To passersby there were a lot of folks with back problems Saturday, July 12, as more than 100 people were seen arriving at Surgical and Spine Institute. Ah, but on second look a lot of them were in Saint-Tropez white and smiling. It turned out that they weren’t in any pain whatsoever. Instead they were there to learn about Hollywood Domino coming to Dallas to benefit Texas Scottish Rite Hospital and The Art of Elysium.
It’ll be taking place at FIG on Saturday, September 6, with Tri-Chairs Sally Evans, Reese Threadgill and Christa Wetzel at the helm. The question being posed first was, “What the heck is Hollywood Domino?”
First, dominoes is a “parlor game” that dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) involving numbered tiles, also known as “bones.” Needless to say, there have been variations of the game throughout the ages. While some folks think it was an old fellas’ game from the Depression Era, they’re so wrong. Why, this past winter a group of Dallas socialites spent a snowed-in-weekend in the mountains playing Mexican Train for a buck a round. But Hollywood Domino Dallas will put “a unique twist on the classic game by creating a movie reel of dominoes based on the film genre.”
Second, the Hollywood factor for the fundraising event will be Austin-born actress/The Art of Elysium supporter Amber Heard, who be hosting the night along with Honorary Chair Amy Vanderoef. Some might recall Amber’s debut in Friday Night Lights; others who follow TMZ will point out that she’s engaged to Johnny Depp.
According to event planner Kit Sawers, the theme is going to be in keeping with an Old Hollywood and black-and-white theme a la Casablanca. Plans call for 450 guests to wear black, white or black-and-white. You just know there will one smarty pants who’ll show up in red.
Hosting the announcement party was Surgical and Spine Institute’s Dr. Mike Rimlawi, who specializes in adult spinal surgery. He got involved in the fundraising project because of a trip to Peru and learning of the great need for medical treatments by children.
New York transplant Advisory Chair Ayaan Almed, who led the effort to bring Hollywood Domino to Dallas, explained her motivation: “Dallas is one of our most philanthropic cities, year after year. It is very open to new charities. I contacted my friend Russell Simmons to bring Diamond Rocks here in 2008 and 2009. A lot of my friends are involved with fundraisers.. . . The celebrities who participate in Hollywood Domino in other cities [London, New York, Cannes Film Festival, Puerto Rico, Panama and Los Angeles] not only lend their names, but support it with their presence by flying in from film locations to attend.”
Tickets and sponsorships are now available for purchase. In the meantime, it might be wise to buy yourself some dominoes.
* Photo credit: Bob Manzano