There was a bit of irony in the 2023 Crystal Charity Ball theme announcement on Tuesday, April 11, at Betsy and Jim Sowell’s marvelous estate with its beautiful grounds highlighted by hydrangea trees and a New Orleans-inspired home in Volk Estates.
As guests strolled into the auto courtyard to classical music provided by Kim Lim-Smith leading the Seranata Strings, they didn’t realize yet that the tunes of the night and the fabulous art filling the rooms were a part of the night’s reveal scheduled to take place at 7:30. And, of course, the amazing art on the walls also just happened to be magnificent backdrops for photos.
In the living room with three walls featuring major works of art, there was a black drop cloth covering a banner in front of the fireplace.
But before the unveiling took place, guests had time to catch up. Pete Kline’s nose was bandaged due to successful Mohs surgery. While it wasn’t Pete’s run-in with skin cancer, this one required a wee bit more attention and grafting of skin from his chest. As she was showing off their new grandbaby, Caren Kline was just grateful that the early detection and actions prevented a worst-case scenario for Pete.
In the dining room Dwight Emanuelson, Billy Esping and Dr. Kevin Kadesky were laughing about their matching blue-and-white striped shirts and blue ties and suits. Kevin admitted that having his wife Angie Kadesky chairing the 2023 CCB had presented a fashion challenge for him since his usual outfit was scrubs.
Speaking of Angie, she was introducing Texas Capital Bank’s North Texas Middle Market Banking EVP Clint Bryant, who seemed right at home with the gathering.
She was doing a remarkable job keeping her cool. It seems that just before the first guests arrived, she had walked outdoors taking in the beautiful landscape including trees of hydrangeas. Distracted by the view, she stepped onto the pool cover and splashed halfway down drenching her dress and turning her ankle. Quickly, it was all hands on deck trying to dry her dress and make sure that she hadn’t broken any bones.
Elizabeth Gambrell reported that everything was in place for the Junior League of Dallas‘ Milestones Luncheon Friday, April 14, honoring Pam Busbee with Rob Lowe at the Hilton Anatole.
Speaking of the Anatole, Special Events Director Beverly Anderson and Catering Director Roberta Robinson were introducing the hotel’s new General Manager Bruce Roy. When asked how he felt being the head of the inn, he smiled and pointed to the ladies saying, “I listen to them.”
Kristina Whitcomb was back in heels after months of recovering from surgery that forced her to wear flats and long outfits to cover her boot. She was also finally able to wear an adorable cocktail dress that she had purchased at Forty Five Ten last year.
But all the chatting stopped just after 7:30 when guests gathered in the living room as Angie stood aside the covered banner to thank the numerous vendors (the Hilton Anatole, The Garden Gate Floral Studio’s Junior Villanueva, Lambert’s Landscape Company’s Paul Fields, Eagle Audio and Lighting’s Mike McColm, Curtis Moving and Storagae’s Jamie Furrate, Lawson Event Rentals’ Cassie Lawson and orchestra leader Tim Ishii) and to reveal the theme for the 2023 CCB that would take place on Saturday, December 9, at the Anatole. With a drop of the cloth by Decoration Chair Kim Hext and Ball Coordinator Katherine Coker, the theme “Masterpieces In The Making” was revealed.
Angie described the theme as being a double entendre. Using classic artistic masterpieces as the decorative motif at the ball, “the real ‘masterpieces in the making’ are the children we serve.”
She went on to emphasize that tickets are not sold for the ball. “Rather, everyone who is invited to attend the ball receives an invitation as a token of gratitude for their generous support of our outstanding beneficiaries.”
For more looks of the night of revealing, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.