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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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Thank Heaven for Dallas Defenders’ Day Jobs and a SMU Journalism Major

Even SweetCharity cannot be everywhere all the time, so we asked SMU journalism major Jaimie Marie Siegle to cover the Dallas Defenders this weekend. What? You know the Cowboys, Mavs, and Stars, but not the Defenders? Settle back and learn.

Sports fans throughout the DFW gathered Saturday night at their favorite watering hole to celebrate the Dallas Stars’ and the Mavs’ wins on the road.

Photo provided by Jaimie Marie Siegle

Still, the weekend’s sweetest sports victory went down just across the pond in Frisco, where more than 400 football fans witnessed the Dallas Defenders’ 30-0 sweep against the Houston Gunners.

Muchos kudos to those who already knew Dallas had its own semi-pro football team made up of policemen, firefighters and EMT personnel from all over the Metroplex; for those who weren’t already aware, the Dallas Defenders are civil servants by day and philanthropic athletes by night. The football club raises money to fund community outreach programs and support families whose loved ones have died in the line of duty through the Guns & Hoses Foundation of North Texas.

Defenders Football Club players, coaches and supporters commemorated their season’s first victory at TopGolf Dallas for a Guns & Hoses fundraising event on March 27, but all you gotta do to help out the team is attend the Dallas Stars hockey game on April 6 at 7:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center. For more information about ordering tickets, call Chad Pennington at (214)387–5583.

Catch the fourth and final game against the Charlotte Cobras on May 15 at Frisco Memorial Stadium. E-mail the club’s president here if you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, trying out for the football team or auditioning to be a Spirit Girl. We’re so not here to judge.

Hey, Jaimie, we didn’t change one word. Blog well done.

Cotes du Coeur Holds a Sneak Catalog Preview with Wine, Whiskey, and Porsches

Last night Park Place Porsche was jiving with whiskey and top level sponsors/donors of the April 10 Cotes du Coeur’s International Fine Wine Auction & Celebrity Chef Dinner. The occasion was the catalog preview of the items that will be up for bid.

But before the reviewing started, Macallan‘s Brand Ambassador Jay Liddell (pictured) with a twinkle in his eye told the group assembled around the newest Porsches on the showroom floor that, “If some of you see me with a glass of whiskey, it’s OK. I’m a professional.”

Then, referring to the week’s topic of interest, Jay said, “In the old days, it was actually safer to drink whiskey than water. So, that’s the health care reform I think we all need.”

Let’s hoist a glass on that one.

Then Pappas Brothers Steakhouse Master Sommelier Barbara Werley (pictured) reviewed the catalog listings for the auction at the Hilton Anatole benefiting the American Heart Association. The items are simply remarkable and set many hearts thumping.

While some were sampling wine and being quite charming, Anita Dickey (pictured) was doing her homework reviewing the catalog and taking notes. This girl is going to be prepared for the auction.

Sponsors for last night’s gathering of wine lovers included Central Market, Macallan, Glazer’s, Park Place Porsche, and Sprinkles.

Fur Won’t be Flying Tonight at Spotlight Humane

If you’re attending tonight’s Spotlight Humane at Union Station benefiting the “Stop Puppy Mills Campaign,” remember the organizers’ suggestion — “To respect our purpose, we request that no furs be worn.”

By the way, in the world of animals, one of its rock stars will be handling the welcome duties — The Humane Society of the United States President/CEO Wayne Pacelle. Among his many accomplishments, this Yalie grad was named “Executive of the Year” by The NonProfit Times for the HSUS’s response during the Hurricane Katrina crisis.

Personal note: Having witnessed the animal rescue operation in the New Orleans area during the Katrina aftermath, it was truly amazing, painful, and gratifying to see the work being done.

If you haven’t got tickets for tonight, you can always sit and beg, but word is it’s sold out.

The two-legged critters who are responsible for the event are:

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Spring Cleaning Benefits Junior League of Dallas’ “Trinkets & Treasures”

After planting trees on Arbor Day (Friday), we’re committing our entire weekend to a muchly-feared, annual challenge — spring cleaning of the “scary closets.”

What’s a scary closet? It’s a closet that you’ve avoided like a bill collector. There are things in that closet that you just don’t to face and admit that you haven’t used in ages or you’ve found a nifty replacement. But we’ve got to gut up and let go of the stuff because someone else can use it.

This year we’re dividing up our closet finds into two categories. One group will destined for the curb and the other will be for the May 1st “Trinkets and Treasures Rummage Sale” organized by the Junior League of Dallas.

They’ll be accepting  donations at Armoires & More on the following dates: (more…)

Albert Kriemler of Akris to be Featured Designer for Ten Best Dressed Luncheon

Neiman’s Downtown President/GM Shelle Sills revealed that Swiss fashion wunderkind Albert Kriemler of Akris will be the featured designer for Crystal Charity Ball‘s 2010 Ten Best Dressed Women of Dallas Luncheon/Fashion Show on September 10 at Neiman Marcus Downtown.

Albert’s 2010 collection showed his appreciation for fabrics and amazing ability to blend classic looks with modern clean lines.

If you’re wondering which ladies will be designated as Dallas’ 10 top fashion leaders, you’ll have to wait until March 21 when it’s announced. Don’t try bribing Luncheon Chair Alison Farrow. She’s sworn to secrecy.

Don’t rush out and order your tickets to the luncheon quite yet. They don’t go on sale until early May.

BTW, if you hadn’t heard the 2010 Crystal Charity Ball beneficiaries include Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Children’s Medical Center, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, The Family Place, Texas Home Access Fund Inc., and Parkland Foundation.

Mad Hatters Tea Party Judges Announced

It’s official. The judges for this year’s Mad Hatters Tea Party on Thursday, April 22, at the Dallas Arboretum have just been announced. While Johnny Depp won’t be among them, they’re still a pretty nifty trio — Project Runway designer Shirin Askari (pictured), “America’s Sassiest Lifestyle Guru” (and one of the “Dallas Dozen“) Steve Kemble (pictured), and D‘s very own sweetheart Sarah Eveans (pictured)

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Pick the winning hats and sipping tea. Hardly. (more…)

Capriccio Ristorante Turns Green Tomorrow for Captain Hope’s Kids

Capriccio Ristorante may sound a bit Italian, but tomorrow it’s as Irish as the blarney stone. From 5 p.m. to midnight, the Alpha Road restaurant is partnering up with The Irish American Society to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and help area children in need of homes.

Just bring a gently-used- or new-child’s clothing or toys to Capriccio and you’ll get a ticket into the restaurant’s celebration/fund raiser benefiting Captain Hope’s Kids. Once inside you’ll have “complimentary bites, drink specials, and live music by the Very Verys.”

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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Crystal Charity Celebrates New Members, Beneficiaries at Escada

Those wonderful gals at Crystal Charity are already gearing up for this year’s December 4th gala at the Hilton Anatole. And Escada’s Melinda Moore helped the ladies celebrate their new members by hosting a brunch Wednesday with a fashion show, of course.

What did you expect? A vintage car collection? Silly.

Besides the drop-dead gorgeous spring and summer fashions, ball chair Cynthia Mitchell welcomed the newest members of CCB including Angie Kadesky, Kay Beecherl, and Suzy Giekere (pictured) and

Janie Cooke, Leslie Diers, Rozalyn Colombo, and Alicia Wood (pictured)

The six hardworking and very fortunate beneficiaries for this year’s ball were also revealed including

1. Boys & Girls Clubs,
2. Children’s Medical Center,
3. Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center,
4. Parkland Foundation,
5. Texas Home Access Fund and
6. The Family Place

(Photos by Dana Driensky)