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True Brit: Angela Budagher Everybody Charlie Price LOVES English Accent Namrata Nagraj Colleen Coyle Michelle John Jennifer Ellis Tiffany Bruckert an Carmaleta Whiteley A Jolly Good Night at Timothy Oulton D BY AMY ADAMS. PHOTOGRAPHY MARK ANTHONY NELSON. apper dudes (and the ladies who love them) headed to Timothy Oulton for an evening of Balvenie scotch, handrolled cigars and dashing duds from Q Custom Clothier. Of course, the true stars of the evening were the effortlessly hip furnishings — more than one bloke established himself on a leather Chesterfield sofa to better scan the scene. Buttonhole flora from Stems and on-site barbering from Hair by Charlie had guests Bond-ready. Owning the room: Carl Conway, Cesar Ramirez, Stephen Dunn, Jerod Dame, Billy Milner, John Hall, Bruce Boyd, Jennifer Janian, Anthony Stravlo, and Sandy and Barry Moore. Chris Wallace Marco del Val Carlo Ramirez Rachael Fallon Scott Carlson Melissa Enriquez Chris McCullough Ryan Bertolino Jackson Emily Messerschmitt Anna Kramer The ultimate man cave Kim Swell Richard & Ashley Burghardt Sheryl Tollenaar Facing the Glorious Music at Dallas Opera and Big Black Tie Jewel performing at Big Black Tie Star-studded Evenings with an Ethiopian Princess and a Glittering Jewel PHOTOGRAPHY HOLT HAYNSWORTH, JOHN HUDSON, ROB WYTHE. Hitting a High Note The Dallas Opera never fails to impress, especially since the move into its glamorous new home. It was a soldout house for First Night of Pursuits of Passion with a performance of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida. (For those readers who don't know the story line of this classic, picture Bravo's Real Housewives set in Egypt.) An evening like this called for gowns that trail behind, and my favorite was a Burberry plaid confection worn by Kelly Taylor — a Cinderella moment, but with Christopher Bailey instead of mice. At intermission, I found two of my favorite socials, Amy Faulconer (she and husband Vernon Faulconer were two of the evening's honorary chairs) and Fanchon Hallam. We exclaimed in unison that the costumes were spectacular thanks to local designers — Michael Faircloth, Abi Ferrin, Geoffrey Henning, Khanh Nguyen, and Nicolas Villalba, who created gowns inspired by leading characters of the season for a special arts-and-sports mélange. After the standing ovation, guests adjourned to an adjacent tent for dinner, where we had the opportunity to air kiss the amazing performers. With a song in their hearts: Delilah and Sam Boyd, Cece Smith, Gene and Jerry Jones, Nicole Dabbert, Walt Roper, Baylor Barbee, and Shatory and Brandon Carr. Billy Fong Barbara McColm at Big Black Tie Tammy Richards at Big Black Tie Rhonda Marcus at Dallas Opera Chair Kaki Hopkins at Dallas Opera Jennifer Roberts at Dallas Opera Alexandra Hicks at Dallas Opera Brendan Higgins at Big Black Tie Adrienne Bankert at Big Black Tie A Starry Night's Soirée Michael Faircloth at Dallas Opera Regina Miranda at Big Black Tie Ronna Tiemann at Big Black Tie Carrie Stewart at Big Black Tie Lon Tiemann at Big Black Tie DECEMBER | PAGE 52 | 2012 Four-time Grammy Award nominee Jewel didn't disappoint, as 650 supporters at the Big Black Tie Ball benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters at the Omni Dallas sat in awe as the nightingale, accompanied only by a Taylor guitar and a single spotlight, sang all her hits, including "Foolish Games," "You Were Meant For Me" and "Who Will Save Your Soul." She shared memories of childhood poverty and her first NYC gig as a newcomer — recollections that prompted a party question: "What was your dream job when you were a kid?" Co-chair Brian Walker confided, "I wanted to be a fighter pilot so I could wear cool sunglasses and fly fast planes." Co-chair and wife Blair Walker confessed, "My mom loves to tell people that I wanted to be Miss America. I'll admit it, but I'd rather tell you I wanted to be a nurse." Their hard work alongside honorary chairs Angela and Jim Thompson generated more than half a million dollars for North Texas kids. Other bright stars: Lezlee Liljenberg, Becky and Charlie Armstrong, Katherine Howlett, Wilson and Robert Johnson, and Annette and Rob Wilson. Lacy Ball