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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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LaunchAbility and The Pointer Sisters Get Excited About Ebby

Dallas sweetheart Ebby Halliday‘s (pictured) celebration of her 99th birthday was comparable to America’s bicentennial. With her internist Dr. Hugh McClung‘s hosting an intimate supper at his Terrell farm on Saturday, a birthday lunch with T. Boone Pickens, and a non-stop slew of other activities, she was busier than a firecracker salesman on the third of July.

Perhaps the biggest hoop-la was the eve of her March 9th birthday when Special Care and Career Services held its annual gala,”A Special Evening with the Pointer Sisters.” at the Winspear. The Sisters may have been the headliners, but the spotlight was firmly on the Great Mother of Dallas Residential Real Estate.

But the gala evening was not just to salute the diminutive Ebby. SC&CS ring mistress Cathy Packard (pictured) had a full agenda for the evening and she neatly got each task done beautifully.

For instance, how about a name change? Yup, on the big screen of the Skokos stage, the new name for Special Care and Career Services was presented. . .

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Alan Jackson to Headline Cattle Baron’s Ball’s “Great State Fair” on October 9

Watch out State Fair of Texas! You’ve got some competition. Another fair is moving into town for a one-night-only happening on October 9 at Southfork thanks to the Cattle Baron’s Ball gals.

Photo credit: Holt Haynsworth

CBB Chair Kristi Sherill Hoyl (pictured with from the left True North Advisors founders Scott Wood and Mark Gehlbach) revealed Thursday night that this year’s theme will be “Great State Fair.” The headliner for the annual gala will be Alan Jackson with 2008 Academy of Country Music “Best New Male Vocalist” Jack Ingram appearing on the the Live Auction Stage.

The Thursday announcement was made at a party sponsored by True North Advisors in the Legends Room at Cowboys Stadium.

“We are returning to Southfork Ranch where we will have access to several structures and hard surfaces to ensure a great experience for our guests, rain or shine!” said Kristi.

Wonder if they’ll have a Big Texanna instead of Big Tex to greet guests.

Faith Hill Concert Creates a Fashion Quandary for Dallas Gents

There are some Dallasites who are more familiar with NYC than Fort Worth. Whoa! Thanks to Super Bowl XLV, that situation took a major step forward with the Kick-Off Concert Series at Bass Hall with Faith Hill.

Since it was a private event with series tickets going for a whopping $1500, it had all the frills and spit-and-polish that a high-spending crowd deserves. Starting with a VIP party at McDavid Studio across the street from the Bass, it became apparent that not all Dallasites agreed on the Fort Worth  dress code for special events.

Usually it’s the ladies who are all in a tizzy about what to wear. Not on this night! The gents were really in a quandary about what is appropriate at the Bass for a Faith Hill concert. Some came in their best bib-and-tucker dark suits like Troy Aikman (pictured, he had an excuse since he was co-hosting the reception); Drew Pearson in a bold-striped suit with brown/black striped shirt and goldfinger metallic tie and handkerchief; George Riba (pictured) in a very sportscaster flash-and-dash orange tie, blue shirt, and camel-colored suit; and Bill Lively (pictured) in CEO-styled uniform with a natty orange tie and his ever-present dazzling smile.

On the other hand, those who have probably frequented Joe T’s knew that dress-down is thumbs up in FW and opted for the open shirt with the windowpane sports jacket look. The fashion question of this group was, “Do you unbutton the top one or two buttons on your shirt?” (more…)

Phantom of the Opera Cast Helps Damm Cause

Just in from Liz Cappon:

“As I’m sure you know the touring cast of Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera has hit town on their farewell tour.  Many of these cast members will soon be out of a job for the first time after being on the road for over a decade and they are combining their need to warm up their audition materials with a great cause.

Tonight Plano based theatre & non-profit PFAMILY ARTS will host a benefit featuring the Phantom cast this Monday, March 8th with proceeds being split between LakeSide Market’s PFAMILY ARTS and a local Frisco family who recently lost their father (ed. note: Steve Damm) to cancer.

The Phantom cast members will be signing costume pieces and other memorabilia for the silent auction and will meet & greet with benefit attendees after the concert.”

For more information, check the Damm family blog or email info@pfamilyarts.org.

Will Ebby Play with the Pointer Sisters at Winspear Tonight?

No word on whether Honorary Chair Ebby Halliday (pictured and who turns 99 tomorrow) is going to accompany the Pointer Sisters on her ukulele tonight at the Special Care & Career Services gala on the Skokos Stage at Winspear.

Tickets may just still be available.

Donovan and John Lennon Help ReserveAid Texas Raise $420,000

Donovan and John Lennon were associated with the peace movement of the 60′s. So what the heck did these names of the past have to do with raising funds for people in the military today? Later.

First consider that we often think the main challenge facing the military is on the battlefield. That’s where the war correspondents report their stories — on the frontlines. Movies are made about this dramatic action.

