When it comes to herding, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League ladies make Rowdy Yates look like a tinhorn. They didn’t just have to work the logistic of coordinating a full slate of activities for the 46 DSOL debs throughout the year concluding with an entire weekend of events. Oh, no! That would have been a snap. But add in the parents, step-parents, grandparents and an assortment of other relatives plus the Honor Guard (aka escorts) and their kin, then you’ve got a yearlong whirling dervish.

This year’s DSOL President Sharon Barbee and her team were bound and determined to make 2013 a real fundraiser and memory maker. They had succeeded at every step along the way. Everything from the country western party at Eddie Deen’s to the Christmas party at Cynthia and Brice Beaird‘s home had gone pretty darn perfectly. Okay, so there was a bit of a traffic log jam at the Christmas party, but what would you expect when there were three parties on the block.

But now the big weekend of the gala was upon them. There was the Honor Guard and Dad dinner at Prestonwood Country Club, the Mothers/Daughters luncheon at the Adolphus, the rehearsal at the Meyerson, the pre-ball party at Gilley’s, the deb presentation including cocktail reception, deb bows and dinner at the Meyerson and closing with the Cheers and Tears Brunch on Sunday.

Kay Weeks, Sharon Barbee and Evelyn Sandy

Not to worry. Sharon and Gala Chair Kay Weeks had all bases covered. Underwriting Chair Sharon

Sharon Ballew

Ballew was reporting that her hoped-for goal had been surpassed. Registration Chair Evelyn Sandy was receiving rave reviews for her seamlessly handling any and all last minute changes in reservations and seating. Risk Management Chair Brenda Serafino had all concerns about over-the-top enthusiasm under control.  Presentation Producer Jan Strimple was calming the fears and trepidations of debs, fathers and escorts.

Ah, but there were still those unpredictable incidents that tested the best laid plans.

Thursday night

Peter Weeks literally had an excuse from his doctor not to participating in the weekend festivities. Despite wife Kay’s planning for a year and chairing the gala, he was out of commission. The reason? He had an appendectomy Wednesday. No problem. While he was recovering from surgery, Kay carried on with a smile. Even seating coordinator Evelyn simply said, “We’ll just remove a chair” at the gala dinner.

Kim Miller

But Pete wasn’t the only one of the leading cast members that MIA at the Honor Guard/Dads dinner at Prestonwood. Hostess/State Board of Education member Tincy Miller, was help start the deb presentation as a fundraiser for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, was in Austin taking care of business. Husband Vance, who spent the holidays in the hospital with a bad case of pneumonia, made a brief appearance but left before things really got going.  Subbing for the senior Millers for the rest of the evening were son Greg and wife Kim Miller.

While the dads and deb escorts chowed down on a to-die-for buffet, deb mother hen Barbara Averitt started the announcements for the evening. First was the awarding of the Lois Monk Watson Award to the person who had done the most outstanding job during the year for the DSOL. Before naming the person, Barbara read off the person’s accomplishments. It soon became evident who it was — Marena Gault. Interestingly, she hadn’t wanted to attend the dinner, but husband Roger insisted. And here, Marena thought Roger’s chief concern for the weekend was tripping in presenting daughter Marielle LeMasters at the presentation.

Marena Gault, Sharon Popham and Barbara Averitt

Honor guard President Calder Lewis introduced his officers Chaz Crews, Tucker Huth and Mark Butler. Then he thanked the DSOL team for coordinating the weekend.

Final advice of the evening to the gents: Get some rest. You’ll need it.

Saturday Evening

Pre-presentation photo

6:15 p.m. — Debs and escorts posed on the steps leading to the Eugene McDermott Concert Hall. Photographer James French mounted a ladder to get the big-overall-shot of the more than 90 girls in white dress and men in formal attire.

Molly Mohr and Leslie Mohr

Just as the last photo is taken, the debs have their gowns, hair and makeup checked one more time by mothers, friends and stylists.

Morgan Allen, Ashley Corrigan and Katie Bonds

Sharon Barbee and Kay Weeks were thrilled. Not only has everything gone off without a hitch, but they’re wearing Sharon Barbee and Kay Weeks very expensive jewelry for the night courtesy of Eiseman Jewels. Alas, like Cinderella’s finery, the gems will be returned after the ball.

Sharon Barbee and Kay Weeks

Parents and escorts headed to the lower lobby for the champagne reception. It’s easy to spot the dads and Honor Guard members. Fathers wore the red sashes and escorts in blue. Meanwhile the debs disappeared until their presentation. One deb walked by holding up her mammoth floor-length skirt and chomping on gum.

In this modern age of “debbing,” a new element has been added. What do to with your cell phone? While these 21st century debs no longer require the past necessities of corsets and chaperones, nothing comes between a gal and her phone.

Margaret Phillips, Laura Weil, Caroline Moore and Riley Herndon

Deb Lizzie Colton didn’t know where she was going to put hers. She thought about putting it in her dad’s pocket, but she couldn’t find him. For a moment, she had a look of envy on her face. There were some debs like Caroline Moore whose Nardes gown had pockets just right for a phone. Luckily for Lizzie, the girls had designated areas backstage for their gloves and “things,” so Lizzie’s phone would probably end up there.

6:55 p.m. — One of the last debs seen with friends at the top of the staircase leading to the lower level. Realizing that it was time to get backstage, she knuckle bumped her friends farewell and disappeared.

Table 122

While the crowd was growing in the lower lobby, some parents were customizing their tables. DSOL deb parent vet Pam Perella admitted that it never occurred to her to dress up their table when their

Pam and Vin Perella

daughter bowed. Karen and Stephen Jones‘s table #122 had calligraphy placecards and cookies glazed with deb daughter Jessica‘s portrait. If there was a numero uno table in the sea of beautifully decked out upper lobby, this was it with the calligraphy placecards reading Myrna and Bob Schlegel (they were the evening’s honorary co-chairs and had just flown in from Florida), Jessica’s grandparents Gene and Jerry Jones and Linda Sweeney, Natalie and Mike McGuire and Karen and Stephen.

Table 112 boasts chocolates and cupcakes at each place. Tables #105 and 110 offer boxes of “Dude, Sweet Chocolate.”

Nearby tables paled with placecards with just first names in rough cursive or no placecards at all.

Brett Davis, Matthew Evans and Mason Harrell

As all levels of the Meyerson was continuing to fill, the topic du jour was the next day’s Super Bowl. When asked if he was going to watch the Super, Honor Guard member Matthew Evans didn’t hesitate saying it was downright un-American not to.

Karen Jones and Gene Jones

Making a sacrifice play were Gene and Jerry Jones, who had just flown in for their granddaughter Jessica Jones’s bow. Yes, they would be flying out the next morning, but Gene was adamant that nothing was going to prevent them from attending the gala.

In the meantime, the lower level was starting to get crowded and seating was limited to a set of leather benches along one wall and five chairs against another. Evelyn Sandy and her ladies were checking guests off left and right. No problems here.

7:02 p.m. — Sam Olson knew how to make an entrance. He slid down the metal banister from the upper level. Billy Hough has the accessory of the night — a walking cane with silver cobra head with green eyes. “Are they really emeralds?” Bill responded, “Oh, yeah,” with a mischievous smile similar to that of a used car salesman.

7:20 p.m. — Now the lower lobby was really getting cozy. iPhones were saluting clusters of friends and outstanding outfits like last year’s deb Sullivan Franklin-Mitchell‘s gown that shimmered like Christmas tinsel. Three off-duty policeman stand on the landing between the upper and lower lobby. They diplomatically advised lower lobby guests that drinks have to remain downstairs. In other words, the upper level was to be dry until 10 p.m.  Half-drunk glasses are deposited all around as guests made the decision to relinquish their beverages in order to get their seats.

7:29 p.m. — Honor Guard members and deb dads started to head upstairs. If the Meyerson chimes calling guests to the hall ring, it was hard to tell. The chatter in the lower lobby was drowning out any bells.

7:50 p.m. — The hall was starting to fill. Where before the registration table was hit with waves of guests, now the ushers were playing traffic cops directing guests to their seats. One woman sought leniency for her seat. Seems she had a very bad cough and requested being seated on the aisle. Tricky situation since the deb moms have carefully been seated on the aisle by which their daughter will exit the hall.

Myrna and Bob were seated in Box V of the Dress Circle. They’re old pros at the deb bowing exercise having had three daughters presented. Gene and Jerry are on the 50-yard line, rather the center of the floor just a row back. To the left of the stage half of the Terrace Section A rows were empty on purpose. That is where the deb dads will take their place after presenting their daughters.

8:05 p.m. — The presentation started. Stan Gardner handled the emcee duties flawlessly. Kay introduced the Schlegels and then her committee. Sharon Barbee thanked one and all. Stan returned to the podium and introduced the Honor Guard and Assembly officers, which is made up of former DSOL debs. Needless to say, each of these young women has perfect posture and makes an itty bitty curtsey.

8:15 p.m. — The debs were presented. Stan told the audience that, “Each of tonight’s debutantes has chosen a personal song for her presentation.”  First deb is Alex Burnett, who got things rolling with an upbeat “Dixie.” Others followed with slower tunes like “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Edelweiss,” “Moonlight Serenade,” “Rhapsody in Blue” and “Dancing in the Moonlight.”

Ellie Hamm and William Hamm

Not one father faltered in handholding his deb down the staircase nor planting a kiss on the girl’s cheek. All deb executed perfect deep bows. And everyone of the escorts offered a gloved hand to aid the debs in rising from the floor.

Madison Hassell

However, the evening was not without its highlights like:

• Aubrey Moraif and Kenneth Moraif

  Aubrey Moraif broke the traditional protocol. Instead of receiving the kiss on the cheek from her father and proceeding with the bow, she threw her arms around her father. The sounds of “Ah” swept through the room.

• Despite Stan’s admonishment to “please express your appreciation with respectful applause,” some of the audience’s younger members couldn’t resist and cheered on the deb of their choice.
• At one point the dreaded sound of a beer bottle tipping over and hitting the hall’s floor rung out throughout. Evidently one of the guests had managed to sneak a drink past security.

