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Despite Tuxedos Being MIA, Center Stage 2010 was a Class Act

Creative types just know how to party. And when the Wyly Theatre is the setting, it’s a dead giveaway that it’s going to be a memorable event. That’s what happened Saturday night for “Center Stage 2010″ celebrating the Dallas Theater Center.

The invitation set up the scene with a killer line — “Anything But Black Tie.” No doubt gentlemen guests breathed a heavy sigh of relief that their tuxedos would have the night off, but then the problem of what to wear to a gala forced men to debate the answer in their closets. Evening honoree Ted Enloe (pictured), Justin Blumoff, Wyly Theatre namesake Charles Wyly, Chad Vose (pictured), Don Carty, Ken Menges, DTC angel Hal Brierley, and others opted for the “if-I-don’t-have-to-wear-a-tie, I’m-not-gonna” look.

The ladies, on the other hand, had no problem in their selection. From tight, short cigarette skirt with killer heels to one-shoulder, to-the-floor gowns, the gals like Allison Laros (pictured) had their way.

For those in lightweight silks, they did have a bit of a challenge upon arrival as Mother Nature and her buddy Mariah literally blew into town. The twosome must have been upset that they hadn’t been invited. As guests arrived, gauzy skirts looked like tethered kites. Even the sturdiest hairsprays were challenged, but after a quick powder room visit, every hair was back in place. Gals like Lisa Runyon (pictured) looked just picture perfect despite the blustery breezes.

Due to the breeze, plans for using the esplanade for the cocktail hour were readjusted for the reception to take place in the lobby. Yes, it was a bit crowded, but, shoot,

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“Spotlight Humane” Rallies Puppies’ Best Friends with Glitz and Gab

In recent years, a small, dedicated group of people has committed themselves to building awareness of puppy mills in North Texas. It’s not because puppy mills were the new problem in the animal lovers world. They’ve been around forever largely due to pet stores and uneducated folks who want a nice puppy and didn’t realize the source.

Did you know that there are 10,000 puppy mills in this country selling between two and four million puppies yearly?

To combat the problem, three main programs were initially undertaken by the group. First, protests outside local pet stores selling puppies from such mills. Second, investigating and notifying authorities of such operations and closing them down. Third, educating the public on the right way to get a puppy.

They have since added state legislation to their “must-do” list.

Photo credit: Lara Bierner

To salute the efforts of the local group, The Humane Society of the U.S. presented Spotlight Humane benefiting the Stop Puppy Mills Campaign at Union Station Friday night. To do the honors of welcoming the 400 guests, Humane Society of the United States President/CEO Wayne Pacelle (pictured with from the left Kristina Bowman, Catharine Flagg and Holly Forsythe)) was on hand, as were guest speakers Puppy Mills Campaign Senior Director Stephanie Shain and Arthur E. Benjamin, founder and president of American Dog Rescue and vice chairman/CEO of ATI Career Training.

The event itself was a bow-wow feat when you realize event chairs Kristina Bowman, Catharine Flagg, and Holly Forsythe had just five months to pull the whole thing off. BTW, at one point it appeared to be a bit of a pep rally for Lady Photographer Bowman. Any time her name was mentioned on the screen or from the podium, a wave of cheering took place in the Grand Hall.

But prior to all the hoopla in the Grand Hall, a VIP reception was held in the Texas & Pacific Room while the silent auction was being held in the Frisco Room. Interesting. This practice has been seen at other events and one can’t help but wonder if the high rollers might have goosed up the silent auction bidding had they had some time to browse around the hundreds of silent auction items.

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Private Supper for Dallas Opera’s Benefactors was a Great Staged Event

Last week was a busy, busy one for the folks over at the Dallas Opera. Tuesday they announced the opera’s second season at the Winspear, which FrontRow’s Peter Simek covered.

But the night before, the annual dinner was held for the major donors (think annual gifts of $10,000 and up), who have been so instrumental in coordinating and raising the funding for such seasons. The group dined on Ted and Shannon Skokos Stage at the Winspear thanks to the Dallas Opera and Northern Trust. With tables situated on the Monte Carlo set of Cosi fan tutte, even the Garden Gate’s centerpieces alone were good enough to eat.

