Guests of honor Leila Fazel, Rita Schrager and Lara Shriftman

There are great parties and there are greater parties. Especially when it’s for one of our dearest friends, Lara Shriftman.

So what happens when three head-turningly stunning women get together to host a joint birthday party? Glamour sparks were bound fly as the coveted invitation to Lara Shriftman, our favorite entertaining hostess with the mostess and principal of PR firm Harrison & Shriftman (www.hs-pr.com), and her friends Rita Schrager and Leila Fazel hosted a birthday gathering in New York City. Manhattan may never be the same.

The hosts worked with their favorite design duo Anders Ruff to send out an invitation that was, clean, classic… with a bit of edge.

Birthday cake anyone?

The party site was hipster haven Double Seven, one of Shriftman’s favorite hotspots in New York City. The venue had almost everything to offer, leaving her minimal details to make the party swing. Details like the staff, glassware, DJ and an amazing room layout catered to the crowd who, knowing the hosts, were not surprised to arrive to the party environment that was cozy, comfy, and sexy.

Did someone say cocktails? You bet. Naturally, a signature cocktail was available for guests when they arrived… the Grey Goose Le Fizz & Grey Goose Cherry Noir Midnight Highball cocktails flowed all evening.

Party Cocktail Recipes:

Grey Goose Le Fizz

1 part Grey Goose

½ part St Germain

½ part Fresh Lime Juice

Soda water

Garnish: lime twist

Glassware: Champagne

Recipe: In a shaker combine all ingredients, shake and strain into a champagne glass. Top with very cold soda water.

Inez Rivero, Lara Shriftman, Charlotte Blechman, Ingrid Hoffmann and Paul Bacardi

Grey Goose Cherry Noir Midnight Highball

Ingredients:

For 1:

1 ½ oz                 Grey Goose Cherry Noir

¾ oz                    M&R Sweet Vermouth

1 ½ oz                 Lemon Juice

¾ oz                    Simple syrup

Dash of                Lavender Bitters

Bitter Lemon Soda for Topping

Garnish: Mint Leaves

Glassware:  Highball

Recipe: Mix all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice, top with Bitter lemon soda and garnish.

Was there bottle service at the party? Indeed, because it always helps make the party flow so smoothly. A bottle of GREY GOOSE, a bottle of run, mixers, and a pitcher of ice, surrounded by glasses appaered to the crowd’s delight creating a  chic,self-service scenario that suited the evening perfectly.

Carlos Mota, Nick Rytting and George Jirka

Let them eat cake. A three-tiered custom made Crumbs cake was the icing on the event. The clever one-layer-for-each-hostess idea was in play with Lara choosing vanilla, Rita decided on chocolate and Leila loved her red velvet layer. The cake was made in the same colors of the invite; white, black and red. Details, details, details.

What is a party without great music? First, a great DJ is a must. DJ Sara Morales kept the evening humming with her amazing playlist, while the oldies playlist was Shriftman’s favorite. Disco inferno on the dance floor is what we’d call it.

Hostess Lara Shriftman and Hernan Arriaga

Some of the guests were surprised to learn there were no gift bags, a first for Lara in all her years of entertaining. The party was an antithesis of a Lara Shriftman party, really, with no bells and whistles. It was just good friends, great music and great drinks!. Guests are typically accustomed to Shriftman’s over-the-top themed parties such as her “Barbie and Ken” birthday bash that she and British It-girl Tamara Beckwith hosted, or when actress Lara Flynn Boyle & Shriftman teamed up to bring back Old Hollywood at their dual birthday bash awhile back, or when Shriftman and Chris Heinz’ “Pimps and Ho’s” birthday party happened when Jim Carrey was running for president.

Nope, not here. Not this time. This party was different and memorable in an unfamiliar way giving guests a memorable time feting three of their favorite gals about town. We look forward to next year’s party because Shriftman, will no doubt, outdo herself again.

GENaustin (the Girls Empowerment Network) does so much good by providing support and guide girls to make wise choices as they navigate the unique pressures of girlhood… especially for the under resourced girls in our community.

