Editor's note: As we look back at the most-read society stories from 2022, we see Dallas philanthropists flexing some serious fundraising muscle at glittering galas all year long - whether supporting children's charities at Crystal Charity Ball, the fight against cancer at Cattle Baron's Ball, or fashion-career scholarships at FGI Night of Stars Gala. Celebrity couples made a few appearances on the list, and a couple of 'Yellowstone' stars roped in a staggering amount at one big bash.
1. Dallas' most VIP couple leads all-star gala for Perot Museum 10th anniversary. The 10th anniversary of a Dallas landmark deserves a star-studded party and a few fireworks, too — and that's exactly what the Perot Museum of Nature and Science did to celebrate its milestone birthday. Dallas' most VIP couple led the festivities. Dirk and Jessica Nowitzki co-chaired the 10th anniversary Night at the Museum Gala on Saturday, November 12.
2. Bachelor favorite marries billionaire's son in lavish Dallas wedding. A Bachelor runner-up in 2020 won her happily ever after two years later in Dallas: Madison Prewett married Dallas native Grant Troutt in a glamorous, made-for-reality-TV celebration at his folks' estate on Saturday, October 29.
Dirk and Jessica Nowitzki chaired the Perot Museum gala.
3. Yellowstone's Kevin Costner and Jen Landon help rope in staggering $2.9 million at Grapevine gala. In the wild, wild west world of black-tie charity balls, there's rarely a guaranteed lasso to success. But Plano-based nonprofit Emily's Place hit the target and then some, raising a jaw-dropping $2.9 million at its "Black Ties & Grassroots" gala starring Kevin Costner and his Modern West band, and emceed by Yellowstone co-star Jen Landon, on April 23 at the Gaylord Texan Resort.
4. A-list fashion stars align at Dallas’ most stylish black-tie awards gala. It's been called Dallas' version of the Met Gala. More than 300 of Dallas' chicest packed the Thompson Hotel ballroom for the Fashion Group International of Dallas (FGI Dallas) Night of Stars 2022 gala on November 18. They included fashion luminaries, celebrities, socialites, philanthropists, business owners, and influencers — all there to raise funds for scholarships for aspiring fashion designers and professionals.
5. Glamorous Dallas Symphony debutantes dip, dance, and debut at 2022 Presentation Ball. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League introduced 48 debutantes at the annual Presentation Ball on February 12. Upon their presentation on stage, each deb showed off her best "Texas dip" in front of the appreciative crowd, then celebrated with family at an elegant dinner-dance in the Meyerson Symphony Center lobby. More than $12 million has been raised for the DSO through the annual event.
6. The 12 glittering galas and splendid soirees all Dallas socialites must attend this spring. In January, Dallasites were ready to dust off their stilettos and steam their ballgowns because galas, cocktail parties, and power lunches were finally back. After two years of COVID-cancellations — or pivots to virtual formats — Dallas' most glamorous fundraising events of spring returned to the calendar. We rounded up the must-attend events.
7. Robert and Sibylle Redford celebrate premiere of symphony-film project with Dallas arts patrons. The weekend of October 20-22, local arts supporters and prominent names in the world of film descended on Dallas for the U.S. premiere of The Way of the Rain: Hope for Earth. The performance, created and directed by artist Sibylle Szaggars Redford, had special narration by legendary actor/director (and Sibylle's husband) Robert Redford.
8. Splendid Crystal Charity Ball 2022 whisks Dallas dreamers to Italy for a bella notte. Crystal Charity Ball 2022 brought Italian magnificence to Dallas' grandest gala. The annual black-tie gala, held December 3, is the grand finale of the social season and benefits children's charities around the city. For the milestone 70th year of Crystal Charity Ball, the Hilton Anatole Hotel's foyer and ballroom were filled with the sights, sounds, and tastes of Italy.
9. Fun and fabulous Dallasites boogie to $9.4 million at 'fantasy disco' Two x Two Gala. What could possibly make the annual Two x Two Gala coming-together of Dallas' art-fashion-philanthropy worlds even more fun and fabulous? Taking it to a disco, and then to a candy land. This year's sold-out, black-tie dinner and contemporary art auction attracted 535 guests who boogied it up to the tune of $9.4 million for the amFAR and the Dallas Museum of Art.
10. Dallas cowpokes lasso funds at Southfork Ranch for 2022 Cattle Baron's Ball. It may have only been the 49th, and not the momentous 50th, anniversary of Cattle Baron’s Ball, but that didn't stop Dallas' biggest party from going all out at a new venue. In September, the ball got back to its roots this year at popular Big D landmark Southfork Ranch, the filming site of the iconic TV show Dallas.
Ice skaters showed off their moves in the "Central Park" rink.Photo by Ashley Gongora
The Kilgore Rangerettes channeled the Radio City Rockettes.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Dessert included a cake that looked like a blue Tiffany box.Photo by Michael Merry