Guests included Shanee and Steve Birch (pictured), Margaret McDermott, Caroline Rose Hunt, Arlene and John Dayton, Carol and Bruce Calder, Joyce and Harvey Mitchell, Holly and Tom Mayer, Mary Beth and Jay Marshall, and Ellen and Don Winspear (pictured left with Marianne and Steve Lagerstrom).

To top off the evening, Sir Thomas Allen (he is Don Alfonso in Cosi) sang a Cole Porter “ditty.” Needless to say, the crowd was charmed. Nuccia Focile (she plays Despina in Cosi) sang a selection from West Side Story. Other performers who entertained the crowd included Nathan Gunn, Donato DiStefano, Jennifer Holloway, Michael Todd Simpson, Brian Anderson, and Norman Shankle.

It was an opera lover’s night of wonderful.

Despite Nasty Spill, The Catholic Foundation Salutes Rev. Phil Postell

Friday night we were still living on NyQuil, but have learned the following took place at The Catholic Foundation’s 28th annual award’s dinner at the InterContinental Dallas:

Photo by Kristina Bowman

Even before invitations were sent out, the event was not only hitting an all-time record attendance (1,400), but was more or less sold out. Organizers even had to move the location due to the growing number who wanted to attend. The reason for this dramatic growth in attendance was the honoree — Rev. Phil Postell (pictured), head of Jesuit Preparatory School of Dallas. The Jesuits love their Fr. Postell. They should. He has served as president of Jesuit Dallas since 1992.

The day of the event even the weather cleared up, so it looked like any problems were non-existent. Then it happened — an 18-wheeler with hazardous waste toppled over on LBJ closing the highway down for three hours creating a traffic migraine for the entire area. And that was the lead-off topic as guests arrived for the event — “We got stuck in all the traffic in Far North Dallas caused by the chemical spill!” or “It took us two hours to get to the hotel!” (more…)

Tre Amici’s Savor The Arts With A Steak Or Chilean Sea Bass

Back in October Tre Amici went through some changes, but then change can be good. Evidently it is very good for nonprofits on a quarterly basis. This Thursday Tre Amici Prime Steakhouse and Seafood is launching “Savor the Arts,” which Tre Amici GM Ken Branstetter can best describe:

“Tre Amici began ‘Savor the Arts’ because we wanted to be more involved in the community and this quarterly event allows us to consistently give back to local charities as well as support the local arts.”

This quarter the beneficiary will be St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with specially-commissioned art from such talents as Mike Ledoux, Mikki Mallow, Shane Pennington, Bob Poe, and Rene Vandevere. To help raise funds for St. Jude, the art will be available for purchase.

During the 5 to 7 p.m. reception, guests will be able to visit with the artists, bid on silent auction items, and chat with Tre Amici Chef de Cuisine Chris Hughes. Perhaps Chris will go into detail about the prix fixe dinner that he has prepared including: (more…)

Opportunity For Nonprofits To Make Easy $$

Move over, Sister Nancy (pictured). SweetCharity is going to cozy up on a foodie opportunity. It seems that Jay Jerrier, who owns the mobile ood-fired pizza catering company Cane Rosso, has just opened a little guerrilla restaurant.

No, it doesn’t serve heavily-haired primates. So, what does guerrilla restaurant mean? In Jay’s case, it means that when Chocolate Angel Too at the northwest corner of Preston and Forest closes at 4 p.m., Jay and his team transform it into an “authentic Neapolitan pizzeria” on Thursdays through Saturday. They open for business at 5 p.m and stay open until they run out of dough.

So, how come SweetCharity is posting this SideDelicious item? We’re getting to it.

It seems in Jay’s other life, he is one of the owners of Campania Pizza in Southlake, where

“one of the things we did out there was a lot of fun. . . was to organize some charity nights. Charities would reserve certain nights and we donate a portion of proceeds from that night to the charity. . . we did it with local schools, Susan G. Komen, American Cancer Society, etc. So, we are going to do the same thing here on Thursday nights in Dallas.”

