Dancing for a Cause

Local celebs show off their moves at Dancing with the Stars Austin gala

What: Dancing with the Stars Austin presented by Lexus of Austin

Where: Hilton Austin

The lowdown: On Sunday night, local celebrities showed off their dance moves to the who's who of Austin. More than 900 glamorous Austinites gathered at the Hilton Austin for the annual Dancing with the Stars Austin gala, an evening full of entertainment, fundraising and, of course, dancing. Celebrity dancers and their professional partners performed original routines for the packed house and a panel of star judges that included Ed Clements, Jeff Jumonville and game show host Chuck Woolery.

The duos danced everything from hip-hop to the foxtrot in an effort to secure the coveted mirror ball trophy, which was awarded to Katrine Formby for her "All I Want for Christmas Is You" act with professional dance partner Randy Ferguson. The fun didn't stop when the competition was over — guests enjoyed a live auction and a raffle for a 2014 Lexus GS 350 before dancing the night away to tunes from DJ Johnny Bravvo. The event raised an astounding $1,200,000 for abused children in Travis County.

Who: Gene Austin, David Dunham, Grant Foster, Cassie LaMere,Francie Little, Shelby Marquardt, Sarah Meredith, Donna Stockton-Hicks, Adam Zeplain, Heather Deatherage, Meg Land and Bernadette Spencer.

Ed Clements, Sabrina Barker-Truscott, Chuck Woolery and Jeff Jumonville.

Dancing with the Stars Austin 2014 - Ed Clements Sabrina Barker-Truscott Chuck Woolery Jeff Jumonville

Photos by Jeff Loftin, Dale Murphy and Farid Zarrinabadi

Ed Clements, Sabrina Barker-Truscott, Chuck Woolery and Jeff Jumonville.

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Night at the Museum

Austin museum opens lush gala afterparties to the public for first time

Photo from Thecontemporaryaustin.org.

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For 11 years now, the Contemporary Austin has been hosting "Art Dinners" at its lakeside location, Laguna Gloria. These fairytale-like galas take place as dusk sets in, surrounded by twinkling lights strung across the property's sprawling 14-acre sculpture park. But until now, they've been invitation-only affairs. For the first time ever, the Contemporary Austin is inviting the public to the best part this magical evening: a late-night afterparty.

The Art Dinners have welcomed 300 art luminaries, collectors, civic leaders, and philanthropists over these years to raise funds for the museum's classes and exhibits.

On October 25, once the dishes are put away and the early birds have weeded themselves out, the Art Dinner Afterparty will begin. It will go from 9:30 until "late evening."

Guests can expect a pop-up cocktail bar by the cool Austin speakeasy Garage, with specialty drinks like espresso martinis. Plus, there will be late night snacks from Dolce Bacio Gelato and Restart CBD. Live music and performances will be provided by J'cuuzi and DJ SuperNova of Pangea Sound. Highlights also include: tarot card and palm readings, live body painting, and fire dancing. All of this set to the stunning backdrop of Laguna Gloria's grounds at night. It's basically A Midsummer Night's Dream.

A DJ performs at a late-night Laguna Gloria party. Live music for this after party will include performances by J'cuuzi and DJ SuperNova of Pangea Sound. Photo courtesy of Giant Noise

"We're excited for the magic of our iconic Art Dinner to reach wider audiences," says the museum's Earnest and Sarah Butler executive director and CEO, Sharon Maidenberg, in a release. "We wanted to extend the welcome to more folks and give them the opportunity to engage with our gala, which has historically been a very intimate affair."

Tickets are now on sale on the Contemporary Austin's website at $160 for members and $200 for nonmembers. Ticket sales will benefit the museum's exhibits and educational programming. The Contemporary is Austin's only museum focused solely on contemporary artists and their work. It offers year-round exhibitions, classes, workshops, and events.

$The Contemporary Austin \u2014 Laguna Gloria$ The Contemporary Austin — Laguna Gloria is one of the most beautifu Artwork by Tom Friedman, photo by Brian Fitzsimmons via the Contemporary Austin

Event organizers recommend that guests "dress sharp." Valet parking will be provided, but if this night is as Shakespearian as we think it might be, you may want to catch a rideshare.

More information about the museum is available at thecontemporaryaustin.org.

museums galleries galas dinner visual art