Fun in fundraising

The 7 must-hit spring galas and parties for Dallas young professionals

Genesis Masquerade is one of the most-anticipated events of the season for Dallas YPs.

Photo courtesy of Genesis

The future of Dallas philanthropy is in good hands, if this spring's lineup of fundraising galas, luncheons, and parties for young professionals is any indication.

To be clear, these events aren't just for Gen-Z. But with high-energy party vibes, later start and end times, and slightly lower ticket prices than the city's ritziest black-tie balls, they're highly attractive to a young and vibrant crowd.

Here are the seven top social events every Dallas young professional should have on her or his calendar this spring.

CASAblanca, January 30
The Dallas CASA Young Professionals kick off social social season with a high-energy casino party filled with games, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, silent auctions, prizes, and dancing at a new location this year - The Adolphus hotel in downtown Dallas. After trying their luck at the blackjack, craps, poker, and roulette tables, guests can let lose on the dance floor to the sounds of The Special Edition band. The black-tie optional gala, which has an appropriate "Winter Wonderland" theme, is under the guidance of co-chairs Matthew Brown, Bayley Irish, Vivian Satterfield, and Hayward Woodmansee, and proceeds benefit the children served by Dallas CASA. Tickets (starting at $215 for nonmembers) are sold out. More information, including more opportunities to give or become involved, are here.

Casablanca Dallas 2025 CASAblanca is the annual YP casino party benefiting Dallas CASA. Photo by Ray Carlin

Genesis Masquerade, February 20
The Genesis Young Leaders are once again heading to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science for an interactive "Night at the Museum" gala. The black-tie ball promises a roaming dinner, signature cocktails, silent auction, live entertainment, and more. Event co-chairs are Courtney & Christian Arroyave, and GYL board president is Kendal Bohnsak. 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 for individuals and $225 for couples) are available here.

Junior League Milestones Luncheon featuring Priya Parker, April 10
This year's Junior League power lunch will be headlined by acclaimed author, facilitator, and strategic advisor Priya Parker. Mary M. Jalonick will be honored as Sustainer of the Year at the event, taking place at Fairmont Dallas Hotel and chaired by Krystle Craycraft, with sustaining chair Diana Hamilton. 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, tables (starting at $3,000), and tickets ($300 or $500 for VIP), go here.

Priya Parker is the author of "The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters."Photo by Fernando Palafox

Yellow Rose Gala, April 18
The Yellow Rose Gala celebrates the organization's milestone 40th anniversary with the theme "Since 1986: A Legacy Led by Legends." Taking place at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel, the black-tie gala will throw it back to 1986, with a totally rad night of dinner, cocktails, auctions, and dancing led by emcees, TV broadcasters Lauren Pryzybl and Tim Ryan. Sheree J. Wilson, CeCe Hays, and Fay Sheehan are the event co-chairs who'll help the organization raise money for a cure for MS. The Dee Wynne Courage award will be presented to Sharon Henley. Tickets (starting at $175 for those age 35 and under, and $500 for guests over 35) are available here.

Dallas Cotillion Club Annual Gala & Silent Auction, May 1
The Dallas Cotillion Club’s 82nd annual Gala & Silent Auction will bring together the city’s young professionals for a black-tie evening, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support. The gala will include a VIP cocktail hour, silent auction, and more. 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 later this spring; contact president Brighton Charles for more information.

Day at the Races, May 2
Can't make it to Churchill Downs for "the greatest two minutes in sports?" Dallas has the next best thing in this annual Kentucky Derby soiree starring mint juleps and Derby-worthy hats. Guests should show up to Turtle Creek Park dressed in their Derby best for Southern food and beverages, a silent auction, table games, "wagering," music, dancing, a best-dressed and best-hat competition, and of course, Kentucky Derby viewing. The 2026 event is chaired by Kim and Greg Hext with honorary chairs Tracey and Ben Lange, and benefits the work of Turtle Creek Conservancy. For more information and tickets (starting at $300), go here.