And, they are dedicated to keeping girls and women out of prison, and its new 180 Program catches girls at their first or second offense (usually substance abuse, fighting or truancy) and works in collaboration with judges and schools to turn their lives around, which is so crucial to their happy futures.

It’s known that girls in the system have high rates of family abuse, depression, self-mutilation and poverty. They are the fastest growing population in the juvenile justice system today, and programs that intervene when girls are first getting into trouble have the greatest impact at preventing girls from future incarceration. We like that.

GENaustin and the organization’s Julia Cuba are working to tell the community about this resource and raise scholarships for girls who can’t afford the program fee. Any size donation will make a difference for them. Here’s how you can help and share the message…

To donate, visitDonate here:http://www.crowdrise.com/supportthe180program/fundraiser/juliacuba#top

More info on the 180 Program here:http://genaustin.org/what-we-do/the-180-program/

When you think of Mom on her special day, think of Barton Creek Resort, too.

Mother’s Day Brunch at Barton Creek Resort in the Atrium and Royal Ballroom on Sunday, May 13 is where the action will be.

The resort is offering a special Mother’s Day brunch from 10:30AM – 2:30 PM where guests will enjoy a live pianist and a strolling magician during brunch. What’s not to love about that?

The brunch costs $58.95 for adults, $21.95 for children aged 6-12, and $1 per year of age for children 5 and under. Reservations can be made by calling 512.329.7923 or visiting www.bartoncreek.com

Here’s what you can expect on the menu…

Strawberry &Ginger Ale Smoothies

Seasonal Fresh Fruit & Berries

Assorted Pastries, Muffins, Danishes, Croissants

Made To Order Omelets

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Applewood Bacon, Grilled Ham Steaks, Turkey Sausage

Roasted Pepper, Spinach & Mushroom Frittata

Shellfish Bouillabaisse

Smoked Salmon and Shrimp Cocktail

Chopped Salad of Romaine Hearts

Tossed Local Field Greens

with housemade dressings, pickled watermelon, red beets, deep elum bleu cheese

Barton Creek Resort

Mother’s Day Brunch

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Soba Noodle Salad

marinated vegetables, grilled chicken, orange teriyaki vinaigrette

Heart Of Palm Salad

heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, red wine vinaigrette

Orechetti Pasta Salad

charred sweet corn, black beans, cilantro dressing, manchego cheese

Chilled Ratatouille Vegetable Salad

zucchini squash, eggplant, red onions, olives, caper vinaigrette

Tossed Strawberry, Mango, Pineapple Salad

white balsamic dressing

Imported and Domestic Cheese Sampler

Crisp crudités

with assorted dips, candied nuts and dried fruits

Carved Peachwood Smoked Prime Rib of Beef

soft brioche rolls, horseradish cream, caramelized shallot, au jus

Carved Honey Cumin Glazed Country Ham

apricot serrano chili sauce

Marinated Roasted Chicken Breast

French Lentil Salad

masala wine sauce

Pan Seared Red Snapper

red pepper, sweet & sour sauce, pineapple relish

Tossed Cheese Tortellini

pancetta bacon, sundried tomatoes, zucchini, noodles

spring mushrooms, basil pesto

Seasonal Fresh Vegetable Medley

Duet of Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cheese Mashed Potatoes

& Lyonnaise Yukon Gold Potatoes

Fabulous Desserts from Our Pastry Shop

Featuring:

Signature White Chocolate Bread Pudding

Large Assortment of Cakes, Pies and Tortes

Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Mom

Kids Buffet

Mini Cheese Pizzas, Crispy Chicken Fingers, Apple & Orange Slices, Tater Tots,

Macaroni & Cheese, Ice Cream Bars

Actress Laura Linney

There’s so much film and TV attention on Dallas these days with the city as the backdrop locale. That shows that the Texas Film industry is growing more at the recent Dallas International Film Festival which ran for 11 gloriously film-packed days, with more than 110 films screened in the most notable theaters across Dallas.  

The screenings covered myriad genres – from documentaries like the regression-inducing “Starck Project”, to cult classics like the 25^th-Anniverary of 1987’s ROBOCOP including star Peter Weller, Angie Bolling and 30 of the films players that hadn’t been together since the film was released. Now that’s a reunion.

