2026 Humble Beginnings Luncheon with Venus Williams as Keynote Speaker

Austin Street Center’s signature luncheon, Humble Beginnings, will take place on Friday, October 16, 2026, in the Chantilly Ballroom at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas.

This year marks the 26th annual event and features the theme “Unlocking Hope: Where Healing Has a Home.” 

The luncheon is chaired by Lindsay & George Billingsley and Connie & Nick Babikian and presented by Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt.

The event will feature tennis legend, entrepreneur, and global advocate for equality Venus Williams as this year’s keynote speaker. With seven Grand Slam titles, five Wimbledon championships, and four Olympic gold medals, Williams is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished athletes in sports history and champions wellness, entrepreneurship, and gender equality around the world.

With your support and attendance, Humble Beginnings will raise critical funds and awareness surrounding homelessness in our community while advancing Austin Street Center’s mission to provide safe shelter and pathways to housing for North Texans experiencing homelessness.

More information here:

Humble Beginnings Luncheon - Austin Street Center

TACA Masquerade: An Evening of Secrets + Stories + Support for the Arts

 

Step into an unforgettable evening of secrets, stories, and support for the arts at the Statler Hotel. Experience captivating mainstage entertainment and an inspiring gathering of arts supporters from across Dallas.

Savor signature cocktails and elevated food stations as you mingle, celebrate, and raise vital support for the arts in North Texas.

Join us as we honor three remarkable leaders whose vision and commitment are shaping the future of the arts in Dallas County: Joanna St. Angelo, Distinguished Arts Leader, for her extraordinary decades of service and dedication; Amy O'Neil, Innovative Arts Leader, in recognition of her imaginative and impactful work in digital marketing; and Hamilton A Sneed, Legacy Builder, whose generosity and vision is helping shape the next chapter of support for the arts in our community.

Dress: Semi-formal attire with masques encouraged — express your style and embrace the spirit of the evening.

Schedule:

VIP Pre-Reception | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Main Event | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

After Party | 10:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Masquerade | TACA

The Great Create to Transform the Nasher Garden on Oct 25

 

The Great Create

Sunday, October 25, 2026

Each year, The Great Create transforms the Nasher Garden into an interactive, art-filled space for kids and families. Children can put their hands to work in engaging projects led by artists from North Texas and beyond, as well as enjoy live entertainment and kid-friendly food.

Proceeds from The Great Create directly benefit the Nasher Sculpture Center, bolstering the museum’s efforts to provide outstanding education programs. Collectively, these programs reach tens of thousands of children, students, and families each year.

The Great Create Packages & Tickets

Burgers + Burgundy 2026

DIFFA Dallas’ annual foodie event returns to The Village Dallas on October 22, 2026. 

Created by Chef John Tesar, this not-to-miss party gathers celebrity chefs from across DFW and the nation, each presenting their unique take on the perfect slider, perfectly paired with a glass of wine. 

Burgers + Burgundy combines gourmet bites with a great cause.

Every ticket purchased directly supports DIFFA Dallas’ mission to provide funding, resources, and support to organizations working to improve the lives of people affected by HIV/AIDS and advance health equity in North Texas.

Purchase tickets here!

Dallas is final global stop for Mandela: The Official Exhibition before its return to South Africa

 

Just in time for the State Fair of Texas, millions of visitors will have an opportunity to experience Mandela: The Official Exhibition running through Nov. 1, 2026, at the African American Museum, Dallas, in historic Fair Park.

NOTE: During the State Fair (Sept. 25–Oct. 18), Fair admission is required to enter Fair Park. Otherwise, the museum, exhibition and parking are free and open to the public.

The celebrated exhibition chronicles Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary journey from political prisoner to president – and his enduring message of courage, reconciliation and service – which continues to resonate across generations and continents.

Spanning all four of the Museum’s upper-level galleries, the exhibition unfolds through multisensory storytelling, tracing Mandela’s life from his rural Eastern Cape childhood through anti-apartheid resistance and 27 years in prison to his historic presidency as South Africa’s first democratically elected leader. Along the way, visitors can follow the defining chapters of Mandela’s story and encounter the people, places and pivotal experiences that shaped one of the 20th century’s most influential figures.

The exhibition was funded locally in a unique manner. 

Inspired by Mandela’s spirit of service, resilience, justice and courage, a host committee of 12 Dallas-area professionals – dubbed The Mandela 12 – together raised $426,500 to help bring Mandela: The Official Exhibition to Dallas.

The Mandela 12
Photo Credit: Lawrence Jenkins

Chaired by Karl Biggers, with Dorian Goodwin serving as vice chairman, the group currently serves as civic ambassadors for the exhibition, using its collective influence and community connections to build awareness, cultivate partnerships and broaden the exhibition’s reach. Representing business, the arts, education and civic leadership, The Mandela 12 has helped ensure that families, students and visitors can experience Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy of courage, resilience, justice and reconciliation.

The exhibition also serves as a learning resource for students and educators, with curriculum materials, group visits and docent-led tours designed to explore Mandela’s life alongside themes of justice, leadership, resistance and reconciliation.

For more information, go to aamdallas.org

Savor the Symphony - An Evening at The Mansion

 

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League (DSOL) is delighted to announce Savor the Symphony An Evening at the Mansion happening on Thursday, November 19, 2026 at the renowned Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. 

  Chaired by Dianne LaRoe, Beth Thoele and Sandy Ammons, with Venise and Larry Stuart as honorary chairs and Patti Flowers as DSOL president, the event promises to be an intimate gathering of tastemakers, community and business supporters to benefit the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) and its youth education and community engagement programs. 

