• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Advertising

My Sweet Charity

An Ongoing Conversation For the Good Of Dallas

  • Home
  • Photo Gallery
  • Event Calendar
  • Fundraisers
  • Health
  • Heroes
  • Contact

Crystal Charity Ball Was Una Magnifica Notte Capping Its Mama Mia 70th Anniversary Year

Jan 17, 2023 1:30 PM by Jeanne Prejean Leave a Comment

When Crystal Charity Ball guests pulled up to the driveway of the Hilton Anatole Hotel on Saturday evening, December 3, they were greeted by smoke billowing up from a fire along the walkway leading to the 2022 Ball’s “Splendido Italiano” wonderland. But the hint of fiery Italiano turned out to be just a Texas-sized pizza converted into a pastry oven, warming up in order to later provide the departing guests with some calzones to go.

Tom Addis
Lineup of desserts
Arnaud Masset

As Event Producer Tom Addis and floral designer Junior Villaneuva were busily finishing up a ballroom that would have made the House of Medici envious, Anatole Chef Arnaud Masset was in the adjacent Wedgwood Room, which was filled to the max with rows and rows of dinner desserts that had been in the making since 1 p.m.

Angela Seaman and Susan McSherry
Paige Slates
Amy Hegi, Kristi Francis, Jennifer Chandler, Patti Flowers, Lisa Shirley and Laura Downing

Out in the Chantilly’s reception terrace, CCB committee members like Ball Arrangements Co-Chairs Susan McSherry and Angela Seaman and Entertainment Chair Paige Slates were making one last sweep of the reception lobby and ballroom.  In a conference room, Contribution Tickets Co-Chairs Laura Downing and Amy Hegi, Post-Ball Arrangements Chair Kristi Francis along with Patti Flowers, Jennifer Chandler and Lisa Shirley were going over the duties for the CCB’s newest members (Bonner Allen, Shannon Graham, Diana Hamilton, Sheilon King, Lisa Loy Laughlin and Victoria Snee). In addition to selling raffle tickets, the newbies would be part of the post-ball tear down.

Diana Hamilton, Sheilon King, Lisa Loy Laughlin, Bonner Allen, Shannon Graham and Victoria Snee

Where the silent auction would take place, the walls had been festooned with wall coverings by the Italian designer Versace. It seems that Decorations Chair Paige Locke had painstakingly assembled, measured and cut sheets of the designer’s wallpaper on her kitchen floor, the better to arrange the individual backdrops reflecting the various areas of specialty shopping.

Versace wallpaper
Chuck and Paige Locke

Just before the first guests arrived, the official photo was taken of 2022 CCB Chair Susan Farris with her “kitchen cabinet” (Children’s Book Chair Lindsay Ballotta, Foundations Chair Elizabeth Gambrell, Silent Auction Chair Mary Martha Pickens, Special Gifts Chair Wendy Messmann and and Underwriting Chair Kristina Whitcomb) and her family.

Diana Hamilton, Sheilon King, Lisa Loy Laughlin, Bonner Allen, Shannon Graham and Victoria Snee
Matt and Virginia Olson, Tom and Karen Farris, Susan and John Farris, Lora Farris, Bennett Schmidt, John Farris Jr. and Tom Hall

Soon enough everything was in place, with hanging wisteria overhead and violinists on pedestals in the entryway leading to CCB Chair Susan, who warmly greeted the guests while “gondoliers” handed out pouches containing coins to be tossed into one of the settings’ “wishing” fountains. One couple who did some tossing, Sunie and Steve Solomon, were asked later what they’d wished for. Replied Sunie, “If I tell you, it might not come true.”

