Dallas’ Incredible Performing Arts Kids Put On a Wild Show

What: The eighth annual Flyinghorse event benefitting Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts

Where: One Arts Plaza & Montgomery Arts Theater on the Booker T. campus

PC Moment: A room jam-packed with 500 guests from across the DFW metro? It can only be in support of the tremendous students from Booker T. Washington High School. Flyinghorse, which is now in its eighth year, is a celebration of the talented students who specialize in the creative and performing arts. Home, individuality, and belonging were just a few central themes that flooded the scene on this theatrical night — along with a grand total of $290,000 raised for the BTW Advisory Board.

Beginning in the One Arts Plaza lobby, partygoers were in awe of the various student art installations, the floral decor by Grange Hall, and, of course, the “southern-comfort-meets-elevated” bites from Food Co. with potato chips topped with caviar and crème fraiche to spicy fried chicken on cheddar scallion biscuits. Event chair Lindsey Collins used her hip and fabulous flair to up the display to new heights.

The main event, sponsored by Neiman Marcus, was a combination of jaw-dropping student performances and a Bullion restaurant concession stand of sweet and savory treats that beats your average popcorn. From a string arrangement of a Gershwin classic to a Mariachi ensemble, Flyinghorse is the only place where the audience can hear hauntingly beautiful singers and see Broadway ready dancers. The musical theatre finale from The Wiz had guests jumping out of their seats to cheer, especially when Booker T. Washinghton alum and RuPaul’s DragRace contestant, Ms. Kennedy Davenport, joined the kids onstage. 

Who: Carly Allen-Martin and Blake Martin, Christi Houser, Nicole Forester, Cory and Michael Elford, David Munk, Nick Bonanno, Erin Cluley and Tearlach Hutcheson, Hadley and Jana Paul, Heather and Bill Esping, Jessica and John White, Lindsey and Patrick Collins, Corrie Strosnider, Sharon and Michael Young, Phyllis Weiss, Fern Trisvau, Tisa Hibbs, Rachel and Grant Baldwin, Satchel Victory, Stephanie Adelina, Steve Killingback, Pasi Kuusisto, Tara Lewis, Deb Weatherwax, Dee Dee Acquista, Bridget and Josh Miller, and Kara and Jeff Axley.