After final deb of the night Mackenzie Williams was escorted out of the hall, Stan announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, please rise as we offer our applause to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League’s 2013 debutantes and their Honor Guard escorts.”

DSOL Debs and Honor Guard

The mothers then exited the hall via the aisles and the fathers headed to the dance floor to face their final challenge of the evening — the grand waltz.

Richard Lethbridge and Megan Lethbridge

As the fathers took their places around the dance floor, they were joined by their wives and relatives. As time passed, it was no surprise to see the fathers look toward the staircase from the hall. Finally, the girls in snow-white gowns were escorted to the edge of the dance floor by their escorts.

At that point the escorts left the debs, who headed straight to the arms of their dads. Taking their places on the dance floor, the duos danced in celebration of successful debuts and Dallas Symphony Orchestra fundraising.

The next morning the gowns and tails  were packed away and following the Cheers and Tears brunch, the debutantes, parents and escorts settle down to an evening of watching the Super Bowl.

Perhaps if Sharon, Kay and the DSOL ladies had been in charge of the New Orleans game, the stadium lights might have stayed on.

Many locals grew up with summer dress-up nights being their parents taking them to the Dallas Summer Musicals. Like having your birthday at the Neiman Marcus Downtown’s Zodiac Room was the epitome of cool, so watching “The Music Man,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” Oklahoma” and “Carousel” was oh-so grown up.

Things have changed. Michael Jenkins and his crew are well aware that these 21st century youngsters need more than a date with the parents. That’s perhaps why they came up with Kids Clubs, where the munchkins get to get VIP treatment sans parents but including refreshments, activities and meeting members of the shows’ casts to sign their “Playbills.”

It was just announced that this year there will be two Kids Club. Here is the schedule and read quick because the first one is coming up pronto:

• Saturday, March 23: “Mary Poppins”
• Saturday, October 5 : “The Lion King”

The best thing? It’s absolutely, totally FREE. . . our favorite four-letter word.

Sure, the kids can show up, but it’s wise to make rezzies.

Gee, why not sign your youngster up for the club and arrange to have tickets the night of or the night before? Gee, that makes so much sense.

Big Top

Dallas’ young swellegants will be partying it up “Beneath the Big Top” Friday. Thanks to the Young Friends of the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, the annual fundraiser will turn the Dallas Museum of Art into a posh circus setting from 8 p.m. to midnight.  

According to sources, Co-chairs Claire Liedtke and Allie Stensrud have planned an “event embodying the whimsical charm, the stunning visual drama and the theatrical allure of the three-ring circus without the screaming kids or smelly animals!”

Of course, there will be a silent auction, food mini state fair corn dogs, crab cakes, sliders, pomme frites and mini Caesar salads, drinks and dancing courtesy of DJ Lucy Wrubel’s dance tracks. 

According to Claire, “I can’t wait to see our friends dancing beneath the Chihuly glass with the Dallas skyline in the background; that will be the coolest.” 

Silent auction Co-chairs Meghan Looney and Medley Crank have been in charge of the magic act of putting together an amazing auction that includes “a private lake house getaway weekend, a multi-colored mink jacket, a couture necklace from Proenza Schuler, an all-inclusive suite for four to a Mavs game, 4 front row seats in the Commissioners Box at a Rangers game, a night at Hotel ZaZa with spa and dinner for two, plus amazing home items including one-of-a-kind pieces from William-Christopher Design, Jan Showers, Charles Howard, John Robishaw and more!”

If you haven’t gotten your tickets, don’t wait for your social secretary to order them. Hop to it now!

Thank to the 2013 sponsors it’s gonna be a really big show. If you’re wondering just who is getting the pats on the back, follow the jump!

Graphic provided by Young Friends of The Ronald McDonald house

Presenting Sponsor is Jackson Durham Events.

Diamond Sponsors ($10,000+) are Gatsby Event Branding, The Little Bean, PaperCity, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater North Texas and Sewell Automotive Companies. 

Platinum Sponsors ($5,000+) are Anonymous, Benchmark Bank and Benchmark Title, Freeman Auto Group, WSC Oil & Gas Corporation, Alicia and Chris Winn and Western Extrusions Corp. 

Gold Sponsors ($2,500+) are Gil and Tricia Besing, DFW Paving, LLC, Elizabeth Toon Charities, Marion and Cadell S. Liedtke Family Charitable Foundation, Spring Creek Barbeque, Stonelake Capital Partners, LLC and Uber. 

Silver Sponsors ($1,000+) are Jessica and Michael Barnett, Bracewell & Giuliani, Bridge Title, Michelle Brock, John and Allison Carlisle, Carroll-Mansions, LLC, Casa Rita’s Mexican Grill Frisco, James C. Carroll, Kathy and Bob Craine, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Crouch, Pam and Stanley Crossman, Beverly and Larry Dale, Graham Investments, Inc., Haynes and Boone, LLP, Neiman Marcus, Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, Anonymous, Chris and Lucy Semple, Frontier Investment Management, Co., Sapphire Foundation, Inc., Bryan Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Richards P. Washburne, Wick Phillips Gould & Martin LLP, Elephant Oil and Gas. 

Bronze Sponsors ($500+) include Michele and Rob Arnot, The Clifton Foundation, Clover Partners, LP,  Megan and Jonathan Filgo, Jenny Marsten and Dan Harris, Ashley Hightower, Bill and Marilyn Hightower, Sheri and Winston Krause, Michelle Lafitte, Claire Liedtke, Chris McKeown, Investments, Lindsay Nahoum, Jamie and Brian O’Boyle, Mark B. Plunkett, R. Willing Ryan, III, Cece Turner, Lou and Lee Schaufele, and Lara Sorokolit.

Let’s face it. DIFFA Dallas is diffa-rent. In addition to the silent and live auctions, cocktail party reception, dinner and fashion show extravaganza, it has a shock-and-awe factor that gets harder and harder to top each year.

Founded in the days when denim was the fabric du jour and celebrity denim jackets were the mainstay in everyone’s closet, it has gotten downright la-di-da. Yes, there is an occasional denim jacket purchased long ago that is seen on a guest at the black-tie soiree. But the duds up for bid nowadays could hold their own nicely in a couture boutique.

Brittanie Buchanan Oleniczak

Just to ramp up the upgraded feel, DIFFA Collection Chair Britannie Buchanan Oleniczak went into overdrive for the March 23^rd House of DIFFA Collection 2013 at the Hilton Anatole. The one-of-a-kind jackets and gowns were old hands at being showcased, after making the rounds at the Candleroom and Art of Old India during the weeks preceding the gala. One that was making its debut was a Watters wedding dress with a veil by Toni Federici, 108-inch train, and cuffs and crown highlighted by Swarovski crystals. It had been finished just in time for the gala.

As glamorous and dazzling as the merchandise was, the names associated with each of the pieces was pretty WOW, too. Of course, you want names to be dropped, so here goes: Edo Popken, Billy Reid, Benito Samora, Nicolas Villalba, Edward Wilkerson Lafayette, Joan Rivers, Diane Von Furstensberg, Rob Bradford, Joe Pacetti, Nicole Miller, Tory Burch, Geoffrey Henning, Allie-Coosh, Prashe, Abi Ferrin and Kenneth Cole, to name just a few.

And while the outfits were displayed in a fourth of the massive Trinity Ballroom, the fav activity in the “Trinity Pre-Function area” (aka lobby) was guests checking out other guests. Shabby just doesn’t fit this crowd. Everyone seemed to be an eye catcher.

Brad Pritchett, Rob Bradford, Louise Black and Shane Allen

Of course, there were the gents who wear tuxedoes better than Cary Grant, like John Bobbitt, Lonnie Jordan and Corky Cunningham. They added that elegance factor to the nth degree. Others who took their fashion in a different direction included Tyler Kerbyson in a Catherine Regehr. Tyler’s backless dress allowed his sizable tattoo art to be on full display . . . Richard du Pont wore a 1930s-era uniform from Virginia Military Institute. . . Joe Pacetti wore one of the 18 jackets that he’d purchased at the auction over the years. . . Jordan Roberts highlighted her Roberto Cavalli with a stole. . . Fathay Smith was in a perfect-fitting Vera Wang tuxedo. . . Rob Bradford’s designing touch could be seen on Brad Pritchett’s and Shane Allen’s twinkle-twinkle-all-those stars bowties. He also dazzled up the collar of Steve Kemble’s Prada waistcoast with blunted spikes and gold and brown beading. Steve warned, “You try to outbid me on an auction item and I’ll be walking like this.” Rob’s talent even extended to footwear as he beaded Christopher Wright’s shoes. . .  Cynthia Sash dressed up her black Bebe with a chubby made of Mongolian fur. As if it needed dressing up!. . . Deanna Dipizio-Johnson was in a true-blue Michael Faircloth. She had wanted Michael to do it in white, but Michael wasn’t budging. Blue it was to be and it was. . . Jef Tingley was wearing a white brocade silk dinner jacket that he “borrowed” from his

Lynn McBee, Simona Beal, Mary Gill and Amy Green

theater class at Sandia High School in Albuquerque a few years back. . . Mary and John Gill arrived from the annual Reagan Day Dinner at the Omni Dallas Hotel, where conservative types like Congressmen Pete Sessions and Sam Johnson and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker were in attendance. According to Mary, “They looked at me like I was from Mars.” Why? She

Terry Mitchell and Jeannette Breen

was wearing Wolford “snake” hose. . . Terry Mitchell was in a “wild red vest with string” he bought last year at the auction and having his photo taken with Jeannette Breen. . . Holly Davis looked different. So different that she wasn’t recognized by some friends. The difference was due to her “clip-on” bangs. . . Fort Worth’s Pam White dressed up her Richard Tyler jacket with epaulets to go with her Yohji slacks.

