While Broadway Dallas babies were rocking with “Tina” at the Music Hall on Friday, February 2, Dallas CASA Young Professionals were smoking hot like Humphrey Bogart‘s “Rick’s backroom” with their own version of CASAblanca at the Hall on Dragon.
But it wasn’t all game-playing. In addition to grazing around on yummy hors d’oeuvres, eyeballing the silent auction packages and checking out the glittery looks of the evening, there was plenty of action on the dance floor thanks to The Special Edition Band for the 400 guests, including Priscilla and Corey Anthony, Christine and Jonathan Bassham, Kathleen LaValle, Retta A. Miller, Juan Nevarez, Sandra Martinez, Haden Williams, Tyler Spearman, Lauren Rose Sands, Nicki and Paul Stafford, Linda Swartz and Amy and Jack Zeringue. Here’s a report from the field:
More than 400 of Dallas’ youngest and most philanthropic young professionals packed The Hall on Dragon Friday, February 2, for Dallas CASA’s CASAblanca casino party.
The event, which raised funds for the children served by Dallas CASA, featured The Special Edition Band playing all evening, a red-carpet entry and a glittering array of formal wear from printed bow ties to long, sparkly dresses.
The young crowd gathered around the craps and blackjack tables, visiting with each other and enjoying the evening’s signature cocktail, the Queen of Hearts, a mix of orange liqueur, cranberry juice and champagne sponsored by law firm Sidley Austin LLP, employer of Young Professionals President Jack Zeringue.
The evening was co-chaired by Brooke Donelson, Hannah Harpole and Amanda Rodriguez. Guests hit the dance floor for favorites like “Man I Feel Like a Woman” by Shania Twain.
Guests perused the silent auction, bidding on items such as two round trips on semi-private airline Aero, a year of Whataburger, a Ryan Bingham guitar and specialty bourbon and more.
Passed hors d’oeuvres included honey walnut shrimp, mini caprese skewers, mini smoked BBQ brisket mac and cheese and spicy chili chicken. Guests also enjoyed a vegan fried rice station all evening and cheesecake lollipops for dessert. Whataburger delivered honey butter chicken biscuits for everyone as a late-night snack.
CASAblanca was hosted by auxiliary group the Dallas CASA Young Professionals, which seeks to raise awareness of child welfare issues. Many Young Professionals members are also Dallas CASA volunteers, and Dallas CASA is proud to have a young volunteer base. In 2023, 49% of new sworn advocates were in their 20s and 30s. The Young Professionals are growing, too, with a 66% growth in membership in 2023.
Dallas CASA’s community volunteers are trained and supervised to advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are living in the protective care of the state.
* Photo credit: Ray Carlin ** Photo credit: Jim Cowsert, Grapevine Photography *** Photo credit: Rosanne Lewis