After a lot of eating was done back in August for KRLD Restaurant Week, the totals are in. An estimated $695,000 was raised for North Texas Food Bank and Lena Pope Home.
Yum, yum!
{ 0 comments }
Just before the Chihuly press conference kicked off at the Dallas Arboretum at 4, the Dallas Opera folks were making a big announcement at big Cowboys Stadium. The Jones gals — Gene Jones and Charlotte Anderson Jones — were on hand to join DO General Director/CEO Keith Cerny to revealed another innovative project by the DO.
On Saturday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. the Dallas Opera’s 2012 Cowboys Stadium Simulcast of Mozart’s The Magic Flute will be presented on the world’s largest HDTV video board that is suspended in the center of the stadium.
While the simulcast and parking will be free to the public, seating will require reservations.
Gene admitted, “Sports and art are not typically thought of as belonging together. Yet sporting events and great art do something similar—they get people talking.”
Keith added, “One of the goals of the Dallas Opera is to bring great singing and world-class theater to the widest possible audience. As part of our commitment to expanding our community outreach we are thrilled to announce an unprecedented, ‘game-changing’ collaboration with the Cowboys organization. Let me also say that the Dallas Opera is especially grateful for the generous support of the Jones Family, encouraging our efforts to create one of the most unique and memorable events in the history of this opera company.
“I hope that the centralized location of Cowboys Stadium will draw music and theater lovers from all across North Texas to this free simulcast of Mozart’s action-packed masterpiece, especially those who, for a variety of reasons, have perceived opera as an intimidating or challenging art form, rather than the fantastic entertainment experience it is,” Keith said.
If you’ve never been to the home of the Dallas Cowboys or been curious about opera but feared sticker shock, here is your opportunity and all it will cost is the price of gas getting to and from the event.
{ 0 comments }
Let’s face it. For most folks Joy Tipping‘s story on Dale Chihuly project (sub. req.) in the Arts Section of today’s Dallas Morning News sorta took the thunder out of this afternoon’s 4 p.m. press conference at the Dallas Arboretum. While it didn’t provide the number of pieces from Chihuly’s outdoor collection that will be on exhibition at the Arboretum from May to November, the story reduced “REALLY BIG ANNOUNCEMENT” to “big announcement”.
Kaki Hopkins (File photo)
It did say that Chihuly Studio reps weren’t concerned about the mammoth art pieces going up against the Texas weather. Obviously they haven’t talked with the North Texas Super Bowl or the Cattle Baron’s Mudball committess about how fickled Ma Nature can be.
However, what wasn’t in the story was the gala with Chihuly himself scheduled to attend. Gala Chair Kaki Hopkins, who’s just had time to recover from chairing the Dallas Opera gala, will provide event deets at today’s gathering.
It’s interesting to note that the event’s major sponsors AT&T and Bank of America are partnering up for this project. This probably won’t be the last time the two Dallas mega-corps joint-venture a nonprofit project. Rick Blaine‘s quote would fit the situation nicely.
{ 0 comments }
While Downtown Dallas Kingpin John Crawford was doing his state-of-the-downtown presentation Tuesday at the Omni Dallas, Dallas Mayor “Big Mike” Rawlings wasn’t there. Nope. Sporting a new haircut, he was over at Union Station front row center for the Soup’s On! luncheon benefiting The Stewpot. While this pick of the two lunches was tough, he probably was loyal to his friend/luncheon honorary co-chair Tom Dunning, who convinced Big Mike to get involved with the homeless situation back in 2005. That involvement led to his running for mayor a year ago. Tom explained the night before at the patron party Monday night how widespread homelessness is, how everybody knows somebody who’s been homeless: a brother, sister, etc.
But back to Tuesday’s lunch where Big Mike, who is known for being right at home at The Bridge, was surrounded by the likes of underwriting chair Jan Hegi, Erin Mathews, David Nichols and luncheon keynote speaker Jeannette Walls.
Susan Nowlin
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Before Mike arrived or any of the guests like Connie O’Neill, Barbara Stuart, Robyn Conlon, Susan Nowlin, Jill Smith, Caron Prothro, Harriet Miers, Joanna Clark and Becky Sykes
Brian Luscher
took their seats in the Grand Hall, Chief Chef Brian Luscher of The Grape was back in the kitchen describing the work done by The Stewpot and going over plans with the celebrity chefs (Bruno Davaillon of Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Kevin Garvin of Neiman Marcus Restaurants, Keith Hanks of The Capital Grille, Matt McAllister of Campo Modern Country Bistro, Janice Provost of Parigi, Abraham Salum of Salum and Komali and Randall Copeland of Restaurant AVA) who had prepared soup for nearly 600 guests.
