Freelance Work - CYNTHIA SMOOT

Plates & Pours | Dallas Dining Update for June 2026

Cynthia Smoot — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:38:16 +0000

The DFW dining scene moves fast, and if you blink, you’ll miss the reservation everyone’s suddenly chasing or the cocktail that’s quietly becoming the city’s next calling card. Plates and Pours is your monthly insiders’ digest of what’s happening across Dallas restaurants and bars: new openings worth the hype, chef moves, and menu drops, wine dinners to book before they sell out, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) shifts shaping how the city eats and drinks right now. Read more about June’s hottest dining updates on Curated Texan.

20th Annual Chick Lit Luncheon | Curated Texan

Cynthia Smoot — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:07:42 +0000

Community Partners of Dallas recently celebrated its 20th annual Chick Lit Luncheon, presented by Dr. Robert and Lara Tafel, at the Hilton Anatole. Luncheon Co-chairs Brooke Bailey and Elizabeth Dacus, with Honorary Chair Leigh Anne Haugh, were joined by more than 1,100 attendees at the annual event, which featured a conversation with Fox4 Good Day anchor Paige Ellenberger and award-winning actress, producer, and New York Times bestselling author Lauren Graham.

To read more about this event, visit Curated Texan.

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Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is Scottsdale’s Ultimate Desert Escape

Cynthia Smoot — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:58:22 +0000

Framed by the rugged silhouette of the McDowell Mountains and alive with the ancient rhythms of the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale, Ariz. is a destination that earns its reputation effortlessly. Towering saguaros, darting roadrunner, and a sky that stretches endlessly over a city that has mastered the art of blending raw natural splendor with refined luxury. And at the heart of it all sits one resort that captures Scottsdale’s spirit better than any other.

Sprawling across 65 sun-drenched acres in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a AAA Five Diamond resort in a league of its own. Five distinctive restaurants and lounges, curated boutiques two Tournament Players Club golf courses including the legendary home of the WM Phoenix Open, the celebrated Well & Being Spa, six heated pools and a brand-new pickleball court round out an amenity list that borders on the absurd in the best possible way.

I recounted my recent stay in the June issue of the Katy Trail Weekly newspaper. Click HERE to read this article in its entirety.

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Scene Around Town: Dallas Theater Center, Vogel and Breakthrough T1D

Cynthia Smoot — Sat, 30 May 2026 12:49:00 +0000

As Society Editor for the Katy Trail Weekly I oversee the publication's Scene Around Town feature, which shines a spotlight on nonprofit and community events each week. In the June 2026 issue, I’m featuring scenes from the Breakthrough TD1 Dallas 30th Anniversary Gala, “A Night of Hope,” which saw 600 supporters come together to celebrate the gala’s three decades of impact in the fight to cure type 1 diabetes. Also featured was an evening where Broadway star Tiffany Mann headlined the 42nd annual CENTERSTAGE Gala where $545,000 was raised in support of our Tony Award®-winning Dallas Theater Center. The night's most prestigious honor, the Linda and Bill Custard Award, was presented to Larry Angelilli. And lastly, Hank Azaria and his EZ Street Band blew the roof off Vogel's 34th Annual Arts Performance Event to help raise $1.3 million to support Dallas children and families experiencing homelessness.

I encourage you to pick up the latest issue of the Katy Trail Weekly complete with community news, articles by local experts, event and restaurant info, puzzles, and more for FREE each month! Where? Katy Trail Weekly proudly serves these Dallas neighborhoods: Uptown, Arts District, Highland Park, Preston Hollow, Downtown, University Park, West Village, Preston Center, Oak Lawn, Knox-Henderson, Love Field, Medical District, and more!

Have an event you’d like to submit for editorial consideration? Here’s what you need to email me:

Send a minimum of 4 images for consideration.
- No more than 4 people in each shot
- No repeats (meaning the same person can’t be in multiple shots)
- Guests need to be posed and smiling into the camera. No candids.
You must ID the people in each photo (left to right)
Tell me the name of the event and provide a brief description of the event (no more than 50 words)
Provide the photographer’s name for credit

Go Red For Women Luncheon | Curated Texan

Cynthia Smoot — Thu, 14 May 2026 17:17:23 +0000

More Than 600 Supporters Gathered At The Fairmont Hotel Dallas For A Parisian-Inspired “Hearts In Bloom” Celebration That Fused Fashion, Advocacy, And Lifesaving Action. To read this event recap in its entirety, head over to Curated Texan.