Coin for the fountain
Steve and Sunie Solomon

Fashionistas agree that the Italians have staked a claim on the world of couture fashion, and that was further proven by the looks of the night, thanks to the event’s 1,550+ guests — and especially the ladies in their amazing gowns. But unlike Balls past, when the evening’s favorite togs were made by the year’s CCB Fashion Show designer, that wasn’t the case this year. Instead, this year’s gowns were a nod to the entire “Italian feel,” including Susan’s Capri porcelain print by Naeem Khan, Marena Gault‘s Italian fuchsia by Monica Byrne, Claudia Lode in white Fendi, Shannon Graham‘s Giambattista Valli gown, Diana Hamilton in Chiara Boni, and 2019 CCB Chair Pat McEvoy in Valentino from neckline to heels.

Marena and Roger Gault
Charles and Pat McEvoy
Claudia Lode and Preston Hext

And speaking of Italian footwear, Marybeth Conlon and Kim Hext were in Dolce and Rene Caovillia, respectively.

Janie and David Condon
Gail Corder Fischer and Ken Christensen

But that’s not to say the gents weren’t aligned with the feel of the night, too, with Roger Gault in Dolce and Gabbana, Reed Gibbins and Ray Ballotta in Canali, Greg Hext in Bruno Cucinelli, Charles McEvoy in Stefano Ricci, David Condon in an Armani tuxedo and Ken Christensen in a Zegna, with Bruno Magli boots.

Lindsay Ballotta had a double whammy, scoring with a tribute to both the Italian theme and CCB’s 70th anniversary, by wearing Gianvito Rossi stilettos to go with her Jenny Packham platinum dress (“I chose the gown as a nod to Crystal Charity’s Platinum Jubilee,” she said).

Ray and Lindsay Ballotta
Chris and Robyn Chauvin

Another shimmering delight was Robyn Chauvin in silvery Badgley Mischka, her bare shoulders covered when needed with a custom-made emerald opera coat by Dallas’ own Braylee Flaska. Her clutch was a Cult Gaia.

But, as usual, it was a horse race for most popular designer among the CCB stalwarts of Herrera (Angie Kadesky, Vicki Chapman, Tanya Foster, Susan Glassmoyer and Louise Griffeth) and Dallas designers Michael Faircloth (Stephanie Scala-Casey, Carrie Levering, Sue Ann Scala, Diane Byrd, Mary Martha Pickens, Paula Marie Jones and Tiffany Divis) and Patti Flowers (Lisa Cooley, Ola Fojtasek, Suzy Gekiere, Robin Carreker, Venise Stuart and Libby Allred, who explained, “I can brag on it since the beauty is because of her talent.”)

Angie Kadesky
Vicki and Bob Chapman
Lisa Cooley and Tanya Foster
Susan and Michael Glassmoyer
Louise Griffeth and Teal Griffeth
Tiffany and Paul Divis
Venise and Larry Stuart
Ola Fojtasek
Al and Libby Allred

As for the accessories of the night, Judith Lieber was the clutch favorite, with Chanel running a close second. Susan Farris stayed loyal to her Italian ancestry toting a Rosantica Milan bag.

To add some real bling to the night, throats, ear lobes and wrists were covered by Diamonds Direct (Susan Farris, Kristina Whitcomb, Cheryl Joyner, Tanya Foster, Vicki Chapman and  Susan Glassmoyer), Eiseman’s Jewels (Kristen Gibbins) and Carter Malouf (Shannon Graham).

Of course, some of the evening’s fashion touches had backstories just made to be shared, such as:

