Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/147421
That's Entertainment Singing, Dancing, Movies and Co-chair Scott Gooch at LaunchAbility Legendary Dinner Guests BY LACY BALL. PHOTOGRAPHY BRUNO, GEORGE FIALA, FRANCISCO GONZALEZ, LINDSAY JONES, KATHY KING, CARTER ROSE, JOHN STRANGE. Michael Cain at DIFF Table Talk at VNA Sixty of the city's influencers — including Marianne and Roger Staubach, Stephan Pyles, Roger Horchow, Margaret McDermott, and Kern Wildenthal — took a seat at the inaugural Legends & Leaders dinner benefitting Visiting Nurses Association (VNA). The nonprofit's largest event of the year generated $600,000 in support of its signature program, Meals on Wheels, along with hospice and private care services. Chair Lori Whitlow shared the spotlight with co-chair Jay Oppenheimer and honorary chairs Suzanne Simmons Bartolucci, Peggy Simmons Dear, and Betty Simmons Regard. Making memories: Heidi Holloman, Paula Lambert, Laura and Tom Leppert, Susan Wells, Kim Wargo, Nicole Small, Emily Summers, Kara Blair, and Nomi Marcos. Sharni Vinson at DIFF Honoree Richard Adams at LaunchAbility Stephan Pyles at Legends & Leaders Charles Santos at TITAS Kim Adams at LaunchAbility Roz Coats at LaunchAbility Gay Solomon at Legends & Leaders Kern Wildenthal at Legends & Leaders Marnie Wildenthal at Legends & Leaders Tanya Foster at DIFF Ruth O'Donnell Mutch at DIFF Carla Körbes at TITAS Arthur E. Benjamin at DIFF Lisa Blue Baron at DIFF Peggy Simmons Dear at Legends & Leaders Betty Simmons Regard at Legends & Leaders Fund-raising powerhouse and Dallas Film Society (DFS) chairman of the board Lynn McBee led nearly 1,000 cinephiles, industry execs and VIPs down a pink carpet into Look Cinemas for an openingnight celebration of the Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF). Following in her footsteps: Arthur Janessa E. Benjamin, Allan McBee, James Faust, Ken Touchet at TITAS Topolsky, Janis Burklund, Tom Stephenson, Lisa Zidell, Bernard Gillian, Laura Miller, and Mona Aldridge. After a greeting by DFS CEO Lee Papert, film buffs noshed on popcorn before taking their seats at sold-out screenings of 8 1/2, Kon-Tiki, Still Mine, The Crash Reel and Java Heat. Afterwards, fans migrated to the lobby turned after-party to chat up film-industry talents Norry Niven, Farah White, Eric Steele, Clay Luther, Matthew Albrecht, Henry Saine, Cullen Hoback, Johnathan Brownlee, Jared Raab, and Martha Eidsness Mitchell. Joshua Dean at TITAS Co-chair Read Gendler at TITAS Sarah Papert at DIFF Jenny Mendez at TITAS Lee Papert at DIFF Carole Murray at LaunchAbility Scott Murray at LaunchAbility Bill Benac at TITAS Country legend Vince Gill had us eating out of the palm of his guitar-strumming hand after greeting the audience with "It's great to be at the Meyerson. It sure beats the hell out of Billy Bob's." A Special Evening with Vince Gill benefitting LaunchAbility lived up to its name as the singer/songwriter performed hits such as "One More Last Chance" and "When I Call Your Name." A meet-and-greet with the guest of honor and his autographed Fender Telecaster Patrick drew heavy bidding during the live auction, Fraser at ultimately totaling more than $500,000 raised TITAS to help children and adults with disabilities. Of note: co-chairs Cecily and Scott Gooch, honorary chairs Beth and Steve McGaw, Sandy and Barry Moore, Thalia Banowsky, Brad Leffler, Karen Wald, Clint Chaffin, and Brian Angle. Wendy Whelan at TITAS Kathy Chamberlain at TITAS Nancy Strong at Legends & Leaders Cervilio Miguel Amador at TITAS Erika Moussa at TITAS George Moussa at TITAS Patrick O'Shea at Brooke Cathy O'Shea at LaunchPackard at LaunchAbility LaunchAbility Ability Conor Allyn at DIFF Michelle Gifford at TITAS Barbara Benac at TITAS Suzanne Simmons Bartolucci at Legends & Leaders Getting Reel at Film Festival Opening Co-chair Steven H. Gendler at TITAS Honorary chair Beth McGaw at LaunchAbility Honorary chair Steve McGaw at LaunchAbility Pure Country at LaunchAbility Charles Gilliam at LaunchAbility William T. Solomon at Legends & Leaders Co-chair Cecily Gooch at LaunchAbility Stephen Becker at DIFF Kellan Lutz at DIFF Vince Gill at LaunchAbility Rob Allyn at DIFF Lorri Michel at TITAS Brooke O'Shea at LaunchAbility Jim Strong at Legends & Leaders Marianne Staubach at Legends & Leaders Roger Staubach at Legends & Leaders Honoree Michael Ginsberg at TITAS Co-chair Lori Whitlow at Legends & Leaders Meaders Moore Ozarow at Legends & Leaders Yuan Yuan Tan at TITAS Desmond Richardson at TITAS Co-chair Jay Oppenheimer at Legends & Leaders Fancy Fête Work at TITAS La Fête du Ballet A highly sensual and acrobatic interpretation of Fall From Grace starring dancers Jenny Mendez and Joshua Dean made audience members blush and grip their armrests in nervous anticipation of an actual, well, tumble. The opening act of TITAS' 19th annual Command Performance La Fête du Ballet was just the beginning of an unforgettable presentation that included Remix, Among the Star and White Swan Pas de Deux. Co-chairs Read and Steven H. Gendler bestowed Michael Ginsberg with the Tom Adams Award of Appreciation for his generosity, vision and commitment. On their toes: performers Karel Cruz, Damian Smith, and Timothy Harling, along with Delia Crossley, Gayle Halperin, Kim and Ric Abel, Lucilo Peña, Kurt Anderson, Joshua Peugh, Cordey Lash, Rachel Dupard, and Lee Cobb.