Overview:

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming gala, “Moonlit Garden,” will celebrate the orchestra’s 125th anniversary and raise funds for its education initiatives, including the Young Strings Program, which provides intensive musical training to underrepresented students. The event will feature violin virtuoso Leonidas Kavakos performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto and Beethoven’s *Egmont Overture*. The gala will also honor the legacy of Gladys Alberta Bentley, a pioneering Black, lesbian entertainer from the Harlem Renaissance, through a drag king tribute. The event aims to invite new audiences into the symphonic experience while honoring its artistic heritage.

A Chair’s Journey: Into the Spotlight

For Vanessa Cain, co-chair of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s (DSO) upcoming gala, the journey to leading one of the city’s most prestigious cultural evenings began with childhood memories in the concert hall. Raised by parents who loved the arts, Cain grew up attending the symphony and opera. Years later, after returning to Dallas, she reconnected with the DSO, first as an audience member, then as a board member, and now as gala co-chair.

David and Vanessa Cain, 2025 DSO Symphony Gala Chairs. Photo credit: courtesy David and Vanessa Cain

At first, Cain admits, the role felt daunting. “We had never done anything like this before,” she recalled. But as she learned more about the gala’s beneficiaries, including the acclaimed Young Strings and Young Musicians programs, her apprehension shifted to excitement. “Once I felt a connection to the beneficiaries and aligned with their mission, I got really passionate about fundraising.”

This year’s gala theme, “Moonlit Garden”, pays tribute to the orchestra’s 125th anniversary. With projections, visual installations, and a nod to the Myerson Symphony Center’s history, the evening will blend a look back at DSO’s past with a vision for its future. For Cain, the event is more than a dazzling night out—it’s a chance to contribute to a cultural institution that has shaped her life and community.

The Music and Its Meaning: Katie McGuinness on Dallas’s Musical Legacy

Behind the scenes, Katie McGuinness, the DSO’s Chief Artistic Officer, has worked closely with Music Director Fabio Luisi to craft a season worthy of a 125-year milestone. At the gala on October 4, the spotlight will shine on violin virtuoso Leonidas Kavakos, who will perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto alongside Beethoven’s Egmont Overture.

Katie McGuinness, courtesy Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

McGuinness emphasized that these selections were chosen not just for their brilliance but for their accessibility.

“Even if someone has never been to a classical concert before, Tchaikovsky’s concerto is one of those works you leave humming,” she explained. The program reflects the DSO’s dual goals: to honor its artistic heritage while inviting new audiences into the symphonic experience.

For McGuinness, making high-quality performances available to everyone is non-negotiable. “We’ve always strived to be the orchestra for our community,” she said. That commitment includes offering discounted tickets for students, staging concerts in neighborhood parks, and programming film-with-orchestra events that resonate with younger audiences.

Honoring Black Legacies Through Drag and Music

This year’s gala won’t just celebrate orchestral traditions—it will also spotlight the intersections of art, identity, and history. Among the season’s special performances is a drag king tribute to Gladys Alberta Bentley, the groundbreaking Harlem Renaissance blues singer and pianist.

Photograph of Gladys Bentley by an unidentified photographer, 1927-45. https://nmaahc.si.edu/gladys-bentley Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

In the 1920s, Bentley’s career took off at Harlem’s Clam House, where her cross-dressing performances, powerful voice, and unapologetic queerness electrified audiences. As a Black, lesbian entertainer in a segregated and conservative era, she redefined what it meant to take the stage, weaving resistance into rhythm and style.

McGuinness described the inclusion of Bentley’s story as essential: “The gala is about looking back at 125 years of history, but also about acknowledging the many voices—sometimes overlooked—that shaped American music.”

For friends of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the resonance is clear. Bentley’s legacy reflects the very pillars Dallas’ vibrant community and some of its many steadfast values: Black cultural excellence, LGBTQ+ visibility, and the power of performance to challenge boundaries.

By featuring Bentley through the drag king tradition, the DSO affirms that American music history isn’t complete without the stories of those who defied expectations and carved out space for others to follow.

Inspiring the Next Generation: Young Strings and Beyond

At the heart of the gala lies its philanthropic mission. Proceeds will support the DSO’s education initiatives, especially the Young Strings Program, which offers intensive musical training to underrepresented students. The impact is profound—every participant has gone on to college, many pursuing careers in music.

Cain highlighted the importance of such programs: “Music opens doors. It supports brain development, discipline, and creativity, but it also builds confidence. These programs give kids opportunities they might not otherwise have.”

The Young Musicians Program, a newer initiative, expands this reach to younger children across Dallas, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. Together, these efforts are cultivating a pipeline of talent while ensuring that Dallas youth see themselves reflected in the city’s cultural institutions.

“From day one, we’ve wanted to be the orchestra for Dallas. That means excellence on stage, but also programs that reflect and serve the community.”

Katie Mcguinness

For both Cain and McGuinness, this work represents more than philanthropy—it’s a form of legacy-building. “My kids are six and seven,” Cain shared. “They see me doing something impactful. Hopefully, they’ll grow up understanding how important it is to give back to the city we love.”

A Legacy 125 Years in the Making

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s 125th season is as much about history as it is about the future. Founded in 1900, the DSO has grown from a modest local ensemble to an internationally respected orchestra. Its concerts draw world-class soloists, but its mission remains firmly rooted in community.

Patrons enjoy seated dinner at the 2024 DSO Gala. (c) Sylvia Elzafon

McGuinness underscored this point: “From day one, we’ve wanted to be the orchestra for Dallas. That means excellence on stage, but also programs that reflect and serve the community.”

As the city prepares for the Moonlit Garden gala, that vision will be on full display. Guests will enjoy an evening of extraordinary music, but more importantly, they’ll be investing in the future of Dallas’s cultural landscape.

For Cain, the night represents a personal triumph as well as a civic one. “I never thought I could do something like this,” she reflected. “But now, seeing the impact we can make—it’s been fun, it’s been a challenge, and it’s been deeply rewarding.”

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala takes place October 4 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. Proceeds benefit the DSO’s education and community engagement programs, including Young Strings and Young Musicians.

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