Holly Davis

By 7:45 the 1,500 guests started taking their seats with DIFFA Board Chair Clint Bradley introducing the board of trustees. With lights zooming and flashing around the mammoth room like a 1908’s disco, the show was underway. WFAA’s Ron Corning handled the emcee duties for a second year in a row — “In the TV world, that’s the equivalent of being the CEO of JC Penney for five years. . . Some asked me if Steve Kemble dressed me. . . He’s tried to undress me a few times … somewhat unsuccessfully.” Regarding his pants from Traffic Los Angeles, which just opened at the Joule Hotel: “. . . these pants are so tight I couldn’t bend over to tie my shoes. Someone asked where I’m sitting, and I said I’m not sitting.”

After the presentation of the 2013 Style Council Ambassadors (Simona Beal, John Bobbitt, Marty Collins, Peter Dauterman, Tommy DeAlano, Deanna Dipizio-Johnson, Malcolm Gage, Stephen Giles, Kandis Hutchinson, Daniel Lewis, LeeAnne Locken, Vivian Lombardi, Tom Mason, Lance Avery Morgan, James Shackelford, Troy Schiermeyer and  Paige Westhoff), videos were shown about Title Sponsor The Joule hotel and WFAA, stressing the importance of supporting AIDS services.

Rob Giardinelli, Lance Avery Morgan and Greg Haynes Johnson

Next up was Greg Haynes Johnson presenting the following awards: Design Excellence Award to David Cadwallader, Legend in the Fight Against AIDS to Keith Carlisle, Legacy of Love Award to Gary Tigges, Donna Fishel Community Hero Award to Railene Nobles and Outstanding Collection Newcomer Award to Stephen MacMillan Moser. Spotlight standout was Austin fashion blogger Moser, who worked the audience like a cross between Bill Nighy and Mick Jagger.

Stephen MacMillan Moser

Going in an entirely opposite direction was the introduction of Honorary Chair Linda Gray, who had been seated with Debra Nelson. Ron escorted her on stage like she was a prom queen. The woman still looks great and her gams are still picture-perfect. She had been asked last October to participate in the gala and passionately told about going to Malawi in Africa, where she was especially touched by children and grandparents affected by AIDs.

Linda Gray and Ron Corning

Then auctioneer Mike Jones joined her on stage and they got down to raising $$. The Edo Popken package went for $10K.

Oops, then the auction’s no-no took place — the auctioning of X-Factor, an Arabian show horse.  As one guest noted, it was strange that the animal was up for bid with little deets about its sex or age. But then the whole discussion was moot, since the deal was illegal. Guess organizers didn’t get the memo that the auctioning of any live animal in the city of Dallas is illegal. Has been since 2008. The $25,000 piece of horseflesh went for about a fourth of its value.

Clint Bradley

On the other hand, the Marcus Spears package was such a hit that Marcus, who was table hopping with Clint Bradley, threw in a $1,000 airline gift card. His reason: “Oh, yes. I was thinking about the hard work all the people put in on this [event]. This [package] will give ‘em a chance to take a break.”  Regarding his next two years of playing with the Baltimore Ravens, the Frisco resident is optimistic because of the Ravens coming off of a Super Bowl victory. “The opportunity to win a Super Bowl was part of my thinking” in signing the two-year contract, he said.

As soon as that part of the auction ended, the Jan Strimple-produced Las Vegas meets Fashion Week was underway. A scorecard would not have helped. Segments consisted of auction garb and Traffic outfits, when not being upstaged by the likes of entertainers.

Alas, one poor female model in a black silk shift and red sunglasses made it halfway down the runway before realizing that one of her “girls” was on full display. By the time she made the return walk back home, she had figured things out and tucked the errant breast under cover.

In between the fashions, glorious drag queens strutted along the runway in a manner that made Mae West seem demure.

The Kazaky dancers

Then there were the bare-chested Kazaky dancers in stiletto heels and skintight black leather low riders. Those who had heard of the Ukranian troupe were thrilled. Those in the audience who didn’t have a clue were OMG-ing at the performance.

But the grand finale of the show borrowed a page. . . no, make that a chapter … from the ultimate couture era — Marie Antoinette’s court.

Marie Antoinette’s court characters

With all the pomp and decadence of that period, the parade of characters made the drag queens seem tame.

Painted faces, breasts with crystal pasties draped together with beading, see-through leggings and the final miss who wore a grand golden ball gown topped off by a five-foot tall wig that looked like a mountain of meringue. Within this coiffure were lit candles.

Grandest finale

While the model looked a little uneasy about her headdress, it wasn’t the weight factor that was the problem. It was as light as a feather. It seems the follicle skyscraper required some major engineering including a rod extending from the wig down the back to a corset-like brace around the young lady’s torso.

Monk White nudged a diner table companion, saying, “This is my first fashion show. Are they all like this?”

Mega hunk with train

But despite the perfect timing and flourishes, there was still a near-oops that earned both gasps and cheers. As one waif-like model with big hair passed a mega hunk with flowing black and gold train, her high heel got tangled in his robe, causing her to momentarily lose her balance. As she appeared to dive off the catwalk, the fellows at Drew Ginsburg’s table prepared to catch her. Luckily, she regained her footing with the crowd breathing a sigh of relief and applauding. Still, her wig wasn’t as lucky. It required her holding it in place for the rest of her walk.

Waif-like model with hair issues

After the last model left the runway, some guests headed to the Matisse After Party and the final minutes of the silent auction. However, others were mesmerized by a dishy brunette who appeared in the flesh and on the big screens writhing around in a giant martini glass supposedly au natural.

Yup, after all these years, DIFF is still DIFFA-rent. But the goal remains the same: raising funds for  organizations supporting front-line services to those affected with and by HIV/AIDS.

Ronald McDonald House of Dallas’s Moonlight Ball

While a waning crescent moon floated in the sky above, the black-tied guests at Brook Hollow Golf Club enjoyed the glow of the Moonlight Ball on Saturday, April 6. Fundraising for the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, Event Co-chairs Melissa and Steve Utley arranged for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres in the Oak Room.

Steve and Melissa Utley

 According to Melissa, “What an honor Steve and I have had helping the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas with the Moonlight Ball. We appreciate our supporters for their tremendous gifts that help families who stay at the House during a trying time in their lives with an ill or injured child.”

Lauri and Mike Hainsfurther

Ah, but the real treats of the evening still awaited guests including Honorary Chairs Lauri and Mike Hainsfurther, Glenn Callison and Diane Fullingim and Bob Wood. Combining magnificent lighting and even more magnificent floral arrangements of orange and fuchsia colored roses, hydrangeas and lilies by master floral designer Junior Villanueva of Garden Gate, the ballroom was breathtaking.

Brook Hollow Golf Club ballroom

It was the perfect setting for a three-course dinner (Brook Hollow Golf Club signature salad; a duet entrée of a petite filet of beef with a red wine sauce and crispy seared sea bass served with a roasted yellow tomato beurre blanc accompanied with boursin mac-n-cheese, haricots verts, whole baby carrots with caramelized onions; and a Bailey’s molten cake served with caramel ice cream), and topped off with dancing to music provided by BulletProof Brass.

All of this and funding for RMHD was thanks to such sponsors as:

Platinum Patron: Lisa and Kenny Troutt.

Gold Patron: Lauri and Mike Hainsfurther, Select Product Group, L.P.

Silver Patron: Vera and Tony Bangs, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, Amy and Pete Lerma, Mr. and Mrs. Mike C. McWilliams, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr PC, Katherine and Bob Penn, UT Southwestern Medical Foundation/St. Paul Medical Foundation, Mersina and Phin Stubbs, Melissa and Steve Utley and Mr. and Mrs. John T. Walter.

Platinum Couple:Anonymous, JoAnne and Eddy Moore and E.L. Smith III.

Gold Couple: Betty & Michael Bullington, Tracy and David Chisum, Tucker and Rich Enthoven, Sue and Joe Graham, Tania and Kevin Hardage, Marie Park and Joe Hardt, Cecilie and Ronnie Holman, Joyce and Larry Lacerte, Lidji Dorey and Hooper, Pam and Matt Mattingly, Carol and Daniel Podolsky, Carolyn and Karl Rathjen, Randa and Doug Roach, Barbara and Dr. Randall Rosenblatt, Harold Simmons Foundation, Mona and Grey Stogner, Thompson and Knight Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. Claude R. Wilson, Jr.

Patron Tickets: Katie and Bill Collins, Eiseman Jewels, Pam and Jeff Ellerman, Felcor Lodging Trust Inc., Cate and Jeremy Ford, Caroline Gehan, Mr. and Mrs. William J. Goodwin, Betsy and Houston Hunt, Nancy and Mike Kerr, LiquidAgents Healthcare, Sarah and Alan Losinger, Pam and Vin Perella, Sandy and Jeff Phillips, Ann and Douglas Smellage and Mr. and Mrs. Jere Thompson, Jr.

While the families in shorts and T-shirts enjoyed Klyde Warren Park with their kids and pooches, the swells were lined up just across the Woodall Rodgers frontage road outside the Dallas Museum of Art like a casting call for a remake of “Bonfire of the Vanities.”

Why would people who paid top dollar to attend the Art Ball’s “Untitled” be backed up? Was it a revolving door suffering slow-mo? Was there a metal detector jamming because of all the pricey gems? Nope, none of the above. Seems there was a red-carpet photo shoot with a plethora of photogs shooting each set of guests, plus the prerequisite receiving line — sans last year’s showstopper Jacqueline Buckingham Anderson. Just a couple of days before, Jacqueline had taken to Facebook to announce that she and DMA head honcho husband Max Anderson were divorced. Just imagine! Without even having to pick out an OMG outfit, she was threatening to hijack the evening’s top topics.

No such luck. Her absence didn’t even register after the first hug.

But back to the party fun. Thank heaven, the weather was just right, so neither chill nor sunburn was a problem for those making smallish talk on the sidewalk waiting to get through the photo lineup against the sponsors backdrop. However, some guests dismissed the red carpet as low on the priority list and snuck behind the wall of photogs, bypassing the receiving line.