Ron and Kristi Hoyl and Jennifer and Richard Dix
Kim Hext
Bryan and Leslie Diers
Monica and Brent Christopher
  • Jennifer Dix — “My gown is by Nardos and it’s super special to me because I bought it after she very generously donated it to the Salvation Army Fashion Show and Luncheon this year!”
  • Monica Christoper, who married Brent Christopher this past February — “I found this Brittingham gown at Stanley Korshak when I was shopping for my wedding gown.”
  • Kim Hext — She had decided that her Balmain gown, which she bought in Paris in May, needed a slight slit, which her tailor initially hesitated to do, but finally agreed that it would be wise. Upon checking the gown the day of the ball, however, Kim discovered that the zipper was missing. Immediately the gown was whisked off to the tailor again, thanks to husband Greg, and the zipper found its place.
  • Leslie Diers — “I am wearing a blue dress in honor of Susan Farris’s year as chair, where most everything has featured all shades of the color. A Judith Leiber handbag I bought to carry last year.”
  • Marena Gault — “My dress was designed by Monica Byrne of Monica Byrne Maison New York especially  for this year’s Crystal Charity Ball. The color is Italian fuchsia. I purchased the designing opportunity and dress as an auction item at the past CCB! My jewelry is a Lyles-Degrazier white gold and diamond mesh necklace which we purchased at the 201 Crystal Charity Ball auction. I am really looking forward to this year’s auction, too!”
  • Sunie Solomon — “Dennis Basso – I found it in Aspen and knew it would be perfect for CCB.”
  • Steve Stodghill, according to his wife Anne Stodghill — “Steve is wearing a custom tuxedo from Huntsman on Saville Row that was based on a tuxedo they had designed for Dean Martin back in the day, so to speak.”
  • Janie Condon —  “I’m wearing some opal and diamond earrings that Lawrence Bock designed for me and a pearl choker necklace given to me by my late grandmother Juanita (Miller).”
  • Diana Hamilton — “My jewelry is sentimental tonight because it was from my Mom, who passed away this past year.”
  • Kristina Whitcomb — “I just got off my brace from my knee fracture back in August but heels are still a no-no according to my doctor.”
  • Suzy Gekiere — “I am wearing a red Patti Flowers dress. It is a departure for me as I rarely wear red and never for a ball gown. My handbag is a Judith Lieber that Larry [her husband] bought for me years ago at a Dallas Museum of Art silent auction. Neiman’s had donated it.”
Steve and Anne Stodghill
Suzy Gekiere
Stacey Walker
Tim Adair and Sam Sullins

Other notable sights and quotes of the evening included Stacey Walker, who’d stashed her heels under her table and was wearing sneakers at the reception because she was still recovering from foot surgery. … Tim Adair, general manager of the Neiman Marcus Downtown, who said the downtown store was doing “the best business in the entire company,” with furs, jewelry and expensive bridal gowns moving especially well. … Susan McSherry, who said that since she’s living in Austin now, this would be her last CCB. … It also would be the last for Pam McCallum, who said she intends now to “sleep, read, watch TV” and spend time with her 7-year-old black Lab, Belle.

From the left: (front row) Jill Smith, Louise Griffeth, Christie Carter, Debbie Oates, Caren Kline, Cynthia Mitchell, Debbie Snell and Aileen Pratt; (back row) Leslie Diers, Margo Goodwin, Connie O’Neill, Tucker Enthoven, Vicki Chapman and Pat McEvoy

Just past 8 p.m. a gathering of “ma’ms” took place at the stairs between La Piazza Italiano of merchandise and the Casino. It was for the annual group photo of the past CCB Chairs Louise Griffeth (2003), Margo Goodwin (2004), Jill Smith (2005), Debbie Snell (2006), Vicki Chapman (2007), Debbie Oates (2009), Cynthia Mitchell (2010), Connie O’Neill (2011), Aileen Pratt (2012), Caren Kline (2013), Christie Carter (2016), Pat McEvoy (2019), Tucker Enthoven (2020) and Leslie Diers (2021).

2022 Crystal Charity Ball ballroom

As the clock ticked toward nine, veterans of past balls started gathering at the main doors of the ballroom to get a first look at the year’s staging. Inside the Chantilly, Anatole Catering Sales Director Roberta Robinson and Banquet Captain Francisco Herrera were waiting for the cue from Tom Addis. Right on time the doors opened to a fabulous array of fuchsia-draped walls and opera singers performing on a stage at the west side of the ballroom that was fronted by blue and white hydrangea, roses and delphenium.

