A 1920s Celebration

The Secret Society Ball hosts a glitzy and glamorous 1920s celebration of love

Sassy DeLure and Frannie Brown perform a burlesque number.Photo by Shelley Neuman
V.I.P. tables were decked out in 1920s opulence.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Amelia Raley of the Austin Phonograph Company spins records for guests as they arrive.Photo by Shelley Neuman
A variety of desserts were offered to guests.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Rebecca Price.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Shelly Shepard pets Darrin, a dog up for adoption from Austin Pets Alive.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Bonnie Kuhl, Amie Madden, Jeff Norris.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Sassy DeLure and Frannie Brown perform a burlesque number.Photo by Shelley Neuman
The Violet Crown Serenaders perform.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Alexis Blum and Randy Ortega dance.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Jackie Hatan and Leslie King.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Whurley, Brad Cottrell, Shelli Cottrell, Rachael Yoshida.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Julie Hermanson and Alan Farmer.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Joshua Poupard from Bobalu Cigar Company rolls cigars for guests.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Lacey Rose and Jillian Newman.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Tracy Abrahams and Erin Freeman.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Frannie Brown.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Elyse Grassmuck, Lupe Valdez, Maria Palazzo, Kevin Somers.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Laura Malloy and Matt Jones dance.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Maisa Manoel, Kevin Borden, Dr. Chad Van Holland, Maez Taylor.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Heather Ann Howes sings for the crowd.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Cassandra LeBlanc watches Sassy DeLure perform.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Sassy DeLure performs the final burlesque act of the night.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Sassy DeLure performs the final burlesque act of the night.Photo by Shelley Neuman

The smell of gardenias and freshly rolled Cuban cigars wafted through the air on Thursday during The Secret Society Ball's pre-Valentine's Day celebration. Held at Swan Dive on Red River, the '20s-themed event hosted by Austin Influential Group and XiBiT Productions was raising funds for local pet adoption group, Austin Pets Alive!.

The venue was draped with shimmering fabric, and vintage tunes lingered in the air from phonographs played by the Austin Phonograph Company. Guests were dressed in their best jazz age garb and were served champagne and treats from a delectable dessert bar.

As the night drew on, performances from burlesque troupes and prohibition era-inspired musicians entertained the eyes and ears of the opulent revelers. Guests were also invited to enjoy cigars rolled by Bobalu Cigar Company and view the silent silver screen favorites on the back patio.

The night ended with a raffle featuring fabulous prizes.

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Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes are now engaged. Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Five-time Olympic medalist and social media powerhouse Gabby Thomas is sporting some new metal — an engagement ring from luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co.

Vogue magazine reported March 25 that Gabby's longtime boyfriend, Spencer McManes, 29, recently popped the question on the rooftop of a staycation rental in Travis Heights. The 28-year-old Thomas accepted the proposal. Thomas and McManes live together in Austin with their dog, Rico Thee Pug.

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The couple started dating in 2022, one year after she stumbled upon his pizza reviews on Instragram. “I’m a huge fan of pizza myself,” she tells Vogue. “I was like, ‘This looks like really good quality content.’”

Impressed by his pizza prowess, Thomas followed McManes on Instagram.

“I got the notification that I had a new follower. I was like, ‘That’s crazy! Gabby Thomas?’” he tells Vogue. “I immediately DM’d her and asked, ‘What did I do to earn a follow?’”

It wasn’t long before that Instagram follow led to love.

Four years after that initial Instagram encounter, Thomas’s best friend and a photographer witnessed the surprise proposal in a setting that overflowed with fresh flowers. “Oh my gosh, this is happening,” Thomas recalls thinking.

“Normally he’s very bad with surprises — and this was the one surprise I think I’ve ever witnessed him keep,” she tells Vogue.

Thomas, a world-class sprinter, earned three gold medals at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and one bronze medal and one silver medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Thomas has spun her golden success on the track into sponsorship deals with footwear and apparel brand New Balance, Mediterranean restaurant chain Cava, and smartwatch brand Amazfit.

Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in neurobiology and global health from Harvard University and a master’s degree in epidemiology from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Thomas and McManes get along despite the fact that he’s an alumnus of Yale University, an Ivy League archrival of Harvard.

McManes founded an Austin-based non-alcoholic seltzer brand called Kaviva. A former Yale football player, McManes competes for the Austin Huns Rugby Football Club, according to TMZ.

Right now, the newly engaged Thomas has little time to celebrate or plan her impending marriage. She kicks off her 2025 track-and-field season this weekend at the Texas Relays in Austin — where she may or may not be flashing her new bling.

celebrities olympics engagement

A 1920s Celebration

The Secret Society Ball hosts a glitzy and glamorous 1920s celebration of love

A 1920s Celebration

The Secret Society Ball hosts a glitzy and glamorous 1920s celebration of love

The Long Run

Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas gets engaged on Austin staycation

The Long Run

Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas gets engaged on Austin staycation