Allison V. Smith, Barry Whistler and Lela Rose

After a check-in, guests squeezed through the crowd in the Hamon Atrium checking out the walls of silent auction items, and each other. Ralph Gorman proclaimed, “It’s a good skin show. It always is. Lots of places to nibble here, if you can just get friendly.” . . Tanya Foster was having to introduce herself to old friends because of her new “bangs” look. There seem to be more and more bangs appearing around town nowadays. . . Dwight Emanuelson was talking about his upcoming trip to Little Cayman to scuba dive. . .Annette Temple, in an Adrienne Winkelmann, was up from New Zealand to see her buds Holly Reed, Tammy Hartnett and Gillian Breidenbach. Annette appeared to have lost something. Not her luggage, but a pound or two or ten. . . Cerón revealed that he and event producer Todd Fiscus were engaged and had plans for a Big Apple wedding toward New Year’s. . . Designer Lela Rose was chatting with photographer Allison V. Smith and husband/gallery owner Barry Whistler when she discovered that she was anchored in place. Seems a nearby friend’s heel had found a home on the train of Lela’s gown. . .  Speaking of which, the flowing trains and billowing gowns worn by Stephanie Roberts in Alexander McQueen, Susan O’Brien in The Row, Erin Mathews in Victoria Beckham, Elaine Agather in Christian Dior, Gala Co-chair Jennifer Karol in skintight Tom Ford, Gala Co-chair Catherine Rose’s mum Heather Marcus in a gown that she designed herself, were breathtaking and, in some cases, a handicap. Seems the extra fabric tended either to stop gals in their tracks when being stepped on, or to sweep up the dropped parmesan garlic popcorn that guests were happily

Catherine Rose

munching by the handful.  At one point Co-chair Catherine gathered up the extra fabric of her red-hot Lela Rose gown to make her way through the crowd. . . . The fellows, on the other hand, lucked out. Some, like DMA Chair John Eagle, decided on white dinner jackets.

Faisal Halum

But the more edgy types like Faisal Halum got second looks in his Neil Barrett shirt with a “fake hanging bow tie” pattern.

John Eagle

Speaking of John, he had used his car salesmanship talents to the hilt in signing up Gina Betts to chair the 2014 Art Ball. Seems he “slipped her into a booth at Charlie Palmer and said, ‘You’re gonna sit here until you say yes.’”

What was interesting to note was the usual Art Ball guests who were MIA or merely stopping by. The extra-exclusive set was holding court at Brook Hollow for Charlotte Anderson’s Sweetheart Ball. It was a true test of two black-tie events competing for many of the same big buckeroos. Sweetheart Ball benefiting UT Southwestern vs. Art Ball benefiting DMA? Some hearty souls like Peggy and Carl Sewell Jr. and Lynn and Allan McBee managed to cocktail at the Art Ball and sit down to dine at Sweetheart.

And how did this perfect storm of galas occur? According to organizers, the Art Ball had already locked down its date, and the Sweetheart Ball had to take the same date due to Charlotte’s commitments. No harm for press coverage. Since the media is persona non grata at the Sweetheart Ball, the Art Ball became the go-to event of the night.

But back to the museum. Just as the crowd in the atrium was starting to look like it was going to run out of space, a marching band was heard. Had everyone had one flute of champagne too many? No, a tall guest who towered over the crowd reported, “It’s a marching band on the concourse. I guess it’s the museum’s version of a dinner chime.”

Parmesan garlic popcorn

Good thing, because the gourmet blends of popcorn in plexi-glass containers were starting to wear thin.

As guests walked the concourse to the Ross Plaza, they passed male models dressed as Cartier doormen. When asked, “What are you here for?”, the model responded, “Whatever you want.” Ah, the perfect answer.

Back wall of the tent

Upon entering the three-story tent, guests discovered the back wall was like a glamorous drive-in movie with three towering screens. Speaking of the tent, it was a real memory maker. Seems it had taken more than four days to construct with its elevated flooring. The only mishap was a floor flooding on Wednesday during a downpour. According to Todd, the tent was brought in from Tennessee, thanks to Mahaffey Tent & Party Rentals of Memphis. Covering 18,000 square feet, the 42’ height was required to cover Mark Di Suvero’s “Ave” sculpture. Tent Lesson 101: Most tents average 25 feet in height. Guess it was easier to have the Tennessee tent than to shrink the Di Suvero. BTW, did Todd know how much the mega-tent cost? Todd’s response: “Yes, but I’m not telling you that.”

“Ave” rising above the tent in the days before

As for the color scheme, it was the brainchild of Co-chair Catherine, who loves the minimalist look. So the colors were kept to grey and black with a splash of red.

Eventually all the guests found their way to their assigned seats and Mayor Mike Rawlings kicked off the program saying, “This night raises lots of money for important things. Let’s take this over the top. For those of you from out of town, Dallas is hot. Free admission to the DMA. Now we have to fund it!”

Olivier Meslay, Deedie Rose, Max Anderson, John Eagle, Catherine Rose and Jennifer Karol

Then he introduced a video and everyone settled back for another one of those boast-and-beg ho-hum films. Instead, they got a surprise rip-off of “Downton Abbey.” In this case, it was “Downtown Artsy” starring Max, John, Jennifer, Olivier Meslay, Catherine, the mayor, Cindy Rachofsky and Deedie Rose. For those in the know, it was great fun watching the good mayor serve as a gentleman’s gentleman for “Lord” Max Anderson; John Eagle doing butler duties; and art matriarch Margaret McDermott, a la Dowager Countess of Grantham Violet Crawley, having the last words about the DMA’s free admission: “I told you to do it years ago. But, of course, nobody listens to me.”

What a great way to promote sponsors like The Joule, BMW, Soda Bar at NYLO, Delivery Limited, Inc., AT&T, VISA, and others! However, it was a bit puzzling for those out-of-the-loop types and out-of-towners. Luckily, there were those-in-the-know willing to explain the inside joke.

Caitlin Moe

While guests dined on Maine lobster salad, sous vide wagtu tenderloin and passion-fruit gelee, compressed pineapple, coconut crumble crispy caramel chocolate ball, The Dolls amazed one and all with their performance combining DJ and electric violin. At one point it appeared as if Caitlin Moe was electrified along with her violin.

Then Max told how in 13 years more than $18M had been raised, and that plans called for another record to take place. As he thanked certain key people, he had problems spotting them in the huge ballroom of 800. Young Artists Program sponsors Gene and Jerry Jones were at their daughter’s Sweetheart Ball. Entertainment sponsors Nancy C. and Richard Rogers weren’t in town. Floral and decor underwriter Faye Briggs was way far in the back at her table beneath the Di Suvero sculpture.

Lydia Wickliffe Fenet

Next up was the live auction of only nine items, with Christie’s International Director of Strategic Partnerships Lydia Wickliffe Fenet at the helm.  One of the Top Five Auctioneers in New York, she had made a lasting impression at the 2012 Art In Bloom, telling the lunching ladies that she wasn’t going to proceed with the auction until the gals clammed up — “I don’t have a late flight, so I can wait as long as it takes for you people to quiet down.” Ouch! Had she graduated from the Joan Rivers Charm School? Nope, Sewanee. But on this occasion she had toned it down and worked the room, calling out to familiar faces at the front of the room to bid.

Pop Rocks

Soon the auction was over and guests started making their way to the after-party with Pop Rocks performing. Knowing that long gowns don’t rock quite as well as hot short skirts, Co-chairs Catherine and Jennifer did a quick change and be-bopped the night away with other guests in the pop-up nightclub between the DMA building and the St. Paul circular drive.

Days later, it was announced that a whopping $2.25M had been raised. When asked how much “the net” was, the representative responded, “The $2.25 million raised is the only amount we are approved to issue.”

For more photos, please check the MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

When you think of people associated with The Salvation Army in Dallas-Fort Worth, two images come to mind. One is the prototype uniformed soldiers, who tirelessly toil year round but seem more on the scene around the holidays. The other persona is the group made up of community elders, who make the right calls and run fundraising projects like major corporations.

Recently another group has been added to TSA ranks — Echelon. It’s “a community of diverse young adults, ages 21 to 35, collectively rising up to serve TSA through fellowship and networking, donations and fundraising and service and volunteering.” In other words, they make being a trooper in the TSA cool.

That’s the very proper description of the group. Actually, they’re fun trendsetters who just happen to have great taste, love to party and know how to raise money. They also happen to have a very “hands-on” attitude when it comes to volunteering at TSA.

To show their muscle they decided to created 30M Gala Weekend (April 26 and 27). What’s that? What’s 30M? No, it’s not a typo for 3M. 30M is the 30 million people who were served in the U.S. during 2012.

Thursday

Nancy Dedman, Dee Wyly and Martha Miller

For a minuscule few, the weekend really started Thursday night at Dee Wyly’s Preston Hollow estate. It was a gal-pal party with guest of honor designer, Kelly Wearstler. Almost an hour into the party, Kelly was nowhere to be seen, but no one really minded. It seemed the delay was due to The Family Place’s Stiletto Strut around Neiman Marcus Downtown that was creating a leggy traffic jam around her hotel.

Darren’s handiwork

As Wyly Chef Darren McGrady and his kitchen team busily created trays of hors d’oeuvres and “surely-it’s-not-fattening yummies,” guests were perfectly happy to chat with the likes of Nancy Dedman, Heather Furniss, Carol Seay, Martha Miller, Ashley Tripplehorn Hunt and Tricia George.

Friday

Kelly Wearstler and Ken Downing

It was a 10:30 start at the Joule Hotel with a Kelly Wearstler “pop-up shop. The former Playboy Playmate (that’s way yesteryear) has creative talents that range from home furnishings to clothing. While the clothes are delicate and flirty, the home décor is bold and . . . well, flirty. Why, the lunch tables were beautiful displays of her handiwork. Well, most of them. Seems one was a little too provocative to be at a TSA lunch. Of course, you’re wondering what it was. No, it wasn’t as bad as you think, you naughty thing! It was a pair of white mounds that remind one to have a mammogram. See! Told ya it wasn’t all that outrageous. Still, it was TSA.

Jeff Byron

While NM Czar of Taste Ken Downing was down a hallway with Kelly (they’re old buds), the brand new NM Downtown Manager Jeff Byron was being introduced around to the crowd that included Sally Harris, Ruth Altshuler, the Jones gals (Gene Jones, Karen Jones and Charlotte Anderson), the Hunt sisters (Barbara Crow and Libby Allred), the Seay lasses (Carol and daughter-in-law Stephanie who is expecting), Dee Dee Lee, Claire Emanuelson and Muffin Lemak.

