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?”

Leading the charge for the undone-one-button was legend of legends Roger Staubach (pictured) in blue jeans, blazer and open shirt. Doug Brooks looked right at home in his red-white-yellow-blue striped shirt and gray/white jacket. Jerry Jones Jr. (pictured) must have been thinking along the same lines as Doug, since he wore a gray/white jacket but opted for the windowpane design with a pink shirt. Rich Dalrymple (pictured) played it safe in a navy and light striped blue shirt with blazer.

The most daring look of the night belonged to Shy “Cleavage” Anderson (pictured) with his top-two-unbuttoned shirt. Oh, my, what would mother say! But Shy’s so charming, he can get away with anything.

Exception to the male fashion either-or breakdown was party co-host Joe Buck (pictured), who walked the fashion line by not wearing at tie at the reception but putting one on for his on-stage emcee duties.

Alas, have no idea which category Mayor Tom Leppert would have fit in, because he and wife Laura couldn’t attend due to a prior commitment in Dallas. Bet that won’t be the case on May 22 when concert #2 takes place with Sting at the Winspear.

But let’s not discard the ladies thinking they were in hoop skirts and bonnets. Why these gals have been playing dress up since their mamas taught them the phone number for Neiman’s at NorthPark. There was nary a Daisy Duke in the crowd. Still, it wasn’t the traditional cocktail fluff either. Event co-chair Marianne Staubach (pictured) rejected the safe black look for a remind-me-of-Santa-Fe turquoise outfit that dazzled with her blonde hair and multi-strand pearl necklace. Another color standout was Andrea Alcorn (pictured) in hottest pink leather jacket over a black beaded dressed with floral appliqués. How cute that she managed to find matching pink and buff boots to top things off. Speaking of leather, Barbara Daseke (pictured) must have compared notes with Andrea with a black dress overlaid with a belted leather jacket, but Barbara went the reddish brown route.

Then there were the gal pals. For instance, Linda “First Lady of Arlington” Cluck, Charlotte “First Daughter of Cowboys Stadium” Anderson, and Kathy “First Daughter of Arlington” Beatty (pictured from the left) interpreting the ever-popular black. However, that Charlotte in the skin-tight black leather pants gave a whole new meaning to chaps.

And then there were the showstoppers Sonia Black in her faux fur collar and black boots with Lori Jones (pictured right with Sonia), who must have checked with sis-in-law Charlotte about the pro’s and con’s of wearing black leather slacks. Or perhaps it’s just a Jones family uniform.

Joni McCoy (pictured) didn’t bother with all that boot and leather stuff. She went for the simple, classic look of “Wow!” in her beige oh-so cling, past the knee dress, bouquet of blonde curls, and a “Thank God for Texas” smile. Hey, this gal’s an oldtimer when it comes to Super Bowl who-ha. She and her husband Mike attended all three of  Troy’s Super Bowls conquests (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX, if you’re counting).

But enough of the fashions. Let’s do a quick check of the activity:

One minute the very notables were at the McDavid reception and then they all seemed to disappear. Not to worry. They were led to the tunnel connecting the McDavid facility to the Bass, put in an elevator to the ground level, and into a meet-and-greet with Faith herself.

You didn’t know there was a tunnel? Yup. Even Mayor Mike Moncrief admitted that this was his first time to walk under Calhoun Street. It was really cute watching him stroll the tunnel handholding with the love of his life/wife, Rosie.

Then it was on to the concert with segments of Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington blending into one big melting pot. Before Faith even hit the stage, the two warm up acts were enough to leave the room talking.

FOX football commentators Joe Buck and Troy Aikman had their timing just right even when they missed cues. From walking on stage with a couple of bags of presenting sponsor Frito-Lay chips to Troy’s wearing a sign (“emcee sponsors Diane and Hal Brierley“) on his back, these totally different personalities won over the audience with their style and humor. They gave Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin a run for their emcee money.

