The Best Events in Dallas for September 2014

The social scene typically follows a feast or famine scenario. When school let out in May, the invitations dried up as folks packed it up and headed out of town on vacation and kids went off to summer camps. A new school year just resumed and the social scene is back with a vengeance. I hope you are well-rested because I've got a full calendar of activities and happenings for you this month!
Thursday, September 4
On Thursday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m., wildlife conservationist and Emmy Award-winning TV host Jeff Corwin will host a special opening night, full-length, 40-minute screening of Galapagos 3D: Nature’s Wonderland as part of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science First Thursday Late Night programming when the Museum stays open until 9 p.m. Corwin, who narrated the film, also will participate in an audience Q&A and sign autographs immediately following the screening. The screening will take place in The Hoglund Foundation Theater, A National Geographic Experience. Tickets for the Sept. 4 screening/Q&A with Jeff Corwin are $8 for Museum members and $10 for non-members. The Perot Museum is located at 2201 N. Field Street in Dallas, Texas. For more information, visit www.perotmuseum.org.
Merry Voss is a retail legend in this town for her bold sense of style and ability to turn a cabana (literally) into the hottest retail destination in Dallas. Last year, she opened Canary a few doors down from Cabana on West Lovers Lane and made headlines all over again. Stop by on September 4 between 9am-5pm to view her new jewelry line called CUCKOO. Canary is located at 4609 W. Lovers Lane, Dallas, 75209
Saturday, September 6


Art to the Rescue Art Auction and Shindig benefitting Animal Rescue of Texas featuring art, music, food and fun. Held at Studios 1019 (2278 Monitor Street, Dallas, TX 75207) this year’s event is inspired by the time-­‐honored tradition of the American camping trip and will feature a menu of modern day picnic classics, cocktails and a photo booth that pays homage to rescue and the camping trip icon, the Airstream trailer. Dallas legend, Rawlins Gilliland, will host the event and DJ Hammertimez will spin tunes that will make everyone want to get up and dance! Art from artists including Randal Ford, Manny Rodriguez, Narda Lebo, Trevor Paulhus, Elliot Sneddon, Stephen Dux, Molly Dickson, Nick Pendergrast, David Lyles and more will be up for grabs. The money raised will help Animal Rescue of Texas continue its mission of taking animals out of shelters and off the streets, caring for them and finding them forever homes. Tickets are $50 and available at www.animalrescueoftexas.org or at the door.
Texas Born Actress, Amber Heard will be hosting Hollywood Domino Dallas on behalf of The Art of Elysium with a Red Carpet, Celebrity Domino Game, Dinner, Auction, Live Music, After-Party and much more. This wonderful evening is to support The Art of Elysium and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital For Children. The Theme for the evening is Casablanca, old Hollywood inspired attire. Tickets can be purchased at www.hollywooddominodallas.com
Thursday, September 11
The premier concert series "Cool Thursdays" at the Dallas Arboretum will return to the Dallas Arboretum. Dallas' favorite concert series overlooks the picturesque White Rock Lake on the award-winning Martin Rutchik Concert Lawn and has become a "must do" Thursday night event for many. The featured band will be Blaze of Glory - The Bon Jovi Experience. In addition to the coolest view of White Rock Lake, attendees can bring picnics and beverages or purchase food from food trucks including Easy Slider and Cajun Tailgators. 
The gardens are also open to stroll through before the concert to enjoy the breathtaking fall displays including the famous pumpkin village. Gates open at 6 p.m., and the fall concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. Single tickets start at $10-$27 and are available for purchase online. For group tickets of 15 or more, call Torie Parsons, 214-515-6520. On-site parking is complimentary for all concerts. To see a complete schedule or purchase tickets online, visit http://www.dallasarboretum.org/visit/seasonal-festivals-events/cool-thursdays-concert-series

Saturday, September 13
Join Dallas Observer at the Dallas Farmers Market as they celebrate the 4th annual Dallas Observer BrewFest presented by Whole Foods Market. BrewFest is an outdoor beer-sampling event and festival that will feature craft beers, local food vendors, and live music. 
Twelve 2oz beer samples are included in the ticket price. VIP tickets are also available which gets you in an hour earlier and in and out access to the VIP area throughout the event which will have liquor sampling and exclusive catered food. Purchase tickets at http://microapp.dallasobserver.com/brewfest/2014/tickets.php
Head up the Tollway to the Addison Conference Centre on Saturday, September 13th, 2014, for the 5th Annual Dallas Chocolate Festival with more chocolatiers and chocolate makers than ever before. Attendees will enjoy sampling from the wall-to-wall chocolate from local and national artisans. Kids can even enjoy making their own chocolate treats at a special interactive kids’ table. Purchase a VIP package to get the first chance to sample from the vendors at 9 AM. The VIP package also includes a goodie bag with exclusive chocolates and a voucher redeemable for one free t-shirt of your choice at the concession stand. OSC readers can SAVE 10% off by entering the code OhSoChocolate at check out! Purchase tickets at http://dallaschocolate.org/events/dallas-chocolate-festival-2014/
Now in its 5th year, ESTEEM is a celebration of positive body image and self-esteem. Chaired by Holly Davis and her daughter, Landry, ESTEEM will host a fashion show where local celebrities will join girls and women, of all ages and sizes, to embrace healthy, balanced lifestyles and self-acceptance. By helping to increase awareness about the importance of positive body image, ESTEEM encourages people to love themselves while striving to live a healthy life-style. Tickets are $75 and the event will be he'd at TOOTSIE'S (8300 Preston Rd, Dallas 75225) from 10am to noon. Get more info. and tickets by visiting http://theelisaproject.raisefundsnetwork.com.
One of the season's hottest tickets is always the Dallas Symphony Orchestra AT&T Gala. This black-tie soiree includes the Gala Concert featuring performances by Music Director Jaap van Zweden and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra with special guest star violinist Itzhak Perlman. The Gala After-Party experience will include futuristic space-themed décor, an LED dance floor with galactic videos and “out of this world” dancing to music spun by DJ Lucy Wrubel. Park Place Motorcars, Dallas will present the “Peartini” cocktail with sumptuous savories and desserts by Culinaire. To relax and rejuvenate after dancing, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Dallas will provide soothing foot massages along with their signature margaritas and guacamole. Tickets to the 2014 Dallas Symphony Orchestra AT&T Gala Concert and After-Party start at $49 and may be purchased at https://www.mydso.com/support-your-symphony/special-events/2014-dso-att-gala.aspx.
Sunday, September 14

