A Night At The Museum Had The Perot Seeking To "Elevate" Fundraising in 2016

photos c/0 Thomas Garza Photography and the Perot Museum


Dancing in the clouds, hot air balloons, flight simulators, hair-raising experiments, dancing birds and floating foods had visitors soaring at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science’s annual fundraising gala, Night at the Museum: Elevate, on Saturday, Nov. 12. Held on all five levels of the Museum, the nearly sold-out soiree featured “play-and-party” activities, live entertainment, delicious science-infused fare and cocktails from Wolfgang Puck Catering, and dreamy décor that had patrons floating on cloud nine. “From aviation and nature’s beauty, to the future of flight, this year’s Night at the Museum will explore the many interpretations of elevation,” said Dan Kohl, the Perot Museum’s interim chief executive officer. “This event supports our mission to inspire minds through nature and science by allowing us to sponsor community outreach programs, fund research, provide financial assistance for students and bring in traveling exhibitions to our visitors.” An invitation-only VIP pre-party, presented by Highland Capital Management, kicked off the evening and in a nod to the Perot Museum’s fall traveling exhibition, Birds of Paradise, where Earth’s most flirtatious birds are visually displayed in a simulated exotic New Guinea rainforest guests got to witness a live bird show.

No Tie Dinner & Dessert Party’s Before THE Party

Dennis Kershner, LeeAnne Locken, Tricia Sims, David Nelson
Photo Credit: Jonathan Zizzo

This year's annual No Tie Dinner & Dessert Party is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 12, starting at 7:00 p.m. at The Frontiers of Flight Museum.  Proceeds will benefit AIDS Services of Dallas (ASD) which is responsible for housing and aiding hundreds of economically-disadvantaged men, women, children and families living with HIV/AIDS.

Although the No Tie Dinner & Dessert Party is a casual affair, its Sponsor & Host Event, a private appreciation pre-party held last Saturday, is definitely not. The wonderful Tricia Sims generously opened up her lavish Preston Hollow dream home to approximately 200 patrons to celebrate the generosity of those who support No Tie Dinner & Dessert Party, the largest fundraiser for AIDS Services of Dallas. 

The mansion of grandiose size, royal details, and pure exuberance consummated No Tie’s 2014 theme, La Dolce Vita or “the Sweet Life,” inspired by the Fellini movie of baroque imagery and fantasy, glamour, and beauty. The magnificent mansion of Romanesque-style showcased white marble floors, a Chanel sitting room, Versace plate collection, Jacuzzi room, and 5’ tall Rolls Royce Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, just to name a few extravagant details. The masterpiece house was designed and decorated from the ground-up by Tricia Sims who formerly owned an international interior design firm. Co-Chairs Dennis Kershner and David Nelson and Honorary Chair LeeAnne Locken greeted guests including: CEO of AIDS Services of Dallas Don Maison, 2012 Honorary Chair D’Andra Simmons, Don Neubauer and Les Siter of Siter Neubauer & Associates, Dr. Allen Berg, Attorney George Milner, Patricia Deason, Jody O’Donnell and Sterling Deason O’Donnell, NBC’s Samantha Davies, DFW Style Daily’s Priya Bhola Rathod, and Sheri Sisler-Moneymaker.