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    The gown lowdown

    Save the date for these 13 must-attend Dallas galas and luncheons of spring 2023

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Jan 27, 2023 | 12:12 pm

    With the busy holiday season behind us, it's time to start looking forward to all the bounties of spring. And in Dallas, that means not just wildflowers and baseball, but all the glitzy galas and lavish luncheons that benefit beloved nonprofits. This season sees a coterie of Hollywood and Broadway stars as event headliners - Nicole Kidman, Rob Lowe, and Patti Lupone among them. Art Ball has become an even more exclusive black-tie gala, and Mad Hatter's has reformatted from a tea party to a luncheon - with the most majestic theme yet. Here are the dates and events to circle in your social calendar.

    Chase Cooley, Bela Cooley
      
    Photo by WJNPHOTO

    Bela Cooley (here, with Chase Cooley) is co-chairing DMA's Art Ball this year.

    St. Valentine's Day Luncheon, February 13
    After postponing to May last year, the season's loveliest luncheon moves back to its traditional Valentine's-week date. Themed "Let Love Shine," the 39th annual Leukemia & Lymphoma Society benefit is chaired by Katy Bock and Sunie Solomon, along with advisory chairs Nancy Gopez, Maggie Kipp, and Melinda Knowles. The event will feature champagne, lunch, inspiring speakers, and a fashion show of looks from Highland Park Village, produced by Jan Strimple. The mega-luncheon will be held at the Meyerson Symphony Center, and funds raised will help fight blood cancers.

    Mavs Ball, March 3
    Mavs fans won't want to miss the eighth annualMavs Ball, featuring appearances from favorite players, CEO Cynt Marshall, and Governor Mark Cuban. The star-studded night at the Omni Dallas Hotel includes a cocktail reception, seated dinner, live and silent auctions, and live entertainment. The gala is the premier fundraising event for the Mavs Foundation and celebrates the year's grantees and charitable work of the Dallas Mavericks during this season.

    Broadway Dallas Moulin Rouge Gala, April 1
    The first of two Broadway-themed galas on the same night, this one will feature a full performance of Moulin Rouge (which is playing at the Music Hall at Fair Park, March 15-April 2). The evening, which also includes dinner, drinks, and an after-party, promises to celebrate the best of Broadway while supporting Broadway Dallas and its nonprofit mission to deliver the spirit of Broadway to North Texas through educational programs and community outreach initiatives. The gala will be headed by honorary chairs Ambassador Kathryn Walt Hall and Craig Hall, along with gala chairs Jolie Humphrey and Gail Plummer.

    Turtle Creek Rhapsody with Patti Lupone, April 1
    Broadway legend Patti Lupone will headline "Rhapsody," Turtle Creek Chorale’s benefit gala at the Meyerson Symphony Center. The evening will feature opening receptions, seated dinner, open bar, live auction, a private performance by Lupone, and an after-party experience with live band, dancing, and dessert. Funds raised will support the chorale’s mission to entertain, educate, unite, and inspire through its musical, cultural, and educational programs. James Lynn Williams is the honorary chair.

    Junior League Milestones Luncheon with Rob Lowe, April 14
    Known for snagging big-name Hollywood speakers, this year's event doesn't disappoint. Award-winning actor, activist, and author Rob Lowe is the keynote speaker for the annual Junior League of Dallas luncheon.Pam Busbee will be honored as Sustainer of the Year at the event, taking place at Omni Dallas Hotel and chaired by Heather McNamara. The luncheon benefits Junior League's many civic causes throughout greater Dallas.

    AWARE Affair, April 14
    This gala makes the list on the merits of its location alone: the immersive art venue Lighthouse ArtSpace. Themed "An Artful Evening of Advocacy Fighting Alzheimer's," the event has Rangers Baseball LHP Taylor Hearn and Venise and Larry Stuart serving as honorary chairs, with Lori Bush, Pamela Musgrove, and C'Mone Wingo as co-chairs. The artsy Affair will include a cocktail reception, live and silent auctions, seated three course-dinner, and entertainment. Attire is "art chic cocktail - tie optional." Proceeds to go help fight Alzheimer's disease.

    Art Ball, April 15
    Considered the most glittering gala of spring, this beautiful black-tie ball at the Dallas Museum of Art is now in its 61st year. Leigh Anne Clark and Bela Cooley will chair the ball, which supports the museum's mission to offer free admission to the more than 800,000 annual visitors. Tickets will be coveted, as it will be a more intimate event of just 330 guests this year. (Also, save the date for DMA's Art in Bloom Kickoff Luncheon on March 6, which will look ahead to its 25th anniversary next year. Look for more details to come, here.)

