After Black the Black Tie Dinner 2016 Official Afterparty Closes The Night with a High Energy Nightclub Experience from Dallas Light and Sound

A custom Dj booth and nightclub lighting installation from
Dallas Light and Sound for
After Black - the official Black Tie Dinner 2016 Afterparty

With more than three decades of history fueling enthusiasm and attendance, on Saturday, October 1st, Black Tie Dinner presented a blow-out bash at the Sheraton in Downtown Dallas. More than 3000 guests and volunteers celebrated 35 years of philanthropy by the organization with a memorable program of inspiration, recognition and entertainment. Titled “Believe in the Art of Equality”, a gorgeous crowd arrived ready to toast the success of one of the nation’s preeminent galas. Not only is Black Tie Dinner the largest and most successful seated dinner in the nation that supports the work of the Human Rights Campaign Fund, it also raises funds for a host of local, community organizations. The 2016 Black Tie Dinner featured Kuchling Award Winner Dr. Steven Pounders, Olympian Greg Louganis, actresses Connie Britten and Debra Messing, comedienne Dana Goldberg, entertainer Todrick Hall and the incredible vocals of Deborah Cox.

The incredible Deborah Cox performs one of her
biggest hits "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" at
After Black - the official Black Tie Dinner 2016 Afterparty.

Dallas Light and Sound provided event production services and resources focused around the event entrance, and the silent auction and after-party areas of the event. With audio, video, lighting and more for Before Back, After Black, and pre and intermission programming, we coordinated our efforts with Jarrod Freeman from the Black Tie Board of Directors and numerous other Board Members and volunteers.

Prior to 2016, the official after-party dubbed "After Black" took place in an area of the host hotel that was separate and apart from the main dinner ballroom and auction space. For 2016, event organizers combined the silent auction space with the after-party and specified a mid-event transformation of the room to provide immediate energy and continued silent auction bidding after the Dinner.

Custom designed and installed intelligent color changing uplighting from Dallas Light and Sound provided a base design palate for our team to build upon. A total of 12 intelligent moving head fixtures, ten flatscreens, six trussing arches, and a custom designed DJ booth from Dallas Light and Sound served as a framework for the afterparty. DLS Dancefloor lighting, hazers, fog cannons, and a killer sound system completed the space to produce a vibrant and memorable After Black. Gobo projectors delivered the “35 Years” branding message on white pipe and drape, on the ceiling and on the dancefloor.

It was an honor to be chosen as a production partner for
After Black - the official Black Tie Dinner 2016 Afterparty
at the organization's 35th dinner.

Grammy Award winning vocalist Deborah Cox graced the after party stage to perform one of her Billboard #1 hits – “Nobody’s Supposed to be Here”. DJ Blacklow was on hand to spin an energetic mix of HiNRG and contemporary dance that kept the crowd on their feet all night. The entire room was thumping and jumping as the Dallas Light and Sound nightclub quality sound system kept party goers in the mood for more beyond Last Call.

This photo album focuses on After Black, the official after-party of Black Tie Dinner, which was presented by John Wright Martin Building + Interiors. For images from Before Black and from during the event, check other albums on facebook at Black Tie Dinner and here at Dallas Light and Sound.

For additional information about Black Tie Dinner visit www.blacktiedinner.org. Thank you to the Board of Directors for choosing Dallas Light and Sound again this year as a production partner for their annual slate of events, including After Black at Black Tie Dinner.

An album of images from this event can be found on the Dallas Light and Sound Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dallaslightandsound/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10157925715445245

Broadway Brunch at Texas Discovery Gardens Benefits AIDS Services of Dallas No Tie Dinner

Leslie McDonel wowed the crowd with a sinning stage presence,
inspired selection of show tunes, and with her beautiful voice
in the Grand Hall at Texas Discovery Gardens at
Broadway Brunch 2016.

What a wonderful event! Attendees at Broadway Brunch benefiting AIDS Services of Dallas packed this inaugural edition of what is certain to become an annual tradition. Held over the Labor Day weekend, guests noshed on delicious food and imbibed signature drinks on a Sunday afternoon as they enjoyed a spectacular program of entertainment.

Held in the Grand Hall at Texas Discovery Gardens on Sunday, September 4th, the event featured Leslie McDonel from New York City as featured entertainer. She was supported by Dallas crooner Leslie Frye and a band of local musicians that included Peggy Honea, renowned DFW base player.

Leslie McDonel and
Leslie Frye performed at
Broadway Brunch benfitting
ASD No Tie Dinner 

Leslie Frye kicked off the festivities with several songs that showcased his powerful and emotive voice. Then…. Leslie McDonel took the stage to perform two sets of Broadway classics in a voice and with a stage presence that captivated the crowd. McDonel has appeared in national touring and resident theatre productions of Legally Blonde, American Idiot, Hairspray and numerous other productions.

During the event David Andrew Nelson received the MUCH deserved "Torch Award" for his many years of dedication to our community in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Presenting Sponsor Global Views helped to make the event possible and provided stage décor to brighten the experience for attendees. Food stations sponsored by Sugar City sweets&celebrations, Blackeyed Pea, Blue Mesa Grill, Pappas Catering & Daisy Cakes provided the most delicious dishes that guests are still talking about! DJ Tony Dean provided pre and post performance music programming, and filled in with a selection of great show stoppers during the interlude.

Event organizers chose Dallas Light and Sound to provide audio services for the event, flatscreens and reel creation for sponsor recognition, linens for the tables, and relied on DLS to floorplan the event.

Congratulations again to ASD on a huge Labor Day Weekend success! To find out more about ASD visit the organization's website at http://www.aidsdallas.org and watch the ASD facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/aidsdallas/ for details concerning the 2017 edition of No Tie Dinner.

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....