CISDR Celebrates 30 Years of Serving Disadvantanged Students with CIS Soiree 2016

The Grand Hall at Texas Discovery Gardens served as a beautiful
backdrop for CIS Soiree 2016, the 30th Anniversary
Celebration of the work of CISDR.

The Community In Schools Dallas Region (CISDR) organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1985 to address the growing number of high school dropouts in Dallas and surrounding areas. Today CISDR operates in 70 schools in nine school districts in Dallas, Collin, and Ellis counties, with over 78% of those students living in poverty and deemed “at-risk” of future failure by the Texas Education Agency.

On Saturday, August 27th a room full of supporters and sponsors converged on the Rosine Smith Butterfly House and the lobby and Grand Hall at Texas Discovery Gardens to sip Garden Mules, bid at silent and live auctions, and enjoy a beautiful dinner with a program of entertainment and information and celebration. The CIS Soiree also served as a 30th Anniversary Celebration for the organization, the evening delivered on its promise to both entertain and fundraise. Dr. Judith Allen-Bazemore, President and CEO of CISDR welcomed guests with Blake D. Lewis III, Chairman of the Board, Soirée Chair Maggie Cooke Kipp, Honorary Chairs Katherine and Key Coker and CISDR Chief Philanthropy Officer, Lisa Loy Laughlin.

Projection services from Dallas Light and Sound convey
event branding at CIS Soiree 2016.

Of special interest in the fundraising part of the evening was a live auction that included items like a signed photo of Olympian gold medal winner Michael Phelps, a violin bass guitar signed by Sir Paul McCartney, and tickets to Hamilton in New York City.

The "Garden Mule" cocktails seemed to help with the merriment (and possibly the fundraising) and were a special creation for the evening. Dubbed the “Moscow Mule of Texas Discovery Gardens” the drinks were served in copper cups and featured a special herbed mixer recipe to compliment the garden setting.

Inspiring presentations were the focus of the program, and included a moving video featured CISDR students who shared their heartfelt personal stories of struggles in family and school. They also discussed achieving success influenced by support from CISDR - not only in education, but also with social and behavioral intervention services.

Dr. Allen-Bazemore reminded everyone that CISDR serves families free of charge. The average cost of serving one child is $500. He reminded the audience of patrons that supporting CISDR has a ripple effect throughout the community, delivering results with long term positive return on investment. Over the last 30 years, CISDR has touched the lives of nearly 250,000 students surrounding them with a community of support and empowering them to stay in school from kindergarten through graduation, and empowering them to achieve success in life. Among results this school year, 96% of students served by CISDR stayed in school and CISDR high school intervention resulted in a 95% graduation rate.

A unique horizontal sponsor reel recognized
sponsors at CIS Soiree 2016.

After the formal program concluded, the video screen rolled up to reveal a DJ who saw to it that the crowd continued their celebration.

Dallas Light and Sound provided audio for the evening in both the Grand Hall and in the Lobby, video projection for the Grand Hall big screen, uplighting in the Grand Hall and in the Lobby, and stage lighting for presenters. We also created a special horizontal sponsor reel for projection on the back wall of the Grand Hall. Thank you to the event organizers for choosing Dallas Light and Sound to provide production services for the event. For additional information about CISDR, visit the organization’s website at http://cisdallas.org/.


Dr. Judith Allen-Bazemore, President and CEO of CISDR welcomed guests at CIS Soiree 2016.



Fashion X Dallas set for September 8 - 10 at F.I.G.

The 3rd Annual Fashion X Dallas Presented by Cadillac is almost here and will take place September 8-10, 2016 at Fashion Industry Gallery (FIG)! Fashion X Dallas is the premiere “fashion week” in the DFW market and features 3 nights of runway shows each Fall.

FXD 2016 will feature 3 nights of stunning runway shows featuring STARS from Lifetime Television’s hit series Project Runway, the best and brightest designers from the DFW Metroplex and emerging designers you can DISCOVER from around the globe.

The GALLERY, a collection of pop up shops hosted by jewelry and accessories designers for both men and women, will be open for pre and post show browsing all three nights of runway shows. Presenting sponsor for the event is Cadillac.

Fashion X Dallas was established in 2014 by the Fashion X, the founders of Austin Fashion Week, Fashion X Dallas and, coming in 2016, Fashion X Houston.

The Fashion Industry Gallery was packed with fashionistas
during Fashion X Dallas 2014.

Each night in 2016 will feature at least 9 full runway collections from local DFW-based designers, Season Winners and All Stars from the hit Lifetime Television show Project Runway, and emerging designers from across the globe. FXD also gives opportunities to the youngest of designers through CAPSULE, mini 3-look collections allowing for an accessible runway experience.

