Savor The Symphony Co-Chairs Nikki Beneke and Joanie Stephens decided to blend the whimsy of magic with the beauty of music at the Lakewood Country Club for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League‘s annual fundraiser on Friday, April 12. With magician Giancarlo Bernini amazing guests and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Young Strings’ Antonella Quintana providing the atmosphere for the sold-out crowd, Hall Wines accentuated the evening with a tasting of three of its collections. Here’s a report from the field:
It was a sold-out crowd at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League’s Savor the Symphony on Friday, April 12, at Lakewood Country Club. Co-Chairs Nikki Beneke and Joanie Stephens welcomed guests at the reception, which featured a wine tasting of three Hall wines, a signature Magic Cocktail (with pink glitter) and silent auction and wine pull as they were serenaded by performers from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s (DSO) Young Strings, a beneficiary. Fulfilling the promise of a magical evening, illusionist Giancarlo Bernini began the evening roaming and entertaining guests as he created magical experiences to everyone’s delight.
Joining in the celebration were DSOL President Nancy Labadie, Honorary Chairs Susan and Mark Geyer and Katherine Smethie (her husband Steven is also an honorary chair, but was unable to attend), Patron Party Co-Hosts Anne and Bill Seanor, Underwriting Chair Donna Arp Weitzman with her husband Herb Weitzman, Dixey Arterburn, Colby Hanks Baer, Wine Pull Co-Chair Sharon Ballew with her husband, Maurice Ballew and Claire Catrino, Cindy and Charlie Feld,Marena and Roger Gault, Myrna and Bob Schlegel and more.
Nancy thanked everyone for joining in tonight’s event, giving a special tribute to the DSO’s Education and Community Outreach programs, including Young Strings, DSO On The Go and MYDSO Concerts.
Nikki welcomed everyone to this evening themed Celebrating the Magic of Wine, Music and Friends. As she thanked VIPs, including Vanessa Hall Cain and her husband, David, from Hall Wines and Claire and Michael Catrino, hosts at Lakewood Country Club, each person was presented a custom acrylic tray with the Savor the Symphony 2024 beautiful and colorful logo. She also thanked the event and Host Committees saying, “It usually takes a village, but we have had a small and mighty team of lovely ladies planning and executing this magical evening for you.”
It was a tearful moment when Nikki shared a story about a child (one of triplets) with disabilities including being blind, and how music made magic in her life when she discovered the piano. She could play anything she heard, She loved music and it opened her up to new possibilities. She said, “Those of you who heard Patrick Estrada at the Patron Party may remember that he played so beautifully. It was so moving. More moving than that was hearing him say how music had taken him to so many places he could only dream of going. He also said that he couldn’t believe he would ever be in a house like that playing for people at an event. It brought me to tears to hear how it had changed his life.”
Vanessa shared some insight about the Hall family and the wines for the tasting: a Napa Cabernet 2019, Napa Sauvignon Blanc 2022 and a Walt Blue Jay Pinot Noir 2022.
Bernini took the stage performing his magic and had the entire audience participating. He did rope tricks, magic with a Rubik’s Cube – an audience member worked the Rubik’s cube behind his back and it looked like it wasn’t solved- but it totally matched Giancarlo’s cube on all sides. Then Bernini introduced the auctioneer promising to be back later in the evening for the entertainment.
After an energetic live auction led by Louis Murad and a paddle raise for the Young Musicians program, Giancarlo returned to entertain the audience. He had everyone involved in the magic of the evening through participation. Then on to some mind reading games including drawing pictures and he had an audience member shuffle cards. From watching him shuffle cards, he could tell the man his month and day of birth, through a balloon and had the person come up to retrieve the balloon. He had been writing down numbers from the audience. When the balloon was popped, the numbers in the balloon matched the numbers Giancarlo had written. Everyone was so surprised by all of the outcomes. Giancarlo asked Nikki if he had time for one more trick and, before she could answer “yes,” the entire audience shouted “Yes!” People were energized and were totally engaged.
Nikki thanked everyone for coming and participating in this very important effort for the children.
People stayed and spent time visiting with each other long after the event. The sounds of happiness and excitement were heard throughout the building.
Proceeds from the evening benefit the Dallas Symphony Association and its education and outreach programs including:
- Young Strings, Kim Noltemy Young Musicians and the Cecil and Ida Green Youth Concert Series impact over 20,000 students and are vital as they promote brain development, opening doors to a brighter future and more opportunities.
- DSO On the Gobrings the orchestra outside the Meyerson Symphony Center and into neighborhoods and communities around North Texas.
- MyDSO Concertsare specially designed for children and adults on the autism spectrum and with developmental disabilities, and their families, friends and caregivers.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra League’s (DSOL’s) mission is to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Community Outreach and Education Programs opening doors to a brighter future for the children in our community. The programs include: Young Strings, Kim Noltemy Young Musicians, Cecil and Ida Green Youth Concert Series, DSO on the Go (Community Concerts and Performances), and My DSO Concerts for children and adults on the autism spectrum. The DSOL has raised over $23 million to support these programs.
Learn more at www.dallassymphonyleague.com/Savor-the-Symphony.
* Photo credit: Danny Campbell