Rob Giardinelli
The Texas Spring Gala season ends with a bang this year, including events to commemorate holidays, red carpet events, and one that whisks us to the other side of the pond. In fact, the season’s end is so spectacular, we had to make our top 10 list a Top 12 for the first time. Here are twelve stellar galas and signature fundraising events that we recommend you have on your radar in the Lone Star state and beyond all during May. See you there.
1. Austin – St. David’s Foundation – Toast Of The Town – May 2–May 31
One of Austin’s most beloved Spring fundraising event series is turning 40 this year. Happy anniversary to St. David’s Foundation’s Toast Of The Town, which has always put an interesting twist on what a signature fundraiser can be. Instead of one big event, the organization puts together a list of approximately 20 bespoke, intimate parties during May for anywhere from 8 to 50 people.
Chair Tobie Funte and Vice-Chair Laurée Moffett have gone all out this year creating 18 dazzling parties over the course of 30 days along with four Toast at Home parties that you can enjoy from the comfort of your living room. The All-Star event lineup includes an opportunity to dine at the legendary Franklin Barbecue, enjoy an evening with Austin power couple, University of Texas Head Football Coach Steve Sarkasian and Fashion Influencer Loreal Sarkisian, and a night at the Music Box House with a performance by legendary musician Ray Benson just to name a few will make the 40th anniversary of Toast one to remember for the ages.
2. Houston – DACAMERA – DACAMERA Gala 2024 – May 3
One of the most fun galas in Houston each Spring, the DACAMERA 2024 combines the joy of music with delectable food and wine. Held each year at The Four Seasons, the night will draw approximately 250 of the city’s top music patrons, food lovers, and philanthropists for a memorable night of fun to support DACAMERA and its mission to provide innovative concerts throughout Space City.
Co-chaired by Drs. Annette and Anthony Brissett, the night will celebrate legendary Artistic Director Sarah Rothenberg’s 30-year tenure with the organization. The night, emceed by KHOU Anchor Len Cannon, will feature a cocktail hour that includes a wine pull featuring many highly coveted, limited-edition wines. The night will be capped by musical performances by two acclaimed artists: Jazz pianist Jason Moran and multi-dimensional mezzo-soprano Alicia Hall Moran.
3. Dallas – Turtle Creek Conservancy – Day At The Races – May 4
Nothing beats a good Kentucky Derby Party. One of the very best in Texas Derby Parties for the past 16 years has been A Day At The Races. Hosted by Turtle Creek Conservancy, patrons get to take advantage of several spaces in Turtle Creek Park including the iconic Arlington Hall for fun camaraderie and plenty of wonderful fashion.
Chaired by Melissa Sherrill Martin and Ross Martin, the Derby-chic crowd will turn out amazing looks and hats in a way that only Dallas can. Upon arrival, patrons will experience a VIP reception where guests will sip on mint juleps and engage in a spirited live auction in anticipation of the fastest two minutes in sports. After the run for the roses is completed, guests will then cap off the evening with a dinner featuring Southern-inspired cuisine and dancing.
4. Austin – ZACH Theatre – Red, Hot & Soul – May 4
Always one of Austin’s most fun galas each year, ZACH Theatre’s Red, Hot & Soul is back for another year of fun with a theme that will have guests’ creative juices flowing. This year’s theme, The Prom, is based on the Broadway musical and subsequent Netflix movie starring James Corden, which is running at ZACH through May 12th.
Chaired by Julie Williams, the night will feature a cocktail reception where revelers will bring their favorite prom looks past and present. During the cocktail hour, guests will have the opportunity to sip on spiked punch as a nod to proms of patron’s past. Dinner and a program will follow that will include a live auction and performance numbers from various ZACH productions as well as their children’s troupe, ZACH Academy. The night will be capped off with one of Austin’s best after-parties where the fun will extend well into the night.
5. Houston – Texas Children’s Hospital – An Evening With Legends – May 7
Always a must-attend gala in Houston each spring is back, and it has upped the stakes this year. Texas Children’s Hospital’s An Evening With Legends will boast a concert for the first time in over a decade with legendary music producer David Foster and his wife Katharine McPhee. Hundreds of the city’s most notable sociables, music lovers, and philanthropists will descend upon The Post Oak Hotel for this magical night.
Co-chaired by Sue Smith, Shelly and Brian Hendry, and Limor and Stuart Smith, who will welcome the piano bar chic-attired crowd in the ballroom foyer of the Post Oak Hotel for a cocktail reception before taking their seats for dinner and the program. Music lovers of all ages will enjoy hearing David Foster tickle the piano ivories, while his wife Katharine McPhee sings tunes, from the numerous iconic musical numbers this power producer has created over the past several decades. It will most certainly be a legendary night in the making.
6. Austin – Conspirare – Hidden Music: Pearl Essence – May 9
One of Austin’s (and Texas’) most beloved musical organizations is celebrating a milestone with this annual gala which is one of the city’s best arts fundraising events. Conspirare is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with an appropriate title for its annual gala Hidden Music: Pearl Essence which is a nod to the traditional 30th anniversary gift of pearls.