One talented DFW based designer will also receive the 2016 BERNINA Dallas Fashion Fund to help spur their career with tools necessary for the trade. The 2014 winner was Nine Muses and the 2015 winner was Smith II.

For additional information about the event including designer and host committee profiles, visit the producers website at www.fashionxdallas.com . Tickets are available on a first-ordered, first reserved basis at http://fashionxdallas.com/tickets/.

Dallas Light and Sound is honored to be chosen for the third year as a production resource for the event, where our focus of work is on the runway lighting and red carpet walk up.

For general inquiries, please email hello@fashionx.co.

Michelle Lesniak walks with her models during the finale of her
showcase during Fashion X Dallas 2015

Daniel Esquivel showed a stunning collection at
Fashion X Dallas 2015

Designer Melissa Fleis walks the runway following her collection showcase
at Fashion X Dallas 2015

Black Tie DInner to Pesent Elizabeth Birch Equality Award to Greg Louganis

Greg Louganis, two-time Olympic gold medalist, author, actor and LGBT activist, makes a splash as the Elizabeth Birch Equality Award Recipient for Black Tie Dinner 2016.

Dive in and get your tickets at: http://bit.ly/BTDTickets

Dallas Light and Sound says thank you to Black Tie Dinner for choosing DLS as a production partner for various events throughout the year including announcement and presentation parties plus the upcoming 30 Day Ticket Sales Party, for Before Black, .... and for much more for this incredible community organization.

Exciting details to come....

Broadway Brunch Benefits No Tie Dinner and ASD on Sunday, September 4th

Leslie McDonel headlines Broadway Brunch
benefiting ASD and No Tie Tie Dinner

Join Us on Sunday, September 4th at Texas Discovery Gardens in Fair Park for brunch, cocktails, and a live performance featuring Broadway Star Leslie McDonel. McDonel's Stage Performances Include: "Hairspray," "Legally Blonde," and "American Idiot". The event benefits No Tie Dinner and Dessert Party, a fundraiser for AIDS Services of Dallas.

Sponsors include Floral sponsor John Holstead and 21 Parc Floral and Events, Catering Sponsors: Pappas Catering, Blackeyed Pea, Blue Mesa Grill, Sugar City & Daisy Cakes and the ASD Kitchen! The event is hosted by Global Views in support of ASD with event production from No Tie Dinner production partner Dallas Light and Sound who are providing audio, video, lighting and linens for the event.

As of the time of this post, only six tables and a handful of individual tickets remain available for the event, which promises to sell out. Individual tickets are $75 and $500 secures a reserved table of 8, with beverages, brunch and the performance included in the ticket price. Ticket are available at http://asd.donorpages.com/BroadwayBrunch2016/BroadwayBrunch/.

The VIP portion of the event includes a special champagne reception and meet and greet with the event star Leslie McDonel. Dancing and conversation promise to round out the experience.

Schedule:
11:30 VIP/Sponsor Meet & Greet Cocktail Reception
12:15 Brunch
1:00 Program & Performance

In the words of James Nelson from our friends at The Original Cupcakery - we couldn't agree more! It was an honor to be invited and to be involved in this celebration.

"Original Cupcakery was honored to be invited to "AIDS INTERFAITH NETWORKS 30th ANNIVERSARY EVENT". We continue to support the community as best we can when ever possible when it comes to HEROS!

 And the STAFF of AIN are nothing short of HERO's.... 30 years of selfless giving, and heart felt love of those impacted by HIV/AIDS has elevated the community in ways not often recognized. HIV/AIDS has met its match and the war is being won, slowly but surely with amazing groups like A...IN taking action to educate and eliminate the fear of living with infection while giving much needed resources to those in need. Over the years we have continued to support AIN because of their amazing work, we suggest you look into this organization and become a supporter as well, every helping hand is appreciated.

Many of you have experienced the ROARING 20's GREAT GATSBY .....but this year AIN is bringing us forward to another GOLDEN AGE by changing it up a bit and taking us "RETRO" ....."LIVE The Sands, A Retro Nightclub Experience".....The Rat Pack is BACK! November 5th!

SAVE the DATE....and start getting that "WARDROBE" ready because this will be the HOTTEST TICKET in DFW! ....GLAMEROUS is what's in and no one does it better than a party by AIN!"

We're looking forward to helping produce "LIVE at The Sands" at 3525 Commerce Event Center in Deep Ellum on November 5th - please join us from 9pm to midnight!

The staff at AIDS Interfaith Network celebrate the organization's 30th Anniversary with a day
of remembrance and optimism at the Interfaith Peace Chapel on the campus of Cathedral of Hope.