Guests will be treated to a cocktail reception, raffle and a gourmet three-course-seated dinner. This 26th annual gala promises to be a feast for the senses with delicious fare, beautiful music and the opportunity to support the DSO in the very special setting of the Mansion, one of Dallas’ favorite culinary destinations. Cocktail attire. 

Since the founding of Savor the Symphony in the fall of 2000, the event has raised more than a million dollars benefiting the DSO Education and Outreach programs.

  Gather your friends and secure your tables now!  Individual Patron tickets are $500 and $1,500 with varying benefits. Patron levels begin at $5,000 up to $100,000. 

Visit the website for details here or contact savor@dallassymphonyleague.com or call Christine Winn at 713-309-5612.

  Proceeds from the event benefit the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) and its youth education and community engagement programs.

First Ladies' Bruncheon

First Ladies’ Bruncheon is a faith-based event that raises critical funding for the Genesis at South Dallas Advocacy Center.

Saturday, October 3, 2026

10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Arts District Mansion

Featured Speaker

Pastor Sonjia Dickerson

Pastor Sonjia B. Dickerson is a powerhouse of purpose, faith, and leadership!

She’s not just in ministry — she is called to it. With a voice that moves nations and a heart that nurtures souls, she spends her time shaping lives, building vision, and advancing the Kingdom of God.

As Executive Pastor of Dayspring Family Church in Irving, Texas, she leads with her husband, Bishop Kevin Keith Dickerson, stewarding a thriving ministry that reflects excellence, empowerment, and Spirit-filled worship. But her impact stretches far beyond her local church.

She is a global voice, having ministered nationally and internationally for over 30 years, carrying the mantle of revival, healing, deliverance, and divine wisdom. She is the founder and CEO of the Outpouring Women’s Conferences, which impact thousands of women annually, in and outside of the state of Texas. 

If you're interested in purchasing a table or individual ticket, please email events@genesisshelter.org

Texas Vignette Announces 60 women artists for 2026 Vignette Art Fair

After receiving more than 230 submissions, Texas Vignette announced that 60 women artists from across Texas have been selected for the 2026 Vignette Art Fair, taking place Oct. 1-3 at On The Levee in Dallas Design District (1108 Quaker St., Dallas, TX 75207). 

2025 Vignette Art Fair

The eighth-annual fair is free and open to the public Oct. 2-3, with two ticketed preview opportunities – a new Patron Welcome Dinner Sept. 30 and a Preview Benefit Oct. 1.

Presented by Texas Vignette, the juried event is unique in that it is fully submission-based, presented in an exhibition-style setting, and solely features the work of women artists. Most significantly, 100% of all sales proceeds go directly to the artists. 

The 2026 curator is Alison de Lima Greene, Isabel Brown Wilson Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), where she has served since 1984.

mORAN Extraterrestrial 24inx30in collage on Wood

Following this summer’s call for entries, Texas Vignette received 233 applications representing more than 1,500 works – both record numbers for the organization – from artists in 76 cities. After careful consideration, Greene selected 60 artists from cities across the state, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Frisco, Austin, Houston, El Paso, Nacogdoches, Los Fresnos and Rhome.

Flanzella Lost at Sea

Vignette Art Fair will be open with free admission Friday, Oct. 2, from noon-7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. In addition, a limited number of tickets will be available for purchase to the Patron Welcome Dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 6-9 p.m., featuring an exclusive first-look experience with a seated dinner and wine pairing. Guests may also purchase tickets to the Preview Benefit on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 6-9 p.m., which features meet-and-greets with the artists and curator, music, light bites and an open bar.

For more information, go to texasvignette.org.

13th Annual Dallas All Star Chef Classic at Longhorn Ballroom

 

 

13th Annual Dallas All Star Chef Classic

Sunday, October 4, 2026
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
VIP Reception begins at 5:00 PM

 

Longhorn Ballroom
216 Corinth Street, Dallas, TX 75207

Enjoy an unforgettable evening of exceptional cuisine, live music, and community impact — all benefitting Dallas 24 Hour Club.

Event Chairs 

Amy and Bruce Williams

Georgia Henley

Lily Henley

Honorary Chef C0-Chairs

Scott Ruwart, Executive Chef of Delilah Dallas

Joel Orsini, Executive Sous Chef of Delilah Dallas

Participating Chefs

Kim Canteenwalla — Crown Block

Donna Collins — The Jelly Queens

Carlo Gattini — Botolino Gelato Artigianale

Mike Lawson — The Elephant Lounge

Robert Luttrell — Evelyn

Jason Martin — JRMartin

Mike McCoy — Chef to the Shelters

CJ Morgan — The Hubcap Café

Franchesca Nor — Dive Coastal Cuisine

Misti Norris — Far Out

Meaders Ozarow — Empire Baking Co.

Evan Pemberton — Midcult Society

Gerardo Pena — Rodeo Goat

Tida Pichakron — Haute Sweets Patisserie

John Pineda — Crown Block

Nikky Phinyawatana — Asian Mint

Lizbeth Ramirez — Crown Block

Abraham Salum — Salum Restaurant

Mike Stites — Midcult Society

Tony Street — Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse

Alejandro Velazquez — McRae's American Bistro

Justin Wern — Garden Café

Michael Wyatt — Full City Rooster Coffee Roasting Studio

2026 DALLAS ALL STAR CHEF CLASSIC by Dallas 24 Hour Club | BetterUnite