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 3rd’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 4th’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!