Carol Seay, Stephanie Seay and Ashley Tripplehorn Hunt

The luncheon was chaired by Ashley Hunt, Carla Miller and Molly Thomas with the main feature being an onstage chat between Kelly and Kimberly Schlegel Whitman. Originally planned to take place on the Joule’s rooftop terrace, it was held in the ballroom. Why? No, the weather was perfect. It was just that the terrace wasn’t quite finished and the Joule folks wanted everything to be perfect.

Saturday

Somebody in the Echelon group had friends in the weather department. But more about that later.

Molly Cox and Berry Cox

The black tie gala at the Dallas Country Club started with a reception in the lobby that was swathed in white draping. Guests entered through a hallway cloaked in the white fabric making their formal attires extremely elegant. Then it was catch-up time.

Unlike the previous two days of gals only, this one included the gents and they held their own very nicely, including dads like Berry Cox, for whom daughter-in-law Molly Cox gave a private tour of the ballroom for the post-dinner partying.

It was just minutes after that tour that a server spilled a glass of red wine that not only hit the stone floor but splattered all over the bottom of the white draping. Luckily, no long gowns were in the vicinity. (Heloise hint: That’s why Stanley Marcus prohibited red wine from being served at his events. It’s tough to clean up.)

Amy Prestidge and Lisa Moore

Thanks to Gala Chair Molly and Justin Cox, Lisa and Wayne Moore and Amy and Corey Prestidge and Honorary Chairs Ruth Altshuler and Michelle McAdams, the guest list was made up veterans and upcoming leaders in TSA including Lynn McBee (husband Allan was at the Frontiers of Flight Museum Gala), Nancy Dedman, Niven Morgan just back from Louisiana, Claire and Dwight Emanuelson, Laura and Tom Leppert, Shelle and Michael Sills, Carol Seay, Kerbey Clark with Ed Cox, Gala Advisor Heather Furniss with daughter Ashley and TSA Dallas First Couple Captain Michelle and Major Ward Matthews.

Ed Cox and Kerbey Clark

Captain Michelle and Major Ward Matthews

As the lobby got more and more crowded, the fashion candy also got more delicious with bare backs, extremely short skirts under see-through overlays and one gown with strategically placed cut-outs. Another conversation piece was the triple sweethearts on Carla Miller’s left arm.

Dinner under a tent with a view of Turtle Creek

Later than planned, the group strolled through the club and down the steps to a massive tent with flawless views of the Turtle Creek and the greens. That’s when the weather worked in their favor. Despite the humidity of the day, the evening hours proved just right for an absolutely perfect night of dining outside and then heading up to the ballroom for dancing to The Tip Tops and DJ Andrew 7.

While TSA may still be in the business of providing for the needy, it’s also moving forward with a very forward looking and thinking generation.

Naysayers were so very disappointed. The weather within the world of the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek was beyond perfect for the TACA Lexus Party On The Green. If you didn’t make it because of fear of wind, chill and rain, you’ll have proof of the perfection at the MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

Mansion auto courtyard

The write up is in the works including one gent who was told he couldn’t get rezzies for the restaurant that night. So, what a fella to do? He bought a TACA package for 10. Natch!

Just hours earlier, the winds had been so strong, they literally were blowing the mega-potted plants around the exterior of the Hilton Anatole over. And then there was the cross-the-board prediction by local meteorologists that May 3^rd’s high would not near 70 degrees. Veteran event planners shook their heads about the TACA Lexus Party On the Green organizers’ decision to stay the course — the POG would be outdoors in the auto courtyard. But TACA folks had faith and charged on to party outdoors. They just knew Mother Nature was a performing arts lover.

Mansion auto courtyard

Whether it was the magic of the Mansion or the countless revved-up patio heaters churning warmth, the auto courtyard was an island of perfection with 600 guests staying, eating, drinking and dancing to Emerald City, in addition to the wine cork pull and the raffle for the Lexus GS 350.

Juan Rosado

Luckily, the chefs were prepared with enough food to feed the hundreds of beautiful people. While the Rosewood Crescent Court’s Juan Rosado won the Golden Skillet with his seaweed-cured diver scallop, crispy enoki, pickled radish and aji Amarillo brûlée according to the wandering judges, the Caribbean Barbecue Ribs in tamarind sauce from Little Dix Bay’s Carlos Hannnon were being smacked around, resulting in glistening lips and fingers in need of licking. Suggestion: Next year have some wet wipes available and/or bibs.

Carlos Hannon

The second must-haves were the colorful pashminas that had been wrapped around the backs of the chairs just in case bare arms needed something to keep them warm. Funny, but the gals weren’t the only ones seen wearing the pashminas. Keith Laycock looked downright natty with a white pashmina doubling as a scarf.

Holly Reed, Brad Beaird, Troy Schiermeyer and Gillian Breidenbach

While the crowd grew in the courtyard, the VIP’s had a pre-party upstairs in the FDR Suite. Holly Reed, Brad Beaird, Gillian Breidenbach and Troy Schiermeyer stood on the balcony waving to friends below and spotting newcomers as they checked in.

Wanda Gierhart and Keith Laycock

In that crowd were Jennifer and Keith Cerny, who looked like he had won the Lexus raffle with his recent announcement of hiring Emmanuel Villaume as The Dallas Opera’s music director. . .  When Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Jonathan Martin was asked about Emmanuel’s hire, he said it was a very good choice. He’d seen Emmanuel perform in the past and applauded Keith’s signing him up. Jonathan also said that he and wife Amy were house hunting. . .Michelle Meadows was in between gigs — last week being part of the Bush Center opening team and co-chairing May 4^th’s “A Legendary Evening” for Family Compass. . . Carmaleta Whiteley and Otis Felton were celebrating their one-week anniversary following their wedding on April 26. . . Neiman Marcus’s Wanda Gierhart was not revealing her plans for the TACA Custom Auction. She’s in charge of getting the stellar auction items and has a major challenge after last year’s home-run packages. . .  Jody Dean was chatting it up with fans while keeping an eye on gal pal Fiona Pestell, who was recovering from a run in with poison ivy. . .  Honorary

Jill Tananbaum, Skye Brewer and Cindy Stager

Chair Skye Brewer arrived just in time for a get-together with her Cattle Baron’s buds/TACA POG Co-chairs Cindy Stager and Jill Tananbaum. It appeared that Cindy and Jill had better luck with the weather than Skye had back in September. Jill also reported that the Lexus raffle tickets sold out faster than ever before. . . Amy

Matt and Anne Woolsey and Rob Sumner

Green, who will be chairing the Patriots Party for the Housing Crisis Center in November, reported that she and Sunny Solomon are considering a venture that will sell a variety of unique accessories for pets.  It started when Amy bought a 35cm Birkin carrier for her under-3-lb. poodle. The poor itty-bitty pooch ended up “swimming” in it!

Francis Sommer

Ah, but the best story of the evening belonged to Francis Sommer. He’s been living in Moscow for the past nine years. With a daughter at SMU, a son who will be attending Mustang-land in August and another daughter working in Plano, he and his wife visit Dallas a bit. When he tried to make reservations for dinner at the Mansion restaurant, he was told it was closed for the TACA party. Sounded interesting, so he wanted to get in on the party. . . . “We made a donation to this cause.” Yes, you might say so.  He bought a 10-person package.

Francis, did you know the Mansion restaurant will be closed on Friday, September 20 for the TACA RBC Wealth Management Custom Auction Gala? Hope to see you there!

For more photos, check out the MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

If your preference is ball gowns and tuxedos, stop reading.

Now, if you’re still reading, you’re going to be as pleased as getting nothing but green lights on Northwest Highway about Saturday’s Kids Come First Gala Partners’ Roundup. As you can tell from the title, it’s western-oriented, with suggested attire being fancy shirts and jeans for the gents and Lone Star chic for the gals.

And what better place to have it, come rain or shine? Eddie Deen’s Ranch, of course. In addition to cocktails, silent and live auctions and dinner, there will be dancing with music provided by the Breckenridge Band.

Sandra G. Chavarria, Carol Lupton Huckin and Lisa Laughlin

Benefiting Communities in School Dallas Region, Gala Chair is Carol Lupton Huckin, who snagged the ever-adorable Carolyn and Tav Lupton to be honorary chairs. The real entertainment should just be chatting with the Luptons. At least, that’s what guests like Caroline Rose Hunt, Caroline Hunt, Tincy Miller and Chris Turner reported at the May 8th patron party at Carol and Bill Huckin’s home.

Caroline Rose Hunt, Caroline Hunt and Carolyn Lupton

Funds raised by the gala will go to helping “more struggling but capable students to achieve their potential through CISDR’s proven model of individualized, on-campus support services.”

Photos provided 
by Communities 
in School Dallas Region

Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts is an incubator for future artists. What’s going on within the walls of the school is invigorating and contagious. After just walking the halls, even a person with two left feet feel like they could compete on “Dancing With The Stars.”

The students don’t just attend school. They thrive thanks to the staff and the environment.

Faisal Halum and Brian Bolke

To celebrate and fundraise this Dallas treasure, couture retailer Brian Bolke and couture residential realtor Faisal Halum chaired “FlyingHorse III” on May 10 to benefit the Arts Magnet School. It was a three-place party.

Starting off at the Wyly Theater roof deck sponsored by Neiman’s, guests cocktailed.

Brian said that he estimated that only seven drops of rain fell. . . “It reminded me planning any outdoor event in Dallas takes nerves of steel.”

Gonzalo Bueno and Michael McCray

Merry Vose and Sharon Young

Catherine and Will Rose

Christina Crews and Todd Goldberg

Then guests like Catherine and Will Rose, Merry Vose, Gonzalo Bueno, Michael McCray, Sally and Tom Dunning, Christina Crews, Todd Goldberg, Sharon Young, Sheryl Maas, Jenny and John Kirtland and Lisa and John Runyon strolled across the street to the Booker T. Washington Arts Theater, where guests were blown away by an “electrifying” opening dance number followed by a strings performance and a jazz performance.

