Dancing, drinking and partying Cuban-style didn’t require a trip to DFW International on Saturday, June 8… at least for the Young Friends of Wilkinson members and friends. They simply put on their brightest white outfits and headed over to The Empire Room, where the place was decked out in white from carpeting to walls for the annual White Party. Here’s a report from the field:
Young Friends of Wilkinson Center hosted The White Party: Havana Nights on Saturday, June 8, from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. at The Empire Room in the Dallas Design District.
Young Friends Co-Presidents Alex Flores and Tyler Leung Young welcomed more than 300 attendees to the annual fundraiser, which benefits the important programs of Wilkinson Center.
Sponsors and VIP’s arrived early in their summer whites for an exclusive cocktail reception. As patrons entered The Empire Room, which had been transformed into an all-white space complete with a white carpet entrance and a sleek white dance floor with DJ Jason Wiggz towering above, they mingled while enjoying lite bites and cocktails including, Gin Punch and Lemonade Sparkler with blueberries.
At the appointed time, additional partygoers arrived as DJ Wiggz pumped up the volume. The VIP lounge area opened for sponsors and their guests, featuring bottle service for each table.
As patrons hit the dance floor or struck a pose at the nearby photo booth, Executive Director Anne Reeder mingled among the guests thanking them for their support of Wilkinson Center.
For the late night crowd, Ruthie’s Rolling Café was spotted outside offering late night grilled cheeses. As the evening ended, guests received a bag of surprises as a thank you for their support of the seventh annual event.
The White Party attendees included former Dallas Mavericks player Shawn Marion, Ram Vasudevan, Rachel Sargent, Enri Zhulati, Henry Masters, Justin Loth, Navi Singh Saini, Drew Uphoff, Shaan Rahi, Jamisha Johnson, Chris Senn Sr., Jason Friedman, Laura Reeder, Brad Gregory, Gina Slater, Tricia and Mark Monfrey, Adam Evers, Nikki Bloxton, Branden Muhl, Hunter Heres, Finley Haislip and Kristen Graska.
* Photo credit: Lisa Means