If the 2020/2021 Cattle Baron’s Ball Underwriters’ get-together on Saturday, October 2, is any indication of what CBB Co-Chairs Diana Hamilton and Heather Randall have in store for their mega fundraiser at Gilley’s, then it’s going to be a blowout. The underwriters enjoyed a mini-version of the legendary ball thanks to its taking place at Melissa and Joe Pastora‘s magnificent estate with Curtis Grimes and his band playing on the balcony, a chuck wagon providing longnecks, Eataly serving Italian yummies and pizza and performers in see-through bubbles floating in the pool. Here’s a report from the field:
Melissa and Joe Pastora’s gracious and sedate all-white Georgian home in Preston Hollow belied the magnificent party that lay ahead for the 250-plus guests who attended Saturday evening’s soiree honoring 2021 Cattle Baron’s Ball underwriters including Sewell Automotive Company, which was the presenting sponsor, and top donors Copart, Grand Homes, Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians, Moody Foundation and Kendall Creative/Loomis Agency, among many others.
Upon entering the contemporary, art-filled interior of the home, guests were led down a striking center hallway to a multi-acre outdoor oasis of food, libations, music and revelry.
Cattle Baron’s member Vodi Cook arranged for a sumptuous spread of hearty fare from Eataly’s at NorthPark.
Multiple food stations were manned with servers and carvers featuring a large selection of Salumi e Formaggi. Translation: tons of Italian meats, cheeses, peppers and spiced bites. As the party progressed, more than 100 yummy-looking piping hot pizzas, fresh from the ovens at Eataly’s, were carried through the party and were replenished throughout the evening, which kept the Jack Boles valet parking team hustling to and from the buffets delivering the hot pies.
Party Co-Chairs Melissa Pastora, Bina Patel, Brittany Smalley and Samantha Wortley made certain the Cattle Baron’s experience reflected the Texas heritage of the organization. Early in the evening, the party’s western-inspired tone was evident with the performance of familiar country and western tunes performed by 2020 Texas Country Music Award Entertainer of the Year Curtis Grimes and his band, who were high above the cocktail reception on the balcony overlooking the festivities.
As the party progressed under a clear sky, the rear portion of the heavily wooded estate became a lively disco with danceable music complete with nautical performers in huge translucent cylinders floating in a blue-lit pool. Hundreds of white twinkling lights created simulated stars as guests moved from the main cocktail reception to the after-party site.
Among the party-goers were former Cattle Baron’s Ball Chairs (who are also underwriters) and spouses Katy and Lawrence Bock, Cara and Jim French, Kristen Sanger, Sunie and Steve Solomon and Anne and Steve Stodghill.
Upon departure, guests received boxes of Italian pastries from Eataly’s for a sweet ride home in anticipation of the Cattle Baron’s Ball on Saturday, October 23.
* Photo credit:Tamytha Cameron