For the past 32-years, Vogel (formerly known as Vogel Alcove) has brought A-list entertainers to town to raise funds in support of their mission. Past headliners include Johnny Mathis, Diana Ross, Lily Tomlin, Tony Bennett, Vince Gill, and Itzhak Pearlman, to name a few. But this year, Vogel’s President and CEO Karen Hughes wanted something different. In celebration of Vogel’s NEW Collin County center that opened just a few short months ago, this year’s annual Arts Performance Event took place on Saturday, March 30, at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort and featured an unforgettable performance by Barenaked Ladies.

“Last year, I stood at this podium at this event and announced that for the first time ever Vogel would be expanding and invited all those in attendance to join us on this journey to serve more children.” Said Hughes. “I am thrilled to announce that in December 2023 our second site opened in North Dallas and this week we received the Certificate of Occupancy for our 3rd site at the Shops at Redbird in South Dallas which will open in the coming months. With these new sites we can double our capacity to now serve approximately 400 children daily.”

Presented by Oliver Wyman, Inc., the night began with a reception in the spacious Ryder Cup Ballroom Pre-Function Area where Event Chairs Ramey and Greg Colgan joined guests as they mingled and enjoyed cocktails and light bites. Doors to the Ryder Cup Ballroom opened to showcase a curated dinner and program, featuring a spirited game of Heads or Tails, emceed by CW33’s Yolonda Williams. After dinner, the crowd of 600 strong was treated to a rousing performance by the Barenaked Ladies. The band performed hit songs “Big Bang Theory Theme”, “One Week”, “If I had $1,000,000” and others but also delighted attendees with covers from Taylor Swift, Olivia Culpo, Devo, Def Leopard, and Violent Femmes. After their performance, guests spilled out onto the Ryder Cup Ballroom Lawn for an After Glow dance party led by Dallas’ favorite party band, Emerald City.

Since 1987, over 18,000 young, homeless children have walked through the doors of Vogel Alcove. The Annual Arts Performance Event is Vogel Alcove’s flagship fundraiser, raising a significant percentage of their operating budget. The generosity of Vogel's supporters plays a critical role in giving children back what homelessness has taken from them: safety, respect, and the chance to be a child. Vogel Alcove provides educational, developmental, and therapeutic services to children and families affected by homelessness. Using its “Two-Generational” approach to solving homelessness, services are provided to client families through the early childhood education program and parent opportunity department. These services are free, in a safe and nurturing school environment, in which the families can learn and grow together. Visit VogelAlcove.org for more information.

Photos: Danny Campbell Photography

The 14th Annual Symphony of Chefs was held on Monday, February 26 at Armstrong Fieldhouse at SMU. Event Chairs Beanie & Martin Newman, along with Honorary Chef Chairs Justin Box, Private Chef, Consultant and Restaurateur, and Luke Rogers, Executive Chef & Owner of Beckley 1115, were the driving forces behind this year’s ultimate chef-driven culinary dinner experience benefitting KidLinks. Notable supporters in attendance included Cristi & Kevin Ryan, Christie and Elbert Choi, Bonnie and Nathan Shea, Lisa and Stuart Sides, and Georgia and Marc Lyons. 

Hamilton A Sneed of HAS Events was the visionary behind this culinary concept, which had DJ Steffi Burns spinning tunes as guests entered through draped curtains, revealing tables placed throughout SMU’s practice course setting the scene for a lively evening of culinary composition. The evening kicked off with The Rayleigh Underground providing delicious hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail reception. The reception was followed by a seated dinner where over 20 of Dallas’ most notable chefs prepared a unique four-course dinner tableside for guests with wine pairings from some of the world’s best vineyards. 

In addition to Honorary Chef Chairs Justin Box and Luke Rogers, participating chefs included Aaron Collins, Chef de Cuisine of Cafe Momentum; Luca Corazzina, Executive Chef of Ellie’s Restaurant & Lounge; Eric Dreyer, Executive Chef of Monarch Restaurant; Miriam Jimenez, General Manager & Partner of Miriam Cocina Latina; Henry Johnson, Executive Chef of Bistro 3; Jennie Kelley, and Brandon Moore, Chef/Owners of Fond; John Kleifgen, Executive Chef of Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse; Dan Landsberg, Executive Chef of The Texas Barn at Circle T Ranch; Kevin Martin, Chef de Cuisine of TERRA; Giuliano Matarese, Chef & Restaurateur of Miss Pasta; Michael Matis, Chef de Cuisine of Fearing’s Restaurant; Nikky Phinyawatana, Chef & Founder of Asian Mint Restaurant Group; Janice Provost, Chef & Owner of Parigi; Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, Executive Chef of José; Jeramie Robison, Director of Culinary & Executive Chef of Thompson Dallas; Rodman Shields, Culinary Director of Milkshake Concepts; Jordan Swim, Owner of Vestals Catering; and Leo Ramirez, Sous Chef of Dee Lincoln Prime. Following the coursed meal, Featured Pastry Chef Jill Bates of Sugar & Sage Bakery created masterful desserts as an end note to the evening. 

