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

New Friends New Life COF Spring Wine Tasting

 

Purchase tickets here: Wine Tasting 2025 — New Friends New Life

Dallas Cinco de Mayo Parade - Saturday, May 3

 

Celebrating Hispanic heritage and tradition, the Dallas Cinco de Mayo Parade – presented by the Oak Cliff Coalition for the Arts (OCCA) – is set for Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to noon in Dallas’ Oak Cliff neighborhood. Billed as the biggest and longest-running parade in North Texas, the mile-long procession will take place on historic Jefferson Boulevard, a vibrant hub for Hispanic communities and businesses. Free and open to the public, the annual celebration is funded in part by the Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District alongside other generous sponsors. NBC5 / Telemundo39 is the official media sponsor, providing in-kind promotional sponsorship.

The festivities will commence with the official welcome at 8 a.m. at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center, located at 223 W. Jefferson Blvd. Expect a warm Texas welcome with coffee, pan dulce (pastries) and deejay music.

At 9 a.m. the celebration kicks off with the Parade Step Off Confetti Shoot at the corner of 300 W. Jefferson Blvd. and S. Madison Ave. Local officials and guests of honor will lead the long-anticipated Cinco de Mayo Parade with dozens of colorful floats, decorated vehicles, marching bands, inflatables, dance groups and more, showcasing the spirit and joy of the community along historic Jefferson Boulevard.

A longtime favorite is back! Making a special return appearance is the Selena Movie Car – the iconic "Selena movie car" is a candy-apple red 1969 Chevrolet Impala lowrider featured in the 1997 film about the Tejano singer, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez.

New this year are the popular and trending parade characters – created in the Mojiganga style – that are sure to instill excitement! The giant puppets will be designed to resemble iconic Mexican personalities. Spectators will have a chance to vote for their favorite Mojiganga puppet, with the winning entry receiving a monetary prize.

Choctaw Cover-to-Cover Music Festival at Klyde Warren Park

Kick off your summer at the Choctaw Cover-to-Cover Music Festival at Klyde Warren Park on Saturday, May 31, from 1 - 7:30 PM! This music festival will be a non-stop party with eight high-energy cover bands and exciting casino-style gaming with Choctaw Casino & Resort game tables.

Savor complimentary wine tastings from RNDC, shop from 20 unique Boho Market vendors and enjoy delicious bites from Klyde Warren Park’s iconic food trucks. Need a drink? Mi Cocina cash bars will keep the good times rolling all day long!

General Admission tickets are only $35, but for the ultimate festival experience, grab a VIP “Friend for the Day” ticket for $125! VIPs get access to an open bar, Mi Cocina catering, and exclusive activities in the shaded comfort of the VIP area in the Sheila and Jody Grant Children’s Park—a perfect retreat from the action with plenty of seating.

Choctaw Casino & Resort Durant Presents Cover to Cover — Klyde Warren Park

4th Annual Mothers’ Brunch & Bazaar Hosted by Auxiliary of Nexus

 

4th Annual Mothers’ Brunch & Bazaar

Monday, April 14, 2025 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Honorary Chairs | Rachel Stacy and Lauren Savage

2025 Chairs | Maggie Kipp and Cathleen Griffith

This year’s event is SOLD OUT!

You can still support this year’s 4th Annual Nexus Auxiliary Mothers’ Brunch and Bazaar by purchasing a raffle ticket to win one of three fabulous gift baskets filled with items from our one-of-a-kind bazaar vendors plus local goodies such as B’s Knees Candles and a manicure/pedicure bundle from Inwood Nail! Each basket is valued at $500 or more and you do not need to be present to win!

Purchase raffle tickets here: Mothers' Brunch | Nexus Family Recovery Center

Rainbow Days to Host 28th Annual Pot of Gold Luncheon

 

Rainbow Days is delighted to announce its 28th annual Pot of Gold Luncheon, taking place on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the Westin Dallas Galleria.

This inspiring event will raise funds to support Rainbow Days’ programs, which provide essential services to at-risk and homeless children across the Dallas community.

