Rob Giardinelli
Texas Spring Gala season is in full bloom during March and features a fun mix of beloved nonprofit events around Texas. Below are ten stellar galas and signature fundraising events we recommend you have on your radar in the Lone Star State during March. See you there, right?
Houston – Tiger Ball Benefiting Asia Society – March 1
One of Texas’ most diverse and visually stunning events brings back the fun for 2024. Tiger Ball, benefiting Asia Society Texas has long drawn the city’s most stylish and influential philanthropists. This year’s theme: Celebrating Magnificent Asia is bound to bring the attire to a new level with its black tie or international dress-themed event. The event, co-chaired by Chinhui and Eddie Allen & Heidi and David Gerger, will honor Sabria and Kevin Lewis for their longstanding support of the organization. The night is expected to raise well over $1 million dollars and will include an opening reception, seated dinner, and dancing against the backdrop of a top-tier auction.
Austin – Crystal Ball Supporting Helping Hand Home For Children – March 2
Featuring over 1,100 attendees each year, Crystal Ball supporting Helping Hand Home is one of Austin’s most widely attended galas in the capital city each year. Held at Palmer Events Center, the night will draw patrons from ages 5 to 105, in a soiree that draws out the whole family. This year’s Crystal Ball, co-chaired by Kerianne Oliver and Jennifer Ramberg, starts with a cocktail hour followed by the presentation ball and will be capped off with an after-party. Guests can also participate in a raffle where the grand prize will be a five-night stay on a private island off the cost Belize that can accommodate 16 guests.
San Antonio – 1724 Gala Benefiting Alamo Foundation – March 2
Texas’ most iconic space is celebrating its 300th year in its current location with an epic event that will draw top sociables, patrons, and history enthusiasts throughout the state. The 1724 Gala benefiting the Alamo Foundation is a sold-out, black-tie affair of several hundred. Proceeds from the event will go towards the foundation to preserve and protect the Alamo grounds and tell its remarkable 300-year history to current and future generations. The night will feature a cocktail hour, seated dinner, and live auction helmed by Heath Hale of Cowboy Auctioneer. The night will be capped off with a performance by legendary country-music artist Martina McBride.
Dallas – Art In Bloom Supporting Dallas Museum of Art – March 4
Celebrating its silver anniversary this year, Art in Bloom, supporting the Dallas Museum of Art. Hosted by the Dallas Museum of Art League, it draws hundreds of the city’s most chic and fashionable sociables, art patrons, nature lovers, and philanthropists. This year’s Art in Bloom Chaired by Liz Patterson with Martha Jackson serving as co-chair will be held in the Horchow Auditorium and Atrium on the DMA grounds with proceeds benefiting the League’s Floral Endowment Fund. The afternoon will feature an opening reception, featured speaker Kristin Banta, luncheon and live auction, and a chance to view The Impressionist Revolution from Monet to Matisse exhibit.
Houston – Inspirit Benefiting Rothko Chapel – March 6
Featuring, a stellar committee that includes the legendary Lynn Wyatt as Cultural Ambassador, this event is bound to draw top art patrons from Houston and beyond. Held at The Astorian, Inspirit: Rothko Chapel’s Evening of Inspiration, benefiting the Rothko Chapel, will feature a headline trio of special guests from around the country including Cheech Marin, Dolores Huerta, and Vincent Valdez who will be a part of a conversation about the important relationship between art and activism. Additionally, patrons will also have the ability to bid on 26 highly curated artworks from renowned artists including John Alexander, Dorothy Hood, and Fanny Sanín.
Dallas – Chick Lit Luncheon Supporting Community Partners of Dallas – March 22
Always one of the most anticipated luncheons of the year in North Texas, the 18th Annual Chick Lit Luncheon supporting Community Partners of Dallas draws hundreds of the city’s most sociable, philanthropic, and community-minded leaders. This year’s event, held at the Hilton Anatole will feature keynote guest, actor, author, and singer-songwriter Rita Wilson. The event, co-chaired by Cathy James and Lisa Ogle with Christine McKenny serving as honorary chair will also honor Capital For Kids for their continued support of the organization. The afternoon will feature a wine reception and seated lunch with platinum-level guests also receiving an invite to the VIP reception preceding the luncheon.
Dallas – A Night to Remember Benefiting Aging Mind Foundation – March 23
One of Texas’ top galas that support finding a cure for Alzheimer’s and dementia is this event that has become a staple on the Dallas Spring social scene. The Aging Mind Foundation hosts an annual gala, each year with a different theme that ties to finding a cure for an illness that affects so many. This year is bound to dazzle with A Night To Remember theme that will draw several hundred sociables, philanthropists, and medical leaders for a night of fun at the Thompson Hotel. Co-chaired by James Cagle and Cary Moen, the night will feature a red-carpet arrival photo opportunity, cocktail reception, multi-course seated dinner, silent and live auctions, and an after-party with music from Corina Grove and Mitchell Ferguson.
Austin – Imagine Muny Benefiting The Muny Conservancy – March 24
It is an event that brings all corners of Austin’s philanthropic community together like no other. This year will be no different as hosts Ben and Julie Crenshaw and Scotty and Julie Sayers welcome several hundred of the Capital City’s most notable sociables, philanthropists, sports enthusiasts, and civic leaders for Imagine Muny III benefiting The Muny Conservancy, which seeks to preserve one Lions Municipal Golf Course, one of the city’s most iconic and historic green spaces. Held at ACL Live, the night will feature a cocktail reception, a multi-course seated dinner, and one of the city’s most anticipated live auctions. The night will conclude with an additional 1,000 guests, who will pour into the Mezzanine and Balcony levels of ACL for a concert featuring Ray Benson & Asleep at the Wheel with Larry Gatlin, Jimmie Vaughan, Gary P. Nunn and some surprise special guests. Purchase tickets here.
Houston – Gala at the Gordy Benefiting Stages Houston – March 24
Anytime the name Becca Cason Thrash is on an invitation, you know it will be an epic event. She, along with her husband John Thrash, Glenda and Russell Gordy, & Sally and Philip Edmundson will serve as honorary chairs, complementing the all-star list of event chairs including Kay Bruce, George Lancaster, Judy and Jim Nicklos, & Cabrina and Steven Owsley. This year’s Gala at the Gordy benefiting Stages Houston will be both fabulous and bittersweet as the organization honors retiring Artistic Director Kenn McLaughlin for his quarter-century of direction and leadership. The night will feature Fuchsia Flare with a cocktail reception, a performance in honor of McLaughlin, a seated dinner, and an after party with the revelry going until the wee hours of the morning.
Dallas – 32nd Annual Art Performance Event Supporting Vogel – March 30
One of North Texas’ best-known and well-attended Spring philanthropy events is back for another year…and with a slightly new spin on things. The 32nd Annual Arts Performance Event benefiting Vogel this year will feature a performance by a rock band for the first time, the legendary Barenaked Ladies. Several hundred of Dallas’ sociables will head to the Omni PGA Frisco Resort for a packed evening of fun including a cocktail reception in the Ryder Cup Ballroom, followed by a seated dinner and program. At promptly 8:30, Barenaked Ladies will take the stage, undoubtedly bringing the crowd to its feet with their catchy, nostalgic tunes and capping off another great month of galas in Texas.
