New York Holiday spectacular

Glimpse all the gowns and glamour of Dallas' Crystal Charity Ball 2024

Crystal Charity Ball 2024 whisked Dallas patrons away on an opulent "New York Holiday."

In choosing to bring the Big Apple to Big D with her theme, ball chairman Cheryl Joyner had imagined “the beauty of fresh snow, peeking into the elaborately decorated windows on Fifth Avenue, and strolling through Central Park with a chill in the air." It was all of that, kicked up a notch with a spectacular Rockettes-style dance show, too.

The 72nd annual black-tie gala is the grand finale of the Dallas social season and benefits children's charities around the city.

When all 1,563 attendees arrived to the Hilton Anatole Hotel on Saturday, December 7, they were ushered into a wintry scene in Central Park. Lush gardens, illuminated trees, and park benches filled the atrium, but it was the Central Park-style ice rink that took centerstage.

Real ice skaters glided and twirled, round and round the rink. (What a coincidence that ice skating is also one of the biggest family-fun activities of the holiday season in DFW.)

Dallas Crystal Charity Ball 2024 Ice skaters showed off their moves in the "Central Park" rink.Photo by Ashley Gongora

At the edge of the rink, patrons nibbled from an hors d'oeuvres spread that included bagels and lox, eggs Benedict deviled eggs, butternut squash arancini, and the annual gala's famous giant shrimp display.

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Jamie Smith, Melinda Smith

Crystal Charity Ball is not only the grand-dame ball of the year in Dallas, it's also the city's biggest formal fashion moment. Women dazzled in their glamorous gowns - black, white, silver, and red were most popular - embellished with feathers, sequins, and even some sweep-trains that managed to avoid puddles on the rainy walk from the car. Dallas' favorite designers were well-represented, including Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Nardos, Simkhai, Naeem Khan, and Mac Duggal. (Scroll through the photos, above, to see some of the gorgeous looks.)

Dallas' best dressed had a few chances to pose, first for the official John French Photography portraits, next at the Radio City Fashion Cam presented by NorthPark, then at any number of Instagram-worthy spots around the room. (The Central Park bridge was most frequented.)

Before dinner, guests could try their luck at the casino tables; shop for high-end home goods at the NYC Holiday Boutique; and buy Contribution Tickets for the chance to win a luxury car from Sewell or a Highland Park Village shopping spree. Of course, they also bid on hundreds of fabulous items in the biggest and most extravagant silent auction in town. Items ranged from exclusive trips to Europe and hunting excursions in South America, to one-of-a-kind art, fine jewels, and tickets to local restaurants and sporting events.

Crystal Charity Ball 2024, Kilgore Rangerettes The Kilgore Rangerettes channeled the Radio City Rockettes.Photo by Ashley Gongora

When doors opened to dinner, the high-kicking Kilgore Rangerettes channeled the world-famous Radio City Rockettes, presenting a Radio City-style dance number that captivated the room. Donning stunning silver sequin costumes, the dancers sashayed, spun, and kicked to the sounds of a holiday medley played by a full orchestra.

Guests sat down to a decadent meal of Harvest Chicory Salad; New York Strip and Lobster Newberg; and for dessert, a duo of "Central Park Melange" (poached pears in chocolate brandied sauce) and Decadent Mousse Gift Box that resembled a Tiffany & Co. jewelry box.

After dinner, the party band revved up and the dance floor filled quickly. Those who wanted to call it a night made their way to the valet stand, being sure to pick up some fresh, made-to-order doughnuts and hot coffee on their way out.

Crystal Charity Ball 2024 Dessert included a cake that looked like a blue Tiffany box.Photo by Michael Merry

Pulling the extravagant event together were Tom Addis of Tom Addis Productions, Inc.; Junior Villanueva of The Garden Gate; Curtis Butts of Talent Associates; Hilton Anatole executive banquet chef Matthew Martin and executive pastry chef Adrian Arandela, and hundreds more.