Rainbow Days is thrilled to announce the 2025 Pot of Gold Luncheon keynote speaker is Victor Rivas Rivers. Victor is a veteran star of more than two dozen films, most known for The Distinguished Gentleman, Mask of Zorro, The Hulk and more. Born in Santi Spiritus, Cuba, Victor immigrated to the United States at the age of two. After growing up in an abusive household, he took legal action against his father at age 15 and entered the foster care system. With the help of his community, he turned his life around from hard gang member to earning a senior class football scholarship. Upon graduation he was drafted to play for the Miami Dolphins. Victor continues to raise awareness regarding domestic violence, citing that it is not just a women's issue, but an issue that is relevant to everyone.

Rainbow Days is honored to have Matt and Tiffany Macleod as this year’s Event Chairs. Matt, a retired marine and current Executive Risk Officer at JP Morgan Chase, specializes in cyber security and insider risk. Tiffany, a Dallas/Fort Worth native, is the founder of Elizabeth Scott Design, where she has built a remarkable career in event planning and design. Together, they are dedicated supporters of Rainbow Days’ mission to help children overcome challenges and thrive in the face of adversity. 

The Pot of Gold Luncheon is a meaningful and celebratory event that supports Rainbow Days’ programs through ticket sales, sponsorships, donations, and auction proceeds. Attendees will enjoy an uplifting program, which includes a motivational keynote address, performances by Rainbow Days children, and inspiring testimonials. With over 500 guests expected, the Silent Auction will feature more than $100,000 in exciting items and will open for online bidding on Monday, May 5, 2025.

Pot of Gold Luncheon 2025 | Rainbow Days

Meadows Museum celebrates 60th birthday with Family Day Bash on Sunday

Sixty years ago, on April 3, 1965, SMU opened the doors to the Meadows Museum as part of its School of the Arts. Now, in a freestanding building six times the size of its original space and with a collection approximately doubled in size, the Meadows Museum is the premier U.S. institution dedicated to the study and presentation of Spanish art and culture.

The museum will be celebrating its milestone birthday all year long with an exciting slate of programs and exhibitions. The centerpiece of the celebrations will be a weekend of anniversary-themed programs held April 3–6. 

Here is a list of the upcoming activities planned for the 60th birthday celebration:

60TH BIRTHDAY FREE ADMISSION WEEKEND

Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, April 6, 1–5 p.m.

Visitors are invited to enjoy free admission and explore the Meadows Museum’s stunning permanent collection along with the monumental traveling exhibition The Sense of Beauty: Six Centuries of Painting from Museo de Arte de Ponce, featuring Flaming June and other masterworks by European, American, and Puerto Rican artists. Also on view is A Decade of Acquisitions: Celebrating Works on Paper, a special exhibition of Spanish drawings, prints and watercolors from the 17th to the 21st century recently acquired by the museum.

THE MEADOWS MUSEUM’S “ERAS” TOUR

Saturday, April 5, 2–3 p.m.

This Saturday, the museum’s standing public tour will have a special 60th-anniversary focus, exploring key works acquired during each of the museum’s past six decades.

FAMILY DAY | 60TH BIRTHDAY BASH!

Sunday, April 6, 2–4 p.m.

Enjoy art-making activities, games, interactive gallery experiences and, of course, birthday cake! Strollers are welcome, and free parking is available in the museum’s underground lot. In honor of its milestone birthday, the museum is giving back—attendees are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the DFW Birthday Brigade, which serves up birthday magic for unsheltered youth in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

For more information: Meadows Museum, Dallas

Stewpot Alliance Patron Party - Recap & Photos

Alliance president Bea Njuguna and Chef Brian Luscher

Patrons and volunteers of The Stewpot Alliance Soup’s On Luncheon and Art Sale recently gathered for a soiree at The African American Museum in Fair Park to celebrate the success of the 17th annual fundraiser held in January.

Charlene Jin-Lee, Margie Francis and Amy Desler
Photo credit: Simon Luna Photography

Brenda Snitzer, executive director of The Stewpot and Alliance president Bea Njuguna and Soup’s On co-chairs Isabell and Philip Higginbotham and Buddy Jordan thanked the attendees for their valued time, talents and support of the luncheon and art sale. Celebrity chef chair Brian C. Luscher also recognized the vital importance of the services provided by The Stewpot, especially during the current “arctic blast.”