WFAA’s Rebecca Lopez served as the evening’s emcee and introduced Bob Enriquez, who shared how music therapy sessions provided by KidLinks had impacted his great-grandson, Lucas, who was born with Myotonic Dystrophy which affects the facial muscles making it difficult to form and pronounce words and consequently, he had been essentially non-verbal. Thanks to KidLinks, 8-year old Lucas is now speaking in complete sentences and his family has hope for continued development. Funds raised from this event will support KidLinks efforts to provide healing, hope and happiness for children with special challenges through music and media. Learn more at www.kidlinks.org

Join 2024 Event Chairs Beanie & Martin Newman for an evening of culinary composition on Monday, February 26 at the 14th Annual Symphony of Chefs benefiting KidLinks which will be held at Armstrong Fieldhouse on the SMU campus. Led by Honorary Chef Chairs, Private Chef, Consultant & Restaurateur Justin Box, and Beckley 1115's Executive Chef & Owner Luke Rogers, the evening will begin with a cocktail reception where guests will enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres prepared by the Featured Hors d’oeuvre Chef, Dino Gonzalez Chef du Cuisine of The Rayleigh Underground.

A seated dinner will follow where approximately 26 of Dallas’ most notable chefs (see list below) will prepare a four-course dinner tableside for guests with wine pairings from some of the world’s best vineyards including Kistler Vineyards, HALL Wines, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Cuvaison, LangeTwins and more. Following the coursed meal, featured Pastry Chef Jill Bates of Sugar and Sage Bakery will deliver masterful desserts as an end note to the evening. The evening will also include a wine pull, silent & live auction of experiences and live musical entertainment. Pre-events include a draft-style VIP Patron & Chef Selection Party for sponsors just a few weeks before the main event.

Funds raised from this event will support KidLinks, 501(3)(c) nonprofit efforts to provide healing, hope, and happiness to children with special challenges through music therapy programs, therapeutic music entertainment, and online music media. Sponsorship packages start at $3,000 with all options available online at www.kidlinks.org/soc. For more event information and sponsorship details, contact  Leigh Treviño at leigh@kidlinks.org.

2024 PARTICIPATING CHEFS

*Honorary Chef Chairs

FEATURED HORS D’OEUVRE CHEF

Dino Gonzalez, Chef de Cuisine, The Rayleigh Underground

FEATURED DINNER CHEFS

Justin Box, Chef*, Private Chef, Consultant and Restaurateur

Aaron Collins, Chef de Cuisine, Cafe Momentum

Eric Dreyer, Executive Chef, Monarch Restaurant

Anthony Hsia, Executive Chef, Ellie’s Restaurant & Lounge

Miriam Jimenez, General Manager & Partner, Miriam Cocina Latina

Henry Johnson, Executive Chef, Bistro 31

John Kleifgen, Executive Chef, Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse

Dan Landsberg, Executive Chef, The Texas Barn at Circle T Ranch

Kevin Martin, Chef de Cuisine, TERRA

Giuliano Matarese, Chef & Restaurateur, Miss Pasta

Jennie Kelley, Chef/Owner and Brandon Moore, Chef/Owner, Fond

Nikky Phinyawatana, Chef & Founder, Asian Mint Restaurant Group & ChefNikky.com

Janice Provost, Chef & Owner, Parigi

Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, Executive Chef, José

Jeramie Robison, Director of Culinary & Executive Chef, Thompson Dallas

Luke Rogers, Executive Chef & Owner*, Beckley 1115

Rodman Shields, Culinary Director, Milkshake Concepts

Jordan Swim, Owner, Vestals Catering

Leo Ramirez, Sous Chef, Dee Lincoln Prime

FEATURED PASTRY CHEF

Jill Bates, Pastry Chef, Sugar and Sage Bakery

On Thursday, April 27, Candy Evans of CandysDirt.com led a Spring Market Refresh discussion hosted by Trinity Falls, a 2,000-acre Johnson Development master-planned community in McKinney, TX. The all-star expert panel included George Bass, owner and interior designer of George Bass Stage and Design; JPAR Realtor Marisol Gallegos; Shay Geyer, owner and interior designer of IBB Design Fine Furnishings; Ebby Halliday Realtor Hollie O’Gorman Siglin; and Sarah Nowak, owner and interior designer of Sarah Nowak Interiors. CandysDirt.com publisher Candy Evans moderated the panel discussion, which focused on sprucing up marketing plans and staging for success in an uncertain market.