Randall Copeland, Janice Provost and Abraham Salum
As dedicated and hardworking as these talented chefs are, they were thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to help Brian and The Stewpot and . . . seeing each other. These guys and gal are a neat group who checked their egos at the doors and really got a kick out of working together.
But the time wasn’t long before they had to head to their prep stations to get the soup ladled out.
Hamilton Park Men's Choir
Back in the Grand Hall, Ed Bernet had the always-in-tune-and-inspiring Hamilton Park Men’s Choir take the stage and that got guests moving from the silent auction of art by Stewpot artists in the Frisco Room to the Grand Hall for the main event.
Emcee Gary Cogill took over the stage from the choir and got things rolling by confessing that this event was his “favorite afternoon of the entire year” and adding that he get “teary-eyed” when he thinks about the plight of the hungry and homeless.
Following the invocation by Dr. Joe Clifford, The Stewpot Alliance Luncheon Chair Tonya “Toni” Meier acknowledged the various people for the day’s success. But she also added that next year’s (January 29, 2013) co-chairs Kay Lunceford and Trish Weigand would have a project in their sights for fundraising — 508 Park, a new outreach program for The Stewpot.
As Toni spoke, the aroma of herbs in simmering soups flooded the room as a parade of staffers brought bowls. (Editor’s note: The room was divided into eight sections. Each section got a different soup.)
Gary returned and made a failed attempt to introduce the eight chefs. Alas, they were getting their soups on the table and didn’t have time for the spotlight.
Gary suggested that everyone sup their soup and enjoy their entrees with the promise that the chefs would be introduced in 10 minutes. In addition to eating, guests checked out their favors that included bowls created by The Stewpot Artists and the eight signature soup recipes.
Bruno Davaillon, Matt McAllister, Brian Luscher, Randall Copeland, Janice Provost, Abraham Salum, Keith Hanks and (in front) Kevin Garvin
At 12:20 the chefs had finished their projects and were relaxing in the Central Depot room when Gary came back to thank them and tell them the POA.
Three minutes later the introductions were underway. Unfortunately, one poor wait staffer didn’t get the memo and wandered down the v-e-r-y narrow aisle leading from the Central Depot to the stage. What was he doing there? Why checking for dishes to remove. Now normally that would be applauded, but in this case he didn’t realize that he was blocking the chefs from walking up to the stage. That situation was quickly resolved when a management member of the Union Station team advised him to get out of the way.
After the chefs were officially introduced and presented with platters from The Stewpot artists, they moved to their section to talk with their guests and make sure the soup was to their liking.
Jeannette Walls
It was then time for Jeannette to talk to the crowd. The willowy former MSNBC journalist and author looked like a Crystal Charity member or perhaps a former Junior Leaguer. For those who hadn’t read The Glass Castle, they were probably hunkering down for a talk by a high society fundraiser on the plight of the homeless. Ah, but others like co-chair Sally Dunning had read Jeannette’s book and knew better.
Blending humor with touching firsthand experiences of a childhood that amazed the vast majority in the room, Jeannette told of growing up with well-meaning but nomadic parents. Highlights included
- As a celebrity correspondent, she was being driven to a “fancy party” in NYC andsaw a homeless woman rummaging through trash. She sank down in the cab when she realized the woman was her mother. Her problem wasn’t so much that her mom was living on the street as much as others would discover Jeannette’s secret.
- She was taken to the hospital at the age of three because her dress had caught on fire when she was making her meal.
- In West Virginia she envied a friend because his family actually had a coal-burning stove.
- Her father “gave” her Venus for a Christmas gift and promised one day to build a “glass castle” in the desert.
- Her boyfriend (who eventually became her husband) told her that the scars from the childhood burn were beautiful because “scars are a sign that you survived.”
Strongly suggest that you either read Jeannette’s The Glass Castle and/or checking this video on Jeannette that includes footage of her mom. Unfortunately, during these times Jeannette’s story is not the exception in the world. Luckily, The Stewpot and good people, like Toni and the chefs, are pulling together to help them not just survive but succeed.
{ 0 comments }
Lori and Ali de Jong, Claire, Julie and Kate Richey
Monday night the Texas Theatre came alive with builders, both young and old. The occasion was the world premiere of Calatrava Student Constructors. The project involved students selected from area private and public schools to construct a 20-foot long replica of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge complete with cables and roads at The Trinity Trust offices last May. Emmy award-winning producer Judy Kelly captured the various stages of the project from the students meeting with experts at the bridge site to the building of the replica. The student stars of the film included: Roland Baumann of Dallas International School, Kalen Beacham of Greenhill School, Simon Cohen of W.B. Travis Academy, Ali de Jong of Ursuline Academy, Star Jackson of North Mesquite High School, Jaylin Knight of Agnew Middle School, Ricardo Mojica of Conrad High School, Gabrielle Munoz of The Hockaday School, Rubi Perez of Irma Rangel YWLS, Claire Richey of North Hills Prep, Angelica Sanjuan of Townview School of Science and Engineering and Rachael Shima of Bishop Dunne Catholic School.