Lucy Wrubel and Tom and Sally Dunning

Blending a live show with video clips of Booker T. students and faculty, the presentation itself was typical of the school. Before 55 string musicians entered the stage, the theater went dark. Then a “light/glow stick attached to a bow” was seen. And then another one and another one as they played Viva La Vida by Coldplay.

As much as the audience was enjoying the action on the stage, the “look on faces of the jazz quartet members when they got to play with Branford Marsalis” was the true memory maker. According to Brian, “I am sure to them (the students), it was like playing in the Super Bowl.”

Branford Marsalis

Summing up the performance, Brian and Faisal described it as an “overwhelming sense of surprise and pride” by guests “that such an amazing group of students, in our very own city, literally put on a world-class show.”

The final stop of the evening was the Joule Hotel’s rooftop pool where DJ Lucy Wrubel provided the music while mini-cheese burgers, red velvet cupcakes and Grey Goose vodka cocktails were served.

Photos provided by FlyingHorse III

The May 10^th “Dancing with The Smiths” had all the markings of that high school prom — promises of hot babes in tantalizing outfits and quarterback types strutting their stuff. Organizers had impressed with namedropping such folks as “Dancing With The Stars” host Tom Bergeron, former DWTS celebs Mark Cuban and Michael Irvin as co-hosts with DWTS mega-winner Melissa Rycroft Stickland. To add to the ABC-show dancing vet lineup were Olympian Shawn Johnson, Jake “The Bachelor” Pavelka, Sabrina “Cheetah Girl” Bryan and professional dancers Maksim “Max” Chmerkovsky, Cheryl Burke and Tony Dovolani.

It was a bit like a promised reunion of the original “Charlie’s Angels,” “Friends” or “MASH.”

But great expectations were understandable. After all, the Friday night dance-athon was part of the two-day fundraising activities benefiting the Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities. Saturday Emmitt and golfers would participate in the Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, if the weather held out.

And that didn’t even include their partnering with the Star Children’s Charity for the Stiletto Strut at Neiman’s Willow Bend earlier Friday, with “a percentage of funds raised from the golf tournament [benefiting] Boys and Girls Club of Collin County.”

But back to Friday night.

All the hoop-la was at the Omni Hotel Dallas’s oversized red carpet. Against a longer-than-long sponsor backdrop, the carpet was divided into two lanes — a slo-mo lane for XVIP’s (Extremely Very Important People) to be interviewed by media, and the HOV lane next to the backdrop where the rest of the 950 guests like Shane Walker with his mom, Joani White and Ron Corning, Barbara and Steve Durham, Sue and  Jimmy Gragg, LeeAnne Locken, Daniel Lewis and JB Hayes walked to get to the reception area, where the live auction would take place.

Steve Eagar

Mark Jones

For the media set-up, KDFW was first in the lineup. After all they were doing a live half-hour show starting at 6 with Steve Eagar and Clarice Tinsley leading off, and Calvert Collins doing follow-up. Producer Mark Jones never stopped moving cables, coordinating the next celebrity to be interviewed and talking to prevent civilians from walking into equipment. At one point Clarice was downright giddy over her dancing with Tony, while Steve appeared to attempt an interview with the mirrored ball.

Steve Eagar, Tony Dovolani and Clarice Tinsley

At the opposite end of the carpet were Pat Smith’s The Broadcast buds Courtney Kerr and Lisa Pineiro. Being last in the media lineup worked out perfectly for the twosome, as they ended up creating a traffic jam playing “Truth or Dare” with celebrities.

To the side, Pat’s stylist Jennifer Cloutier was having a friend adjust the back of her Nicole Miller.

Jasmin Lawrence and Rheagen Smith

Skylar, Elijah and Pat Smith

But just as the celebs arrived, Emmitt entered with son EJ from one end of the lobby. From the other end of the lobby, Pat in glimmering blue, form-fitting gown led the rest of the Smith brood (daughters Jasmin Lawrence, Rheagen Smith, Skylar Smith and son Elijah Smith). Pat and Emmitt come together in the lobby just before the red carpet like the Central Pacific and Union Pacific at Promontory Summit. Only thing missing was the “golden spike.”

While Steve was interviewing the Smith family, three-year-old Elijah decided to crawl around the legs of the family and more or less act his age. In a pass that would have impressed Roger Staubach, Pat picked up Elijah and handed him off to her sister, the equally gorgeous Pam Southall. Elijah’s moments on the red carpet were done. He wasn’t seen again.

Pat Smith and Elijah Smith

Pam Southall

But something was amiss. Sure, there were plenty of super jocks (Marcus Allen, Rolando Blackman, Daryl Johnston, Trent Richards, Charles Haley) that made sportscasters like WFAA’s George Riba and Ted Madden and TackleThis Lauren Barnette (she used to be a “suitcase girl” for “Deal or No Deal”) along the media line happy. But where were the other non-sporty celebrities? Word was being passed. Tom Bergeron was home sick. Cheryl Burke, who had once before been a no-show for a reunion with Emmitt in Dallas, was doing a repeat non-performance. Shawn, Max, Mark and Michael were nowhere in sight.

Marcus Allen

Daryl Johnston

The Bergeron MIA was a problem. He and his ability to ad-lib would be missed. Who would fill his shoes? Luckily, Melissa and Tony were not only available, but they were right at home working together. So, while others were filing along the red carpet and schmoozing in the reception, the production crew, Melissa and Tony were doing last-minute rehearsals and adjustments to the evening’ program. A sticky situation was the intro. It was to be a video of Deion Sanders introducing Tom. Hmm. How would that be handled? More about that later.

Once the reception area was filled to capacity with people cocktailing and posing for photos with two mirrored ball, auctioneer Mike Jones took over. It almost took on a pep-rally atmosphere as the numbers impressed. Why, one item hit a nosebleed level of $50,000.

Tony Dovolani, Melissa Rycroft Strickland, Tye Strickland, Clay and Tiffany McNutt, Sabrina Coates, Jake Pavelka and Carole and Scott Murray

At 7:40, inside the ballroom, Tony, Melissa and her husband Tye Strickland, Tiffany and Clay McNutt, Jake and his bud Sabrina Coates and Honorary Co-chairs Carole and Scott Murray were chatting when a voice over the PA announced, “It’s 20 minutes until the doors open.” Scott asked Melissa, who looked like she had been dipped in barbecue sauce, how she got her tan. She confided that it was a spray tan. Scott was worried whether it was healthy. Melissa assured him it was.

Carole Murray and Melissa Rycroft Strickland

The TV crews finished setting up their equipment. Zona Pidgeon entered the ballroom looking for table #18. She’d been at the event since 6:30 and “can’t stand any longer.” Seems there were no chairs in the reception area to be had.

At 8:05 the voice announced “We’re opening the doors.” The Omni staff stood at attention and one set of doors opened and then closed. The voice reported, “False alarm. Evidently they have one more auction item.” The staff didn’t budge. The “DWTS” types, who had been talking near the doors, moved to the tables near the stage.

At 8:16, the auction was over and the doors were opened with people pouring in like a Best Buy’s Thanksgiving midnight sale. A photographer accidently bumped into Krystal Herrera, resulting in wine being splashed on her black cocktail dress. He apologized. She laughed, saying she was now wearing her drink. Tony continued to be a babe magnet. In black coats a Studio 22 couple wandered around the front of the ballroom in front of the mega-stage. Every now and then the coats slipped open to reveal colorful garments.

At 8:27 the voice returned and gave everyone a five-minute countdown to sit and to silence cellphones. Charlotte and Shy Anderson arrived and said “Hi” to former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Melissa. Tall Charlotte and diminutive Melissa were both in stilettos. Luckily Melissa’s were taller than Charlotte’s, so she at least stood as tall as Charlotte’s chin. Didn’t matter. They were both cute and happy to see each other.

Deion Sanders

The lights dimmed and Deion’s video introduction of Tom rolled. Lights came on and so did Melissa and Tony. They explained that Tom was home sick. Jokes were made about little blue pills. From backstage, Deion entered the stage demanding that he get to introduce the replacement team. He did it after joking with Tony about the dancer’s sharp dressing. Tony reported that his snappy look was due to his wife. To which Deion said, “I can’t say my wife dressed me.” The 950 guests got the joke and laughed.

Dinner was served, but Pat and Emmitt hardly got a nibble. They had people lined up like Baskin Robbins in August just to visit with them.

Jeff Rich and Jan Miller

At 9:25 a video of Pat and Emmitt was shown about their foundation. Honorary Chairs Jan Miller and Jeff Rich and Carole and Scott Murray take over the mic. Now, in fundraising circles it’s well-known that when Jan Miller puts out a request, she’d better get some responses. Otherwise, she’ll start calling out names in the audience, putting them on the spot. So, when the “Ask for Cash” was announced by the honorary chairs, Jan zoned in on familiar faces like an ophthalmologist performing laser cataract surgery. Among those in her scope was Steve Durham, who kicked in $5,000. Jim Keyes, who was sitting table-side with Steve, knew his usual jovial smile had become a bulls-eye for Jan. . . and it worked. Pretty soon, auctioneer Jones joined the foursome on stage for that last push. They were down to the $1,000 ask level. Jones reported that if they could just get three $1,000 contributions, Emmitt would let him share some news. Two folks raised their hands. Just $1,000 was holding the news back. Jones could stand it no longer and gave up. He answered the call for the final $1,000 himself. With that he announced that they had just achieve the evening’s goal of $1M. Emmitt smiled. Everyone smiled.

Now there was real cause for dancing. First on the floor were a barefooted Melissa and Tony, who performed the Samba that had won them the mirrored ball. Despite making it look effortless, it almost hurt to watch them do their moves.

Sergey Korshunov and Michelle Hafle

Then Sabrina and Jake came on stage. They didn’t dance. They introduced two sets of Studio 22 dancers, who made Latin dancing even hotter than a jalapeno. The fourth team was made up of Studio 22 owners Sergey Korshunov and Michelle Hafle. They proved why they’ve earned international titles.