With the mood set, the boys introduced the infamous debut of the North Texas Super Bowl XLV version of Faith Hill’s “Kiss” with area notables (Roger Staubach, Tony Romo, Nolan Ryan, Jerry Jones, Clarice Tinsley, Tom Leppert, Mike Moncrief, Arlington Mayor Dr. Robert Cluck, Dirk Nowitzki, Emmitt Smith, and many others who might not want their names mentioned) sacrificing their reputations singing like a two-for-one night karaoke bar. Tony Romo captured the “Most Painful Looking and Sounding Award” of the off-key singing luminaries. With sounds as pleasing to the ear as nails across a chalkboard, there are serious doubts that a Christmas album is in the makings.

Perhaps it was the tone of the evening, but the video was rewarded with an exuberant round of hooting, hollering, and applauding. . . much better than the following week’s Internet/media critical reviews. Let’s face it. Some things just take on a different feel in the light of day.

Finally, it was time for Faith to perform. For the intimate setting. . .  well, it was intimate compared to the likes of Gilley’s or Billy Bob’s. . . she wisely chose to use only a handful of musicians and three backup singers for the concert hall. During the first few songs, even this small coterie of musicians seemed to overwhelm Faith’s voice, but the group juggled a couple of knobs allowing her voice to take the lead.

In between sets, her interaction with the crowd seemed a little tentative. Perhaps it was the fact that she was due to walk the red carpet at the Academy Awards the next night with hubby Tim (The Blind Side) McGraw. Just like any wife trying to pick out the right outfit for her husband’s big company party, she admitted that she was still trying to figure out which dress to wear — The Louis Vuitton or the Roberto Cavalli. The crowd leaned toward the Vuitton. (She decided to go with the black lace Cavalli, which garnered reviews from “a little bit red-light district” to “easy and sexy.” Interesting for a gal who prefers sweats.)

Irritating moment: Four people insisted on standing up and swaying throughout the concert. While it’s perfectly understandable because of the music and their exuberance, it was downright irritating to the folks seated behind them, who were forced to stand just to see the stage.

Growing issue facing performers: At least one person in the audience was seen recording the entire concert on her iPhone, while scattered throughout the hall phone cameras were shooting Faith. Don’t think Faith’s agent would have taken very kindly to all this activity, but what’s a guy to do?

Following an encore and a SO, the VIP’s strolled back to McDavid Studio for a dessert party and the rest headed home.

Orchestrating all these concerts and parties were the five Action Team Honorary Co-chairs — Linda Cluck, Gene Jones, Laura Leppert, Rosie Moncrief, and Marianne Staubach along with their team of 111 female volunteers from North Texas.

Can’t wait to see what the fashion theme will be in May!

Tickets may just still be available.

1. You can’t be afraid of heights.
2. You’ve got to be a guy. Now, ladies, don’t get all huffy. There’s a reason that even NOW would understand.

Here’s the scenario: The Dallas Opera is looking for some stout-hearted men for its upcoming world premiere of Moby-Dick. According to Dallas Opera’s Suzanne “The Voice” Calvin:

“We need men with a slim to medium build, ages 16 and up who are able and willing to climb a truss up to 30 feet in the air without hesitation.  They should have absolutely no fear of heights. No previous opera/theatre experience necessary.

“As the supernumeraries or ‘supers’ (non-speaking, non-singing extras) you would add height to the workings of the ship by appearing in the crow’s nest and other various parts of the ship above the rest of the “Ship’s Crew” throughout the show.”

Ladies, you’ve probably calmed down by now knowing that there weren’t any women on whaling ships in the 1850′s and besides what woman would be crazy enough to climb up in the crow’s nest?

The open casting call  (“just bring yourself, no equipment necessary”) is Tuesday, March 16, between 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. at the Karayanis Rehearsal Production Center, 4301 S. Fitzhugh. That’s on the edge of Fair Park off of Gaisford Street. Please park at the back of the building and enter through the back door.

Then there was the February 17 announcement that DC longtime director Joan Davidow would retire.

