36th Texas Black Invitational Rodeo

 

Saddle up! Dust off those cowboy boots and giddy up to the 36th Texas Black Invitational Rodeo on Saturday, July 26, at 7 p.m. at the Fair Park Coliseum (1438 Coliseum Dr., Dallas, Texas 75210). Doors open at 6 p.m., with the Grand Entry Parade beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the competition at 7 p.m. 

Presented by and benefiting the African American Museum, Dallas, the family-fun rodeo showcases Black cowboys and cowgirls competing for cash prizes in bronc and bull riding, calf and steer roping, barrel racing and a Pony Express relay race. The evening also features on-field kids’ activities, trick lasso performances, live music, concessions, and more.

With proceeds benefiting the African American Museum, Dallas, rodeo tickets are $15 and VIP seats are $43 (plus fees) at fairparktix.com. Tickets are also available at the museum and at the coliseum on the day of the event (although last year’s event sold out early).

State Fair Saddle Up

 

The State Fair of Texas is proud to announce the return of the State Fair Saddle Up fundraising event benefitting Texas students for 2025. This event is hosted by the Big Tex Champion Club, and funds raised will support the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Program, which has awarded more than $33 million in auction awards and college scholarships in its history. Click here for more details on this event with the opportunity to be a part of the host committee or to volunteer: Big Tex Champion Club | State Fair of Texas

2025 State Fair Saddle Up | Murad Auctions

KidneyTexas, Inc. - 2025 Luncheon and Fashion Show

KidneyTexas, Inc. Luncheon and Fashion Show The French Connection is slated for Friday, September 26 at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas. 

Allison Brodnax is chair. Donna and Herb Weitzman are honorary chairs. Anne and William Seanor are presenting sponsors. Mari Epperson is president, KidneyTexas, Inc.

The morning will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a champagne reception followed by a runway fashion show featuring fashions from NorthPark Center produced by Robin Chauvin. It is all topped off with a delicious luncheon. 

Tickets and sponsorship are available now: https://e.givesmart.com/events/G4L/ 

SPARK! Dallas Celebrated its 10th Anniversary at SPARKtacular

On May 1^st, SPARK! Dallas celebrated its 10^th anniversary with a fundraiser, SPARKtacular, at Leigh and Bryce Williams’ home. More than 160 guests attended, bid on silent auction items, and enjoyed appetizers and beverages. Guitarist Matt Brooks played current and favorite hits. 

Matt Brooks
Photo Credit: Tamytha Cameron

 

It was a family affair for Honorary Chair Sarah Losinger whose children and spouses attended. At one creative station, attendees had their individual photos taken. Then, they matched them up with their birthday and colors to be added to an original artwork collage created for the event. 

 

Event Co-Chairs were Nell and Shelby Bush & Carol and Sam Dalton. 

Nell Bush, Sarah Losinger, Meg Bittner, Carol Dalton

 

Meg Bittner, SPARK! Dallas executive director, thanked everyone for coming. “There are two questions I want to answer for you. First WHY—why we are here. We raise money for scholarships for free or discounted rates to help children take field trips to learn about creativity seeing over 18,000 children a year. Maybe we find that one Picasso in the group. The second is HOW. You are the how to continue the creative process by your gifts. Thank you for helping us create that ‘spark’ in children.” 

Bryce Williams, Leigh Williams

 

Suzy Styfer, Amy Sabin

Nell Bush added, “We applaud the work of SPARK! Dallas and the difference it’s making in the lives of our children.”

 

Carol Dalton encouraged people, “Take a minute and bid on the fabulous items, such as original artwork and more, or make a donation.” 

McKenna Gannon, Carrie Rowling, Bessie Doffermyre

 

To learn more about supporting the organization, visit https://sparkdallas.org/. 

Adrienne Brown, Tim Brown

Davis Bittner, Taylor Bittner, Joe Bittner, Meg Bittner, Lauren Bittner, Ellis Bittner

ACM Awards 60th Anniversary Gala

The Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives are hosting an exclusive and intimate gala honoring the achievements of 25-time ACM Award-winning duo Brooks & Dunn. 

The gala will take place on Wednesday, May 7, the night before the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards. The event will feature an elevated seated dinner, a curated silent auction, highlights from historic moments from the 60-year history of the Academy, the presentation of a special honor to Brooks & Dunn, and performances of Brooks & Dunn’s hits from Country Music’s top acts, including Eric Church, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban, and Lainey Wilson. The evening will be hosted by TV and Radio personality Bobby Bones. The Pre-Show and Live Auction will be presented by Shawn Parr. Proceeds will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable partner of the Academy of Country Music with a focus on mental health-based initiatives in the Country Music industry.

Tables and Individual Tickets are Available for Purchase through LiftingLives@acmcountry.com

60th ACM Awards Return to Frisco

 

The 60th ACM Awards are returning to Frisco, Texas on Thursday, May 8, live from Ford Center at The Star, the world headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys, and will stream live on Prime Video globally and exclusively. 

Hosted by 16-time ACM Award-winning entertainment icon, Reba McEntire, the ACM Awards will be free to stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on Thursday, May 8 at 8 p.m. EDT / 7 p.m. CDT / 5 p.m. PDT. A Prime membership will not be required to watch live, everyone is invited to the Party of the Year. 

