If you were within shouting distance of the Winspear last year for First Night, you just knew that the Dallas Opera was not your great grandmama’s sing-a-long. Thanks to Kaki Hopkins, there were divas in delicious designer gowns, Ron Corning emceeing and a big screen-o-rama where folks gathered in Sammons Park for a free viewing of the evening’s festivities. It was quite a night.
In fact it was so special that Kaki has signed up for a return chairmanship for another “First Night” with “fashion designers, whose creations are inspired by the operas, and the celebrity models who wear them as they walk the red carpet.”
Ah, but this year there will be sports-affiliated personalities as a shout-out for the opera’s spring simulcast held at Cowboys Stadium. In keeping with the sports feel, this year’s honorary chair will be basketball great Nancy Lieberman.
And once again there will be a simulcast of the evening’s opera, AIDA. But due to last year’s incredible popularity of screen-o-rama, Kaki and WFAA are working on two screens. The exact location is “under consideration. . . but most definitely Sammons Park will be used for at least one of them.”
After the red carpet showcase and the performance of AIDA are done deals, the black-tied guests will enjoy “late night dining in the tent that will be erected next to the Winspear.”
BTW, that’s the same weekend that The Klyde officially opens. Personally, we’d pick the First Night that night because it’s a one-night-only occasion. The Klyde’s celebration will go on all weekend.
For ticket info, call 214.443.1066 or email [email protected].