Applause-worthy party

Fort Worth Opera toasts diamond anniversary with sparkling night of sipping and singing

A year of new directions for the Fort Worth Opera took patrons to Whiskey Ranch for a Fall Preview Concert that included arias, yes, but also strong cocktails, cheffed-up cuisine, and a DJ dropping danceable beats. As the November 6 soiree proved, this is not your grandma's opera from 75 years ago.

On a picture-perfect fall evening, VIP guests arrived at the home of Firestone & Robertson TX Whiskey in time to catch the most breathtaking sunset-views in the city. To keep things COVID-safe, everyone showed their vaccination card or recent negative test result, then masked up indoors as an extra precautionary measure.

First stop was the bar for a generous pour of a Texas beverage — Rahr & Sons beer; Brennan Vineyards wine; or one of two signature cocktails, the autumn-inspired Maple Whiskey Cider (TX Whiskey, fresh apple cider, and maple) and the kicked-up Boot Stitch (TX Whiskey, grapefruit, lime, agave nectar, and jalapeño). Guests sipped and noshed on a charcuterie spread before heading inside for the main event, the concert.

FWO general director Afton Battle welcomed the audience and thanked them for supporting the company's 75th "diamond anniversary" season, then turned the stage over to FWO artistic director Joe Illick. Serving as host and accompanist for the concert, he and special guest singers Elaine Alvarez (soprano), Russell Thomas (tenor), and Spencer Reichman (baritone) joined FWO's Lesley resident and studio artists Brandon Bell, Gabrielle Gilliam, Lwazi Hlati, Megan Koch, and Kayla Nanto for performances of favorite pieces from beloved operas. Among them: Carmen, Otello, Don Giovanni, Pagliacci, Die Fledermaus, and Il Trovotore.

The main "preview" part of the Fall Preview Concert came in the way of a grand introduction of an all-new production of Verdi's La Traviata, which FWO will stage at Bass Hall in April 2022. After a rousing performance of Traviata's famous drinking song "Brindisi," the creative team behind the new production — director John de los Santos, set designer Liliana Duque Piñeiro, and costume designer Ashley Soliman — gave a behind-the-scenes look at the show's evolution. (Among the creative twists: It'll be set in 1989 — 200 years after the French Revolution — the set will feature a chandelier made of champagne flutes, and some costumes will be hip-hop inspired.)

After the concert, the party kicked into high gear. Guests refueled at the bar and noshed on gourmet hors d'oeuvres — including Mini Beef Wellingtons, Bacon Wrapped Quail Breast, Mini Lump Crab Cake, and Butternut Squash Empanadas — provided by award-winning Fort Worth Chef Juan Rodriguez. Of course, dessert included Whiskey Pecan Pie.

Dallas DJ Blake Ward crossed county lines to keep things upbeat. Some folks showed off their moves on the dance floor, while others relaxed by the big fireplace on the porch.

Spotted in the diverse crowd of 140 guests, enjoying the sparkling evening, were Marshall B. Moore, Ashley Lacamp, Deborah Ferguson, Tamara Albury, Adrian Burciaga, Mariajose Cervantes, Giną Browning, Jasmine Hart, Johnica Rivers, Lauren Phillips, Airin J. Barnett, Laura K. Wise, Cynthia Rodriguez Sturns, Robert Sturns, Michael Medina, Sandy Martinez, Estella Martinez-Stuart, Nicolette Duvall, and Brian J. Smith.

Baritone Spencer Reichman leads the artists in "Brindisi" from La Traviata.

Baritone Spencer Reichman with the FWO Lesley Resident and Studio Artists

Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Opera

Baritone Spencer Reichman leads the artists in "Brindisi" from La Traviata.

opera galas

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.