New Mexico Nights

Dallas nonprofit channels the spirit of Taos for 40th anniversary celebration

What: Spirit of Taos benefiting Wilkinson Center

Where: On the Levee

The 411: More than 170 attendees gathered in the Dallas Design District to support the Wilkinson Center on Friday, October 14.

Friends of Wilkinson Center president Ellen Estee and event chairs Shannon Hanberry and Ashley White welcomed Taos-attired guests to the ninth annual fundraiser while Ernesto’s Music Mariachi Band serenaded.

At dinner time, emcee Jenny Anchondo, host of CW33’s Inside DFW with Jenny Anchondo, emceed presentations from Wilkinson Center leadership, including executive director Anne Reeder Corley. She underscored the organization's mission to serve families facing critical life challenges, including food insecurity, lack of education, economic instability, and unemployment.

A video celebrated 40 years of Wilkinson Center, which was founded in 1982 when the Rev. Clayton Lewis, then pastor of Munger Place United Methodist Church, saw a child scouring a dumpster for food and resolved to help neighbors in need. The video featured interviews with Lewis’ sons Jim Lewis and Mark Lewis, Sande Wilkinson Ford, daughter- in-law of Ruby Wilkinson, for whom the Wilkinson Center is named, former executive director Brian Burton, and others.

Photo by Nate Rehlander

Caitlin Maddox, Emily Hildebrand

A live auction conducted by Wes Poole of Murad Auctions got guests bidding competitively for fabulous packages and chances to give back to Wilkinson Center. Patrons then danced the night away to the live tunes of the Jimmy Stadler Band and stopped at a photo booth to take memorable photos of the night.

Who: Caitlin Maddox, Emily Hildebrand, Danielle and Ron Cooper, Heath Oakes, Marc Janni, Kara Janni, Holly Ross, Drew Ross, Meridith Zidell, Katy Lopez, Joanie Khoury, Suzi Nguyen, Kayla Hodge, Ashley Mallone, Charlie Morris, Lindsey Morris, Charles Morris, Carlin Morris, Caitlin Hyatt, Mike Hyatt, Kylie and Corey Nathan, Maddie Rhone, Derek Cohen, Alex MacKillop, and Avery Freese.

Night at the museum

Perot Museum gala-goers with a taste for adventure raise $2 million

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Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

On a balmy Saturday night in November, the doors to Dallas' Perot Museum of Nature and Science closed to the public and reopened for nearly 1,000 chic party-goers. They dined, danced, and played with the exhibits to raise funds at 2024 Night at the Museum Gala.

Led by co-chairs Dr. Pamela J. Okada and Mark Okada, the crowd of "after-hours scientists" raised $2 million to support the museum’s educational programs and expand STEM learning opportunities across North Texas.

Perot Museum, Night at the Museum Gala 2024

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

The event, designed by Valdivia Ventures, included live music, a captivating performance by dancers of Texas Ballet Theater, and innovative food activations by Wolfgang Puck Catering (the flaky, piping hot truffle pot pies that gala guests always look forward to).

As patrons explored the museum, they were greeted by hundreds of white orchids from Jackson Durham Events and were serenaded in exhibit hall by musicians provided by Jordan Khan Music Company.

A highlight of the evening was the "10-Minute Tasting Restaurant," an adventurous pop-up type experience that transformed the Museum Store into a five-star dining experience. Of course there were cocktails, too, and the lychee martini was a fan-favorite.

The evening concluded with a high-energy after-party on the lower level of the museum, presented by the Eugene McDermott Foundation. Guests danced the night away to beats by DJ Romi Q, struck a pose at the interactive photo booth, and ended the night at a decadent dessert room featuring a variety of sweet treats.

Funds raised from Night at the Museum will support educational programs, fund day-to-day operations, and provide financial aid to ensure the museum remains a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night, were Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps, Chris Shurtleff, Tim Peck, Missy Rogers Peck, Tori Mulford, Linda Silver, Emory McKim, Shelby Wagner, Niven Morgan, Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez, Regen Horchow, Ken Hersh, Dennis Cail, Annika Cail, Grace Cook, Caleb Stearns Wiley, Sarah-Michelle Stearns Wiley, Jason Valdivia, Katherine Stenesen, Chantel Boudreaux, Jeffrey Bragalone, Lexi Dennis, Mickie Bragalone, John Spradling, Miriam Spradling, KC Hurst, Koli Hurst, Magda Veja, Ashley Chellgren, Maria Zajia, Geraldine Parker, Meredith Abbott, and many more patrons and supporters.

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