Russian Romance

Fort Worth's most glamorous gala honors the pianist who conquered Russia

Pianist Van Cliburn famously had a love of all things Russian, so it was only fitting that his namesake foundation choose "A Russian Romance" as the theme of a gala that paid special tribute to him. The 2018 Classically Cliburn Gala honored the 60th anniversary of his historic win at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958.

More than 450 guests, donning formal ballgowns and tuxedos, packed Ridglea Country Club on April 6 for what was undoubtedly the hottest Fort Worth gala ticket of the year. The event, chaired by Kaydee and Bill Bailey and Kim and Glenn Darden, also honored immediate past Cliburn chairman Carla Kemp Thompson and her husband, Kelly, for many years of dedication.

The night began with an elegant reception, where attendees — including Thomas Smith, Mercedes Bass, John and Cami Goff, Sasha and Ed Bass, Gail Rawl, Gary Cole, Marcia French, Ann Hudson, and Anne and Robert Bass — enjoyed a caviar and vodka bar while the Dallas String Quartet serenaded.

Then guests sat down to tables decorated ornately, with arrangements of brightly colored roses and twinkling candles, for a formal seated dinner. The menu featured dishes that cleverly referenced Russian music and culture: Salade Romanov, Boeuf Tchaikovsky aux champignons, Pommes de terre Prokofiev, and for dessert, Gâteau framboise Fabergé.

After dinner, Cliburn chairman Jeff King took the stage to thank the Thompsons for their service. He also gave a touching tribute to the late Van Cliburn, whose Tchaikovsky win helped bring together Americans and Russians at the height of the Cold War.

President and CEO Jacques Marquis told attendees that gala proceeds would support all Cliburn initiatives — this year, specifically, for the career management of the 2017 competition winners and for the Cliburn in the Classroom education program.

Those who wished to extend the night visited a Sigarnyy Klub with hand-rolled cigars and posed for photos in front of a giant Faberge egg backdrop that incorporated the Cliburn's distinctive "VC" piano-insignia. The Chris Norton Band kept the dance floor lively, especially for members of the Cliburn 180s — the organization's young professionals group — until 12:30 am.

The Fort Worth-based Cliburn advances classical piano music throughout the world through its international competitions, education programs, and concert series. Established in in 1962, the quadrennial Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (which takes place next in 2021) remains the most prestigious competition in the world for young pianists aspiring to a professional concert career.

Kaydee Bailey, Carla Thompson, Kim Darden

Photo by Joyce Marshall

Kaydee Bailey, Carla Thompson, Kim Darden

fundraisers music

Hot-to-trot party

Former Fort Worth mayor helps corral big bucks at New Hope Equine gala

Photo by Savanna Romano

Betsy Price, Scott Murray

As the sun set over expansive pastures north of Fort Worth, hundreds of city slickers headed up to the country, to Lucky Spur Ranch Retreat in Justin for the 2024 Hope Gala.

Benefiting New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy, the October 25 fundraising party went all in on the horse theme, offering guests "A Night at the Races."

About 220 attendees arrived donning Derby hats and fascinators, bowties, fedoras, and cowboy boots - it was on a ranch after all, and not Churchill Downs. They mingled and posed with New Hope horses, browsed an impressive array of silent auction items, tossed horseshoes at whiskey bottles, and wet their whistles at an open bar alfresco.

When the dinner bell rang, folks moseyed inside and filled up on a buffet of Southwestern favorites, including beef skirt steak, grilled chicken, street corn, and Yukon Gold mashed potatoes. Nothing Bundt Cakes provided enough cake bites to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Master of ceremonies, former NBC5 sports anchor Scott Murray, welcomed guests and acknowledged New Hope leadership, including gala event chair Jason Hodson.

New Hope Equine Hope Gala 2024 Claire Messerle, Betsy Price, Katie MesserlePhoto by Savanna Romano

Moments later came a rousing "Howdy, y'all!" - the familiar greeting from former Fort Worth mayor Betsy Price, who served as the event's honorary chair. She underscored the importance of the organization's mission.

"New Hope isn't just a service, but it opens doors for those who think they don't have the strength, they don't have the courage or the connections to regain their sense of independence," she told the crowd.

Photo by Savanna Romano

Hope Gala honorary chair Betsy Price with emcee Scott Murray.

Since 2012, New Hope has been healing through therapeutic horsemanship for people of all ages with physical, intellectual, or developmental special needs. In 2022, they debuted the Natural Horsemanship program for veterans and first responders grappling with post-traumatic stress.

Funds raised at the gala support the “New Hope” that riders need for a better quality of life.

But the horses benefit, too. The majority of New Hope horses enjoy a second life with the organization; some were even on local kill lists.

"This is Texas, folks! We ride horses in Texas," Price concluded. "And every dollar that you give tonight or that you invest somewhere along the way will be doubled or tripled in the returns to these folks who need the therapy and the ones who work in the barns and help us."

New Hope Equine Hope Gala 2024 Guests bid in the live auction.Photo by Savanna Romano

Auctioneer Mike Trent got bidding going fast and furiously in a live auction for one-of-a-kind trips and experiences, including a vacation to Hilton Head (sold for $2,600), a dinner with several Dallas Cowboys legends (sold for $7,000), and a luxury suite concert experience at Dickies Arena (sold for more than $10,000).

In total, the gala raised $95,000 for New Hope programs.

"The annual cost to care for one horse runs about $6,000, so your generosity will help us care for our horses that provide vital therapy to our over 40 participants," organizers said afterwards.

New Hope Equine Hope Gala 2024 Champagne Yacht Club Band kept the dance floor lively.Photo by Savanna Romano

As some guests wandered outside to enjoy the fresh nighttime air, others got moving and grooving on the dance floor to the sounds of the Champagne Yacht Club Band.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night were New Hope patrons, staff, board members, volunteers, and supporters, including Hamilton Sneed, Jennifer Kiedrowski, Nicole Matwijiw, Jennifer Morris, Pat Fultz, Red Fultz, Devan Peplow, Kathleen Beisly, Emily Rogers-Hicks, Susan Altshuler, Lauren Cobb, Ashley Cox, Mikenley Johnson, Blake Johnson, Kathleen Alexander, Melissa Howard, Claire Messerle, Katie Messerle, Sharla Kershen, Dave Kershen, Jason Hodson, Aaron Sturman, Jennifer Kiedrowski, Neal Bondy, Paul Barstad, Melanie Barstad, Mark Powers, DeAnna Powers, Kim Martin, Darlene Jacobs, Jim Jacobs, Debbie Thayer, and hundreds more.