YP Social Diary

The 6 fall galas and parties every Dallas young professional should attend

Aida Kurtanovic, Nejra Kurtanovic, Jenna Jenovich

Aida Kurtanovic, Nejra Kurtanovic, and Jenna Jenovich at a past Dallas Autumn Ball.

Photo by WJNPHOTO

Dallas young professionals, it’s time to circle some important upcoming dates in the fall 2022 social diary.

From a new sporty soiree to a bubbly-fueled cocktail party and galas that rock late into the night, these are the six top philanthropic events that no Dallas YP will want to miss this fall.

The Tailgate , presented by CultureMap, October 13
A new signature event for CultureMap, The Tailgate celebrates the culture of sports and the fans who cheer them on. It will feature chef-driven food and signature cocktails, plus game-day-inspired activities, entertainment, and a spotlight on local sports-related nonprofits. Participating restaurants include past Tastemaker winners like Fearing's, Carte Blanche, Empire Baking, TLC Vegan Kitchen, and many more. It'll all take place at The Empire Room. General admission and VIP tickets ($60-$99) are on sale now.

Dallas Opera Crescendo Pre-Show Mixers, October 14 & 28
In an effort to make opera fun and relevant for a whole new generation of patrons, the Dallas Opera this fall introduced a new networking and social group, called Crescendo, for young professionals. Members can enjoy pre-show mixers to mix and mingle before performances, and then significant discounts to each show. There are two this fall: Rigoletto on Friday, October 14, and Hansel and Gretel on Friday, October 28. Memberships are $60 for an individual and $120 for two. Information and registration here.

BubblyQ Young Texans Against Cancer Dallas presents BubblyQPhoto courtesy of YTAC

BubblyQ, October 20
Fourteen years strong, the champagne-infused function at Fearing’s at the Ritz-Carlton may still be the most popular fall fundraiser on the Dallas YP scene. In addition to bites from top local restaurants selected by chef Dean Fearing (Ame, Beverley’s, Meridian, Monarch, and more) and a cocktail experience courtesy of Parliament, there is an epic silent auction filled with trips, spa treatments, and shopping sprees. All proceeds collected by Young Texans Against Cancer support local cancer initiatives. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased online.

Junior League of Dallas Auction, November 5
Themed “Timeless Treasures Auction,” this year’s JLD auction nods to the treasures at the event’s location - the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, including the VIP experience in the Lyda Hill Gems and Mineral Hall. The evening will include a silent auction, gaming, a diamond pull, and entertainment from The Special Edition Band. Patrons can also enjoy a bonus after-hours adventure to “Stay & Play” in the Museum until midnight. Auction benefits the Junior League of Dallas Community Service Fund. Tickets start at $150 and are available here.

Dallas Autumn Ball, November 11
This high-energy, black-tie dance party is traditionally the must-attend gala of fall for young Dallasites. DAB welcomes young professionals donning their glitzy best to Hotel ZaZa for a fun night benefiting local education-focused nonprofits. Guests will arrive at the ninth annual event ready to walk the red carpet, then enjoy a VIP cocktail hour, heavy hors d'oeuvres, premium cocktails, and dancing the night away. Tickets are $125 ($200 for VIP) and available here.

Dallas Millennial Gala 2018 Guests dance the night away at Dallas Millennial Gala. Photo by Octavio Arzola

Dallas Millennial Gala, November 19
The sixth annual Dallas Millennial Gala has a high-fashion twist. Themed “Shape the Runway,” it will include a fashion show directed by this year’s gala chair, Daniel Mofor, along with looks by Sai Sankoh. The night also will feature a cocktail hour, keynote speaker, charity auction, presentation, and reception - all at the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The black-tie gala gives 30 percent of ticket revenue and 100 percent of donations back to organizations that equip diverse individuals to excel in the global economy, they say. Tickets start at $160 and are available here.

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Hot to trot

Equest Dallas patrons pony up record $700K at blue ribbon-worthy ball

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

A sold-out crowd of 570 supporters stampeded into Gilley’s Dallas on April 25 for the 44th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala. The Western-chic affair, always one of the most highly anticipated galas of spring, would have a record-breaking night.

Co-chairsKristin and James Hallam and honorary chairs The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and Natalie and David Taylor welcomed patrons decked out in cowboy boots and hats to Gilley's, which had been transformed into a shimmering celebration of all things Equest by event designer Steve Kemble. A “disco saddle” centerpiece even hung from the ceiling.

Emcee Calvert Collins-Bratton welcomed the crowed with a hearty "yee haw!" Equest founder Susan Schwartz presented the Founders Award to Carol Chamberlin, whose three decades of service as volunteer, donor, and barn manager have made her an Equest organization legend. The Citation Award went to Donna and Tim Weber and their daughter Katherine, an Equest client.

New CEO Eric Lindh took the stage to underscore Equest’s mission to provide equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling (much of it free of charge) to children, adults, and veterans. He shared the nonprofit's bold vision for the future, focusing on the number “22,” a call to action inspired by the 22 percent of Dallas County residents living with a disability, the 22 veterans lost to suicide daily in the U.S., and the 22 percent of Americans living with mental illness, while less than half of those receive treatment.

His pledge to expand services to first responders struck a chord with the crowd, as did the moving testimonials from Equest clients.

Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand urged the crowd to “Bid boldly. Bid big. Bid with heart,” and patrons did that in spades. Auctioneer Louis Murad encouraged bidders to raise paddles stridently, starting from initial $10,000 bids onward. Bidding got fast and furious live auction packages that included fabulous trips (with destinations such as France, Antigua, and Montana) and more. The most memorable moment came when a guest insisted Murad - ever the showman - auction off his own sparkling jacket. It fetched $2,000, a purchase by Tim Weber (who clearly loves a good statement piece).

In total, the gala raised $700,000, the largest fundraising amount in Equest’s 44-year history. The Blue Ribbon Ball's proceeds go directly to equine-assisted therapies and other services provided by Equest; for more information, visit the organization's website.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

After a night of sipping, dining, and fundraising, patrons tried their luck at casino games and danced the night away to Jordan Kahn’s Manhattan Orchestra.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were Donna Weitzman, Nancy Greenbach, Natalie Taylor, Therese Rourk, Anne Seanor, Courtney Conley, Maggie Spiegel, Tyler Bridges, Lea LaFortune, Lee and Paul Michaels, Ryan and Kelly Casey, Christina Eubanks, Megan Pharis, Julie Bagley, Laura Johnson, Parker and Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Max Clark, Jordan Glasgow, Anna Gresham, Khaki Christopher, Jessie Dornak, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Sarah and Trey Pederson, Luis Araujo, Amy Green, Kayten Elder, Sila Grogan, Melissa Placet, Tayler Reiter, Danny and Tanya Rice, Tina and Michael Beasom, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.