Birds of a Feather

DSO League's fashion show + luncheon soars with blooming benefactors

The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center is already a stunning venue, but it was transformed into a fairy-tale vision of blue, lilac, silver, and gold for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League’s 11^th annual Fashion Notes Luncheon and Style Show on October 10.

Chaired by Madelaine Lam and Whitney Cameron, with Linda L. Burk, MD and her daughters Jane E. Gilmore, MD and Linda L. Gilmore as honorary chairs, the event took its enchanting inspiration from the feathered theme "Birdsong."

Guests were greeted with flutes of the signature cocktail, Bluebird 76, and the sight of the Instagram-worthy main staircase, which featured a 10-foot-tall gilded gazebo covered in flowers and surrounded by luscious green vines. Perched in the center was a chic bridal gown by the afternoon's Designer Award recipient, Esé Azénabor Grembowski.

DSOL Fashion Notes 2024 The breathtaking display greeted guests on arrival.Photo by Thomas Garza and Rob Wythe

After browsing the silent auction and raffle, which included a "glow-up" package, a "get fit" package, and an array of experiences promoting the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, guests took their seats for the program and fashion show.

Emcee and sports reporter Lesley McCaslin introduced DSOL president Dixey Arterburn and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's new CEO and president, Michelle Miller Burns, reminding the crowd that the day's celebration recognizes the art of music and fashion.

It also raises funds for the Dallas Symphony Association's education and outreach initiatives. To date, this organization of volunteers has raised more than $22 million in support of those efforts. The funds also support young musicians from communities across DFW who receive instruments and lessons from the world-renowned DSO.

DSOL Fashion Notes 2024 Young Strings members entertained guests.Photo by Thomas Garza and Rob Wythe

Photo by Thomas Garza and Rob Wythe

Luncheon chair Madelaine Lam, DSOL president Dixey Arterburn, luncheon chair Whitney Cameron.

Additional initiatives include:

Young Strings — members of which were performing that morning — and The Cecil and Ida Green Youth Concerts, which impact over 20,000 students.
DSO On the Go, which brings the orchestra outside the Meyerson Symphony Center and into neighborhoods and communities around North Texas.
MyDSO Concerts, which are specially designed for children and adults on the autism spectrum and with developmental disabilities, and their families, friends, and caregivers.
Kim Noltemy Young Musicians, which just celebrated its fifth anniversary this past summer. This transformative program establishes free after-school orchestras in southern Dallas, where many schools don’t have music programs. It provides instruments and expert teachers to help build orchestras in communities that are often underserved and underrepresented. This past summer, 380 students participated in these camps, which run alongside the Young Strings camps.

Kudos were given to the event's committee, which includes Katy Mendelsohn Brooks, Claire Catrino, Sharon Lee Clark, Jen Davis, Funmi Omotayo, Jen Sanders, Caitlin Wilson, First VP Fundraising Kristin Cordiak, Fashion Notes Advisor Nikki Beneke, and presenting sponsors Tanya and Daniel Rice.

DSOL Fashion Notes 2024 Urvi Dalal, Desirie Laugerud.Photo by Thomas Garza and Rob Wythe

The music rose again as the fashion show began, featuring Esé Azénabor Grembowski and Elah Grembowski; Linda Burke, MD, Jane Gilmore, MD, and Linda Gilmore; Whitney Cameron with Alex and Cole Cameron; Madelaine Lam with Preston Lam; Melissa Graham with Elise and Isla Graham; Tessa Smith and Kristin Hallam; Mandi Bonilla with Violet and Scarlet Wick; Laura Price with Ellie and Lucy Price; Sarah Williams with Mason Williams; Tama Tran and Erica McGraw and Sharon Lee Clark; Ellie Castro with Serena and Siena Castro; Jen Sanders with Jackson Sanders; Kelly Morgan with Myles Morgan; Vida Samii and Jen Huen; Katy Mendelsohn Brooks with Sophia Brooks; Caitlin Wilson with Chloe Wilson; and Urvi Dalal and Desirie Laugerud.

DSOL Fashion Notes 2024 Attendees enjoyed an elegant lunch.Photo by Thomas Garza and Rob Wythe

After the energetic live auction and paddle raise, guests were served an elegant lunch of mini quiches, butternut squash soup, a plated salad trio, and alternating coconut and pineapple parfait and hazelnut praline tart.

The DSOL’s fundraisers each year include Fashion Notes, the Junior Symphony Ball, Presentation Ball, and Savor the Symphony. The 2025 Presentation Ball will be held February 15, 2025, chaired by Ginger Sager and Barbara Averitt with honorary chairs Bill and Shirley McIntyre.

fashion show fundraisers symphony luncheons

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.

executives parks klyde warren park