    Mad Hatter's Luncheon, April 20
    Hats and fascinators will be nothing less than regal with this year's theme: "Commemorating the 35th Annual Majestic Mad Hatter’s Luncheon - A Celebration of English Elegance." The bigger the better for this posh afternoon event at the Dallas Arboretum. The 35th event - reformatted from a tea party to a luncheon - is chaired by Anne Stodghill and Kristina Wrenn, with Kim Hext as honorary chair and Sarah Jo Hardin serving as president of the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum. The afternoon will once include a champagne reception, luncheon, hat contest, and (instead of a fashion show) a presentation by renowned fashion designer Michael Faircloth on the history, humor, and hope of the hat. Funds raised benefit A Woman’s Garden.

    TEX Gala, April 20
    This rare Thursday night gala benefits the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, which improves the lives of children, the military, and first responders' families in the community. Attendees will experience a red-carpet arrival, dinner on the playing surface of Globe Life Field, live and silent auctions featuring exclusive Rangers experiences and sports and Hollywood memorabilia, and a live performance from country superstar Kenny Chesney. For information and tickets, visit the website.

    Chick Lit Luncheon with Lisa Vanderpump, April 21
    TV personality, author, and philanthropist Lisa Vanderpump will headline this favorite Dallas luncheon. Besides featuring a chat with The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules star, the afternoon event will include a special tribute to Paige McDaniel, set to retire in May as the president and CEO of Community Partners of Dallas. The big-deal luncheon at the Hilton Anatole is chaired by Sally Dutter and Beth Thoele, with Debbie Scripps as honorary chair.

    Children's Cancer Fund Gala, April 21
    The is the biggie for Cowboys fans. Honorary chairs Troy Aikman and Dak Prescott join event co-chairs Heather Randall and Blake Stephenson in a black-tie ball that helps fight childhood cancer. Besides being an epic evening that includes dinner, auctions, fashion, and after-party, the gala always tugs at the heartstrings because the highlight is seeing seeing children rocking the Hilton Anatole runway, alongside their idols and favorite superheroes, in a fashion show.

    Genesis Annual Luncheon with Nicole Kidman, May 12
    Consider this take two. After 2020's luncheon starring Nicole Kidman canceled due to COVID and pivoted to a virtual conversation with the Oscar-winning actress, she's agreed to come back to Dallas in person. The 30th annual edition of the beloved luncheon will take place, per usual, at the Hilton Anatole. It raises funds for the organization's continuous effort to provide safety, shelter, and support for women who have experienced domestic violence.

    House of DIFFA, May 13
    Happening at the Hilton Anatole this year, May's most colorful black-tie gala always features a one-of-a-kind runway show and killer silent auction. The 2023 theme, "The List" will celebrate inclusion and pay tribute to Studio 54, London Punk, and Coachella, to name a few. ("Everyone is on The List," they say.) Haley Clark and Richard Rivas co-chair the gala, which benefits organizations that help raise awareness, advocate for individuals, and fight HIV/AIDS in the Dallas community.

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    Welcome to the Dreamstate

    Dreamy DIFFA Dallas gala invites glammed-up guests into surreal soiree

    Lindsey Wilson
    May 16, 2025 | 1:30 pm
    DIFFA 2025
    Photo by Kelly Alexander
    Gabriella Monte

    We're always in favor of a gala where you can turn up wearing pajamas, but when that gala is House of DIFFA, those PJs had better be glam.

    The 2025 theme combined the eerie with the ethereal: Dreamstate, which DIFFA describes as "a surreal realm where the power of dreams fuels transformation and fantasy gives way to fearless impact."

    And this year's guests were definitely not sleeping. Along with silky, slinky, sequined pajama sets and even a bit of racy lingerie, attendees at this avant-garde fashion extravaganza interpreted the theme in myriad ways: fairy wings, lacy masks, crowns, and plenty of ballgowns, rhinestone tuxedos, and high heels (on all genders) tall enough to rival skyscrapers.

    Chaired by Payton Martin and Jacob Samson and sponsored by the Louis L. Borick Foundation, the May 3 evening began with a private VIP cocktail hour. Then the masses could descend on the Sheraton Dallas Hotel for a vibrant two hours of sipping specialty drinks, posing for photographers, and bidding on both the silent auction items and legendary jacket collection.

    DIFFA 2025Midsummer night scene in the runway show.Photo by Thomas Garza

    These custom, one-of-a-kind jackets were all created exclusively for DIFFA Dallas, and included pieces from both local and global designers. The extensive silent auction offered everything from luxury fashion and jewelry to artwork, spa services, furniture, decor, and exclusive dining and travel experiences, with all proceeds benefiting HIV/AIDS service organizations across North Texas.