DC evidently got their permits and had their opening on February 6.

Now moving ahead, on March 24 at 7 p.m., DC will launch its inaugural music performance for its adult programs with “New Sounds for a New Space.” According to DC Exhibitions Coordinator Erin Cluley,

“In the raw setting that inspired the music, young Dallas composer Christina Rusnak unveils the first movement of her original composition 161 Glass Movement I: The Floor (Premiere) for Percussion Ensemble, played by a selected group of performers.”

Just how inspired was Christina by the raw setting of DC’s new home. Well, she has incorporated glass, pipes, blocks, tubes, metal, and wood along “with traditional percussion instruments to articulate her sound piece.”

In the meantime, James Gilbert‘s “Warnings & Instructions” exhibition is up until April 18.

Oh, if you’re counting pennies, it’s all free!

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.

First, think back to last Thursday when streets were starting to look like obstacle courses for dog sled teams.

Now, let’s get on with what was transpiring behind the scenes at the DSO.

As the afternoon proved challenging for everyone, Doug started getting calls from various DSO musicians who were trapped at homes or having major no-go relationships with their cars. The tipping point was the call from principal trumpter Ryan Anthony, whose car was definitely having issues but was trying his best to make it to the Meyerson.

It was then that Doug had to discuss the likelihood of whether the show would go on with maestro Jaap van Zweeden with musicians like Ryan taking risky chances to come through.

Why then was Ryan’s presence so pressing? Well, if you’ll check your Rachmaninoff Symphony #2, you know that the trumpet is essential. Think Camelot without Lancelot or discussing Michaelangelo without mentioning the Sistine Chapel.

After being presented with the situation, the ever charming and savvy Jaap told Doug that he appreciated his involving him on the decision but unless Doug could play the trumpet, the decision was a fait accompli.

Doug spent the rest of the evening at the door apologizing to very understanding patrons. Perhaps he should sign up for some trumpet lessons over at Booker T.

However, if you were one of those “wait til the last minute” types, the three C’s of the Ronald McDonald event have a suggestion. (Who are the three C’s? Co-chairs Caroline Gehan and Caroline Nix and Honorary Chair Carolyn Rathjen, of course.)

Since the JLD is sold out, the Ronald McDonald gals recommend that you join them and the rest of the black tie crowd to dine, drink, and dance. That last one should be easy thanks to Dallas’ top band, Emerald City.

Tickets start at $500 for individuals and $1,000 for couples, and tables start at $5,000.  Sponsorships are also available.  For more information, contact Courtney McLain, chief development officer for Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, at 214-631-7354 or cmclain@rmhdallas.com.

Event sponsors include:

• Gold Patron: Bob and Katherine Penn, Carolyn and Karl Rathjen, Select Product Group L.P., Angie and Bill Wallander.
• Silver Patron: Anonymous, Ami and Craig Cooper, Betsy & Richard Eiseman/Eiseman Jewels, Caroline and Glenn Gehan, Kara and Peter Gehan, Sue and Joe Graham, Whitney and Jay Grogan, Suzanne and Patrick McGee, Sally and Mike McWilliams, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr P.C., Caroline and Jason Nix, Helen Pappas/Pam and Matt Mattingly/Mersina and Phin Stubbs, Margot and Ross Perot, Southwest Airlines, US Trust Bank of America Private Wealth Management, Jean and Tom Walter.
• Gold Couple: Barry and Lana Andrews, Tricia and Gil Besing, Robyn and Don Conlon, Kathy and Michael Crow, Lacie and Pat Crow, Claire and Dwight Emanuelson, Tucker and Rich Enthoven, Stacey and Robert Furst, Gene and Jerry Jones Family Charities, Ann and Lee Hobson, Mr. and Mrs. John S. Lemak, Natalie and Mike McGuire, Pam and Vin Perella, Katherine Perot and Eric Reeves, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Perrin Jr., Drs. Carol and Daniel Podolsky, Prairie Creek Partners, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy P. Rooney, Dr. Randall and Barbara Rosenblatt, Annette and Harold Simmons, Thompson & Knight Foundation, Vin and Caren Prothro Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Washburne.
• Patron: Lee Bailey, Katie and Bill Collins, Crow Holdings, Mary Clare & Stanford C. Finney, Ola & Randall Fojtasek, Linda and Winston Guillory, Tania and Kevin Hardage, Sarah and Alan Losinger, The Mulford Family, Cynthia and Kevin O’Brien, Christie and Frank Scardino/Lockton.

