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    Philanthropy fun

    The 8 hottest galas & parties every Dallas YP must attend in spring 2025

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Feb 5, 2025 | 3:54 pm
    Yellow Rose Gala 2023

    Save the date for the Yellow Rose Gala on March 29.

    Photo by It’s Your Night Entertainment

    Spring is the season for Dallas' dynamic young philanthropists to work hard and play hard for the causes they care about most. The next few months will bring a high-energy casino party, night at the museum, and chances to dance the night away at glamorous black-tie galas. Save the date for the biggest foodie event of the year, and put a ring on a Beyoncé-Beethoven experience like no other.

    Here are the eight top social events for every Dallas young professional's spring 2025 calendar.

    CASAblanca Casino Party, February 7 at The Hall on Dragon
    Per tradition, the Dallas CASA Young Professionals will kick off YP social season with a rollicking casino party filled with games, cocktails, heavy hors d'oeuvres, silent auctions, prizes, and dancing. After trying their luck at the blackjack and roulette tables, guests can get down on the dance floor to the sounds of The Special Edition band. The cocktail-attire gala is under the guidance of co-chairs Brooke Farrelly, Hannah Harpole, Vivian Satterfield, Seth Stukalin. Proceeds benefit the children served by Dallas CASA, helping to ensure they have safe, loving homes. Tickets (starting at $175 for general admission) and more information are available here.

    CASAblancaThe CASAblanca Casino Party kicks off the season. Photo courtesy of Dallas CASA Young Professionals

    Genesis Masquerade, February 28 at The Perot Museum
    The Genesis Young Leaders are making their 10th annual black-tie affair a "Night at the Museum." The event promises a roaming dinner throughout the museum, signature cocktails, silent auction, live entertainment, and more. Genesis Young Leaders is an auxiliary group of young professionals dedicated to ending domestic violence. All proceeds go to the many programs of Genesis Women's Shelter & Support. Tickets (starting at $125) are available here.

    Yellow Rose Gala, March 29 at Longhorn Ballroom
    Grab your hats and boots. The Yellow Rose Gala Foundation channels its Texas roots with the theme of “Ropin' in the Cure” and a venue change to the historic Longhorn Ballroom. The night will feature dinner, cocktails, auctions, and two-stepping to a live band. Nita Patel and Andrea Reich are the event co-chairs who'll help the organization raise money for a cure for MS. Members of the Scott Burford family are the honorary co-chairs, the Dee Wynne Courage award will be presented to Louis B. Harrell, Jr., and the night will honor the memory of Jane Lombardi. Tickets (starting at $175 for those age 35 and under) are available here.

    Junior League Milestones Luncheon, April 11 at Omni Dallas Hotel
    Known for attracting high-profile celebrity speakers, this year's Junior League power lunch will be headlined by Alex Snodgrass, best-selling cookbook author and creator of The Defined Dish (word is, her recipes will be served for lunch). Peggy Sewell will be honored as Sustainer of the Year at the event, co-chaired by Lauren Combest and Debbie Oates. The luncheon benefits the Junior League of Dallas Community Service Fund, which supports the organization's many civic causes throughout greater Dallas. For more information and tickets (starting at $250 for general admission), go here.

    Alex SnodgrassJunior League Milestones Luncheon presents Alex Snodgrass of The Defined Dish. Photo courtesy of Alex Snodgrass

    Dallas Cotillion Club Annual Gala & Silent Auction, April 26
    The Dallas Cotillion Club’s 81st annual Gala & Silent Auction promises to bring together the city’s young professionals for a black-tie evening of elegance and impact, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support. The gala, chaired by Ali Hejny, will start with a dinner for VIP ticket-holders, and while the Cotillion Club is a private, membership-based social club for women, the gala is open to all young adults in Dallas. This year’s location, theme, and more details will be revealed at a Gala Reveal Party on February 18 at La Mina in The Village. Tickets to the reveal party (starting at $55 for non-members) are available here, and gala tickets will go on sale after the party. For more information, visit the website.

    CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, May 1 at Astoria Event Venue
    Save the date for the most delicious food event of the year (okay, we're a little biased) and get ready to raise a glass to Dallas' restaurant and bar stars. The annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards is a spring tradition — and tickets are already on sale. Join us Thursday, May 1 at a new location - the Astoria Event Venue - for an evening honoring the very best of Dallas' culinary scene, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Harvest Project Food Rescue. A limited number of pre-sale tickets are on sale now at discounted rates of $50 for general admission and $85 for VIP (includes early access to the event, dedicated bar, and more perks). Prices will go up soon. Nab early tickets here.

    Dallas Tastemaker AwardsCheers to the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. Photo by Ashley Gongora

    Day at the Races, May 3 at Turtle Creek Park
    If you can't make it to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, Dallas has the next best thing in this annual soiree starring big hats and mint juleps. Guests should show up to Turtle Creek Park/Arlington Hall dressed in their Derby best for a VIP reception followed by the main event featuring Southern food and beverages, a silent auction, table games, "wagering," live music, dancing, a best-dressed and best-hat competition, and of course, Kentucky Derby viewing on the big screen. The 2025 event, now in its 17th year, is chaired by Shannon Graham and Beth Layton and benefits the work of Turtle Creek Conservancy. For more information and tickets (starting at $300), go here.