Lee Park, Day at the Races Day at the Races brings Derby style to Dallas. Photo by Clark Cabus

CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards, May 7
Save the date for the most delicious foodie event of the season (not that we're biased) and get ready to raise a glass to Dallas' restaurant and bar stars. The annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards are a spring tradition — and tickets will be on sale soon. Join us May 7 at Astoria Event Venue for an evening honoring the very best of Dallas' culinary scene, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting a nonprofit partner. More details and ticket info will be revealed soon.

young professionals luncheons parties fundraisers galas

Giving Unmasked

Dallas arts lovers go incognito to TACA's inaugural Masquerade gala

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Maura Sheffler, Shakespeare Dallas actor, Purvi Patel, Bill Albers, Shakespeare Dallas actor.

The inaugural TACA Masquerade, presented by The Eugene McDermott Foundation, transformed The Bomb Factory in Deep Ellum into a vibrant celebration of Dallas’ performing arts community, marking a powerful new chapter in TACA’s mission to fuel a thriving arts ecosystem.

With nearly 250 guests, performers, artists, and volunteers in attendance at the late November event, the evening blended immersive performance, culinary indulgence, and philanthropic impact, raising more than $275,000 in support of TACA’s work across North Texas.

Chaired by Purvi and Bill Albers, the gala embraced its “Masquerade” theme by inviting guests to don extravagant masks while they moved through a multi-sensory experience where performances unfolded throughout the venue.

Rather than a traditional stage-and-seating format, the night showcased Dallas’ extraordinary artistic depth through a lineup of featured performers and "Behind the Masque" artists, allowing attendees to encounter art up close and in unexpected ways.

The evening featured compelling performances and artistic moments from Avant Chamber Ballet, Pegasus Contemporary Ballet, KNOwBox Dance, Verdigris Ensemble, Rosana Eckert Jazz Quartet, Joel Olivas, Echo Theatre, Firehouse Theatre, Kitchen Dog Theater, Shakespeare Dallas, Teatro Dallas, Theatre Three, and collaborators from Cedars Union, The Dallas Opera, and more. Together, these artists represented the breadth of disciplines that define Dallas’ cultural landscape, from dance and theater to music and interdisciplinary performance, reinforcing TACA’s role as a connector and catalyst for creative excellence.

In addition to ticket sales and sponsorships, fundraising efforts were amplified through the Behind the Masque Campaign and a highly anticipated raffle featuring exclusive arts experiences generously donated by Dallas cultural institutions.

Guests vied for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that included a private behind-the-scenes tour of the Nasher Sculpture Center, a VIP experience for MOMIX: Botanica, and a Christmas Pops guest conductor experience with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

Other standout offerings included a sneak peek at an opening-night experience for Ragtime at Dallas Theater Center, a two-night stay at Hall Arts Hotel paired with tickets to the “Constellations” exhibition at the Dallas Museum of Art, VIP box seats for The Dallas Opera’s The Little Prince at the Winspear Opera House, and an intimate voiceover lesson and recording session with Dallas Children’s Theater.

Additional experiences ranged from an after-hours gallery gathering at Dallas Contemporary and a behind-the-scenes dance experience with Bruce Wood Dance Dallas to a Blue Man Group experience for eight at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Complementing the artistic energy was an elevated culinary experience that encouraged guests to mingle and explore. Food stations offered such delectable options as red wine-braised short rib with mascarpone polenta, zucchini noodle puttanesca, deconstructed chicken cordon bleu, and indulgent warm chocolate chip cookie and brownie skillets that ended the evening on a sweet note.

It was clear that Dallas' arts supporters did not want to mask their financial support: The event raised more than $275,000 to further TACA's mission of fueling a vibrant arts community.

With plans already underway to return next fall at The Bomb Factory, the inaugural Masquerade set the tone for what promises to become a signature event.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Maura Sheffler, Shakespeare Dallas actor, Purvi Patel, Bill Albers, Shakespeare Dallas actor.

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