Top tips shared included:

• High ceilings, sliding doors, chandeliers, and ceiling fans are hot items for Spring/Summer
• Not every room needs to be photographed for a listing or featured in an Instagram Reel
• Listen to your designers and trust the pros!
• Don't underestimate the power of professional photography in showcasing a good staging job
• Deep clean before listing a property and clean up the clutter
• Use white and champagne-colored fabrics and linens to make the house bright

The Trinity Falls development served as a perfect backdrop for the discussion, as guests toured model homes and viewed the Collin County community that is now home to about 1,700 residents. At Trinity Falls natural beauty and exceptional amenities combine to create a spectacular lifestyle. A world apart from the hustle and bustle of nearby Dallas - yet never far from major employment centers, shopping, dining and fun - Trinity Falls offers beautiful new homes by award-winning homebuilders, acres of open green spaces, miles of forested trails and opportunities to connect with neighbors and friends.

On Saturday, April 1, Gala Co-Chairs Jolie Humphrey and Gail Plummer, along with Honorary Co-Chairs Ambassador Kathryn Walt Hall and Craig Hall, welcomed than 350 Dallas leaders, philanthropists and lovers of the arts to celebrate the magic of musical theater at Broadway Dallas’ 2023 Gala featuring a full performance of MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL, raising $870,000 in support of Broadway Dallas’ nonprofit’s mission to spread the gift of Broadway to more than 40,000 students and their families each year including 3,400 Dallas ISD students and more than 5,000 students from 72 schools who participate in the High School Musical Theatre Awards.

Creatively imagined by Hamilton A Sneed of HAS Events, the Parisian affair at the Music Hall at Fair Park began with a pre-show cocktail reception and silent auction inside a French boudoir, followed by a four-course custom dinner menu created by FGF Catering paired with HALL wines. Taking inspiration from the iconic Moulin Rouge cabaret of the late 1800s and 1900s, the Crystal Terrace Dining Room was transformed into a modern Parisian-cabaret with the help of Fauxcades, Shag Carpet Props, Murray Media, Jan Strimple Productions and 25 plus other event partners.

The highlight of the dinner program featured 30+ students from Guyer High School who participate annually in Broadway Dallas’ High School Musical Theatre Awards performing “Paris Holds the Key (to Your Heart)” from ANASTASIA. Excitement then filled the room as paddles were raised high for exclusive live auction packages and a paddle raise.  Broadway Dallas’ 2024 Gala featuring a full performance of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL! was then announced and had guests marking their calendars for Friday, February 2, 2024.

Notable guests in attendance included Lydia and Bill Addy, Broadway Dallas Board Chair Tom Watson and Leigh Ann Watson, Calvert Collins and Vince Bratton, Sara Lee and Stan Gardner, Sally and Forrest Hoglund, Tina and Brian LuAllen, Helen and Brendan McGuire, Mary Lucille Quick and Robert Quick, Kymberley and Tony Scalia.

“I want to express our immense gratitude to our wonderful supporters for coming together on this spectacular night to celebrate magic of Broadway, MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL, and the impact we continue to make through our education and community partnerships programs,” said Ken Novice, President and CEO of Broadway Dallas. “Spreading the spirit of Broadway is our driving force, and because of the generosity exhibited at this year’s gala, we are able to continue and build upon our education and community initiatives as we work to make a difference in the lives of others through the power of live theater.”

The evening continued with a show-stopping performance of MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL, winner of ten 2021 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, after which, happy, confetti sprinkled guests headed to the After-Hours Fête post-performance party hosted by Co-Chairs Emma Coppola and Hannah Hunt. The party featured French-inspired fare including crepes from Whisk Crepes Café, parmesan and truffle pommes frites and croque monsieur, a full flowing bar with specialty themed cocktails, tunes spun by DJ Sheka, plus a special performance by Trap Opera Star Madelyn Brené. As patrons headed home, Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs provided their famous corny dogs as a late-night snack for the road.


The 2023 Broadway Dallas Star of the Show sponsors included Forvis, HALL Group/HALL Wines, PNC Bank, and Broadway Dallas 2024 gala chairs John Quattrocchi and Joseph DeMartino. Producer underwriters included Lydia and Bill Addy in honor of The Addy Foundation, Stacey Jones Angel and Venise and Larry Stuart, Mark & Elizabeth Cannon, TEAMIZZY Foundation, Fox Rothschild LLP, Frost Bank, Haynes and Boone, LLP, Jolie & Bart Humphrey and Sheryl and Gary Wood, The Massiatte Family, Roberto Quiroz Mata, Michelle and Chris Mazzini, Jim Pitts, Gail Plummer, Western Addition Restaurant Group, Sheri and Andrew Rosen, Phil and Toni Sanders, and Laura and Randy Wright. The paddle raise was sponsored by The Rosewood Corporation and the silent auction was sponsored by Luminate, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC.