Treats For Everyone

Best friends raise half a million for SPCA of Texas at Dallas gala

Nothing brings people together quite like cuddly puppies, and there were plenty to hold, snuggle, and coo over at the SPCA of Texas' Fur Ball on October 4.

The Fur Ball is DFW’s salute to the bond between people and their pets. It's also a celebration of the SPCA of Texas’ important mission to provide animals with exceptional care and loving homes. It was presented this year by Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers and chaired by Katy and Lawrence Bock.

More than 450 of the nonprofit's “best friends” gathered at the Frontiers of Flight Museum near Love Field to raise funds for this mission — while also having a heck of a good time.

After posing for photos and viewing a video of one of SPCA of Texas' most inspiring success stories, a pup named Asher, guests headed upstairs for cocktails and event's main draw: the Cuddle Zone.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2024 The Cuddle Zone is always a popular part of cocktail hour.Photo by Thomas Garza

Photo by Thomas Garza

Lawrence and Katy Bock.

Sponsored by VCA Animal Hospitals, the Cuddle Zone offered sleepy and soft puppies to nuzzle, and that also happened to be available for adoption.

When people weren't trying to convince their spouse to take home a pup or two, they were browsing the silent auction items, which included plenty of animal-themed baskets, restaurant gift cards, beauty certificates, home decor items, and lots of art. A watercolor artist was even live-painting patrons' pets in exchange for a donation.

Dinnertime brought everyone downstairs to the glittery, purple-themed room. Suspended above the circular main bar was a giant hot air balloon holding a whimsically illustrated cat and dog.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2024 The Frontiers of Flight Museum was decked out in the SPCA of Texas' signature purple.Photo by Thomas Garza

Sat down to a delicious dinner of pear and goat cheese salad, a duo of achiote grilled filet of beef and tequila roasted shrimp, and chipotle cheddar potato cake with citrus steamed asparagus. Alternating desserts — vanilla cake trifle with plum stone fruit and blueberry coulis and a flourless Belgian chocolate cake — were a sweet finale.

Emcee and NBC 5 news anchor Bryan Curtis began the program with one of the Cuddle Zone puppies in his arms, reminding guests of the evening's purpose.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2024 Emcee Brian Curtis.Photo by Thomas Garza

SPCA of Texas president and CEO Chris Luna entreated the crowd to give generously to provide life-saving care for animals in need, before thanking décor chair Kristin Hallam, auction co-chairs Cindy Lindsley and Sandra Fite, and the host committee.

Auctioneer Morgan Hopson led a heated live auction as guests bid often and high on the evening’s seven items.

These included a seven-night stay at the Casa Villa Blanca in San Miguel de Allende, a two-in-one getaway to Santa Fe and Napa, and a priceless package focused on the animals and for the animals, featuring a behind-the-scenes tour of the SPCA of Texas with president Chris Luna, and much more.

The paddle raise, Pony Up for Paws, kicked off with a $50K challenge match thanks to the Roberta Wright Reeves Trust, and donors were gifted with glittering sparkle rings as a small token of thanks. The match was immediately met by generous donors.

SPCA of Texas board chair Hiren Patel then thanked the board of directors, staff, and volunteers for their tireless support, work, and dedication to the animals and the organization’s mission before guests then poured onto the dance floor with headline entertainment by Georgia Bridgwater Orchestra.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2024 The Georgia Bridgewater Orchestra got the crowd dancing.Photo by Thomas Garza

Seen getting down on the dance floor were Dallas County Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia, Holly and Phillip Huffines, Lisa and Clay Cooley, Steve and Sunie Solomon, Hal and Diane Brierley, Paul and Cathy Brown, Steve Atkinson and Ted Kincaid, Dr. Richard Gray and Marsha Pendleton-Gray, Mary and Arnold Spencer, Whitney Eichinger, and Courtney and Brandon Roane.

The Fur Ball raised more than $490,000, all of which goes directly to the SPCA of Texas to help rescue, heal, and find homes for thousands of animals. Fur Ball 2025 will be chaired by Kristin Hallam, with a date to be announced.

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

dallas theater center theater galas