From disco land to candy land

Fun and fabulous Dallasites boogie to $9.4 million at 'fantasy disco' Two x Two Gala

What could possibly make the annual Two x Two Gala coming-together of Dallas' art-fashion-philanthropy worlds even more fun and fabulous? Taking it to a disco, and then to a candy land.

This year's sold-out, black-tie dinner and contemporary art auction attracted 535 guests who boogied it up to the tune of $9.4 million for the amFAR and the Dallas Museum of Art.

Hosted on October 22 by Howard and Cindy Rachofsky and John and Lisa Runyon, the 2022 Two x Two Gala went down in a "modern disco fantasy" designed by Todd Fiscus' Todd Events. Per tradition, the event was held at the Rachofsky House, under the signature 7,000-square-foot geodesic dome tent, which soars 48 feet in the center. Fiscus' team transformed into a space into the modern disco by lacing together a palette of bright colors with nature and glam textures like mirrored metals, white bleached wood, brushed brass, chartreuse, and burgundy.

As guests arrived, donning whimsical gowns and platform heels, the evening began with a Tequila Casa Dragones, La Grande Dame, and Belvedere cocktail reception and an art and luxury item silent auction. It was followed by a seated, multicourse dinner. For the first time, an all-vegan menu was served.

The Rachofskys and Runyons welcomed the invitation-only crowd, before turning things over to Dr. Anna Katherine Brodbeck, the Hoffman Family Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at the Dallas Museum of Art, who introduced patrons to honoree Rashid Johnson. AmfAR Co-Chairs of the Board, T. Ryan Greenawalt and Kevin McClatchy, presented Rashid Johnson with amfAR’s 2022 Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS.

After dinner, Nile Rodgers and CHIC entertained the crowd with a variety hits, including ”Le Freak, “ “We are Family,” and — fittingly for the disco theme — "Let's Dance."

Of course, the order of the night was raising big bucks, and that fell largely on the shoulders of auctioneer Michael Macaulay, Senior Vice President of Sotheby's. The live, contemporary art auction featured works by artists including honoree Johnson, Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Kyle Dunn, Ulala Imai, Spencer Lewis, and Rafa Macarrón.

In all, 132 works of art were offered in the live and silent auctions, as well as a number of luxury and experiential packages. Bidders had plenty of time to prepare their paddles — the Two x Two First Look preview party was held two weeks earlier at Rachofsky House.

The party didn't stop when the bidding ceased. An after-party, presented by Nancy Rogers,rocked the back garden of The Rachofsky House until the wee hours. Also designed by Todd Events, the after-party transported the crowd to a pink candy wonderland, complete with all-pink color palette, lip motifs, “Slurp” neon signs, and an oversized lollipop for guests to pose with in the photo booth. The late-night revelers enjoyed Moët Hennessy Brandy Alexanders while dancing to the beats of DJ Lucy Wrubel. As a party favor, everyone left with a Pizzana’s best-selling pepperoni pizza by Chef Daniele Utidi.

Two x Two has become the largest fundraiser in the United States for essential AIDS research at amfAR, as well as the largest single annual source of funds for contemporary art acquisitions at the DMA; to date, the event has raised over $113 million. Through its funding, the DMA has added more than 300 major works of contemporary art to its permanent collection.

Photo by Bruno Snap The Picture

Cameron Silver, Jenny Kirtland

Notable attendees of the 2022 gala included Dirk and Jessica Nowitzki, Sheree Hovsepian, Ceron, Amanda Schufeldt, Howard Rachofsky, Kasey Lemkin, Bernard Nussbaumer, Michelle Nussbaumer, Cameron Silver, Jenny Kirtland, Coley Means, Bradley Agather Means, Gene Jones, Jerry Jones, Melissa Ireland, Charlotte Jones, Amir Rozwadowski, Haley Anderson, Christen Wilson, Kelli Ford, Jerry Ford, Lilah Ramzi, Benita Chan, Leigh Anne Clark, Maria Valim, Marc Metrick, Deborah Metrick, Mariel Sholem, Jamie Sholem, Matthew Looney, Alexandra Looney, Merrick Egan, Sara Fay Egan, Taylor Olson, Amy Phelan, Brian Bolke, Nimesh Patel, Bina Palnitkar Patel, Jamie O’Banion, Porschla Kidd, Bela Cooley, Thomas Keller, Bertha Gonzalez Nieves, Terri Provencal, Anna Meliksetian, Sheryl Adkins-Green, Esther Kim Varet, Kohshin Finley, Ryan Beal, Piper Beal, Missy Rogers Peck, Nancy Carlson, Jordan Jones, Kaleta Blaffer Johnson, John Domolky, Marguerite Hoffman, Elaine Agather, and LaQuan Smith.

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Night at the museum

Perot Museum gala-goers with a taste for adventure raise $2 million

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Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

On a balmy Saturday night in November, the doors to Dallas' Perot Museum of Nature and Science closed to the public and reopened for nearly 1,000 chic party-goers. They dined, danced, and played with the exhibits to raise funds at 2024 Night at the Museum Gala.

Led by co-chairs Dr. Pamela J. Okada and Mark Okada, the crowd of "after-hours scientists" raised $2 million to support the museum’s educational programs and expand STEM learning opportunities across North Texas.

Perot Museum, Night at the Museum Gala 2024

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

The event, designed by Valdivia Ventures, included live music, a captivating performance by dancers of Texas Ballet Theater, and innovative food activations by Wolfgang Puck Catering (the flaky, piping hot truffle pot pies that gala guests always look forward to).

As patrons explored the museum, they were greeted by hundreds of white orchids from Jackson Durham Events and were serenaded in exhibit hall by musicians provided by Jordan Khan Music Company.

A highlight of the evening was the "10-Minute Tasting Restaurant," an adventurous pop-up type experience that transformed the Museum Store into a five-star dining experience. Of course there were cocktails, too, and the lychee martini was a fan-favorite.

The evening concluded with a high-energy after-party on the lower level of the museum, presented by the Eugene McDermott Foundation. Guests danced the night away to beats by DJ Romi Q, struck a pose at the interactive photo booth, and ended the night at a decadent dessert room featuring a variety of sweet treats.

Funds raised from Night at the Museum will support educational programs, fund day-to-day operations, and provide financial aid to ensure the museum remains a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night, were Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps, Chris Shurtleff, Tim Peck, Missy Rogers Peck, Tori Mulford, Linda Silver, Emory McKim, Shelby Wagner, Niven Morgan, Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez, Regen Horchow, Ken Hersh, Dennis Cail, Annika Cail, Grace Cook, Caleb Stearns Wiley, Sarah-Michelle Stearns Wiley, Jason Valdivia, Katherine Stenesen, Chantel Boudreaux, Jeffrey Bragalone, Lexi Dennis, Mickie Bragalone, John Spradling, Miriam Spradling, KC Hurst, Koli Hurst, Magda Veja, Ashley Chellgren, Maria Zajia, Geraldine Parker, Meredith Abbott, and many more patrons and supporters.

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