Party All The Time

Dallas Junior League rocks House of Blues with amazing auction party

With feathers, hats, and beads galore, Dallas' young professionals showed up to the House of Blues on November 4, ready to rock for Junior League of Dallas' Leagueapalooza auction party.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Leagueapalooza brought the music festival atmosphere.

VIP guests arrived early and were treated to cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and permanent jewelry provided by Nikki Smith Designs.

Then the Special Edition Band got things grooving while guests enjoyed the interactive photo booth and took to the dance floor.

Spotted in the crowd were JLD president Christina Eubanks, JLD development VP Heather McNamara, JLD sustainer advisor Brooke Bailey, and JLD administrative VP Jennifer Welden, JLD training VP Susanna Carrillo, JLD communications VP Nicole Binkley, JLD financial VP Kacy Stark, JLD DEI & belonging VP Renita Smith, special events chair Claudia Neba, JLD Milestones Luncheon chair Sally Hodge, Elizabeth Dacus, Pam Brooks, Carrie and Ted Hill, Mackenzie Bulloch, Amber Gibson, Jessica Leak, Abe and Mary Catherine Benavides, Josie Ripley, Jacob Story, Kevin and Kathleen Franke, Sara Fredericks, JLD recognition chair Emily Wilcox, Stephanie Ramirez, Megan Herling, Amy Himelfarb, Wynne Cunningham, Becky Gomez, Bianca Hernandez, JLD nominating chair Emily Hoad, Austin Jones, Megan Prast, Melissa and Darren Wickham, JLD education chair Kristen Holland Shear, Courtney Johnson, and Elizabeth Anderson.

Junior League of Dallas members and guests were mainly there to bid on an online auction throughout the evening, and the prizes didn't disappoint.

Popular silent auction items included an autographed baseball by Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovalde (fresh off a World Series win!), an acrylic framed print by artist Kristi Kennimer, a tandem skydive by Skydive Spaceland Dallas, a Jan Showers Emerald Optik Lamp, a JSX flight voucher, handbags from etoile and Coach, and Kendra Scott jewelry.

Guests could also get an air-brushed temporary tattoo, partake in psychic readings, and sample from a delicious buffet, as well as eying the table of glittering diamond auction items courtesy of Cook Diamonds.

The auction, chaired this year by Vanessa Fuquay, benefits the Junior League of Dallas Community Service Fund, which provides funding and support for JLD’s community grants and programs in alignment with the League’s mission.

Founded in 1922, JLD is one of the largest Junior Leagues in the world, as well as the largest and oldest training organization for women in Dallas. Active members range in age from 22 to 49, with approximately 85 percent percent of women employed outside of the home.

The JLD provides leadership opportunities to nearly 4,000 women each year through more than 17,000 cumulative hours of experiential and formal training.

Uniquely member-run, JLD provides approximately 100,000 hours in volunteer service and more than $1 million in funding to area nonprofits each year.

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.

museums fundraisers galas