The venues included some of Dallas’ best art houses along with the grand, old Majestic theatre and the newly restored Texas Theatre – forever infamous as the spot where JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald was captured.

Some of our favorites of the screenings include:

Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel – is an inspiring and funny documentary about the beyond-amazing career of Diana Vreeland. Her mother, having called her “my ugly duckling,” could never have known the enormous impact that Diana would have on the fashion world as Columnist-cum-Fashion Editor for Harper’s Bazaar then Vogue. Afterward she consulted to the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art while along the way she made the careers of Lauren Bacall, Lauren Hutton, Twiggy, Richard Avedon, and so many more. It was produced and co-directed by Lisa Immordino Vreeland, Granddaughter-in-law of Mrs. Vreeland.

Girls Girls Girls – an especially inventive compilation of six film shorts written, directed, produced, shot, and edited by women – each expressing their take on “feminine strength.” It was directed by Shana Sosin, Barbara Stepansky, Jennifer Chambers Lynch, Beth Grant, Tracie Laymon and America Young.

Richard Linklater’s latest, “Bernie” starring Shirley Maclaine, Jack Black, and Mathew McConaughey is a dark, comedic telling of the bizarre murder case that took place in Carthage, Texas. It was written by Linklater and Skip Hollandsworth.

The locally produced favorite screened was “Pros and Cons.” The film, brimming with local on-camera luminaries such as Earl Browning III, Le Marc Johnson, and LeeAnne Locken, follows a man overtaken by competitive fury in the “rough and tumble” world of Fantasy Football. It was directed by Bryant Hicks and written by Scott Ross.

Dallas City Editor Greg Johnson and actress Gabourey Sidibe

A highlight, though, was attending the Dallas Film Society Honors held at the Hotel Palomar on the final Friday evening of the fest. It was an amazing parade of honorees and film legends and on the red carpet we chatted with:

• Academy Award Nominee and Dallas Star Honoree Laura Linney,
• Academy Award winner and Dallas Star honoree Gabourey Sidibe,
• Peter Weller, star of Robocop, and wife and baby son
• Bernie Pollack Dallas Star Honoree for his costume design work for the likes of Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, and Harrison Ford.
• Eric Pleskow (founder of Orion Pictures and former CEO of United Artists), recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award  .
• Originator of the festival and Producer/Director of the Starck Project, Michael Cain.
• Texas talent: LeeAnne Locken, Drew Waters, and Farrah White.

We are already looking forward to next year’s festival, of course, which we are predicting will be just as star-packed. For more information, visit www.dallasfilm.org

Neiman Marcus in Austin

When it comes to style, one naturally thinks of Neiman Marcus.  This month, there’s a plethora of style events from which to choose in the Austin store. 

Scent Event, Cosmetics, 1^st Floor

Through Sunday, May 6

With a $100 Fragrance purchase, receive a NM tote filled with a sampling of fragrance goodies.

Trunk Shows, Designer Jewelry and Precious Jewelry, 1st Floor

Visit Neiman Marcus during May to see some of the store’s favorite jewelry collections…

Syna, Precious Jewels

Monday, April 30 and Tuesday, May 1

Gurhan, Designer Jewelry and Precious Jewels

Saturday, May 5

Natalie Lambert, Precious Jewels

Tuesday, May 8 and Wednesday, May 9

Ippolita, Designer Jewelry

Thursday, May 10

Assael, Precious Jewels

Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12

Ashley Pittman, Designer Jewelry

Saturday, May 12

Mother’s Day Event, Cosmetics, 1^st Floor

Saturday, May 5

Treat mom to the best. Enjoy makeovers, sips and snacks and fragrance bottle calligraphy.

For more information call 512.719.1200 or visit www.neimanmarcus.com

At the Rachofskys for Two X Two

Some call it the best event of the year in Texas. We agree.  The news? Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, hosts for the annual TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art, have announced Neiman Marcus as the Title Sponsor for the 14^th annual event scheduled for October 20, 2012. A dinner hosted by Claire Smith, Head of Spirit Creation and Mixology, Belvedere Vodka, a Gold Sponsor of TWO x TWO, celebrated Neiman Marcus and TWO x TWO hosts Cindy and Howard Rachofsky.  The announcement event took place on Monday, April 23 at Abacus.  Belvedere also used the occasion to introduce its newest vodka made to drink – Lemon Tea. Working with celebrated Chef Kent Rathbun, Claire developed a vodka and food pairing menu for the room of guests.

