Last night, the Texas Ballet Theater held their annual fundraiser gala at Chesapeake Plaza, also known as the world headquarters for Pier 1 Imports, in Fort Worth. This year’s theme was “Fire and Ice,” as evidenced by many attendees’ attire, which ranged in fire engine and lipstick reds to icicle and midnight blues. Some of the TBT dancers were also decked out in designs donated by local boutique Stanley Korshak, specifically Naeem Kahn gowns, which were also listed as some of the items to be sold at the live auction later in the evening (accompanied with four seats to their runway show this fall at NYC’s Fashion Week.)
The Project Band, a popular Dallas group mostly hired for such gigs, got the party started with their fun mix of Jazz, Motown, Disco and Top 40 hits. The TBT dancers as usual inspired the guests to get out on the dance floor, although their graceful, poetic movements were in stark contrast to the jerky attempts by the tuxedoed gentlemen to get into the groove. Dinner was catered by Wolfgang Puck, and included a smorgasbord of delectable dishes (heavy on the meat) coupled with white wine. I would have preferred some items from Puck’s menu at Five Sixty, the sexy little Asian bistro rotating high above the Dallas skyline at Reunion Tower, but beggars can’t be choosers.
Besides all the fashion watching and mingling, the idea behind the event is, of course, to support the ballet, which is celebrating its 50th year here in Texas. Check out their current performance, Sleeping Beauty, June 11th through the 13th at the Winspear Opera House.
