Two-night before Christmas

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

'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.

Photo by Bruno, Snap the Picture

Jessica Nowitzki, Robyn Sills

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Centerstage spotlight

Showstopping Dallas Theater Center gala raises the curtain on a new era

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Zeke Williams, Grace Cook, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart

On a picture-perfect Saturday night, more than 250 of Dallas’ most devoted arts patrons gathered at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre for CENTERSTAGE 42, the annual gala benefiting Dallas Theater Center. The elegant evening on May 2 proved to be both a celebration of Dallas theater’s past and a curtain-raising for its future.

As the sun began to set across the Diane and Hal Brierley Esplanade in the Dallas Arts District, guests descended the outdoor staircase for an al fresco cocktail reception. One popular stop was just inside the doors of the lobby: A "Ziya" digital photo booth from local company Make Life Sweeter that turned patrons' posed photos into stylized watercolor portraits.

Throughout the venue, installations highlighting Dallas Theater Center’s Public Works initiative reminded attendees that the organization’s impact stretches from the stage to the neighborhoods of North Texas.

A multicourse dinner was served on the stage inside the Potter Rose Performance Hall, making attendees feel like the stars of the show in the intimate, theatrical atmosphere.

One of the night’s most meaningful moments came with the presentation of the prestigious Linda and Bill Custard Award to Larry Angelilli, recognized for more than three decades of leadership and advocacy that helped shape Dallas’ cultural landscape. The gala also paused to honor the memories of two beloved arts patrons, Linda Custard and Sarah Warnecke, both longtime champions of Dallas Theater Center and the broader arts community.

Inspired by their example, guests bid high for fabulous live auction items, including trips to Palm Springs and Hawaii and a private dinner with actor Michael Urie at a home on White Rock Lake. A paddle raise followed, with patrons giving generously all around the room.

Every $100 counted - from upstage, downstage, and closer to the wings - as the sold-out fundraiser's earnings totaled an impressive $545,000 in support of the Tony Award-winning theater company and its education and community engagement programs, including Project Discovery, Summer Stage, Saturday Sessions, and Community Workshops.

It wouldn't have been a theater benefit without a showstopping performer. When scheduled headliner Michael Urie was called away for filming commitments tied to Shrinking, Dallas Theater Center called on homegrown talent — and the result brought the crowd to its feet. Broadway performer Tiffany Mann, a DFW native with credits including Be More Chill and Waitress, delivered a powerhouse performance - and a few sparkly outfit changes.

The entire program was emceed by Bri Woods and Akron Watson, both fresh off Dallas Theater Center’s acclaimed production of Ragtime. Woods, an SMU Meadows graduate and Linda and Bill Custard Meadows Actor in the Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company, represented the next generation of Dallas theater talent, while Tony-, Grammy-, and Emmy-winning Watson brought Broadway pedigree and star power to the gala stage.

This year’s gala leadership reflected the milestone spirit of the evening. Rather than appointing a single chair, Dallas Theater Center reunited gala chairs from the past decade to lead CENTERSTAGE 42 collectively. Leadership included Jennifer and Peter Altabef, Mickie and Jeff Bragalone, Stephanie Byrd, Scott Davis, Melinda Johnson, Brett Levy, Michelle Lockhart, Ann Mahowald, Deborah McMurray, Scott Moore, Scott Orr, Andy Smith, Paul Von Wupperfeld, Hamilton Sneed, and Krista Farber Weinstein.

The evening also marked an exciting turning point for Dallas Theater Center as it prepares to enter a new era under incoming Enloe/Rose Artistic Director Jaime Castañeda, a TCU grad who is making his return to DFW. The affable leader introduced himself to the audience with a few fun personal anecdotes (including one involving an Easter bunny suit) and expressed his enthusiasm for the vision and direction of DTC.

Cheers went up as Castañeda made a surprise announcement: That The Lehman Trilogy would be the final show in DTC's 2026-27 season.

Upon retrieving their cars from valet, guests departed with an ingenious gift on their front seat: A thank-you note and invitation for two tickets to the DTC's next production, the world premiere of Jonathan Norton's play Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem -on stage now through June 7. "We look forward to welcoming you back to the theater!" read the note.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were DTC patrons and supporters including Zeke Williams, Grace Cook, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart, Ann Mahowald, Michelle Lockhart, Hamilton A Sneed, Krista Farber Weinstein, Caroline Hamilton, Brandi Willis, Paul von Wupperfeld, Andy Smith, Mickie Bragalone, Jeff Bragalone, Deborah McMurray, Glen Davison, Cynthia Smoot, Jeff Netzer, Jeremy Lock, D'Andra Simmons Lock, Lynn Richardson, Elvenn Richardson, Michelle Lockhart, Krista Weinstein, Paul von Wupperfeld, Sarah Jackson, Andy Smith, and many more. (Scroll through the photos, above, to see highlights of the night.)

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Zeke Williams, Grace Cook, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart

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