Chaired by Marvin Brittman, the night will feature several hundred of the Capital City’s most notable music lovers, sociables, and philanthropists to Distribution Hall for a night of fun and memorable music. The night will start with a VIP reception and cocktail hour before the main program begins. Conspirare Founder Craig Hella Johnson will hold court as this 11-time Grammy-Award nominee ensemble serenades the audience with beautiful music on a Steinway piano.
7. Dallas – The Family Place – ReuNight – May 9
One of Dallas’ premier Spring fundraising galas, ReuNight has captivated patrons of The Family Place, Texas’ largest provider to help survivors of family violence, over the past 11 years with innovative gala experiences that are usually held at a different venue each year. This year is no different as several hundred of the city’s most notable community advocates, sociables, and philanthropists will descend upon the Hôtel Swexan for a night of fun and fundraising.
Co-chaired by Kristin and James Hallam and Annie and Erik Miller will feature an astronomical theme courtesy of star event producer Steve Kemble. During the evening guests will be treated to a cocktail reception where patrons will peruse a luxury silent auction, a four-course meal courtesy of Executive Chef James Ash against the backdrop of tunes courtesy of The Hunter Sullivan Band. The night will be capped off with an epic Afterglow party at Babou’s, Hôtel Swexan’s speakeasy, is where the fun will continue well into the night.
8. Houston – Hobby Center – A Night At The Founders Club – May 10
One of Texas’ top performing arts venues, The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, hosts its first gala that will attract several hundred of Space City’s most prominent art patrons. This year’s A Night At The Founder’s Club will bring art lovers to the luxe space, where it will be transformed into a cabaret for a memorable night of art, music, and showstopping performances.
Co-chaired by Pam and Rob Doty, the cocktail attire crowd will experience a cocktail reception and multi-course seated dinner that will be served at intimate, cabaret-style tables that will add to the elegance of the evening. The evening will feature several musical performances, the highlight of which will be Tony Award-winning artist Adrienne Warren, who originated the role of Tina Turner in Tina Turner: The Musical.
9. Dallas – Make-A-Wish® – Wish Night 2024 – May 11
Held at the Omni Hotel is one of the most anticipated Spring galas in Dallas and North Texas. Make-A-Wish® of North Texas’ Wish Night 2024 will draw hundreds of the city’s most notable community leaders, children’s advocates, sociables, and philanthropists who turn out to support the organization’s mission of providing life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.
Co-chaired by Alison Delzell and Paige Kelly, the black-tie crowd will begin the evening in the foyer outside the Omni Ballroom for a cocktail reception where patrons can grab a hand-crafted cocktail, mingle with other guests, and peruse the impressive silent auction. The festivities then head inside for the main program where partygoers will be treated to a multi-course dinner and a touching program where guests will see just how wishes positively impact the lives of the children they serve.
10. Houston – Holocaust Museum Houston – LBJ Moral Courage Award Dinner – May 13
Always one of Houston’s best-known and most widely attended events, the Holocaust Museum Houston’s annual LBJ Moral Courage Award Dinner draws over a thousand of Space City’s most notable community leaders, sociables, historians, and philanthropists who all converge on the Hilton Americas-Houston for a night that is informative, touching, and fun.
Co-chaired by Frank and Stephanie Tsuru, the black-tie crowd will begin the evening with a VIP reception where patrons will get to mingle with the guests of honor, former US Ambassador to the European Union, Stuart E. Eizenstat and CNN Anchor Dana Bash. Guests will then file into the Hilton Americas Houston ballroom for the main program which will include a multi-course seated dinner and words from Eizenstat and Bash.
11. Austin – Austin Film Society – 2024 Toast To Texas Film – May 16
Over the years, Austin Film Society’s annual gala Toast To Texas Film has hosted A-List stars of the entertainment industry who hail from Texas to celebrate their contribution to film. This year continues that trend courtesy of native Austinite and mega-star Glen Powell, who will be this year’s honoree, attracting a sold-out crowd of several hundred to Troublemaker Studios to celebrate both his contribution to film and his latest project, HIT MAN.
Guests who are fortunate enough to score a ticket to the gala will also be provided seats to the advance screening of Powell’s latest project, HIT MAN the evening before at Paramount Theatre. The gala, co-chaired by Tracy LaQuey Parker and Heather Wagner Reed, will feature patrons donning their finest Austin-chic crowd who will enjoy a cocktail hour, seated dinner, program, and words from Glen Powell himself.
12. Paris – American Friends of Versailles – Le Gala de Fleurs d’ Oranger – May 31-June 3
To cap off Texas’ super savvy social season this year, you will want to cross the Atlantic for four days of captivating fun, art, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Hosted by the American Friends of Versailles, Le Gala de Fleurs d’ Orangerie, will provide art lovers with a curated weekend in Paris featuring private, art tours, evening soirées, and the opportunity to get VIP access to one of the world’s most iconic cultural landmarks. Chaired by Houston native and San Antonio resident Alicia Bryan, revelers will kick off the festivities with dinner at the stunning Château de Bagatelle to both bask in the space and get to know fellow patrons as you spend time together over the weekend. Partygoers will also be treated to bespoke events at Hôtels de Soubise et de Rohan and yes Château de Versailles itself. The weekend will be capped off with a farewell fête hosted by world-renowned designer Juan Pablo and Pilar Molyneux in their historic 17th Century Residence in Paris, as well as a picnic on the Chateau’s grounds, putting the exclamation point on an amazing Texas social season.