The Crystal Charity Ball’s purpose is to aid, support, and make contributions to charitable organizations dedicated to the welfare of children located in Dallas County. The ball has distributed about $200 million since 1953.

This year's event raised an extraordinary $7.6 million. The celebration ball is held to express appreciation to the organization's generous donors.

The 2024 Crystal Charity Ball beneficiaries are: Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, HHM Health, Methodist Health System Foundation, Parkland Health Foundation, The Center for Integrative Counseling and Psychology, Traffic911, and Vogel.

Among the patrons in attendance were David Russakov, Stephanie Russakov, Jim Jones, Bonnie Jones, Evelyn Pulliam, Morgan Young, Pierre Revol, Cindy Revol, Lauren Meindle, Justin White, Erin Finegold White, Lauren Bermingham, Gabby Hensley, Francesca Gussoni, Claire Catrino, Whitney Cameron, Jen Sanders, Stacey Walker, Arrington Nelson, Annie Walker, JoAnne Decker, Monica Peng, David Holl, Kristy Nguyen, Daniel Friedman, Sara Friedman, Coley Clark, Jennifer Clark, Olivia Schroeder, Patrick George, Marie Quintana, Cindy Turner, Sharron Friedberg, Daniel Fitzgerald, Anne Davidson, Scott Rodger, Mackenzie Rodger, Lauren Stewart, Bala Mohan, Raja Mohan, Jonathan Childers, Katie Childers, Jess Bass Bolander, Tyler Bolander, Kristin Hallam, Tanya Rice, Jamie Smith, Melinda Smith, Britt Ham, Michelle Ham, Rob Stern, Tammany Stern, and many more.

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Fundraising fun

Dallas’ Night at the Museum gala brings in $2M for Perot programs

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez

On Saturday, November 8, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science opened its doors, after hours, for one of Dallas’ most anticipated galas of fall: Night at the Museum.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez

Led by co-chairs Shelly and Michael Dee in honor of Sally and Forrest Hoglund, the 2025 Night at the Museum immersed guests in a science-y wonderland of interactive exhibits, fun cocktails, unique cuisine, and more.

Guests agreed: The couldn't-miss highlight of the evening was the 10-Minute Restaurant, which transformed the museum gift shop into a five-star culinary adventure by Wolfgang Puck Catering, reminiscent of how they serve celebrities at the Oscars. Amid all the night's action, it was a great way to sneak in a quick bite and some one-on-one time with a date in a VIP-like setting.

Attendees also noshed from a Living Crudité Bar, an Off the Bone beef station, a paella station, enjoyed "roaming tiramisu," and stopped servers in their tracks for the famous Night at the Museum pot pies. No one went thirsty, either, as guests sipped creative cocktails like Sorbete de Sangria de Cava and the sparkling “Aqua Pearl,” enjoyed a 196 Vodka Seltzer Bar, and a refueled at a coffee cart that opened at the after-party.

Guests got to dig like paleontologists at the Paleo Lab, ooh and ahh at the sparking Aquamarine on the display in the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall, and learn all about little creepy-crawlies in the Bug Lab Exhibit. Another favorite activity was the Iris Photography, which turned photos of the human eye into works of art.

In total, the crowd of "after-hours scientists" raised $2 million to help fund field trips, outreach, discounted admission and memberships to the Perot, and more.

Among the notable attendees were Margot Perot, Dr. Linda Silver, Marilynn Thoma, Carl Thoma, Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez, David and Mary Henderson, Katie and Jerome Rose, Lyda Hill, Cade McCarter, DeWitt McCarter, Kelly Compton, Kenna McCarter, John Sughrue, Marlene Sughrue, Kate and Steve Sigfusson, Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart, Grace Cook, Laura Compton, Angus Mitchell, Rachel Mitchell, Martine and Michael Philippe, and many more patrons and supporters.

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