. "The overwhelming response to this summer’s World Cup watch parties once again demonstrated the Park’s unique ability to bring our community together."

Since opening in 2012, Klyde Warren Park has become one of Dallas' signature public spaces, drawing more than 2 million visitors annually with free concerts, fitness classes, festivals, food trucks, and other community programming, they say. The park recently unveiled plans for a $175 million expansion that will nearly double its event lawn and add new green space, play areas, and pedestrian connections.

Collins-Bratton's appointment comes on the heels of another key Dallas leadership announcement: That of Ahava Silkey-Jones as executive director of the Dallas Arts District.

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