Plates & Pours | Dallas Dining Update for May 2026

Cynthia Smoot — Wed, 06 May 2026 19:48:45 +0000

The DFW dining scene moves fast, and if you blink, you’ll miss the reservation everyone’s suddenly chasing or the cocktail that’s quietly becoming the city’s next calling card. Plates and Pours is your monthly insiders’ digest of what’s happening across Dallas restaurants and bars; new openings worth the hype, chef moves, and menu drops, wine dinners to book before they sell out, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) shifts shaping how the city eats and drinks right now. Think of it as the notes passed at the table: where to go, what to order, and why it matters, before everyone else catches on… Click the image to see what’s hot for May Dallas dining.

Scene Around Town: Chick Lit, Debutantes, and a Spanish Art Retrospective

Cynthia Smoot — Sat, 02 May 2026 19:50:26 +0000

As Society Editor for the Katy Trail Weekly I oversee the publication's Scene Around Town feature, which shines a spotlight on nonprofit and community events each week. In the May 2026 issue, I’m featuring scenes from the 40th Annual Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Presentation Ball led by Ball co-chairs Maggie Kipp and Kristin Hallam. The dazzling evening saw forty four debutantes presented, accompanied by their Honor Guard.

Community Partners of Dallas celebrated its 20th annual Chick Lit Luncheon with more than 1,100 attendees. The luncheon featured a conversation with FOX4 Good Day anchor Paige Ellenberger and award-winning actress, producer and New York Times bestselling author Lauren Graham.

And lastly, a recent Lenders Dinner held at the Meadows Museum, celebrated the first-ever retrospective dedicated to the artist, Raimundo de Madrazo. On display through June 21, this new exhibition traces Madrazo’s international career as one of the most successful painters of the Belle Époque. Photos by Tamytha Cameron.

Have an event you’d like to submit for editorial consideration? Here’s what you need to email me:

Send a minimum of 4 images for consideration.
- No more than 4 people in each shot
- No repeats (meaning the same person can’t be in multiple shots)
- Guests need to be posed and smiling into the camera. No candids.
You must ID the people in each photo (left to right)
Tell me the name of the event and provide a brief description of the event (no more than 50 words)
Provide the photographer’s name for credit

Mahjong For A Mission | Curated Texan

Cynthia Smoot — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:49:05 +0000

Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC) welcomed more than 120 guests to Galleria Dallas for its 6th Annual Mahjong for a Mission, chaired by Laura Black. The event brought together community leaders, longtime DCAC supporters, and friends gathering for a meaningful cause. Thanks to the generous community, the event raised more than $80,000 to directly support children served by DCAC.

To read more about this event, visit Curated Texan.

Plates & Pours | Dallas Dining Update for April 2026

Cynthia Smoot — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:56:38 +0000

The DFW dining scene moves fast, and if you blink, you’ll miss the reservation everyone’s suddenly chasing or the cocktail that’s quietly becoming the city’s next calling card. Plates and Pours is your monthly insiders’ digest from Curated Texan of what’s actually happening across Dallas restaurants and bars; new openings worth the hype, chef moves, and menu drops, wine dinners to book before they sell out, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) shifts shaping how the city eats and drinks right now. Think of it as the notes passed at the table: where to go, what to order, and why it matters, before everyone else catches on. Click HERE to read this article in its entirety.

42nd Annual St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show | Curated Texan

Cynthia Smoot — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:41:00 +0000

The 2026 St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show: The Heart of the Fight was one for the record books. Event Co-chairs Megan and Keith Conlon, along with honorary chairs Ellen and Clayton Kershaw, welcomed an incredible crowd of 850 guests to the 42nd annual event at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The room was filled with energy, generosity, and purpose, and by the end of the day, more than $1 million had been raised to support the mission of Blood Cancer United (formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society).

To read this event recap in its entirety, click HERE.

Scene Around Town: Blood Cancer United, The Stewpot, and The Senior Source

Cynthia Smoot — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000

As Society Editor for the Katy Trail Weekly I oversee the publication's Scene Around Town feature, which shines a spotlight on nonprofit and community events each week. In the April 2026 issue, I’m featuring scenes from the annual St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show where co-chairs Megan and Keith Conlon, alongside honorary chairs Ellen and Clayton Kershaw, were joined by a record-setting 850 attendees at the 42nd annual luncheon benefiting Blood Cancer United, formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, raising more than $1,000,000.