    Dallas Symphony Beethoven x Beyoncé YP Experience, May 17 at Meyerson Symphony Center
    As a little twist on a traditional gala, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra young professionals group will attend the DSO's concert-mashup of pop and classical music, followed by their own party. Composed and conducted by Steve Hackman, the new work promises a thrilling blend of Beyoncé’s iconic repertoire (“Girls,” “Crazy in Love,” “Texas Hold ‘Em”) seamlessly interwoven with Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. It will be performed by three powerhouse female soloists and accompanied by a guest drummer, guitarist/keyboardist, and bassist. While the concert is open to the public (tickets start at $59), YPs can upgrade to VIP admission to the exclusive YPX VIP After-Party, which will include a complimentary drink and appetizers from 9-10:30 pm in the Loge. Tickets are available here.

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    Skating into the holidays

    Downtown Dallas debuts CultureMap City Rink at dazzling tree lighting

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Dec 1, 2025 | 2:23 pm
    CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025
    Photo by Ashley Gongora
    Amber Barth from Skate VIDA performs during the CultureMap City Rink Tree Lighting Ceremony.

    A rainy Thanksgiving-weekend forecast wasn't going to stop the official grand opening of the first-ever CultureMap City Rink, presented by Verizon, at Main Street Garden in downtown Dallas.

    On Friday, November 28, representatives from Downtown Dallas, Inc., Verizon, and CultureMap gathered with the community for a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the outdoor ice rink that has transformed the downtown park into a magical winter wonderland.

    Just after sunset, at 6 pm, guests were welcomed from center ice by CultureMap editorial director Stephanie Merry; Downtown Dallas, Inc. VP of marketing and communications Monica Gonzalez, and Keli Ferguson of the Verizon team. As they were about to begin the countdown to light the tree, Santa and Mrs. Claus skated out to surprise the crowd.

    "I've made my list and checked it twice, and it turns out Dallas is very, very nice," Santa told the delighted audience. Then he counted down, "5-4-3-2-1!" and flipped the switch to illuminate the sparkling 35-foot tree.

    The majestic sounds of Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Carol of the Bells" filled the air, and a group of young skaters from the Skate VIDA skating school glided onto the rink. They twirled, spun, and jumped like future Olympians on the ice.

    Amber Barth, a U.S. Figure Skating national-level competitor from Skate VIDA, gave a mesmerizing solo performance.

    CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025 Amber Barth of Skate VIDA performs after the tree is lit.Photo by Ashley Gongora

    When the rink re-opened to the public, kids (and their parents) slid and scurried onto the ice for the chance to skate and take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

    Families fueled up at Rudolph's Rinkside Cafe, presented by DRG Concepts (the folks behind Wild Salsa, Chop House Burger, Wicked Butcher). Warm barbacoa tacos, fried chicken sliders, nachos, churros, and hot chocolate hit the spot as the night grew chillier.

    Guests who were 21-and-up lingered at the Après Chalet lounge on the other side of the rink. The cozy gathering area features nooks with inviting Adirondack chairs next to pipe-stoves - the perfect place to warm up with cocktails showcasing Shiner Spirits or sip on a Yuegling beer.

    The CultureMap City Rink, nestled beneath the colorful tall buildings downtown, brings the fun and festive feel of Rockefeller Center to Dallas. (It's the only ice rink in downtown Dallas this holiday season - and yes, it is real ice.)

    CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025 The rink will be open through January 5, 2026.Photo by Ashley Gongora

    The rink will be open through January 5, 2026. Visitors can expect themed pop-ups and a full slate of programming designed for every kind of holiday reveler. From romantic Date Skate Wednesdays to Family Movie Nights and Shop + Skate Saturday Markets, there’s something new happening each week:

    • Dallas Holiday Parade Activation — Saturday, December 6
    • Cheap Skate Mondays — Select Mondays
    • Date Skate — Select Wednesdays
    • Family Movie Night — Select Fridays
    • Shop + Skate Night Market — Select Saturdays
    • Santa Skate — Select Sundays

    CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025

    Photo by Ashley Gongora

    Amber Barth from Skate VIDA performs during the CultureMap City Rink Tree Lighting Ceremony.

    Regular hours are Monday-Friday from 4-10 pm, Saturdays 10 am-10 pm, and Sundays 10 am-8 pm. During school holidays (December 19-January 4), hours expand to 10 am-10 pm Monday-Saturday and 10 am-8 pm on Sundays. Special holiday hours will take place December 24 & 31 (10 am-7 pm) and December 25 & January 1 (1 pm-7 pm).

    Tickets are $18 for all ages, and include skate rentals and 75 minutes of ice time. Advance tickets, group reservations, and private rink rentals are available at cityrink.culturemap.com.

    Scroll through the photos, above, to see highlights of the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

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