    This year's beneficiaries include:

    • AIDS Interfaith Network
    • AIDS Outreach Center
    • AIDS Services of Dallas
    • AIDS Walk South Dallas
    • CAN Community Health
    • Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ
    • Children's Medical Center ARMS Clinic
    • Cook Children's Health Foundation
    • Dallas Hope Charities
    • East Texas Cares Resource Center
    • Elevate North Texas
    • Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund
    • Health Services of North Texas
    • HELP Center for LGBT Health and Wellness
    • Legacy Cares
    • Legal Hospice of Texas
    • Open Arms, Inc. - Bryan's House
    • Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas
    • Prism Health North Texas
    • Resource Center of Dallas
    • A Sister's Gift
    • Sonya's House
    • Tarrant County Samaritan Housing
    • White Rock Friends

    A special display also showed off outfits and headgear worn by such stars as Madonna, Shania Twain, Chappel Roan, and Zoe Saldaña in music videos, photo shoots, and on the red carpet.

    When the doors of the Lone Star Ballroom were thrown open, guests quickly sought their seats so that the program and three-course dinner could commence.

    Following remarks from the co-chairs and DIFFA Dallas board chair Ken Weber, the lady herself presented the Donna Fishel Community Hero Award to Todd Bacon, pastor of White Rock Community Church and community liaison for White Rock Friends.

    For the last 30 years, White Rock Friends has been committed to the health and well-being of its community, providing hot meals on weekends (one of the first and only in DFW) and running a "general store" that supplies personal care and household cleaning products to those in need.

    Then the DIFFA board of trustees got their moment in the spotlight, with waves of applause for Jacob Samson, Brandon Bell, Rick Castillo, Jonathan Flores, Steve Lopez, Paige Westhoff, Richard Rivas, David Chadd, Jainy Selvakumar, Danny Acevedo, Rhiannon Bolen, Christi Meril, J.R. Shoman, JR Hernandez, and Eric Bright.

    Strutting the runway next were the 2025 DIFFA Dallas Style Council Ambassadors: Ashley Anderson Smith, Sonya Morfor, Bill Moore, Korey Williams, Shelle Carrig, Amy Baumann, Lisa Endicott, Clayton Nabors, Chad Collom, Deborah Bowles, Sonia Simmons, Sierre Tuthill, Kelly Wolfenberger, Kelli Seliger, Danny Cabrera, Steven Hoyl, and Abbe Fenimore.

    DIFFA 2025Booker T. Washington Senior Modeling Luxury Jacket Photo by Danny Campbell

    To introduce the recipient of the Candy Long Excellence in Fashion Award, Erykah Badu surprised the crowd in an oversized hat and floor-length black veil. She revealed the winner to be Swedish-born activist and costume designer B. Åkerlund, who has outfitted some of the world's most iconic artists such as Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Britney Spears.

    Comedian Dana Goldberg returned as auctioneer, leading both a spirited paddle raise and a bidding race for such elite live-auction packages as a week in Puerto Vallarta, a villa stay in Costa Rica, a South African safari for two, a colorful painting of Dolly Parton titled Born With a Good Heart by Ashley Longshore, an in-home private chef dinner for six, a jaunt to Cortana, Italy, and a romantic Turks & Caicos escape for two.

    This led into the much-anticipated fashion show, which opened with a "Diamonds Are Forever" James Bond tableau and then ran the gamut from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to "Rhinestone Rodeo." At different points, the enraptured audience experienced dancers from Ballet North Texas, live musicians scattered across the T-shaped runway, and pajama-clad phone operators cooing to their callers. It was, as always, an over-the-top night to remember

    DIFFA Dallas' signature fundraising events continue throughout the year, with Burgers & Burgundy set for October 9 and the Holiday Wreath Collection happening in winter. The 2026 House of DIFFA will take place May 9, 2026, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.

    Since 1984, DIFFA has granted millions of dollars to North Texas HIV/AIDS programs by raising funds through the production of incredible events highlighting the design community. DIFFA is one of the largest and most successful fundraising organizations for HIV/AIDS nonprofit service providers and education programs within Texas, New York, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, and Washington.

    DIFFA is the only HIV/AIDS organization in Texas that provides non-earmarked funding exclusively to HIV/AIDS service efforts in our communities, thus providing for the direct care for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Dallas is DIFFA's largest fundraising chapter. The unique design-focused events DIFFA Dallas holds include Burgers and Burgundy, DIFFA Wreath Celebration, and House of DIFFA.

    DIFFA 2025
      

    Photo by Kelly Alexander

    Gabriella Monte

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