2011 Dallas Symphony Orchestra AT&T Gala was “All the Raj”

Oct. 7, 2011 - PRLog -- Guests were welcomed by an energetic performance of belly dancers and drummers outside the Meyerson Symphony Center before entering a lavish cocktail reception complemented by the Young Strings Cello Ensemble.  Bright, vibrant colors, palm trees, ornamented tents, and suzani lighting effects transported guests to the exotic reaches of India and Morocco, thanks to the talented and creative design team, Todd Fiscus of Todd Events and Gala Co-Chair Barbara Daseke of Barbara Elliott Interiors.

After an elaborate multi-course dinner expertly crafted and executed by Culinaire Executive Chef Tim Semenuk, guests followed the Moroccan drum rolls to the concert hall.  Welcoming remarks and words of thanks were offered by Gala luminaries including Honorary Co-Chairs, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Joe and Julie Straus, Gala Co-Chairs Don and Barbara Daseke, AT&T Regional Vice President Holly Reed, and Chairman-Elect of the DSO Board of Governors Blaine Nelson.

The highlight of the evening was the concert, confirmed by Scott Cantrell of the Dallas Morning News who wrote, “Start to finish, this was white-hot music making, as passionate as it was lovingly detailed."  Famed violinist Joshua Bell romanced the audience with the heavenly sounds of his legendary Stradivarius violin and new Chorus Director Joshua Habermann and the 200-member chorus made an impressive first outing.  The excellence of the entire concert was led by DSO Music Director Jaap van Zweden.

Honorary After-Party Chair Anna-Sophia van Zweden turned heads in her custom-made Prashi Shah-designed gown and jeweled headdress.  The designer also dressed Barbara Daseke in a beautifully embellished Indian-inspired long gala skirt.   The band, 440 Alliance, entertained the lounge area, while electronic beats bounced alongside DJ Lucy Wrubel . . . literally . . . who appeared weightless behind the turntables on a trampoline.  Dude, Sweet Chocolate and Macallan scotch pairings were a huge hit, and the dance floor shook until the wee hours of the morning with even some fine moves from Joshua Bell.

Among the 1,200 concert-goers were DSO Interim President David and Sally Hyslop, Margaret McDermott, Mary McDermott Cook, NorthPark Center Owners Nancy Nasher and David Haemisegger, Ebby Halliday Companies President and CEO Mary Frances Burleson, Bank of America – Dallas President Richard Holt, Texas Instruments Senior Vice President/General Counsel/Secretary Joe Hubach, BankTec Chairman of the Board/CEO Coley Clark and wife Jennifer, and Italian Pianist Alessio Bax and wife Lucille Chung.  Young socialites Ana Pettus and Jessica Olsson mingled with FOX 4 lovelies Fiona Gorostiza, Lauren Przybyl and Natalie Solis and Courtney Kerr of Bravo’s Most Eligible, Dallas.

This year’s DSO AT&T Gala was a catalyst for offshoot parties.  A very exclusive, private party for 50, hosted by Deloitte, was held at the home of Blaine and Patti Nelson the night before the Gala where guests saw a more personal and witty side of Joshua Bell in an intriguing Q&A session.  Joshua Bell received a house tour where he took great comfort in the entertainment room with a huge home theater and reclining leather chairs to watch a few minutes of football.   The VIP party, hosted by Ritz-Carlton General Manager Roberto van Geenen, continued after-hours at the enchanting hotel for an exclusive few.  Hotel Zaza took on a new title as the Official Hotel for the Gala After-Party, and Equinox served as Co-Sponsor of the Young Professionals After-Party.  Ernst & Young and Deloitte graciously served as the Jaap van Zweden Artist Sponsor.

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Friedman Marketing and Public Relations is a boutique public relations firm in Dallas specializing in media relations for lifestyle clients. www.friedmanpr.com / 214.559.0122