Opera singer welcoming guests

Throughout the room, tables were highlighted by centerpieces that were beautiful to the eye, but not blocking the view of guests around the table. The upper-level seating around the ballroom was like a villa garden terrace with balustrade but, instead of a view of the Mediterranean, guests could drink in the entire scene. That included the dance floor, which filled quickly as Atlanta’s Simply Irresistible followed the opera singers with lively renditions of classic tunes like “Billie Jean” and “Jump (For My Love).”

Simply Irresistible
Stacey and Ken Malcolmson
Simply Irresistible
Robbie Kruithoff, Ryan Ross, William Jennings, Stefanie Tsen-Ward, Mary McGreevy Jennings, Tim Adair, Kathy Fisher, Scott and Judy Mitchell, Teresa Heidt and Gibbs Henderson
Rich Enthoven
Marybeth and Kevin Conlon
Rachel and Chris Trowbridge
Paula Acosta, Kristen Gibbins, David Nayfa, Marc Pechersky, Graham Williams, Kristin Schulz, Katie Farres, Andrea Nayfa, Julie Pechersk and Sarah and James Lary
April and Ben Renberg
Peggy Riggs, Michele Axley and Robin Carreker
Kristen and Ladd Sanger
Brooke and Aaron Shelby
Christi Urschel
Jeff and Christina Elmore, Peter and Amy Hegi and Jennifer Bevins
Sarah Lary
LuAne McWhorter
Andrea Cheek
Katy Brooks, Kameron Westcott, Melissa Pastora and Sharon Lee Clark

The evening’s menu of Burrata Insalata (season tomato, balsamic pearls with pistachio), Filleto Con Aragosta (Faro risotto, grape tomato, maitake mushroom in a kalamata caper demi-glace) and a Dolce Trio dessert (Golden gondola, limoncello marscapone and hazelnut cremosa chocolate layered cake) went swimmingly for most. Alas, the 2022 CCB jinx of meals fell upon some, with guests at a few of the high-roller tables feeling abandoned as they watched nearby tables feasting a course ahead. To add to the pain, their beverage glasses appeared to just be conversation pieces until the situation was called to the attention of executive staffers. With that, glasses were filled and plates delivered.

And, unlike at other fundraising events, where speakers wax on, the only official activity took place at 11:15 p.m., when the drawing for the Sewell luxury car raffle took place and Susan officially handed over the CCB reins to 2023 Chair Angie Kadesky.

For more images of the night that benefits (Agape Clinic, Baylor Oral Health Foundation, Behind Every Door, Educational First Steps, Family Compass, Hope Supply Co., Southwestern Medical Foundation, United to Learn and the Crystal Charity Ball 70th Anniversary Project Action Before Crisis), check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