Alliance board members Jonathan Mauerer and Morgan Cline 

While below freezing temperatures are a life-or-death situation for those living on the streets, and The Stewpot team shared that their team was actively working with neighbors to find transportation and shelter in Fair Park out of the frigid air. The Stewpot staff were on the streets handing out cold-weather gear such as coats, hats, gloves and hand warmers to help everyone stay safe.

Buddy and Janet Jordan

Since its founding in 1975 to feed people on the streets downtown, The Stewpot has served more than 8.7 million meals. It has also grown to provide comprehensive services and a community of support for people experiencing poverty and homelessness, including programs that stabilize, house and enrich the lives of Dallas neighbors. These include helping people recover over 112,000 vital ID documents to access services and employment, funding 233 four-year scholarships for college or vocational school since 1991 and helping provide housing for 320 people since its rapid rehousing program began in 2021.

Texas Woman’s University Honors Nicole Small and Virginia Chandler Dykes

Texas Woman’s University (TWU) hosted another successful Dallas Leadership Luncheon on March 6 at The Arts District Mansion, where the university recognized Nicole Small as the 2025 Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award recipient. A signature fundraiser for TWU, the event supports scholarships for graduate students while celebrating leaders who have made a significant impact on education and the quality of life in the Dallas community. The presenting event sponsor was Luther King Capital Management. 

Nicole Small and Dr. Carine Feyten

The highlight of the luncheon was a moderated conversation with Small, who is the CEO of LH Capital, Inc. and Lyda Hill Philanthropies, and education philanthropist Abby Williams, who with her husband Todd Williams received the 2024 TWU Leadership Award. The event also featured the announcement of $77,000 in scholarship awards presented to the 32 graduate students selected for the 2025 class of Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholars. Six of those were recognized: Abi Rainey (College of Arts and Sciences), Bradaisea Ridge-Law (Merrilee Alexander Kick College of Business and Entrepreneurship), Dr. Savitha Sundar (College of Health Sciences/Occupational Therapy), Jenny Reynolds (College of Health Sciences), Kiara Whitney (Houston J. and Florence A. Doswell College of Nursing), and Christiana Parra (College of Professional Education). 

Carol Glendenning, Barbara Glendenning, Don Glendenning, Leigh Glendenning Roberts (TWU alumna)

Luncheon speakers were the program emcee, Lisa Rampy, Vice President of University Advancement and Alumni Engagement; Shannon Mantaro, Executive Director of the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership, the luncheon sponsor; Ralph Hawkins, event chair and a past Leadership Award recipient; and TWU Chancellor and President Dr. Carine M. Feyten. 

Chuck Chandler, Patricia Crocker, Dr. Ron Chandler

The TWU Dallas Leadership Award is named in honor of the late Virginia Chandler Dykes, a TWU alumna and TWU Board of Regents member who was a noted healthcare leader and champion for education. Dykes’ sons Dr. Ron Chandler and Chuck Chandler attended, as was Virginia’s longtime friend, Patricia Crocker. 

Since 2002, the event has raised $2.42 million for graduate student scholarships.  Returning as the event’s presenting sponsor was Luther King Capital Management. 

Dr. Monica Williams, Dr. Carine Feyten, Abby Williams, Nicole Small, Monica Christopher

Additional thanks to these sponsors

Luncheon Sponsor: Texas Woman’s University's Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership

VIP Reception Sponsor: Billingsley Company

Pioneer Platinum Sponsor: Lyda Hill Philanthropies

Pioneer Investors: Sue S. Bancroft, Carol & Don Glendenning & Leigh Glendenning Roberts 

Pioneer Premier Partners: Children’s Health, Haynes Boone, The Hersh Foundation, The Hirsch Family Foundation, Nicole and Justin Small/Justin and Nicole Small Fund, Valeo Partners  

Learn more about the Dallas Leadership Luncheon at twu.edu/DallasLeadership