The City’s Philanthropists, Children’s Advocates, And Community Leaders Gathered At The Proper Hotel Austin For A Dazzling Rat Pack-Inspired Dinner With Friends, Where Emotional Storytelling, Spirited Auctions, Casino Fun, And Unforgettable Performances Helped Raise $1.3 Million For Life-Changing Youth Mentorship Programs

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography By Collin Findlay Photography

THE SCENE: The Proper Hotel Austin was the setting for an intimate, yet highly successful night of fun and fundraising. Approximately 250 of the area’s most notable children’s advocates, community leaders, sociables, and philanthropists attended the 2026 Dinner with Friends. Benefiting the Friends of the Children Austin Chapter, the night featured a “Vintage Vegas” theme, serving up great food, an epic live auction, and dazzling performances that those fortunate enough to be a part of will not soon forget.

THE VIBE: The Supper Club-attired crowd took great fun and liberties in showcasing their best Rat Pack-inspired looks. In the crowd, one could spot a mix of traditional black-tie attire, velvet dinner jackets, ascots, and metallic and bold-colored ballgowns. The result was a welcoming environment where everyone was ready to have a good time.

As guests ascended the stairs to the second-floor ballroom level of the Proper, they knew a very special evening lay ahead for them. After taking a moment to pose for images with Vegas-style Showgirls festooned in white feathers on the landing of the Proper staircase, votives of varying heights and sizes guided revelers to a lively cocktail hour.

Once partygoers reached the top of the stairs to the Proper Ballroom foyer, they grabbed their favorite spirit of choice and mingled with other guests. Some could be seen taking out their phones to bid on a curated list of silent auction items, while others were getting their Vegas odds early, playing roulette to get into the event spirit.

The doors to the Proper ballroom opened, and guests filed in for dinner and a show. An elegant palette of black tablecloths with red and white accents created a sophisticated look for the room. Anchoring the room were two pianos to give the crowd a tease of the show that lay ahead. Additionally, every seat was carded, giving each table in the room the feel of an intimate dinner party for 10, which allowed friends, new and old, to gather.

As guests dined on their delectable, multi-course meals, they were treated to words from event and organization leaders. Each thanked them for their support, which offers life-changing mentorship opportunities for 225 children in the Austin area. This included an emotional program video showcasing the success of Friends of the Children Austin, leaving the audience barely dry-eyed.

Next, acclaimed auctioneer Lydia Fenet took to the stage. Entertaining the crowd, she led a spirited live auction, with paddles flying for an array of luxury packages and experiences. An inspiring Paddles-Up followed, which raised over $530,000 to support Friends of the Children’s life-changing work.

Capping off the program was an engaging dueling piano performance by Felix & Fingers Dueling Pianos that brought the crowd to their feet. Upon the conclusion of the performance, guests headed back to the Proper ballroom foyer for more casino games and dancing, ensuring the fun went on into the wee hours of the morning.

THE NON-PROFIT: The 2026 Dinner with Friends, chaired by Ali Atlas and Lauren Liggett, raised an astonishing $1.3 million for Friends of the Children Austin. Proceeds from the event will support ongoing, life-changing mentorships that advance the organization’s mission to break the cycle of generational poverty.

Go Inside The Rat Pack-Inspired Glamour Of Austin’s Dinner With Friends Gala…

Austin’s Best-Dressed Crowd Embraced The Theme
Velvet dinner jackets, ascots, metallic gowns, black-tie elegance, and bold pops of color gave the evening a stylish Old Vegas flair.

Casino Games And Silent Auction Bidding Started Early
Guests mingled in the ballroom foyer while trying their luck at roulette and bidding on curated silent auction packages from their phones.

The Ballroom Décor Delivered Sophisticated Vegas Glamour
Black tablecloths with red-and-white accents, candlelit tables, and twin pianos created an intimate supper club atmosphere throughout the ballroom.

An Emotional Video Left Hardly A Dry Eye In The House
Guests were deeply moved by a heartfelt program showcasing the impact Friends of the Children Austin has on more than 225 local children through mentorship.

Lydia Fenet Sparked A Frenzy During The Live Auction
The acclaimed auctioneer energized the crowd as paddles flew for luxury experiences before an inspiring Paddles-Up raised more than $530,000.

Felix & Fingers Dueling Pianos Closed The Night With A Bang
The high-energy performance brought guests to their feet before the celebration continued late into the evening with dancing and casino fun.