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.

Photo provided by Aardvark Communications

While many of the celebs in town for the All-Star game were supporting Dallas’ economy by exercising their credit cards at NorthPark, two of the beyond-well-known-names of the super universe were working with kids. LeBron James and Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter (pictured from the left) worked with 100 kids from the East Dallas Club of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas Saturday afternoon.

Yes, there were the mandatory media opps, but when it came to the mentoring part of the program, LeBron and JAY-Z met privately with the students.

“We are so thrilled that Sprite is giving students from the Dallas Elevators Powered by Coca-Cola program and BGC the opportunity to meet and interact with two of America’s most talented and celebrated individuals, JAY-Z and LeBron James,” said Charles English, president  of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas. “It is great to see that they care about the community and want to provide this special session to young people.”

The Dallas Elevators Powered by Coca-Cola is designed to provide real-life inspiration and role modeling in several key areas of personal development through structured learning and interaction with top leadership from different industries. Through the Heart of a Champion curriculum, students learn about integrity, honesty, perseverance, and other character-building traits that make a successful individual in the business world.

Photo provided by Aardvark Communications

Thanks to Sprite, they were also able to provide scholarships to Dallas Elevators participants like Adriana Cedillo (pictured with LeBron and JAY-Z) on behalf of the two super nice guys.

“Giving back to the community is part of everything that we do,” said Santiago Blanco, VP Sprite & Flavors for Coca-Cola North America. “It is fitting for Sprite to partner with creative and iconic individuals like JAY-Z and LeBron James, who inspire today’s youth to be original and innovative.”

Photo provided by the Women's Board of The Dallas Opera

We have now moved into the next generation of leaders for the opera. These are the people who took the dreams of their predecessors and turned them into reality. Need an example? Drive on over to the Winspear Opera House.

While there are individuals who have been part of the driving force for the opera’s growth, it’s become a true passion for certain couples. With as much concern as parents of a child, they have nurtured the opera to its present position. One of those couple is Marnie and Kern Wildenthal. They have used their individual strengths to help so many organizations in our community. For instance,

• Kern is currently the president of the Dallas Opera as well as a founding board member of the AT&T Performing Arts Center. He has  served on the boards of the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Dallas Citizens Council, Dallas Assembly, The Science Place, Dallas Symphony and Dallas Museum of Art,  Dr. Wildenthal was President of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas from 1986-2008, and in September of 2008 was appointed President of Southwestern Medical Foundation. He received the TACA Silver Cup Award for Volunteer Leadership in the Arts.
• Marnie was a teacher at the Episcopal School of Dallas for 30 years before retiring in 2008.  She has served on numerous boards including the Mental Health Association, Vickery Meadow Learning Center, Highland Park Education Foundation, Uplift Education, Chiapas Project, Shelton School, and Friends of WRR. She was elected Chairman of TACA in 2005 and she was President of Charter 100 in 2006-2007.  She was also docent chairman for Dallas Opera Guild.
• Together, the Wildenthals received the Virginia Chandler Dykes Award for Public Service.

With all of these accomplishments in mind, the Women’s Board of The Dallas Opera will honor Marnie and Kern at the 19th annual Henry S. Miller Jr. Founders’ Award luncheon on Wednesday, February 17, in the Main Ballroom of the Rosewood Crescent Hotel. Jolie Humphrey and Sarah Seddelmeyer are the event chairs, so you know that it will an exceptional occasion.

A well-deserved bravo to the Wildenthals!