Attend the 4th annual Helping Our Heroes Dinner and Golf Tournament presented by Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. Proceeds from this year's event will directly support injured Marines and their families through the Semper Fi Fund. On Sunday, Sept. 14 they will host a dinner and auction at the Frontiers of Flight Museum. Tickets are $135. There is also a golf tournament on Monday, Sept, 15 that you can participate in. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.helpingourheroes.us/p/register.html
Wednesday, September 17
Earlier this year, top Dallas student designers were awarded scholarships and paired with a professional designer to mentor them. After a summer-long apprenticeship, the winners of this year’s Little Black Dress Designer student fashion design competition have remade and perfected their dresses from the runway to the real world. These final designs will be unveiled on each student’s real world “muse” Sept. 17 at the Little Black Dress Designer event and Fashion Show at Tootsies (8300 Preston Rd, Dallas 75225). The event will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and also feature an LBD fashion show presented by Tootsies, music by DJ Lucy Wrubel and a showcase of Dallas hair salons creating a “modern updo for the LBD” on models. RSVP to the event: rsvp@tootsies.com or 713-403-2905.
Tuesday, September 23
KidneyTexas will host their annual Runway Report Luncheon and Style Show on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Brookhollow Country Club (8301 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, 75235). The morning begins with a reception followed by the runway style fashion show sponsored by TOOTSIES, including fashions from Pockets Menswear and KidBiz, produced by Jan Strimple, which is always a fabulous event including fun surprises. It is all topped off with a delicious luncheon. Tickets are $250 and can be purchased at http://www.kidneytexas.org.
Friday, September 26
The Arts Community Alliance (TACA) will hold its annual gala on Friday, September 26, 2014. The TACA RBC Wealth Management Custom Auction Gala is chaired by Wanda Gierhart and Dean Fearing with Ann and Lee Hobson serving as Honorary Chairmen. The black-tie event, presented by RBC Wealth Management and hosted by Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, includes a seated dinner throughout the dining rooms and suites of the hotel. The exquisite menu will be prepared by The Mansion’s five-star culinary team led by Executive Chef Bruno Davaillon. Dinner will be followed by a live auction. Tickets, from $500 each and tables from $3,000 each, are available at www.taca-arts.org/events.
Saturday, September 27
If your kid plays lacrosse, then you need to get to know Bridge Lacrosse. What better way to do that, than by attending their annual fundraiser - ATTACK THE GOAL! which will be held at the Goss-Michael Foundation at 1405 Turtle Creek Blvd. High cocktail tables will be stationed throughout the gallery as you enjoy bites and cocktails. The setting will be designed to encourage mixing and mingling and BIDDING on a wide variety of auction items that will be on display. Proceeds from this event will go towards continued after-school programming, equipment and camps as Bridge Lacrosse works with kids in the urban communities of the Dallas-area they serve.  Oh, and did I mention that Dirk and Jessica Nowitzki are the honorary chairs? Holla! It should be a great time and we'd love to have you there. You can tickets and additional information at http://bridgelacrossedallas.org/attack-the-goal 
This year's Mission Ole benefiting Trinity River Mission will take place on Saturday, September 27 at One Arts Plaza. The VIP reception begins at 6:30 PM and the party starts at 7 PM. The fundraiser will feature Live & Silent Auctions, Tequila Tastings and Latin music and dancing. LeeAnne Locken and D'Andra Simmons-Lock are the co-chairs this year, and Joyce and Linus Wright are the honorary chairs. Trinity River Mission is a volunteer-based community learning center that promotes literacy, encourages academic success and develops effective life skills among disadvantaged youth in West Dallas. Tickets are $175 and can be purchased by visiting https://secure.paperlesstrans.com/TrinityRiverMissionMission
Fit a nap in there somewhere because October is going to be even crazier!!
This post sponsored by The Woman's Center for Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery: