Taca Dallas

Proscenium is a weekend-long extravaganza benefiting the performing arts in North Texas taking place at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. Proscenium consists of two major events, the Party on the Green and the Custom Auction Gala, and two educational events, a Culinary Master Class and a Sommelier’s Court.

Event Format: TACA Party on the Green is a fun casual evening under the stars featuring The Mansion’s chef John Tesar and 15 to 20 other celebrity chefs from around the country serving dishes made from the freshest ingredients and sustainable foods. The event will feature a Silent Auction created by the chefs, a Wine Cork Pull, and live entertainment.

Event Format: The TACA RBC Wealth Management Custom Auction Gala is an elegant black tie evening held in the newly renovated Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek Restaurant. Cocktails will be served at 7:00pm, and a seated dinner featuring the cuisine of Chef John Tesar will be served in the restaurant and private suites at 8:00pm. The exclusive, one-of-a-kind Live Auction is held immediately after dinner, followed by live entertainment.

Private Suites: The Burford Suite, Wine Cellar, and FDR Suite will be available for this special occasion.
These private suites seat 10, 14 and 20, respectively.

Underwriting Levels: $3,000, $5,000, $6,000, $7,500, $10,000, $14,000 and $20,000

Where: Milestone Culinary Arts Center and The Viking Cooking School
4531 McKinney Avenue

Event Format: Watch Chef John Tesar and other culinary experts demonstrate techniques while dining on a three course lunch.

Event Format: Taste a variety of wines, guided by The Mansion’s Wine and Beverage Director Michael Flynn.

Information: For additional information, please call Amy Taylor, Director of Development, TACA, 214.520.3930.

DALLAS, Texas – On October 11, TACA Board of Governors, TACA Corporate Council, friends and guests gathered to celebrate the announcement of Elaine Agather and Brad Todd as the 2008 TACA Silver Cup Award honorees. The announcement was made at the home of Jennifer and John Eagle. The Silver Cup is awarded each year to recognize one man and one woman for outstanding contributions to the arts in Dallas. Ms. Agather and Mr. Todd will receive their Silver Cups on March 6, 2008, at the TACA Silver Cup Award Luncheon, to be held at the Hilton Anatole Hotel.

“TACA’s 30^th Anniversary Silver Cup Award Luncheon will be a wonderful occasion to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism that makes Dallas the thriving cultural center it is,” said Becky Young, president and executive director of TACA. “TACA is honored to spotlight the contributions of Elaine and Brad by awarding them the TACA Silver Cup.”

Linda Custard, 2000 Silver Cup Award recipient, explained why Elaine Agather is deserving of this year’s award. “Elaine is the quintessential executive and arts patron, and she leverages the power and influence of her position to enhance the quality of life in our community, especially through the arts. She is an enthusiastic champion of cultural and civic projects that benefit the community.”

Ms. Agather is Chairman of Chase-Dallas. She also serves as South Region Head and Managing Director of the JPMorgan Private Bank.

Ms. Agather is the immediate past-chair of the Dallas Citizens Council and is also a member of The Dallas Center for the Performing Arts Board of Directors. She is a member of the World President’s Organization and Charter 100. Ms. Agather is on the Advisory Board for the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, the Bass Performance Hall, Fossil, Inc., and Texas Ballet Theater. She is a member of the Development Board for the Gordie Foundation, The University of Texas, and a member of the Executive Committee for the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. She is also a member of the Ethics Advisory Board of the Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility.

In 2005, Ms. Agather was the recipient of the Northwood University Distinguished Women’s Award and the Great Women of Texas award. She was also the recipient of the 2002 Maura Award – Women Helping Women, the Kim Dawson Attitude Award (Attitudes & Attire), and The Family Place’s Trailblazer Award. In 2001, Ms. Agather also received the Women of Excellence Award from Women’s Enterprise Magazine.

Agather said, “I’m honored to receive the TACA Silver Cup and thrilled to call attention to all of the arts volunteers who give so much of their time and resources. The arts are key to our city’s future, and the Dallas Center for Performing Arts will become the heart of downtown to create the spark and synergy to take the performing arts to a new level.”

Mr. Todd, a 25 year Principal with The Richards Group, has been committed to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for almost 30 years. In 1980, while working for Frito-Lay, he was asked through chairman Wayne Galloway to chair the marketing committee for the symphony. In the 1980s, he was tapped by Howard Hallam to chair the corporate division of DSO’s annual fund. Hallam, a 1999 Silver Cup honoree says of Todd, “Brad Todd believes in the importance of everyday volunteers who really push our arts organizations forward and give them vitality and success. He is one volunteer who is really making a difference and sets an example for us all.”

Commenting on the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts and the Meyerson, Todd says, “The real opportunity with these venues, ultimately, is the quality of the art performed in them. With these exciting new spaces our arts have the potential to move up to a different league. And that truly inspires volunteers and, makes us more committed and more loyal to the arts and our city.”

Todd has been a board member of the Dallas Symphony Association for 25 years having served in several leadership positions, including chairman of the board. He also has been an advisory board member of three educational institutions in Dallas including the Booker T. Washington High School for Performing and Visual Arts where he leads the marketing committee, the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, and the SMU Meadows School of the Arts, where he served as chairman of its Advisory Board and also taught marketing. Todd was a member of the architectural selection committee for the Winspear Opera House and is currently on its Advisory Board.

“It’s humbling to receive the Silver Cup Award because there are so many tireless volunteers who make a difference,” said Todd. “I appreciate the recognition and hope that every volunteer feels honored.”

Ann Fielder, chairman of this year’s TACA Silver Cup Awards Luncheon, said “Elaine and Brad are giants in the Dallas arts community. It’s our privilege to honor them and shine the spotlight on two volunteers who are setting an example of excellence in all they do.”

Now in its 42^nd year, TACA’s mission is to provide financial support and services and to increase public awareness and participation in the performing arts of North Texas, which improve the quality of life for citizens of all economic, social and ethnic backgrounds. Since its inception in 1966, TACA has distributed more than $16.3 million to emerging and established performing arts organizations with budgets as small as $37,000 to as large as $26 million. Funds are raised through two signature events: the TACA Silver Cup Award Luncheon, which honors one man and woman each year for outstanding volunteer support of the arts, and the TACA Custom Auction Gala (now Proscenium Weekend). In addition, TACA receives strong support from its Board of Governors, Founders Circle, and Corporate Council. For information about TACA memberships programs, signature events or grants program, please contact 214.520.3930 or go to www.taca-arts.org.