Since its inception, TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art has raised more than $34 million in support of essential AIDS research at amfAR and for the Contemporary Art Acquisitions Fund at the Dallas Museum of Art. We love that. “We salute the passion, dedication and hard work of Cindy and Howard Rachofsky on behalf of amfAR’s AIDS research and the Dallas Museum of Art,” said Jim Gold, President, Specialty Retail, The Neiman Marcus Group.

Cindy and Howard Rachofsky

“Last year was a landmark one for TWO x TWO,” said Cindy Rachofsky. “Along with our 2012 chair Amy Phelan, we wanted to develop a new playing field which would springboard us to a new level of fundraising.  With Neiman Marcus as our Title Sponsor, we are confident that target goal can be achieved—and even surpassed.”

There are so many heavy hitters attached to this event that has become a fundraising machine. The 2012 TWO x TWO sponsor list (to date), which was revealed at the dinner includes:

    • Presenting Sponsor – Neiman Marcus

    • Platinum Sponsors – Audi of America, Cartier, Sotheby’s, Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers

    • Gold Sponsors – Moët Hennessy USA, Waldman Bros./Chubb, Flexjet, todd. event design.creative services

    • Live Auction Sponsor - AT&T, Inc.

    • Valet Sponsor - Aston Martin of Dallas

    • Silent Auction Sponsor - Kiehl’s

    • First Look Presenting Sponsor - Karl Lagerfeld by Fossil

    • Celebrity Travel Sponsor - Tim Headington on behalf of The Joule Hotel

    • Technology Sponsor – GDT

    • Luxury Auction Sponsor - PlainsCapital Bank

    • Design Auction Sponsor - Design Within Reach

    • Financial Services Sponsor - Strait Capital Company Ltd.

    • Media Sponsor – PaperCity

    • Auctioneer - Jamie Niven, Chairman, Sotheby’s, North and South America

    • Graphic Design and Printing Sponsor - Texas Graphic Resource Inc.

    • Silver Sponsors – Unified Fine Arts

 • In-Kind Sponsors – American Airlines, Briggs Freeman, The Buzzell Company, Cassandra Fine Catering, The Cultured Cup, Displays Unlimited Inc., Ducky-Bob’s Event Specialists, Empire Baking Co., Hillstone, Kohler, The Joule Hotel, Lombardi Family Concepts, Mike Sandone Productions, Nancy Gonzalez, Park Cities Hilton, PRO/SOUND, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Runyon Fine Arts, Suite 206, San Pellegrino/Acqua Panna, Strong Travel Services, Switch Lighting, US Art

Other big news? Dallas collectors Lindsey and Patrick Collins have been selected as Art Chairs for the 2012 event. Richard Phillips will be the recipient of amfAR’s 2012 Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS at the 14^th annual event in October 2012.   He has supported TWO x TWO over the years, most recently with a remarkable large scale painting of actress Lindsay Lohan at the 2010 Dallas event.

Drawing prominent artists, art collectors and philanthropists from around the world, the annual black-tie gala is part of a week-long series of events.  It is the largest U.S. fundraiser for both amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art. An eagerly anticipated event that quickly sells out, the gala benefit features a seated dinner for 450 guests with both a live and silent auction of major works of contemporary art and unique luxury items.

Over the years, previous VIP celebrity guests at TWO x TWO events have included Sharon Stone, Sigourney Weaver, Shirley MacLaine, Liza Minnelli, Barry Manilow, Natasha Richardson, John Benjamin Hickey, Taylor Dayne, Dita Von Teese, Stanley Tucci, Harry Belafonte, Gavin Rossdale, Alan Cumming, Cheyenne Jackson and Patti LaBelle.

Renowned artists Robert Rauschenberg, Ed Ruscha, Julian Schnabel, April Gornik, Joel Shapiro, Cecily Brown, Tom Friedman, Elizabeth Peyton, Jim Hodges, Peter Doig, Christopher Wool and Mark Grotjahn have been honored.  During the live auction at the 2011 event, artist Mark Grotjahn’s piece went for a record-breaking $1 million. All of this is thanks in part to Barbara Buzzell of The Buzzell Co. the city’s most glam PR firm.

