Rob Giardinelli
Event Is Successor To The TWO X TWO For AIDS And Art Gala
By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Colby Tallia, Getty Images, Ryan Emberley Courtesy of amfAR
THE SCENE: The home of Dallas philanthropists Kathleen and Scott Kirby was the setting for the inaugural amfAR Dallas Gala. The event, one of the successor events to the legendary TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art, attracted several hundred medical leaders, music lovers, sociables, and philanthropists from around the world for a star-studded night of fun and fundraising.
THE VIBE: The artful-chic crowd featured a mix of cocktail and black-tie attire. In the crowd, one could spot ballgowns, cocktail dresses, tuxedos, and suits in both neutral and bold-colored palettes. The result was a warm and welcoming environment for all attendees.
The night began with a cocktail hour where guests sipped spirits and enjoyed the beautiful grounds of the Kirby estate while mingling and brimming with anticipation of the fun ahead. Guests then headed to a tent on the Kirby grounds for the dinner and program portion of the evening.
Event host Teri Hatcher served as host and kicked off the night’s festivities once guests took to their seats. As partygoers dined on a delectable multi-course meal, they were treated to words from event and organization leaders. Each thanked patrons for being a part of a special evening that is sure to be the first of many successful amfAR Dallas Galas.
Next, awards were handed out to prominent supporters of amfAR with Texas roots. Dallas Mavericks basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki presented the amfAR Philanthropic Leadership Award to the Gene and Jerry Jones Family, which Jessica Jones accepted. Nicole Kidman presented Texas icon Taylor Sheridan with the amfAR Award of Inspiration.
A spirited live auction led by Michael McCauley of Sotheby’s followed. McCauley charmed the crowd and kept the paddles and the fundraising totals increasing as they eagerly bid on an array of luxury items and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
The night was capped off with a dazzling array of musical performances. Parson James kicked off the festivities, getting the crowd into the groove and enjoying his favorite tunes. The night was capped off with a performance by the legendary Diana Ross, who belted out several of her legendary tunes, including I’m Coming Out and More Than Yesterday. She concluded the night with a medley of several of her iconic songs from her early career days as a member of The Supremes.
THE NON-PROFIT: The inaugural amfAR Dallas Gala, hosted by Kathleen and Scott Kirby, raised over $3.1 million for amfAR. Proceeds raised from the event will go toward research to find a cure for HIV and AIDS. Since its founding in 1985, amfAR has awarded nearly $950 million in support of its programs, awarding over 3,800 grants to organizations worldwide to further HIV and AIDS research.