Hello, Dallas nonprofits, do you hear Jay opening his door to make $$ for you?

Despite Stormy Weather, Wyly World Opens Its Door For “Hearts of Texas” VIP’s

Thursday night’s sweeping downpours of rain and just plain cold temperatures were reason enough to stay at home. However, 75 of Dallas’s finest ventured out for the patrons’ dinner honoring “Hearts of Texas” recipient Dr. Bobby Lyle (pictured with Lottye Brodsky) at the Dee and Charles Wyly home. Hosted by Charles, Jack Furst, Lynn McBee, and Gerald Turner, the evening was a warm-up for the fourth annual Hearts of Texas Awards lunch (February 16) benefiting the Volunteer Center of North Texas.

SIDE NOTE: Dee and Charles (pictured) may be the perfect hosts. Their home is a divine party venue blending elegance and comfort while still managing to be a home. (The mini-glass palace atrium just off the entry is the centerpiece of the partying that can handle any type of weather. Dee admits that their original tent years ago caused them to take a long stick to prevent sagging during downpours.) Their menus are masterpieces that have guests lining up for seconds and thirds. The serving staff seamlessly provides for every need. The pianist’s selection is perfectly suited for this occasion and never upstages the conversations taking place during the reception and dinner.

But what truly is the piece de resistance of the Wylys’ entertaining talents is their own graciousness. As you enter the door, there is Charles immediately greeting you with a smile and handshake. He can recall little moments of past meetings that would challenge the greatest memory banks. There is a true sense of fellowship in his eyes.

Then there is Dee to greet you like an old, dear friend. No guest is secondary in her book. With twinkling eyes, an adorable Dutch-boy haircut, and a homecoming queen smile, she has never met a stranger.

But back to the party.

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2009 Vine and Dine Results In $100,000 For UCP

Remember the Vine & Dine event back in November? No, not the one that’s coming up on January 29. It was at the downtown Neiman’s. No, you’re thinking of another event. It’s the one that Janie Condon and DeeDee Lee co-chaired for the United Cerebral Palsy. Ah, now you’re starting to catch up. Yes, it was the one that Debbie and Jim Francis were the honorary chairs. Ah, shoot, you’re still a little fuzzy about the event? Here are some photos to jog your memory bank. Yup, we knew that would do it.

The update just came in that the evening raised a whopping $100,000.Yahoo!!!

Now, don’t you wish you had been there. We do, too. So, put Wednesday, November 17, down in your 2010 agenda for the 3rd annual Vine & Dine.

The sponsors who made the 2009 event succeed were (more…)

You’re Invited To The Abacus Parking Lot This Saturday

Want to hang out at the Abacus parking lot Saturday? Thought we would get your attention. No, you’re not going to be picked up for loitering and you won’t have to park cars. Instead Kent “Cuddles” Rathbun (pictured) and his Abacus crew are hosting the 6th Annual Seats for Soldiers event honoring military personnel who have either been wounded in combat or have recently returned home from a year of active duty overseas.

What do we mean by honoring? How about a three-course meal?

Not only will the Abacus crew be feeding the soldiers, but they’ll also be closed for usual business until 7:30 p.m. During a holiday period and a rough economic year, that it a major “WOW!”

How do you fit in? Chef Kent is inviting you to join his Abacus staff in “giving the soldiers a standing ovation as they make their way into Abacus and to their seats.” Show up by 4:30, dress warmly, and clap.

Black Tie Dinner Ties Up A Neat $1.04M

Photo provided by Black Tie Dinner

Remember the 28th Black Tie Dinner held back in September? Ah, sure you do. Nearly 3,000 attended the soiree benefiting 20 groups. They distributed the funds Wednesday and guess how much got divvied up. According to BTD co-chair Laurie Foley (pictured with co-chair Ron Guillard), it was $1.04M.

If you want a breakdown of how the big bucks were spread, it’s after the jump.

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