For more information on the event, visit www.2x2online.org.

David Leebron and Y. Ping Sun, By Jeff Fantich

The Asia Society Texas Center in Houston launched its new center in spectacular fashion as the annual Tiger Ball 2012 attracted nearly 1,000 attendees.

Guests (many in eye-catching attire of the culture) sipped champagne as they crowded into the Sarofim Gallery to view traditional Asian art from the Rockefeller Collection at Asia Society New York, and admire architect Yoshio Taniguchi’s stunningly elegant creations.

Dancing lions escorted patrons to a party tent across the street from the center for dinner and a soulful performance by legendary Iranian singer Shahram Nazeri and the Rumi Symphony Project.

Sold out weeks in advance, the gala raised $1.4 million to support the Texas Center’s programs and operations. Now that’s teamwork.

Architect Yoshio Taniguchi and Asia Society Texas Board of Trustees Chairman Charles Foster

In the crowd were: Executive Director Martha Blackwelder and Board Chairman Charles C. Foster, chairs Margaret Alkek Williams, Durga and Sushila Agrawal, David Leebron and Y. Ping Sun, Scott and Judy Nyquist, Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Charles Rockefeller, Nancy C. Allen and architect Yoshio Taniguchi.

The scene at the SPA Gala

You know it and I know it. The Society for the Performing Arts is always bringing the world’s best to Houston. As it did at its recent annual gala, , that was held recently downtown at The Corinthian and benefitted SPA’s education and outreach programing – Beyond the Stage – by enriching their coffers by more than $400,000.

Charlie Williams, Margaret Alkek Williams, Randa Williams

Founded in 1966, we love that the Society for the Performing Arts (SPA) is the largest independent non-profit presenting organization in the Southwest.  Since its inception, SPA has sponsored more than 850 performances of the world’s finest music, dance and theater events, in adherence to the belief that the arts are fundamental to the overall enrichment and quality of life within the community. In addition to presenting artists, SPA seeks to provide a variety of learning experiences for adults and children through master classes, lectures and special student performances, as well as build relationships between the performing arts and other interests within the greater Houston area and throughout the state of Texas.

Chairs Mary Ann and David McKeithan

Chairs Mary Ann and David McKeithan created a magically romantic evening with a Tuscan flair.  SPA took this opportunity to honor Board Member, Margret Alkek Williams, for her loyal and steadfast support of SPA and the Houston performing arts scene. Guests enjoyed a delicious Italian inspired dinner by famed caterer Jackson Hicks of Jackson & Co., while the Sicilian Tenors serenaded guests with classic Italian songs in their trademark velvet voices.

Under the creative eye of Decorations Chair Vanessa Sendukas, Rebekah Johnson of Bergner and Johnson created a beautiful Tuscan landscape with white Tivoli lights draped from column to column and stunning centerpieces of miniature lemon trees and beautiful orange roses. Later in the evening, SKYROCKET took the stage while guests crowded the dance floor until the wee hours of the evening. The live auction, chaired by Elizabeth Vail, had guests competitively bidding on one-of-a-kind items such as trips to Cabo San Lucas, Beaver Creek and Nantucket as well as a fabulous get a way to Tuscany. Valobra Jewelry & Antiques donated a beautiful double strand of opera length pearls with 46 carats of citrine stones, which had many of the female guests in a frenzy.

Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro

Seen in the crowd were June Christensen, President and CEO of SPA; Board Chairman Jim Postl and wife Beverly; Jim Daniel, Sue Trammel Whitfield; Randa and Charlie Williams; Ginni and Richard Mithoff; Phoebe and Bobby Tudor; Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro; Nancy and Chuck Davidson; Soraya and Scott McClelland; R.O. Hunton; Liz and Tom Glanville; Kari Gonzalez of Cartier; Sheridan Williams; Elizabeth and Tim Vail; Denise and Philip Bahr; Gracie and Bob Cavnar; Mary Lynn and Ferdy Khater; Carol and Mike Linn, among others.

