Tex Gala 2024

Texas Rangers shatter record with $2.5 million haul at grand-slam gala

Texas Rangers players, staff, and fans stepped right up to a State Fair-themed 2024 TEX Gala on Monday, April 22 at Globe Life Field. The sights, sounds, and tastes of the fair filled the outfield turf, where 1,500 attendees assembled to support the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.

The evening started with a VIP Reception, presented by American Airlines in the American Lounge, where patrons mingled with National Baseball Hall of Famer Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez, who received his World Series Championship Ring during the reception.

VIPs included a who's who of Rangers stars and their dates: World Series MVP Corey Seager and Mady Seager, Max Scherzer and Erica Scherzer, Nathaniel Lowe and Brenna Karwich, Wyatt Langford, Josh Jung, Jon Gray and Jacklyn Gray, Andrew Heaney and Jordan Heaney, Andrew Knizner and Ally Rahn, Cody Bradford and Madi Bradford, Davis Wendzel and Rachel Wendzel, Dane Dunning and Rachel Dunning, David Robertson and Erin Robertson, Evan Carter and Kaylen Carter, Jacob deGrom and Stacey deGrom, Josh Sborz and Alexis Sborz, Josh Smith and Claire Smith, Michael Lorenzen and Cassi Lorenzen, Travis Jankowski and Lindsey Jankowski, Tyler Mahle and Ashley Mahle, and Rangers manager Bruce Bochy and Kim Bochy.

When the West Marketplace gates opened, guests descended on the field for cocktails and carnival-style games in a replica State Fair Midway. Attendees nibbled mini corn dogs and funnel cakes and sipped stout signature cocktails Neon Moon (Jack-and-Coke) and Red Dirt Road (Teremana Tequila and Topo Chico) as they tossed rings and shot hoops, visited a Flea Style custom hat bar, and purchased Kendra Scott mystery boxes.

A silent auction was filled with autographed Rangers and other sports memorabilia, music and Hollywood treasures (a Post Malone-autographed guitar attracted much attention), gift baskets, art, local shopping and dining experiences, and more. While photo opps were plentiful, the most popular stop of the night was a chance to take a pic with the World Series winners' Commissioner's Trophy.

During a seated dinner of Braised Black Angus Teres Major steak with gnocchi, asparagus, and Creme Brulee with Bailey's Mousse, and a brief video about the Texas Rangers Foundation was played. The charitable organization helps fund the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, education-based initiatives and scholarships, community distributions, and military/first responder-focused initiatives. Rangers chairman Neil Leibman and foundation executive director Karin Morris helped underscore the impact it has in the community.

The fundraising efforts ramped up first with a rousing game of "Heads or Tails," followed by a live auction for luxury trips to Cabo and Los Angeles, a VIP experience during the MLB All-Star Week, and more. In a surprise addition, country music star Pat Green took the stage to auction off a private concert; bidding was so fast and furious that he ended up giving away two.

When all the funds were tallied, the 2024 TEX Gala had raised a record $2.5 million for the Texas Rangers Foundation.

To cap off the celebratory night, guests boot-scooted down to the stage for a private concert by Brooks & Dunn. The legendary country music duo played for a full hour (unlike at many charity galas, where the featured performer says goodnight after four or five songs), keeping the crowd singing along to hits like "Neon Moon," "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone," "My Maria," and "Only in America."

Since the first TEX Gala in 2021, the event has raised an impressive $7.975 million for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.

Photo courtesy of Texas Rangers

World Series MVP Corey Seager and Mady Seager were among the VIP guests.

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Standing Ovation

Dallas crowd rocks out and raises record-breaking funds at Bravo Gala

Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico.

It might have been pouring rain on November 20, but that didn't stop more than 300 arts supporters from flocking to the ruby-lit Winspear Opera House for the 2025 AT&T Performing Arts Center's Bravo! Gala.

Gala co-chairs Alina and Ruben Esquivel and Candice and Adam C. Wright welcomed a crowd that included longtime arts champions, civic leaders, philanthropists, and supporters, among them honorees Shannon and Ted Skokos, whose dedication to the Center’s mission was celebrated throughout the night. Does that name sound familiar? It should if you've ever seen a show at the Winspear — their name is emblazoned on the front of the stage.

2025 ATTPAC Bravo Gala Texas Ballet Theater and The Dallas Opera performed together during cocktail hour.Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

The evening unfolded as a journey through the heartbeat of Dallas arts. All five of ATTPAC's resident companies took the stage (the lobby landing) during cocktail hour for spotlight performances that showcased the range and richness of the Center’s artistic ecosystem.

Guests cheered the vibrant traditions of Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico and the emotional depth of Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and a standout moment came when The Dallas Opera and Texas Ballet Theater united for a gorgeous performance together. Zachary J. Willis, a Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company member, represented Dallas Theater Center by crooning several jazz standards during dinner on the Winspear stage.

2025 ATTPAC Bravo Gala Headliner Michael Cavanaugh and honorees Shannon and Ted Skokos.Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

Damon and Adrienne Mosley, Shameka and William Matthews.

But it was the night’s featured performer, Grammy- and Tony-nominated artist Michael Cavanaugh, who brought the house fully to its feet. Handpicked by Billy Joel for the Broadway hit Movin’ Out, Cavanaugh delivered the same electricity as his mentor. His voice channeled the grit and soul of Joel's songbook, along with some of Elton John's biggest hits. As he moved between piano and vocals with magnetic ease, the audience responded exactly as if they were at a rock concert: clapping, cheering, and dancing along.

That same energy carried seamlessly into the after-party, where DJ EndoLena kept the dance floor packed well past the official end time.

Spotted mingling throughout the night were ATTPAC president and CEO Warren Tranquada, Deedie Rose (of Potter Rose Performance Hall legacy), Barbara Thomas Lemmon, Hal and Diane Brierley, soon-to-be-retired Arts District executive director Lily Cabatu Weiss and husband Jeff Weiss, Eugene McDermott Foundation's Grace Cook, AT&T's Matt Hickey, Brendan McGuire and Amber Scanlan from PNC, and ATTPAC board chair Jill Louis and board vice-chair Lynn McBee.

2025 ATTPAC Bravo Gala Dinner was served on the Winspear Opera House stage.Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

Throughout the night, excitement also swirled around the raffle, with packages that had guests dreaming of future adventures. A luxury Broadway weekend in New York promised first-class travel, a plush hotel stay, and tickets to two shows of the winner’s choosing. A Dallas staycation offered indulgence closer to home with a night at HALL Arts Hotel, dinner at Ellie’s, and box seats to a performance at the Center. Groups of friends imagined piling into a party bus for a Broadway Girls’ Night Out, while others eyed a $2,500 Eiseman Jewels shopping spree or “The Perfect 10,” pairing restaurant gift cards with seats to five Broadway at the Center productions.

All told, the AT&T Performing Arts Center’s signature event raised a record-breaking $550,000 to fuel the Center’s education, engagement, and free public programming initiatives.

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