Student constructor Simon, who is now a Booker T. Washington freshman and was awarded a scholarship to TAG program last summer thanks to the SMU Talented and Gifted program. Simon commented, “The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge is like a dream. When you look at it, the final version, it’s breath-taking and it almost seems magical… but once taken through the step-by-step process, you can really understand the complexity, but also why it fits together so well.”
Judy Kelly
According to Judy, “The classroom and the model construction processes were captured in the film in the hope that students throughout the DFW area could learn how the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge works. The most dramatic moment came when the false work was removed and the finished model, complete with the 8-foot-high signature arch piece and all 58 cables, floated on its own—an engineering marvel.”
L.C. Tubb, Bill Doreen, Duane Milligan, Rebecca Rasor, Jim McTaggert and Charlie Quade
In between screenings of the film, a panel discussion was held with engineering and construction representatives. Moderator/TTT Director of Outreach and Development Melanie Ferguson asked each of the panelist what they considered to be the highlight of their involvement:
- Bill Doreen, Williams Brothers Construction: “One of the emotional highs was the day when Cimolai (Italian steel company that fabricated the steel and welded most of it) dropped in the center section of the arch. When you think about it, 500 feet off the floor in 15 minutes, it was a testimonial to the Italian fabrication and engineering.”
- L.C. Tubb, MICA Corporation: “My high was when we turned all the lights on that brought together the 5 or 6 years of work. It gave you a rush when you could look at the bridge at all angles and see it lit up. It’s going to be a wonderful view for Dallas.”
- Duane Milligan, Texas Department of Transportation: “When we had finished assembling the arch, part of my job was to go up in a crane and inspect it from the top of the arch. That was definitely the best.”
- Rebecca Rasor, Trinity River Project/City of Dallas: “It was both my high and low. When we first had the bridge bid, it was too high. But then we rebid it and getting that second bid, which was half of the original bid, was great.”
- Charlie Quade, Huitt-Zollars, Inc.; “My high was when the arch fit together. Seeing it go from paper to fabrication, the stay cable going up. It’s been a good project. This is a cable stayed bridge, and it’s the only one that VSL has built in Texas.”
- Jim McTaggart of VSL—the company responsible for hanging the 58 cables; “Getting the last cable installed was the highlight for me.”
Presented in partnership with SMU’s Summer Youth Program of the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development, SMU’s Talented and Gifted Program and The Study Center Inc., the film’s premiere was also sponsored by American Council of Engineering Companies of Dallas, Dallas Architectural Forum, Dallas Center for Architecture, Dallas CityDesign Studio, Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce, The Real Estate Council, Texas Society of Architects/AIA and West Dallas Chamber of Commerce.
For those interested in sponsorship or underwriting the Calatrava Student Constructors film for educational distribution, contact The Trinity Trust at 214.740.1616.
Photo credit: Dana Driensky
{ 0 comments }
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Monday, March 5: To coincide with the AT&T Performing Arts Center’s Lexus Broadway Series’ “In the Heights” (March 13 – 25), those smart folks at the Nasher have arranged to have “In the Heights” co-creator Lin-Manuel Miranda as the guest for the first NasherSalon of 2012.
If his name isn’t as familiar as Stephen Sondheim or Kristin Chenoweth, you have been absent from Broadway 101 classes. The Puerto Rican-American composer, rapper, lyricist and actor was “an instant sensation for writing and starring in the four-time Tony Award-winning musical.
That isn’t enough. My, but you’re demanding!
“As an actor, Lin-Manuel received a 2007 Theater World Award for Outstanding Debut Performance, and the 2007 Clarence Derwent Award for Most Promising Male Performance courtesy of Actor’s Equity Foundation. He has also performed for President Obama and the First Family at the White House for its first-ever Poetry Jam. Additionally, his TV and film credits include The Electric Company, Sesame Street, The Sopranos, House, Modern Family, The Sex and the City Movie, and the upcoming The Odd Life of Timothy Green.”
The timing could not be more perfect. After a full weekend of celebrating the opening of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, it will be nice to be indoors for an intimate chat.
Tickets are available starting Monday, February 6.
Photo provided by Nasher Sculpture Center
{ 0 comments }