But there is another conflict that Reserve Service Members face on the home front — financial loss. While not as breathtaking, it takes a real toll. A reported 41% of Reserve Service Members are “impacted by a pay discrepancy between their military and civilian salaries.”

To help remedy this situation, ReserveAid Texas was created in October 2006 to raise awareness and funds for the reserve and active duty military service members and their families. Leading the charge has been NexBank, which has been a lead sponsor for the annual “Stars and Stripes Dinner”.

Photo provided by ReserveAid Texas

“Our reserve members, while dedicated to our country and call to duty, are many times uprooted at a moment’s notice and there can be lapses in pay or help needed to make payments when salaries many times decrease with deployment,” said NexBank President/CEO Davis Deadman (pictured left with Donovan Campbell, Chris Mawn, and Polly Weidenkopf). “With the support of a great organization like ReserveAid Texas, these service men and women can focus their efforts on defending our great country, and not on their financial situations back home.”

Held last Saturday at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, the dinner’s highlight was best-selling author and former Marine Captain Donovan Campbell.

Does Donovan’s name sound familiar? (more…)

No Excuse Thursday

It’s a beautiful day and is flirting with the 60′s. So, why go home and do an eye-lock with your TV or computer screen? Instead here are some opportunities to get out and about:

6 to 9 p.m — Young Texans Against Cancer’s 2010 kick-off party at The Barley House

7 p.m. — Red Carpet Premiere and fundraising screening of Torey’s Distraction at the Angelika. Dr. Jeffrey A. and Regen Fearon are honorary chairs with Ashley Akin chairing the event. A fund has been created by the filmmakers of Torey’s Distraction the mission of this fund is to help children with craniofacial anomalies attain the best medical care possible by helping to pay for travel expenses for surgeries and medical consultations, help fund medical research, and share the story of Torey’s Distraction to a larger audience.

7:15 p.m. –Big D Opry Star at Gilley’s is for country western music lovers with CMT “Can You Duet?” stars Joey + Rory, multi-platinum Grammy-winning artist Bryan White, The Tejas Brothers, Plano’s Channing Dodson, Dallas’ Brittnee Lee and many more. The shindig benefits Friends of Texas Public Schools with a designated gift for DISD for arts and music education.

What’s that? You were going to watch the Olympics? That’s why they made TiVo.

Young Texans Against Cancer Solve Cabin Fever Issues and Hand Out $40,000

The slush is gone and cabin fever has definitely set in. Yes, you’ve been very good and been back at work, but what about after hours activities? Work out at the gym? Grocery shopping? Oh, please! Let’s get real. Let’s have some fun and do some good, too.

The Young Texans Against Cancer‘s 2010 Kick Off Party fits the description to a T, as in this Thursday. It takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Barley House. Besides music by The Ray Johnston Band, there will be drink specials and complimentary appetizers plus the distribution of $40,000 to the 2010 grant recipients — the Annette G. Strauss Center of Neuro-Oncology and Wipe Out Kids Cancer. (more…)

Give It Up! Gala Gets Standing O for The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Dallas

Due to circumstances way beyond our control (like down tree limbs blocking driveways, power outages, etc.), SweetCharity was unable to cover Saturday night’s Give It Up! Gala at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre benefiting the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Dallas. However, Eric Paulson filed this report:

Give It Up! ended its successful world premiere run at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre on Valentine’s Day. But it was the night before when Dallas showed the love. The Gay and Lesbian Fund for Dallas packed the house Saturday night for the Give It Up! Gala to benefit education and outreach programs at the Dallas Theater Center. The final tally isn’t in yet, but the event was a big success judging by the large crowd and generous silent and live auctions.

Guests filled the Wyly Theatre lobby noshing on Wolfgang Puck food and cocktails, with a tent just outside the main door providing shelter from the cold for those bidding up the myriad silent auction items. Mimes from Booker T. Washington School for the Performing and Visual Arts directed guests and acknowledged patrons such as the Meyer Group of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management/Bank of America, the evening’s title sponsor.

Photo by Natalie Caudill

Co-chair Keith Nix (Ed. note: pictured with, from the left, Carol Meyer, mime Martha Gans, and Julie Hash) with welcomed the guests from the Wyly stage before the cheerleaders and basketball players of Give It Up! sang and danced through this updated version of the Greek play Lysistrata. (Laurie Foley was the other co-chair.) During intermission, the guests went back to the lobby to enjoy a Valentine’s dessert buffet, while auction co-chairs Kay Wilkinson and Dean Carter persuaded guests to run up the bids for the silent auction.

Photo by Natalie Caudill

Honorary co-chairs Penny Youngblood and Nancy Pearce (Ed. note: pictured center with Mike McAdams and Penny) mingled through the crowd visiting with friends and thanking patrons. After the performance, the Wyly stage became the site of a Valentine’s Day dance with DJ Jennifer Miller spinning the tunes.

Thanks, Eric, for the report and please thank Natalie for the photos. If anyone else has any other coverage notes on the event, feel free to comment.