Dipping into society

Dallas Symphony debutantes put their best bow forward at 2023 Presentation Ball

Executing the most athletic feat ever attempted in a ginormous white ballgown, 26 debutantes took their "Texas Dip" into society at the 37th Annual Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Presentation Ball on February 11.

In grand tradition, each young woman was escorted onto the stage of the Meyerson Symphony Center by her father as the Dave Alexander Orchestra played a theme of her choosing. Dad then kissed her on the cheek, stepped to the side carefully (Don't step on the dress!) and looked on proudly as she walked forward.

Slowly, gracefully, purposefully, each woman curtsied all the way to the ground - arms out, head forward, head bowed, head to the side - all while clutching a floral bouquet. A member of the Honor Guard then assisted her onto her feet and carefully (Don't step on the dress!) escorted her off stage to relax.

While most in the audience politely applauded each performance, occasionally an entire cheering section of the young women's peers (mostly of college sophomore and junior age) would stand up and yell for their friends, as if at a sporting event. (The program specifically requested no air horns or cowbells.) A breach of etiquette, perhaps, but some added celebratory élan at the swanky formal affair.

The 2023 DSOL debutantes were: Britton Barcus, Margaret Bracken, Stephanie Ciarochi, Kate Clark, Sarah Crow, Elena Dewar, Gracie Dix, Natalie Duvall, Arden Eiland, Charlotte Esping, Kaitlin Ann Kelly, Celeste Lay, Ella Marks, Ellie Michaelson, Gigi Miller, Lydia Pigott, Morgan Potter, Sasha Schwimmer, Ellie Steindorf, Catherine Stiles, Elizabeth Thompson, Lucy Tilden, CeCe Tribolet, Danielle Ward, Paige Williams, and Nicole Zimmer.

The DSOL Presentation Ball is a time-honored tradition for many of Dallas' most influential and philanthropic families. For example (try to keep up here) ...

Gigi Miller made her debut, and brothers Vaughn and Vance served as Honor Guards. Their grandmother, Tincy Miller, founded the event in 1987. Her son (their father) Vaughn Miller was among the first Honor Guard group in the inaugural year.

Then there is the Averitt family, who has been active in the event for 30 years. Members of the Averitt/Duvall families were present for the debut of Natalie Duvall. Her mom, Susan Averitt Duvall, made her debut in the inaugural presentation ball, and sister Madelyn Duvall was presented in 2020. Susan’s brother Mark Averitt was a member of the first group of Honor Guards, and other family members were involved, as well.

Several parents present had had debutante daughters in prior years, including Heather and Bill Esping, Megan and John Pigott, Dawne and Patrick Tribolet, and Michelle and Erik Ward.

During the onstage ceremony, emcee Stan Garner recognized this year's honorary co-chairs Lisa and Clay Cooley, Presentation Ball chair Karen Cox, and DSOL president Cynthia Beaird. Legendary fashion show producer Jan Strimple was honored, as this was her final year as choreographer of the ball; she is handing the reins to Densil Adams assisted by Mia Davis.

After each young woman was presented, the audience scurried quickly into the lobby, where trumpeters lined the grand staircase in anticipation of the debs' procession. Escorted by Honor Guard members, the women were announced and ushered onto the dance floor for the traditional father-daughter dance.

Then patrons found their tables for a sumptuous seated dinner: spring greens bouquet salad with artistically presented red and yellow tomato, mozzarella tower; roasted filet mignon with Yukon gold mashed potatoes, baby carrots, and spinach; and a decadent flourless chocolate torte with brandied cherries and vanilla bean whipped cream for dessert.

Following dinner, Limelight Band took the stage, and the door floor filled for a high-energy after-party.

The Presentation Ball, which was first held in 1987, is the largest fundraiser for the DSOL. Over $14 million has been raised for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through the annual black- or white-tie event. Participation is open to all young women. Much like a sorority, participants pay fees and participate in parties, fundraisers, and other events throughout the year.

Founded in 1946, the DSOL's mission is to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through service, education and fundraising activities. Since 1998 the League has contributed over $21 million in support of the DSO's many community initiatives.

Photo by Gittings

Elena Dewar doing the Texas Dip

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Giving Unmasked

Dallas arts lovers go incognito to TACA's inaugural Masquerade gala

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Maura Sheffler, Shakespeare Dallas actor, Purvi Patel, Bill Albers, Shakespeare Dallas actor.

The inaugural TACA Masquerade, presented by The Eugene McDermott Foundation, transformed The Bomb Factory in Deep Ellum into a vibrant celebration of Dallas’ performing arts community, marking a powerful new chapter in TACA’s mission to fuel a thriving arts ecosystem.

With nearly 250 guests, performers, artists, and volunteers in attendance at the late November event, the evening blended immersive performance, culinary indulgence, and philanthropic impact, raising more than $275,000 in support of TACA’s work across North Texas.

Chaired by Purvi and Bill Albers, the gala embraced its “Masquerade” theme by inviting guests to don extravagant masks while they moved through a multi-sensory experience where performances unfolded throughout the venue.

Rather than a traditional stage-and-seating format, the night showcased Dallas’ extraordinary artistic depth through a lineup of featured performers and "Behind the Masque" artists, allowing attendees to encounter art up close and in unexpected ways.

The evening featured compelling performances and artistic moments from Avant Chamber Ballet, Pegasus Contemporary Ballet, KNOwBox Dance, Verdigris Ensemble, Rosana Eckert Jazz Quartet, Joel Olivas, Echo Theatre, Firehouse Theatre, Kitchen Dog Theater, Shakespeare Dallas, Teatro Dallas, Theatre Three, and collaborators from Cedars Union, The Dallas Opera, and more. Together, these artists represented the breadth of disciplines that define Dallas’ cultural landscape, from dance and theater to music and interdisciplinary performance, reinforcing TACA’s role as a connector and catalyst for creative excellence.

In addition to ticket sales and sponsorships, fundraising efforts were amplified through the Behind the Masque Campaign and a highly anticipated raffle featuring exclusive arts experiences generously donated by Dallas cultural institutions.

Guests vied for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that included a private behind-the-scenes tour of the Nasher Sculpture Center, a VIP experience for MOMIX: Botanica, and a Christmas Pops guest conductor experience with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

Other standout offerings included a sneak peek at an opening-night experience for Ragtime at Dallas Theater Center, a two-night stay at Hall Arts Hotel paired with tickets to the “Constellations” exhibition at the Dallas Museum of Art, VIP box seats for The Dallas Opera’s The Little Prince at the Winspear Opera House, and an intimate voiceover lesson and recording session with Dallas Children’s Theater.

Additional experiences ranged from an after-hours gallery gathering at Dallas Contemporary and a behind-the-scenes dance experience with Bruce Wood Dance Dallas to a Blue Man Group experience for eight at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Complementing the artistic energy was an elevated culinary experience that encouraged guests to mingle and explore. Food stations offered such delectable options as red wine-braised short rib with mascarpone polenta, zucchini noodle puttanesca, deconstructed chicken cordon bleu, and indulgent warm chocolate chip cookie and brownie skillets that ended the evening on a sweet note.

It was clear that Dallas' arts supporters did not want to mask their financial support: The event raised more than $275,000 to further TACA's mission of fueling a vibrant arts community.

With plans already underway to return next fall at The Bomb Factory, the inaugural Masquerade set the tone for what promises to become a signature event.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Maura Sheffler, Shakespeare Dallas actor, Purvi Patel, Bill Albers, Shakespeare Dallas actor.

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