Courtney Kerr, Suzie Humphreys and Lisa Pineiro

Next up were the Broadcast twosome, Courtney and Lisa, joined by Broadcast co-host Suzie Humphreys, who had just flown in for the event. As usual Suzie stole the show, talking to Emmitt one-on-one from the stage. The ladies were there to introduce a surprise performer. Just as the lights dimmed, Emmitt hollered, “Cheryl showed up. . .  my bad.”

Pat Smith

Pat Smith

It was Pat Smith. From the audience, Smith daughter Skylar shouted, “Go, Mom!” And go she did, proving to have more moves than Goldie Hawn in her “Laugh-In” days. She was paired with Sergey, but . . . no offense, Sergey, no one noticed you. Pat’s performance was so wowser that Emmitt jumped on stage and cut in. The two Smiths were a 21^st version of Fred and Ginger, only they made it look hot.

Pat and Emmitt Smith

Emmitt and Pat Smith

Top Hat & Tails has proven to be the biggie event of June in past years with local celebrities doing a Dallas version of “Dancing With The Stars” with professionals for the benefit of Paws in the City.

This year’s disco-theme dance-athon is Saturday, June 15, and returns to Frontiers of Flight Museum with Preston Pearson and Scott Murray as the Tom Bergeron-type hosts.

And speaking of DWTS, honorary chair this year will be DWTS’s Chelsie Hightower.

Now, there are only two questions that remain:

• Who will the local celebrity dancers be?
• Who will the judges be?

Hopefully, the answers will be revealed before June 15.

Just heard from our friends at Top Hats & Tails about their change of strategy. In between taking care of critters, they let us know:

“We are doing things a little differently.  We have members of the community who raised money for us dancing.  . .  Our Honorary Chair is Chelsie Hightower from ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars”. . . Our judges are Kellie Rasberry, John McGill and Gretchen Malone. . . Scott Murray is once again our emcee and Dallas Cowboy legend Preston Pearson is our Host.”

Here is the info on the folks who will be dancing their shoes off Saturday at the Frontiers of Flight Museum for Paws in the City.

• Stephanie Grubb is originally from Phoenix, Arizona, and fell in love with dance at the age of three and been dancing ever since with a focus on Jazz and Contemporary. She obtained a degree in Marketing from the University of Arizona and joined the JCPenney Company upon graduation.  Stephanie moved to Dallas in 2009 and has been loving it!
• Rick Lawrence (animal lover extraordinaire) – Besides living with 5 four-legged friends, his organic garden has been designated by the State Parks and Wildlife Department as a certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat. He is the owner of RS Lawrence Construction and has been in the construction business since 1975. In the last 30 years he has been building custom homes primarily in the Park Cities and Preston Hollow. RS Lawrence Construction’s award-winning homes have been featured in Veranda and D Home among other publications. The Lawrences (Rick, wife Sara, daughters Angel and Crystal) have been long-time advocates for animal rescue and animal rights. Rick and Sara share their home with a menagerie of pets which include Midnight, Chloe, Tinkerbell, Stella and Saffy.
• Ramsey Kane (actress, model and animal advocate) — Strives to live life victoriously and make a positive difference as she pursues her dreams and destiny. Her background in gymnastics and passion for performance and dance led her to compete as a fitness athlete, which gave her the opportunity to create, choreograph, and perform character based pieces. Ramsey is currently focusing her energy towards her goals in the performing arts industry. Her love for animals has led to her nickname “Snow White.” She enjoys working with Paws in the City and supports the Humane Society and their animal rescue efforts. She is interested in joining forces with additional organizations that are working to protect and preserve land and marine life, and is considering the study of veterinary medicine and marine mammalogy. Her story is just beginning…
• Lacretia Lyon (yoga Instructor, model and actress) — Born and raised in Tyler (TX), Lacretia moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for college. After graduating from the University of North Texas she moved to Dallas to start a career while working on her graduate degree. While struggling to find a job she started modeling and has developed quite a portfolio in just a short time. She now models and acts, which was her childhood dream. She is also a fitness instructor, yoga being her forte, and volunteers for Paws in the City in her spare time.
• Jim Campbell (Vice President – Andrews Distributing Co.) — A veteran of the beer business since 1982, Jim is a pioneer in beer brand management. Jim currently develops market strategies for many of the Andrews Distributing brands in north and south Texas. Outside of work, Jim is the proud co-founder of the Marcus Somerstein Scholarship Fund, which has awarded nearly 50 college scholarships over the past twelve years to financially challenged students. He and wife Jasmine have three adopted dogs and two adopted cats.
• Diane Collier (architect, mother, animal lover and neighborhood advocate) — Diane is a mother of two humans and one golden retriever named Simcha, an animal lover and urban evelopment/neighborhood advocate. Diane was raised in Omaha, Nebraska, in a second-generation Czech musical family. She graduated from the University of Nebraska in Architecture, then found her way to Dallas as quickly as she could! There she obtained her Master of Architecture degree from UTArlington, and has an active career in the design and real estate community. She is also President of Henderson Neighborhood association. Working for as an architect and in sales for Landscape Forms of Kalamazoo for 23 years combines professional and personal energies to make a positive change in our magnificent city!
• Brandi Marino (“I go BEYOND for Paw-lates”) — Owner and Founder of Beyond Studios, Brandi is a Dallas trainer pioneering the future of fitness with imaginative vigor. Known as “The Assassin,” some say she once did fifty pushups, no-handed. Others say she can do a jumping jack without moving. One thing is certain – Brandi’s passion, dedication and cutting-edge techniques inspire even the starchiest couch potato to get fit. Beyond was named Best Fitness Studio in Dallas by Vogue’s Best Dressed 2012 Special Edition Issue, and is a product of her fierce determination for helping people discover new limits. Her demeanor is kind, but that doesn’t mean her workouts are too. Be prepared for a challenge or else you might find out why they call her, “The Assassin.”

It’s not too late to get your ticket, but time’s a-wasting!

Summer has definitely moved into the neighborhood, with temperatures flirting with the three-digit range.  The good news is that tornadoes don’t usually hang out in steamy hot weather. The bad news is, neither do a lot of locals.

However, thanks to the non-stop work of the City of Dallas, The Trinity Trust Foundation and the Hoblitzelle Foundation, being outdoors in the summer has the promise of being much more attractive.

This Thursday the team will officially open the Pavilion and Amphitheater at Moore Park Gateway, 1837 E. 8^th Street. If Moore Park is new to you, it’s been a setting for baseball games, picnics and views of Cedar Creek for the past 72 years.

Just eight years ago when Tom Leppert was mayor, ground was broken for the expansion of Moore Park to be “the first major connection into the Trinity River Corridor from the Southern Sector.”

There were promises of a shaded pavilion and scenic overlook, a new grove of trees and amphitheater and connections to the Santa Fe Trestle Trail plus a whole lot more.

Moore Park Pavilion & Amphitheater grand opening invitation

Well, this Thursday, the promises will be kept as Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and a bunch of politicos and good-hearted citizens will officially dedicate the Pavilion and Amphitheater at Moore Park Gateway.

In addition to the 5:30 p.m. dedication, the opening activities from 5 to 7 p.m. will include the Dallas Black Dance Theatre Children’s Troupe, Ernesto’s Mariachi Band and the Townview Jazz Band.

Word has it that food trucks will be available, if you’re interested in buying dinner for you and your posse.

According to early reports, Moore is pretty darn impressive with “a shade pavilion with picnic tables, performance amphitheater with sloped lawn for seating and icon tower; a gravity defying cantilevered overlook; a bridge across Cedar Creek connecting to the existing Moore Park; a terraced tree grove; and memory wall. The Hoblitzelle Pavilion and Amphitheater also provides parking and a trail link to the Santa Fe Trestle Trail.”

The dedication and opening activities are open to the public and free, so why not check it out.

Just heard that the tickets for the TACA RBC Wealth Management Custom Auction Gala at the Mansion are going faster than pints of custard at Wild About Harry’s. The September 20 black-tie event is being co-chaired by Heather and Bill Esping with Barbara and Don Daseke as honorary co-chairs.

Returning to beat last year’s over-the-top auction will be Auction Chair Wanda Gierhart and Christie’s Los Angeles President Andrea Fiuczynski

Becky Young, Ken Villalovos and Andrea Fiuczynski (File photo)

, who knows how to make paddle raising more fun than losing 10 pounds.

Suggestion: Get your bestest friends together and reserve a table ASAP. As soon as Lady Gierhart finalizes the auction items, we’ll let you know, so you can make out your wish list.

Top Hat & Tails took their dance show in a different direction this year at the Frontiers of Flight Museum on Saturday, June 15. Instead of local celebs dancing with Arthur Murray pros, the organizers decided to the rest of the world a chance. Perhaps not as much glitter, but more dough for Paws In The City.

Becky Haisma and Holly Forsythe

According to Top Hat & Tails Co-chair/co-founder Becky Haisma, “We decided to change things up after five years and give regular people, especially supporters of Paws in the City, an opportunity to dance. If an individual wanted to dance for the Lucy Trophy, they could get a sponsor of pledge to raise $7,500 in donations.”

Scott Murray and Chelsie Hightower

But that’s not to say the night of dining, dancing and doling out the treats lacked sparkle. No, siree! It came in the personality of Chelsie Hightower, the real-life Dancing With The Stars pro. Unlike DWTS cohort Cheryl Burke, who tends to no-show for Dallas fundraisers, Chelsie was not only on hand, she was beyond charming and so cute that Barbie would have placed second in a comparison.

Scott Murray, Gretchen Malone, Chelsie Hightower, John McGill and Kellie Rasberry*

Emcee Scott Murray even learned a little “jig” on stage thanks to Chelsie with judges John McGill, Kellie Rasberry and Arthur Murray’s Gretchen Malone giving 10’s. BTW, Gretchen was subbing for Arthur Murray Dallas owner Claudia Marshall, who has been a mainstay on the judges’ panel the past five years. This year Claudia’s best friend was getting married the same weekend, so she was MIA.

