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    Two-night before Christmas

    Santa Claus comes to Dallas for festive holiday-themed Two x Two First Look party

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Oct 13, 2022 | 10:00 am

    'Twas the 81st day before Christmas and all through Rachofsky House, bartenders were stirring, and Santa took selfies on a couch. Art works were hung from the walls with care, in hopes that big auction bids soon would be there.

    Dallas’ most stylish art party of fall became its most festive, as the 2022 Two x Two First Look preview party and fundraiser donned a merry-and-bright holiday theme on Thursday, October 6. Per tradition, it was hosted by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and Lisa and John Runyon, along with Two x Two director Melissa Ireland.

    There was also no mistaking who this year’s sponsor was — Neiman Marcus. The Rachofsky House was wrapped with a giant red ribbon and bow and adorned with a lit-up Neiman Marcus logo. As one guest walked up to the house, she exclaimed, “It looks just like the catalog!” Added her companion, “... and the department store!”

    Figure skaters, outfitted in designer looks from Neiman’s, glided around an ice rink erected for the evening. Bartenders shook up Belvedere Vodka “Claus-mopolitans” served in martini glasses festooned with jingle bells. And that was before anyone even stepped inside.

    First Look, of course, is the first chance for Dallas’ biggest art patrons to view the works that will be up for auction at the glamorous and exclusive Two x Two Gala, which takes place at the Rachofsky House on October 22. Two x Two for AIDS and Art is the largest U.S. fundraiser for amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art. Since its inception, Two x Two has raised over $100 million in support of essential AIDS research at amfAR and for the Contemporary Art Acquisitions Fund at the Dallas Museum of Art.

    The 131 pieces up for grabs in the forthcoming auction were displayed around three floors of the house, guarded by security personnel so any wayward glasses of wine never came too close. Featured artists included Rashid Johnson, Sheree Hovsepian, Rafael Delacruz, Alex Israel, Nir Hod, Rafa Macarron, and Tunji Adeniyi-Jones. (View the full catalog here.)

    Known as a high-energy evening, the First Look party is also the rare event that brings together local artists and gallerists with philanthropists and movers-and-shakers in the worlds of fashion and design — along with Dallasites (and some Fort Worthians, too) who just want to attend a super fun party.

    Under a backyard tent that felt like a snowglobe, guests could pose for pics on Santa’s lap, mug for the camera in an interactive photo booth, and groove to beats by DJ RomiQ. Spirited games kept attendees moving around the room, vying to win prizes from Neiman Marcus. They could guess the number of candy canes in a jar, knock down a tower of NM-gift wrapped boxes with a baseball, or toss a ping-pong ball into wreaths in the swimming pool.

    Todd Fiscus’ Todd Events designed and executed the “winter wonderland” setting that included festively-lit trees, animatronic polar bears, candy cane striped accents, chandeliers dripping with icicles, and yes, gently falling “snow.”

    Of course, no party is complete without an array of noshes that would keep Santa patting his belly. Among the offerings, both passed and in stations beyond the swimming pool, were Neiman Marcus-Inspired Popover with Goiabada Butter from Meridian; Grilled Trumpet Mushrooms, Hummus and Marinated Eggplant from Anise; Charred Pork Belly Tacos from La Mina; and Tarte Tropezienne, Pumpkin Chiboust and Pepita Streusel from Doughregarde’s Bake Shop.

    Among the 450 revelers were Abigail and Fred Perpall, Brady and Megan Wood, James Cagle, Natalie Bond Bloomingdale, Bridget and Alexis Barbier-Mueller, Christian Munoz and Jordan Jones Munoz, David Liu, Rae Liu, Michael Fountas, Derek and Christen Wilson, Jessica Nowitzki, Robyn Sills, Eric and Sheryl Maas, Jacqueline Sewell, William Atkinson, Geoffroy Van Raemdonck, Alvise Orsini, Jennifer and John Eagle, Karla McKinley, Leisa Street, Ashley Gilroy Wein, Sarah Calodney, Katie Mullen, Marjon Zabihi Henderson, Vito Cammisano, Kara Goss, Jennifer Karol, Reed Robertson , Madison Chase, Evita Tezeno, Maxine Trowbridge, Joyce Goss, Leigh Anne and Dave Clark, Vito Cammisano, Kara Goss, Jennifer Karol, Reed Allen, Nancy Lamb, Stefanie Tsen Ward, Ryan Ross, Mary McGreevy, Brandon Kennedy, Joshua King, Terri Provencal, Teresa Moeller, Max Clark, Sharon Lee Clark, Annika Cail, Ethan Carter Jones, and many more.

