Jewel Charity Ball 2024 welcomed 1,600 guests to the most opulent discotheque Fort Worth has ever seen, starring one of the most iconic entertainers it's ever booked: Diana Ross.

The clever theme of the March 2 gala as stated in the invitation, "70 Year Legacy of Giving: In Fabulous 70's Style," not only celebrated Jewel Charity's seven decades of giving to Cook Children's Health Care System but set the stage for the Motown and disco queen herself to reign over the crowd.

Under the guidance of Jewel Charity president Kathleen Kelly Sneed; ball co-chairs Michelle Miles, Laura Rooker, Sandra Tuomey, Tara Warren; and their committee of hundreds, the night was filled with the sights, sounds, tastes, and - most especially - the groove of the '70s.

Thanks to Melanie Tatum Events, the cavernous Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall at Will Rogers Memorial Center was transformed into an elegant "club" filled with flower power, Technicolor touches, and - oh yes, dazzling jewels, too.

The verve began when guests arrived at the valet stand, where they were greeted by disco dancers (Mavs Dancers). Performers on roller skates welcomed patrons inside, where they were served up tiny hors d'oeuvres from vinyl records. An Elton John impersonator entertained from a piano and mugged for photos while he played.

Gelatin shots were served off vinyl records at the cocktail reception.Courtesy photo

Vibrant florals in shades of orange and fuchsia filled the room, and disco balls hung from the ceiling.

Disco balls weren't just a decorative motif for the night, they were also a sartorial theme. Gowns in gold and silver metallics and sequins were the No. 1 fashion trend of the night (as seen on many of the women in the photo gallery, above) followed closely by black gowns trimmed in feathers (as worn by JCB chair Sneed herself).

During the cocktail reception, patrons bid on silent auction items and purchased raffle tickets. Up for grabs were lavish trips, experiences, gift cards worth thousands, cars, and more. At the Neiman Marcus Jewelry Bars flanking either end of the room, guests could try on sparklers from a number of designers on display - and buy them, of course, with a portion of proceeds going to Cook Children's.

When the dinner chimes sounded, guests sat down to a plated beef tenderloin meal by Wolfgang Puck Catering. The stars of the table were the adorable amuse bouche set-ups at each place: individual crocks of Gruyere and Emmentaler fondue kept hot by a tealight, with kalamata olive, rosemary, and butter & sea salt rolls perched atop and held together by a disco ball-festooned skewer.

A highlights video introduced Diana Ross, and hundreds of cellphones went up in the air as she emerged on stage singing "I'm Coming Out." Donning a sequined, tangerine-colored gown and holding a hand fan, Ross looked every bit the diva she's been for her five decades as one of the world's best-selling recording artists.

Ross performed some of her biggest hits from her days with The Supremes, including “Stop! In the Name of Love” and “You Can’t Hurry Love.” She showed who's “The Boss” and turned the room "Upside Down," leading the audience in arm waves and giving little shakes and shimmies to the music.

Diana Ross performs "You Can't Hurry Love."Courtesy photo

"Come on, let's move your body or put your hands in the air," she urged the crowd after announcing that she, herself was 25 days shy of her 80th (!!) birthday.

She ended her impressive hour-long set with the crowd-pleasing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and capped it off with her rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive." Many guests stayed next to the stage, hoping for an encore, but soon the lights came back up.

While some chose to call it a night and head for the coffee and bon-bons at the door, the party was amping up for late-night revelers. Q The Band got the dance floor moving and grooving to their takes on contemporary hits by Taylor Swift, the Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, and more.

All that dancing begged for some late-night snacks, and soon servers were passing out golden-fried Monte Cristo sandwiches, fully loaded tater tot “totchos,” and Twix ice cream bars.

Spotted in the crowd, having a great time, were Fort Worth mayor Mattie Parker and former Fort Worth mayor Betsy Price, fashion designer Nardos Imam, 1883 actor Eric Nelsen and Sainty Nelsen, along with Natalie Wilkins, Craig Berry, Allison Berry, Stephen Gilchrist, Pamela Gilchrist, Aaron Perkins, Evan Perkins, Haddy Manuel, Tyler Morris, Bill Morris, Edward Manuel, Mia Fleischer, Abigail Anton, Mary Furlong, Marcie Ditto, Kyle Ditto, Susan Semmelmann, Marc Semmelmann, Benson Varghese, Anna Summersett Varghese, Laura Bird, Greg Bird, Michelle Marlow, Lezlie Monteleone, Taylor Bennett, Laura Fierer, Stephanie Reid, Jessica Ott, Kalee Savage, Clay Mazur, Becky Mazur, Amanda Schooler, Blake Schooler, Jenna Kinkead, Courtney Lewis, Amy Renda, Steve Skillman, Mary Nan Skillman, Tiffany Payan, Heather Fish, Leslie Robnett, Kristin lakatta, Mel Kurkjian, Adrienne Lombardi, Butch Luskey, Sandra Luskey, Gina Cook, Jennifer Truelson, Carol Williams, Lauri Lawrence, Kim Johnson, Kelly Dillard, Jeff Dillard, Molly Reid, Rusty Reid, Skipper Schmidt, Randall Schmidt, and more than 1,500 more patrons and guests.

Co-founded in 1953 by Nenetta Burton Carter and Bille Bransford Clark as a fundraiser for Cook Children's Medical Center, the first Jewel Charity Ball took place January 30, 1954 at the Texas Hotel and netted $9,000. Totals from 2024 are still being tallied, but to date, Jewel Charity has raised more than $81 million. The ball celebrates the Angel donors who generously support the patients.

  

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Natalie Wilkins, Craig Berry, Allison Berry, Stephen Gilchrist, Pamela Gilchrist, Aaron Perkins, Evan Perkins