But Chelsie’s pitching in didn’t stop with doing a one-two dance step with Scott. Nope. She took her place with the judges providing scores and comments. As Becky summed it up, “She was wonderful!”

Kris Johnson, Donna Stiles, Nancy Gopez and Karen Lukin

As Chelsie collected vegetarian delights in a clear plastic cup of tomatoes, carrots , celery and peppers and posed non-stop for photos with fans, others like Leslie Ann Crozier, Kris Johnson, Donna Stiles, Nancy Gopez, Karen Lukin and Holly (“I’ve been working out like crazy!”) Forsythe were checking out the silent auction items and critters looking for forever homes.

Paws In The City kittens

To get the big show underway Scott and Host Preston Pearson onstage announced to the delight of the crowd that Dallas Animal Services has experienced a 40% drop in euthanasia of animals. What some folks may not realize is that this amazing development is the result of rescue groups like Paws in the City helping to find home for animals.

Preston Pearson

A special moment took place when two dogs, that had been trained at Camp Diggy Bones and the Paws of Hope Prison program, were presented on stage with their new owners.

Then it was time for the dinner catered by the Wendy Krispin, who had everything under control including vegan dinners available for guests.

Jack Knox and Nancy Doll

Before the dance competition started, the live auction got under way with a bidding war resulting between Jack Knox and Mike Woodyard. Despite having a bandaged right hand, Jack’s paddle raised to win the surprise package of the night provided by Chelsie — two tickets to DWTS and being personally escorted by Chelsie backstage to meet all the stars.

Then it was time for the competition with the following contestants vying for the Lucy Trophy:

• Andrews Distributing Co. VP Jim Campbell and Bailey Kenzington doing a disco merengue
• Architect Diane Collier and Nicolas Stevens doing the Lindy hop

• Chelsie Hightower, Stephanie Grubb and Justin Brown*

  JCPenney assistant buyer Stephanie Grubb and Justin Brown doing the hustle/cha-cha

• Actress/model Ramsay Kane and Antonio Rivera doing the swing
• RS Lawrence Construction owner Rick Lawrence and Sarah Dantes doing the salsa
• Yoga instructor Lacretia Lyon and Ryan West doing the foxtrot
• Beyond Studio owner/founder Brandi Marino and Ian Kelley doing the rumba/hustle

While the votes from the judges and the audiences were being tallied, the presentation of awards was made by Paws in the City’s Martha Powell:

• Lori Landes received the St. Francis of Assisi Award for continued generosity and support by starting Landes Dog Training Fund
• Teresa Berg and Erin Hannigan received the Man’s Best Friend Award for putting on “An Evening For Dog Lovers” combining photography and music benefiting PITC
• Kathleen Moore received the Volunteer of the Year Award

Finally, the announcement of the winner was made. Taking home the Lucy was JCPenney’s Stephanie.

But the big winners were the pooches and felines who will benefit from the weeks of rehearsal and auction gathering by their best friends at Paws In The City.

* Photos provided by Paws In The City

Professional dancer

Despite some sore muscles and sunburned noses from the day’s workout, the stellar celebrity players met Friday, June 28, at a clandestine spot to celebrate the next day’s baseball fundraiser at Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco for the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation and the Heroes Foundation.

Nick Lachey

J.J. Barea

While the coverage is being put together, we thought you might enjoy seeing some of the famous, including a troll and should-be-famous faces who were at the “don’t-tell-anybody” location. Not to worry. The place is revealed in the writeup.

Fort Worth-based Lara Beth Seager was the event producer, so you can imagine how OMG it was!

It was the big old secret of the summer. Organizers were prepared to go to Guantanamo before leaking the pop-up location of the VIP party on Friday, June 28, on the eve of Dirk Nowitzki’s Heroes Celebrity Baseball Game. Like a speakeasy at the height of Prohibition, only special folks were provided an address for the one-night-only “Club 41.” But even if the word escaped, entrance was forboden unless you had a cherished pass and your name was on “the list.”

Screen dancers

But even before that could take place, bouncers as tall as a Mavericks’ eye were on hand to guarantee only the privileged made it in the hallway check-in with a wall of bright colored panels showcasing silhouettes of dancers.

David Trowbridge and Stephanie Wilcox

Even then, your wristband sealed your fate in the club. The hoi polloi enjoyed the good life on the ground level, including a dazzling white-tiled dance floor that was occasionally cloaked in fog. Overhead were 17 discos balls slowly spinning in place around the mother of all disco balls. They took on a rainbow of colors when the disco LED wall and laser show ramped up to meet the beat of the music. At different locations on the edge of the dance floor were towering mini-stages with dancers just beyond reach in one-piece costumes, chains, heels and fishnet stockings.

But like the Greek gods of old, the XXX VIP’s had their places above the fray in a modern-day version of Mount Olympus. Instead of Titans guarding the lounge of the gods, there were even more bouncers. If you had the right wristband, you may have scored a smile as they allowed your entry. If not, a stern shake of the head and upheld hand stopped even some of Dallas’ most boldface types.

David Justice, Rebecca Villalobos and Goose Gossage

This modern day version of Olympus had seating arrangements with ice buckets with Piper-Heidsieck champagne and Remy Martin Cognac on coffee tables, a bar in the back and waiters with trays of food. Heroes White Sox coach Goose Gossage hunkered down with Heroes Blue Sox coach David Justice and his wife Rebecca Villalobos watching the millennials schmoozing and dancing below. Toward the back of the room, former Playboy Cyber Girl of the Month Meghan Allen was talking with Brittany Kumm and Brendan McMahon. J.J. Barea was taking photos with his phones.

Meghan Allen, Brittany Kumm and Brendan McMahon

J.J. Barea

Newly engaged Allison Micheletti and Mike Modano were as giddy as a winning quarterback and homecoming queen revealing that they plan to wed in Dallas come September. Mike, who had been with the baseball fundraiser for the past 10 years, was going to be MIA for the baseball game because he had to be in New York with the Stars for the NHL draft, “representing the team, making our picks and so on.”

Mike Modano and Allison Micheletti

Heroes Baseball Founder Charlie McKinney explained that when Modano no longer wanted to be head man of the game, Charlie knew he needed either Tony Romo or Dirk to take it over. With 7,000 expected for the Saturday game, they had added an online auction, including a dinner with Dirk, with a goal for the year of $200,000 to be split between Dirk’s foundation and the Heroes Foundation.

Dirk Nowitzki and Casey Alexander

In the back of the room, Dirk was showing photos on his phone to Charlie’s assistant Casey Alexander and talking about the old days, when Casey was a friend of Dirk’s sister in Germany. Earlier in the day he had been working on his batting during “training camp” at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Last year he got two singles, but his goal was to score this year.

And like the mythological legends, these gods of sports didn’t stay put in their lofty confines. The moving-and-shaking seemed to be happening on the ground level with such types as Nick Lachey and Justin Whitman making their way through the jam, the dance floor being filled with professionals and should-be’s (Robin and David Trowbridge, Stephanie and Ryan Wilcox, Molly Bonner and Alyson Griffith) and watching/talking on the sideline Stacy and Kris Kristynik, Beth and David Thames and Tricia Ward and Jon Clark.

Travelocity gnome and Jonathan Rogers

The face that received the most second looks was the Travelocity gnome and his escort, Jonathan Rogers. Seems the twosome have literally traveled the world to such events as the NFL draft, NBA finals and Coachella music festival. Want proof? They’ve been photographed with Charles Barkley, Simon Cowell and Kevin Bacon.

Mark Cuban

Leader of the pack was Mark Cuban in a “You Are Uniqe” (sic) T-shirt and well-worn jeans. When asked about Ron Kirk’s revealing that Cuban had called Kirk at home on the night of 9/11 and quietly donated $1M for the widows of all those first responders, Mark added, “Nine out of 10, I say, I’ll give if you don’t give my name. . . That was a long time ago!”  Regarding the T-shirt, Cuban explained, “Somebody gave it to me and I thought it would be fun to wear.”

Lara Beth Seager

As for his playing Saturday, Mark admitted, “I don’t know. I was out there at batting practice today. I’ll see. Oh, I hit the ball. But that’s not the point. The point is whether I can stand up in the morning.”

About the location? It turned out to be Wendy Krispin’s new 129 Leslie event venue in the Dallas Design District, but even Wendy admitted that it had been transformed thanks to event producer Lara Beth Seager. Looking around the place as the 300 guests arrived, Wendy said that three days before all had been white and totally different. The question had to be asked — “Was the major transformation by Seager a pain?” Without hesitation, Wendy emphasized au contraire, adding that Seager was one of the best that she had worked with. No stress, no strain, no problemos. Just a delightful experience.

For more photos from the party, check out the MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

News is flowing in about Fall events that are approaching “Grovel Alert” status. Hey, it’s not even August yet! Oh, well, let’s sell!

One of those inching close to a done deal is the TACA RBC Wealth Management Custom Auction on Friday, September 20, at the Mansion. There are only a few tables left.

This black-tie event is fun and glamorous from stem to stern. The cocktail party would be worth the price of a ticket. The champagne flows, the guests look so refreshed from summer sojurns and the chatter is smart, clever and frothy with news.

Dinner in the main dining room (File photo)

Then all go to their tables, which are located in every nook and cranny in the Mansion. Whether you’re at an intimate table for four on the veranda, in the main dining room with showstopping table for eight or in the Sheppard King Suite at a table for 10, there’s never a moment of silence. . .  well, maybe there are brief seconds when munching down dinner by Chef Bruno Davaillon.

Dinner in the Sheppard King Suite (File photo)

Round three is the live auction that’s limited to a scant few extremely fabulous items assembled by NM’s Wanda Gierhart, who must have the same DNA as the late Stanley Marcus. Just watching Christie’s Los Angeles President Andrea Fiuczynski running the auction is entertainment in itself.

TACA RBC Wealth Management Custom Auction (File photo)

The grand finale is the post party where even the most staid socialite has been known to hit the dance floor like a high school cheerleader. Handling the tunes will be DJ Sista Whitenoise.

Bill and Heather Esping are chairing the event with Barbara and Don Daseke as their honorary co-chairs.

All you have to do is make your reservation and survive August’s heat.