    Two x Two First Look 2022
      

    Photo by Bruno, Snap the Picture

    James Cagle and Natalie Bond Bloomingdale

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    Meet the debs

    42 new Dallas Symphony debutantes begin 2026 Presentation Ball prep

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    May 26, 2025 | 10:30 am
    DSOL Debutantes
    Photo by Gittings
    Meredith Burkhart, Ryan Brown, Margaret Thompson, Ellie Browne, Olivia Zambrano, Elena Zeballos

    The end of the schoolyear brought the beginning of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League debutante year for 42 local young women.

    Just a few months after last year's DSOL debs "Texas dipped" into society (and raised big bucks for the symphony), the organization introduced a new class during Announcement Weekend festivities in Dallas. Their parties, philanthropy, and training will culminate with the 40th Presentation Ball on February 21, 2026 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

    The year will be one of special milestones for the DSOL. Not only will the League celebrate its 80th anniversary, the Presentation Ball will mark its 40th year, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will turn 125 years old.

    The mega-weekend began with the Announcement Party, emceed by Stan Gardner, on the evening of Thursday, May 15. Events continued with a Deb and Honor Guard Family dinner at a restaurant and couture gown presentations at local luxury department stores. (Per tradition, each deb will wear a white ballgown to her Presentation Ball.)

    The 2026 Presentation Ball is under the guidance of co-chairs Maggie Kipp and Kristin Hallam, along with DSOL President Claire Catrino. Hallam's in-laws, Fanchon and Howard Hallam, will serve as the honorary chairs. The Hallams are longtime passionate DSO patrons whose leadership gift was pivotal in launching the Kim Noltemy Young Musicians program – one of the initiatives supported by the Ball; they also have endowed the DSO Co-Concertmaster Chair.

    Catrino made her debut in 2011 and has been a part of the DSOL ball’s planning and organization ever since.

    “Our debutantes and their families will enjoy many wonderful events, make new friends and have one-of-a-kind experiences all while supporting the outstanding education and outreach programs of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra," she says with authority.

    2026 DSOL debutantesThe 2026 DSOL debutantes.Photo by Gittings

    Now, for the most important part. The 2026 debutantes are: Claire Francis Andrews, Madeline Grace Behrens, Claire Louise Bradshaw, Ryan EllaMarie Brown, Eleanor Baxter Browne, Meredith Lilly Burkhart, Catherine Sophia Cox, Larkin McKay Devening, Marbella Mora Duarte, Sophie Elizabeth Dybala, Kathryne Grace Eastin, Gisele MaryRose Enrico, Ashley Shannon Goldman, Stella Jane Grabham, MaKenna Loy Harvey, Elizabeth Ann Hautt, Jane Penny Hochman, Madeleine Christine Jenkins, Livia Grace Lange, Charlotte Bryant Lauten, Sue Sealy McGowin, Attales Grace Meyer, Elizabeth Catherine Nance, Madelyn Leigh Neuhoff, Carly Nicole Polka, Chloe Olivia Polka, Rachel Camille Rader, Sofia Marie Reyes, Marlo Elizabeth Rivas, Campbell Ann Schultz, Kathleen Brooks Searcy, Lindy Kate Smith, Sienna Alexis Stagen, Tessa Elizabeth Stephenson, Charlotte Spencer Stiles, Harper Catherine Tagg, Margaret Lee Thompson, Corinne Elizabeth Tinker, Georgia Bedell Williamson, Virginia Anne Wilson, Olivia Constance Zambrano, and Elena Catherine Zeballos.

    The Assembly, a group of former debutantes who assist the Symphony League by helping with event arrangements throughout the season, was represented by Emily Hea, Katie Kottwitz, Marena Gault (advisor) Isabella Cox, Danielle Ward, Kennedy Downing, and Catherine Hunt.

    Parents and notable attendees included The Hon. Clay and Ramsey Jenkins, David and Lee Thompson, Suzanne and Adam Stiles, Diane and Scott Sealy, Denton Bricker, longtime League member Barbara Paschall Averitt, Roger Gault (DSO Chairman of the Board of Governors) and Michelle Miller Burns (Ross Perot President and CEO of the DSO).

    DSOL Debutantes
      

    Photo by Gittings

    Meredith Burkhart, Ryan Brown, Margaret Thompson, Ellie Browne, Olivia Zambrano, Elena Zeballos

    The presentation of Dallas Symphony debutantes is a time-honored tradition for many of Dallas' most influential and philanthropic families. The debs are of college age and typically are graduates of Dallas-area high schools, but may be attending college out of the area.

    Participation is open to all young women. Much like a sorority, participants pay fees and participate in parties, fundraisers, classes, and other events throughout the year, all leading up to the Presentation Ball.

    The Presentation Ball, which was first held in 1987, is the largest fundraiser for the DSOL. 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 $25 million in support of the Dallas Symphony Association’s Community Outreach and Education programs, which bring the symphony to thousands of young people and adults across greater Dallas.

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