Filed Under: A black tie affair, Anniversary, Childhood, Cocktail reception, Dance, Dessert, Dinner, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Fund raiser, FYI, Games, In-person, Music, Opera, Party Hearty, Raffle, Silent auction, Singing Tagged With: Aaron Shelby, Agape Clinic, Aileen Pratt, Al Allred, Amy Hegi, Andrea Cheek, Andrea Nayfa, Angela Seaman, Angie Kadesky, Anne Stodghill, April Renberg, Arnaud Masset, Baylor Oral Health Foundation, Behind Every Door, Ben Renberg, Bennett Schmidt, Bob Chapman, Bonner Allen, Brent Christopher, Brooke Shelby, Bryan Diers, Caren Kline, Charles McEvoy, Chris Chauvin, Chris Trowbridge, Christi Urschel, Christie Carter, Christina Elmore, Chuck Locke, Claudia Lode, Connie O'Neill, Crystal Charity Ball, Cynthia Mitchell, David Condon, David Nayfa, Debbie Oates, Debbie Snell, Diana Hamilton, Educational First Steps, Family Compass, Gail Corder Fischer, Graham Williams, Hope Supply Co., James Lary, Janie Condon, Jeff Elmore, Jennifer Bevins, Jennifer Chandler, Jennifer Dix, Jill Smith, John Farris, John Farris Jr., Julie Pechersk, Kameron Westcott, Karen Farris, Katie Farres, Katy Brooks, Kent Christensen, Kevin Conlon, Kim Hext, Kristen Gibbins, Kristen Sander, Kristi Francis, Kristi Hoyl, Kristin Schulz, Ladd Sanger, Larry Stuart, Laura Downing, Leslie Diers, Libby Allred, Lisa Cooley, Lisa Loy Laughlin, Lisa Shirley, Lora Farris, Louise Griffeth, Luane McWhorter, Marc Pechersky, Marena Gault, Margo Goodwin, Marybeth Conlon, Matt Olson, Melissa Pastora, Michael Glassmoyer, Michele Axley, Monica Christopher, Ola Fojtasek, Paige Locke, Paige Slates, Pat McEvoy, Patti Flowers, Paul Divis, Paula Acosta, Peggy Riggs, Peter Hegi, Preston Hext, Rachel Trowbridge, Ray Ballotta, Rich Enthoven, Richard Dix, Robin Carreker, Robyn Chauvin, Roger Gault, Ron Hoyl, Sam Sullins, Sarah Laray, Shannon Graham, Sharon Lee Clark, Sheilon King, Simply Irresistible, Southwestern Medical Foundation, Splendido Italiano, Stacey Malcolmson, Stacey Walker, Steve Solomon, Steve Stodghill, Sunie Solomon, Susan Glassmoyer, Susan McSherry, Suzy Gekiere, Tanya Foster, Teal Griffeth, the Crystal Charity Ball 70th Anniversary Project Action Before Crisis, Tiffany Divis, Tim Adair, Tom Addis, Tom Farris, Tom Hall, Tucker Enthoven, United To Learn, Venise Stuart, Vicki Chapman, Victoria Snee, Virginia Olson

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

We cover the people, organizations and activities that make the North Texas area unique thanks to philanthropic and nonprofit endeavors. We limit our coverage to only news that directly impacts and benefits the area, but we do it with an "honest but friendly" hand.

MySweetCharity does not cover activities or news of a controversial nature.

Materials on this site are © copyrighted. Images contained on this website are not within the public domain. To republish, please send request to [email protected] for permission.

Disclaimer: We are provided gratis invitations from organizations without any expectations on their part of any coverage.

Subscribe for Email Updates

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Search

Follow MyTweetCharity on Twitter
Follow MySweetCharity on Facebook

MySweetCharity

Resources

  • After-School All-Stars North Texas
  • Baylor Scott & White Health
  • Callier Center
  • Children's Health
  • Community Partners of Dallas
  • Dallas CASA
  • Dallas Film Society
  • Dallas Symphony Orchestra
  • Equest
  • Family Gateway
  • Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
  • Goodwill Industries of Dallas
  • Housing Crisis Center
  • Leukemia Texas
  • North Texas Giving Day
  • Southwest Transplant Alliance
  • Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas
  • Texas Women's Foundation
  • The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture
  • The Dallas Opera
  • The Family Place
  • The Magdalen House
  • Trinity Park Conservancy

Categories

Archives

MySweetCharity sponsorships

  • Callier Cares Luncheon
  • Cattle Baron's Ball
  • Celebrating Women
  • Community Partners of Dallas
  • Crystal Charity Ball
  • Day At The Races
  • Equest
  • Healing Hands Luncheon
  • KidneyTexas
  • Mad Hatter's Tea
  • North Texas Giving Day
  • Texas Women's Foundation Annual Luncheon
  • Women's Auxiliary of The Salvation Army Dallas Fashion Show And Luncheon
Copyright © 2010-2021 My Sweet Charity · Website Design by Shauna Callaghan