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

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

Historic Home Tour - Preservation Park Cities

 

4301 Windsor Parkway
Sponsored by Meredith Ferrell Group

Make this Historic Home Tour part of a fun Mother’s Day weekend! Preservation Park Cities is excited to present its annual Historic Home Tour presented by Benchmark Bank to be held on Friday, May 9, 2025.

4036 McFarlin
Sponsored by Bean Co. Homes

This annual Historic Home Tour offers an exquisite look into some of the most beautiful residential architecture, interior design and landscapes in the Park Cities. This event celebrates homes that have been preserved or remodeled while maintaining the beautiful aesthetic of the Highland Park and University Park neighborhoods.  From small cottages to larger estates, the home tour is a small window into the past, a celebration of those who share the community’s values, and a wonderful treat for those who appreciate historic architecture.

4302 Overhill Drive
Sponsored by Evan Beale MD

This year's Tour offers an intimate look into three unique Park Cities residences. From enduring Tudor masterpieces to the allure of traditional architecture, witness the meticulous efforts of these homeowners in preserving and updating these neighborhood treasures. In walking through these homes, you will be impressed with how each owner has seamlessly blended original charm with modern elements for today’s lifestyles while maintaining architectural integrity.

Proceeds from the Historic Home Tour benefit Preservation Park Cities whose mission is to preserve and promote the history, architecture, aesthetics and cultural traditions of the Park Cities.

Tickets are sold online only. No tickets sold at the door. $35.00 per person in advance and $45 day-of tour, if there are any left. Limited number available online only: https://preservationparkcities.org/hometour  

Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit with Secret Sisters and Shinyribs

 

Mark your calendar! The 13th annual Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit is set for Thursday, May 29 at the historic Longhorn Ballroom—and you won’t want to miss it!

This year’s event, benefiting Grant Halliburton Foundation, features double headliners: The Secret Sisters and Shinyribs, plus an exciting live and silent auction.

Join Eric Nadel for an unforgettable night of music and giving back. Proceeds support the Foundation's mental health and suicide prevention education and resources for North Texas children, teens, and young adults.

Tickets and information:

Eric Nadel's Birthday Benefit — Grant Halliburton Foundation

TWU Leaders and Students Gather to Recognize Donors

On April 8, Texas Woman’s University (TWU) held a reception at Catherine and Sam Susser’s Preston Hollow home to introduce 100 Dallas community and business leaders to the university. TWU faculty, representatives and supporters also attended. 

Brooke Bailey, Stephanie Wilcox, Vickie Yakunin, Neena Newberry
Photo Credit: Andy Palos / Texas Woman's University

TWU Dallas President Monica Christopher thanked everyone for coming and recognized the 35 generous donors of the Dallas President’s Leadership Council (DPLC) and the nine founding members—all of whom are women. “If you remember two things tonight, TWU’s unique mission and commitment to student access and its excellence in our current health science programs. Our Occupational Therapy program is ranked #1 in Texas,* and our Physical Therapy program is ranked #2 in the state.” The TWU Dallas campus is located in the heart of the Southwestern Medical District and contributes to the workforce of North Texas. (*U.S. News & World Report)

Laura Estrada, Lily Weiss, Gayle Halperin, Lynn McBee

TWU Chancellor Carine Feyten discussed how her predecessor, Dr. Ann Stuart, first promoted the idea of TWU being its own university system and the need for Dallas to stand on its own. TWU is now the seventh public university system. Feyten told how she met and hired Christopher as the inaugural president. “President Christopher is helping TWU open doors in Dallas to businesses, community organizations and supporters.”  

Catherine Susser, host, TWU Campaign Cabinet and DPLC Founding Member, said, “Two passions of mine drew me to TWU’s mission: education and healthcare.” I’ve been impressed to learn about the important health research that is taking place at TWU, especially at its Mike A. Myers Stroke Center.”

Dr. Carine Feyten, Michael Preciado, Avery Ellis-Byerly, Catherine Susser, Monica Christopher

TWU Nursing undergraduate student Michael Preciado told about being a research intern at UT Southwestern and giving a presentation on his research at the American Heart Association’s Stroke Conference in February 2025—all because of his learning experiences at TWU. “I want to be a part of the TWU history.”

TWU Physical therapy doctoral student Avery Ellis-Byerly said that she selected TWU’s program because of its reputation, 100% pass rate and 100% employment rate. “I’m so grateful I said yes to TWU.” She will receive her doctorate in May 2025.

For more information about TWU and giving, visit https://twu.edu/advancement/.