The monumental show will celebrate six decades of Country Music and feature unforgettable performances by the genre’s most legendary and multi-award-winning stars. 

The powerhouse performers for the landmark 60th Academy of Country Music Awards will include Blake Shelton, Eric Church, Lainey Wilson, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, Clint Black, Cody Johnson, Kelsea Ballerini, LeAnn Rimes, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, and Wynonna Judd. The celebration of 60 years of the ACM Awards will feature an opening you won’t want to miss, with 12 minutes straight of music highlighting ACM Songs of the Year from six decades in an all-star performance that brings together Clint Black, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, and Sugarland. The milestone show will also feature powerhouse duets, including a collaborative performance between Backstreet Boys and Rascal Flatts; a standout performance from Jelly Roll and Shaboozey; and Brooks & Dunn will take the stage with Cody Johnson. 2024 ACM New Female Artist of the Year, Megan Moroney, will also join this year’s star-packed show.

Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Greater Dallas will celebrate 75 years at Diamond Anniversary Gala

 Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Greater Dallas will celebrate 75 years of serving the community with a Diamond Anniversary Gala on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole Dallas, Trinity Ballroom. 

Co-Chairs Lori and Mike Cohen, Ann and Michael Ochstein, Karla and Larry Steinberg, and Julie and Michael Zimmermann join Honorary Co-Chairs Sharon and Eric Goldberg, Ynette and Jim Hogue, Susie and Joel Litman, Stanley Rabin, Jackie and Steve Waldman, and Donald Zale along with JFS leadership in presenting this celebratory evening. Guests will enjoy entertainment by the Jordan Kahn Orchestra as well as dancing, food stations, an open bar, silent auction, and a luxury raffle.

“As we celebrate 75 years of impact in Dallas, we hope the community will join us in honoring and commemorating the impact of our health services, which focus on physical, emotional, nutritional, and financial well-being, at this festive affair,” said Cathy Barker, CEO, JFS. “While there will be a time to sit, eat, and enjoy a program and presentation, the party atmosphere will encourage guests to be out of their chairs, mingling, dancing to the music of the Jordan Kahn Orchestra, reviewing the silent auction, and more. This is a celebration!”

During the evening, JFS will pay tribute to those whose impact has been pivotal in the nonprofit’s mission to meet the community’s needs and its continued growth by recognizing past presidents and the gala’s co-chairs and honorary co-chairs, who also make up the capital campaign leadership team.

JFS is currently building a foundation for the next 75 years through its Meeting the Moment Capital Campaign, which will culminate with an early 2026 opening of the organization’s new 100,000-square-foot home, The Karla and Larry Steinberg building, located in Addison. From an expansive food pantry, career and financial services and family violence intervention to behavioral and medical services, JFS is one of the few nonprofits that provides comprehensive services under one roof.

“Join us for a fun, elegant evening as JFS celebrates decades of life-changing impact and service to our community and discover how you might help us shape the future,” added Barker. “We are excited to build upon this 75-year legacy and transform even more lives in the decades to come.”

Tickets for the JFS Diamond Anniversary Gala are $250 and are available at https://www.jfsgala75.com/.

Sponsors of the JFS Diamond Anniversary Gala are Title Sponsor Susser Bank and event sponsors American Airlines, Central Market, Sewell, and Texas Jewish Post.

Thrift Studio - Last Few Days to Shop!

 Dwell with Dignity's Thrift Studio is open through May 3rd! 

Hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm, and there is no cost for admission.

There are still a few days to shop furniture, artwork and accessories at deeply discounted prices.

100% of proceeds support Dwell with Dignity's mission.

“We replenish the studio daily, so there’s always something new to discover,” said Teresa Charnock, executive director of Dwell with Dignity. “Every purchase helps us transform spaces into homes for families who are coming out of difficult situations and supports schools and nonprofits that need beautiful, functional spaces to further their mission.”

Thrift Studio features six new designers annually who install vignettes using their own donated inventory. The pop-up also includes a curated selection of general donated furniture and décor, as well as artwork collected at the Art+Color Party.

The 2025 Thrift Studio is chaired by Samantha Reitmayer Sano and Joslyn Taylor Swoon, the studio, and Art Chair Hannah Brown, Hannah Brown Art. 

Opry NextStage Live from Texas

 

Meet your new country music obsession at Opry NextStage Live from Texas. Join us at the Lexus Box Garden at Legacy Hall on May 7th at 2:30 p.m. for a showcase of country’s rising sound. Host Jelly Roll is joined by the talented NextStage Class of 2025: Avery Anna, Chayce Beckham, Dasha, Kaitlin Butts, Kashus Culpepper, Tigirlily Gold, and Tucker Wetmore. These artists have the talent, the stories, and the sound to become the next big thing. And we’re bringing them into the limelight in a way that only the Opry can.

The next era in country music begins here. Join us LIVE and get ready to fall in love with these rising stars. This is an all ages event!

General Admission Standing Room & tables are available for purchase:

Opry NextStage Live From Texas | Legacy Hall