We love a great film, or a dozen of them.  And what better way to see the best but at The USA Film Festival in Dallas?

The full schedule of events for the 42nd Annual USA Film Festival, April 25 – 29, 2012. All programs will be held at the Angelika Film Center Dallas, 5321 E. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas.

Advance tickets are available exclusively through Ticketmaster beginning Monday, April 16, 2012.

The program includes tributes to the Rob Reiner, Elliott Gould and  Bert I. Gordon.

TICKET & SCHEDULE INFORMATION

Tickets for all programs $10. (There are also several FREE admission programs noted in the schedule.) Advance tickets will be available via Ticketmaster beginning April 16.

Tickets by telephone – 214.631.2787 or tickets online – www.ticketmaster.com

A complete schedule of all Festival events may be obtained by calling the Festival office at 214.821.FILM or may be viewed online at www.usafilmfestival.com beginning April 13.

Schedules are also available at the Angelika Film Center Dallas.

From the 2011 Ballroom competition

There are so many reasons to love Marfa. The wide-open spaces, the art, the screenwriting.  Screenwriting? Yes, it’s that time again. For Ballroom Marfa’s second annual presentation of The Reading, a professionally staged screenplay performance that showcases one of the winners of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ annual Nicholl Fellowship. On April 21^st, at Marfa’s Crowley Theater, The Reading will place this year’s spotlight on up-and-coming writer Dion Cook and his brilliantly crafted script, Cutter. You’ll want to be there to be a part of the action in this hipster outpost region.

Many consider this to be the world’s most esteemed screenwriting competition. Why? Cutter was one of five screenplays chosen from a record 6,730 submissions to be honored with the 2011 Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting. Dion Cook’s Cutter was then singled out to be further honored by Ballroom Marfa’s distinguished Filmmakers’ Selection Committee, comprised of Director and Academy Awardâ-winning screenwriter Robert Towne, Emmyâ-nominated actress Jeanne Tripplehorn, and veteran producer Robert Shapiro, who also serves on the Nicholl Fellow Selection Committee and will again be conducting this year’s panel discussions following The Reading performances. Cutter tells the powerfully captivating story of a Miami trauma physician who moved to the United States after surviving the horrors of the 1994 Rwanda genocide.

As before, The Reading will again be directed by Dallas-based veteran actor/director John S. Davies and produced by Carolyn Pfeiffer and Nancy Sanders. In a joint comment, Pfeiffer and Sanders both remark, “We are very excited to be staging such a powerful script.  Dion Cook’s brilliant drama illuminates a tragedy playing out not just in Africa, but here as well.  Cutter is a hugely compelling story that will captivate audiences at The Reading. We are so pleased that Robert Shapiro has continued his involvement with the program and that writer-director Robert Towne, an icon and true inspiration to decades of writers within the industry ranks, along with the immensely talented and multi-dimensional actress Jeanne Tripplehorn both participated in this year’s selection committee.”

Following upon the highly successful performance of The Reading in 2011, this year’s stellar cast of diverse lead-actors hail from Dallas and include: Babakayode Ipaye, Gerald Dewey, Ginneh Thomas, Jeff Fenter, Jirah Simpson, Elizabeth Dukes Melancon, and Patrick Grover. Also joining this year’s production as the ‘Shadow Maker,’ Fred Curchack will bring his exemplary talents to The Reading’s highly anticipated presentation of Cutter. Fred Curchack, revered nationally for his accomplishments in theater, is designing and choreographing the shadow play in the performance, using techniques he’s perfected in his 78 original theater creations. The Los Angeles Times has called Curchack’s work “visually astonishing”, while the Dallas Morning News says, “his performance pieces have won raves in The New York Times and provoked more than one critic to use that tricky word ‘genius.’”

On April 21 Ballroom Marfa will present two performances of The Reading at the Crowley Theater (one matinee at 2:00 PM and one evening show at 8:00 PM), each followed by a panel discussion with the screenwriter and others involved with the project. The performances are free, but as seating is limited, reservations are strongly advised. To reserve a seat at this year’s presentation of The Reading, visit www.ballrooommarfa.org or call 432.729.3600. See you there… Out West.