Big Splash

All sexed up and everywhere to go: CultureMap celebrates Dallas launch athistoric Hall of State

Photo by Dina Awad
Photo by Dina Awad
Photo by Kelly Knight
Photo by Dina Awad
Photo by Dina Awad
Photo by Dina Awad
Thanks to Smilebooth, happy guests captured the moment at the CultureMap andCadillac step-and-repeat.
Photo by Kelly Knight
SPEAK rocked out at Hall of State after DJ BIG J and the Dallas String Quartetperformed.
Photo by Kelly Knight
Photo by Kelly Knight
Sleek white Cadillac sedans greeted guests as they approached Hall of State forthe CultureMap Dallas launch party.
Photo by Kelly Knight
Photo by Dina Awad
Photo by Kelly Knight
Photo by Kelly Knight
Photo by Kelly Knight
Photo by Dina Awad
Photo by Kelly Knight
A VIP room with swanky seating and blue lighting provided an intimate settingfor attendees.
Photo by Kelly Knight
Photo by Dina Awad

We don't mean to brag, but CultureMap knows how to party. Just eight weeks after our official launch date, we gathered with more than 700 new friends and fans for a sexy soiree at the historic Hall of State in Fair Park.

After enthusiasts dropped off their cars at the valet, they walked the blue carpet — flanked by slick Cadillac sedans — toward the grand entrance. Holograms of CultureMap Dallas and Cadillac lit up the Hall of State facade, giving guests a taste of what was to come.

Upon entering, attendees — including Sabra Girard, Jim and Vicky White, Jill Magnuson, Chris Quadri, Kimmi Peacock, Kristie Ramirez, Tom Hoitsma, Elaine Raffel, Marie Dean, Stephanie Arbetter, Rachel Fresquez, Marilyn and Scot Miller, Jane McGarry, Jackson, and Merritt Beck — joined our team in tasting the creations of some of our city's finest chefs.

Among the tasty morsels: tuna tataki and green papaya salad by Private Social's Tiffany Derry; kabocha caramel cheesecake bites by Oak's Sarah Green; curried big eye tuna in curry cones by Spoon's John Tesar; deviled eggs, pimento cheese tartlets, and ham and cheese tartlets by Sissy's Southern Kitchen's Lisa Garza; and smoked duck with ham and fig mostarda by The Grape's Brian C. Luscher.

In between performances by DSQ Electric, DJ Big J and SPEAK, devotees sipped Ultimat Vodka cocktails, Messina Hof wine and Real Ale brew.

Partygoers posed for the Smilebooth camera stationed outside the swanky, velvet-draped VIP room. Singles, couples and groups snapped pics and shared them via Facebook and Twitter, so the social world was also abuzz about CultureMap that night.

Upon departure, guests received a Sprinkles cupcake or pack of assorted cookies to extend the sweetness of this magical evening.

Special thanks to our additional sponsors, Frost Bank, Inwood Village, Mockingbird Station and Pinto Ranch.

event-planner

Soup's On

Stewpot Alliance luncheon raises funds and hope for Dallas neighbors in need

Photo by Rob Wythe/The Stewpot

Shane Bowen, Cory Bowen, Ashley Ellis, Danny Ellis

What: 2026 Stewpot Alliance Soup’s On! Luncheon and Art Show

Where: Thompson Dallas

The 411: The 18th annual Stewpot Alliance Soup’s On! Luncheon and Art Sale took place Monday, February 2, with proceeds benefiting The Stewpot.

Since its inception in 1975 as a ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Dallas to feed people on the streets downtown, The Stewpot has served more than 9 million meals and has grown to provide comprehensive support services for people experiencing poverty and homelessness.

Since 2008, Soup’s On has raised more than $5 million for Dallas neighbors experiencing homelessness and poverty.

The 2026 event was presented by H-E-B/Central Market and co-chaired by community leaders Cory and Shane Bowen and Ashley and Danny Ellis, and retired Dallas Regional Chamber president and CEO Dale Petroskey served as honorary chair. Brenda Snitzer is executive director of The Stewpot.

The luncheon, emceed by NBC 5 anchor Deborah Ferguson, welcomed about 700 patrons eager to hear from keynote speaker Hailee Kaleem Wright. The singer, songwriter and actor (whose roles include Catherine of Aragon in SIX: The Musical and Satine in Moulin Rouge! The Musical shared her story of resilience — about overcoming homelessness twice on her rise to Broadway stardom. She also surprised attendees with a heartfelt performance of “Firework.”

The other stars of the day were the chefs who provided the delectable slips and slurps of savory soups. They were: Head chef Brian C. Luscher of 33 Restaurant Group (Suburban Yacht Club, Union Bear, Taverna Rossa); Jeff Bekavac, Goodwins; J. Chastain, Duro Hospitality (Sister, The Charles, El Carlos Elegante); Omar Flores, Big Dill Hospitality (Casa Brasa, Muchacho Tex-Mex, Whistle Britches, Even Coast); Danyele McPherson, Leela’s Wine Bar; Janice Provost, Parigi; Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, Oh Hi! Hospitality (AM/FM, Puerto Cocina & Bar); Jeramie Robison, Thompson Dallas; Abraham Salum, Salum; and special guest chef Adam Bazaldua from Dallas City Council.

Photo by Rob Wythe/The Stewpot

Shane Bowen, Cory Bowen, Ashley Ellis, Danny Ellis

The luncheon also featured an art show including 100 pieces of original art created by artists from The Stewpot Art Program.

Who: Nichelle Sullivan, Mabrie Jackson, Jessica Gonzales, Chelsea Fletcher, Christina Collins, Lynn Fisher, Christy Coltrin, Jack Oldham, Brad Oldham, Tom Falk, Karen Falk, Ellen McStay, Dee McStay Howell, Charlene Jin Lee, Bea Njuguna, Lisa Meyer, Anne Seanor, Patti Flowers, Amanda Applewhite, Jennifer Black, Julie Bell, Liz Brantley, Karen Novakowski, Stacey Angel, Venise Stuart, Sarah Hardin, and hundreds more.

luncheons fundraisers galas