Nearly 700 attendees gathered at the The Stewpot’s recent 18th annual Soup’s On Luncheon and Art Show, presented by H-E-B/Central Market. Featured speaker Hailee Kaleem Wright, singer, songwriter and actor, shared her story of resilience—about overcoming homelessness twice on her rise to Broadway stardom. The Stewpot has served more than 9 million meals and has grown to provide comprehensive services and a community of support for people experiencing poverty and homelessness, including programs that stabilize, house and enrich the lives of Dallas neighbors.

Lastly, the 32nd annual Spirit of Generations Awards brought together civic leaders, philanthropists and longtime advocates, all united in their admiration for honoree Jan Langbein’s work as CEO of Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support and their support for The Senior Source’s mission to make the aging journey better for all older adults in Dallas.

Have an event you’d like to submit for editorial consideration? Here’s what you need to email me:

Send a minimum of 4 images for consideration.
- No more than 4 people in each shot
- No repeats (meaning the same person can’t be in multiple shots)
- Guests need to be posed and smiling into the camera. No candids.
You must ID the people in each photo (left to right)
Tell me the name of the event and provide a brief description of the event (no more than 50 words)
Provide the photographer’s name for credit

Perot Museum’s Night At The Museum | Curated Texan

Cynthia Smoot — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:59:20 +0000

The Night at the Museum gala is one of Dallas’ most imaginative annual events, and the 2025 edition transformed the Perot Museum of Nature and Science into a luminous, after-hours world of exploration. This year, the gala honored the vision and generosity of a founding family from the natural resources space, inspiring a theme that mirrored the spirit of their industry: wind, water, and air, and set the stage for a night where Alchemy begins. Click HERE to read this article in its entirety.

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Dallas Zoo To Do | Curated Texan

Cynthia Smoot — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 22:07:40 +0000

Over 800 guests gathered at the Dallas Zoo on Saturday, November 1, for Zoo To Do 2025: Nocturne. It was an enchanting evening filled with food, music, and mission that raised an outstanding $1.5 million in support of the Dallas Zoo’s mission of “Engaging People & Saving Wildlife.” Event Chairs Robbie Kruithoff and Ryan Ross, alongside Honorary Co-Chairs Lois Finkelman and Joan Walne, led this year’s annual event. To read this event recap in its entirety, visit Curated Texan.

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The Farrah Fawcett Foundation Tex-Mex Fiesta | Curated Texan

Cynthia Smoot — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 21:03:53 +0000

The Farrah Fawcett Foundation’s Tex-Mex Fiesta 2025 was more than just a star-studded evening… it was a heartfelt celebration of life, legacy, and the ongoing fight against cancer. This past October, an unforgettable night unfolded under the open skies of Texas at The Rustic in Dallas, where guests gathered in the spirit of compassion, remembrance, and determination to carry forward Farrah Fawcett’s powerful mission. Read this article in its entirety on Curated Texan.

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Klyde Warren Park’s “Party In The Park” | Curated Texan

Cynthia Smoot — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 16:58:07 +0000

This past October, Klyde Warren Park marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 13th anniversary in grand style with the annual Party in the Park fundraiser, presented by Republic National Distributing Company. The highly anticipated event brought together nearly a thousand guests for an unforgettable evening of food, music, and philanthropy, raising more than $1.1 million to support the Park’s year-round programming and maintenance. Click HERE to read more about this spectacular event on Curated Texan.

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Scene Around Town: Stanley Korshak and AT&T Performing Arts Center

Cynthia Smoot — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000

As Society Editor for the Katy Trail Weekly I oversee the publication's Scene Around Town feature, which shines a spotlight on nonprofit and community events each week. In this week’s January 23d issue, I’m featuring scenes from Stanley Korshak who recently welcomed renowned fashion designer Joseph Altuzarra for a special luncheon and celebration of his remarkable career and design legacy. Guests had a rare opportunity to view standout pieces from the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 Altuzarra collections, along with select runway looks that exemplified the brand’s signature craftsmanship. Also highlighted were images from the AT&T Performing Arts Center who held their annual Bravo! Gala this past November. Ted and Shannon Skokos were the night’s honorees with over 300 attendees raising over $550,000 - the highest grossing Bravo! Gala to date, to support the Center’s free programming, education and community engagement initiatives.

Have an event you’d like to submit for editorial consideration? Here’s what you need to email me:

Send a minimum of 4 images for consideration.
- No more than 4 people in each shot
- No repeats (meaning the same person can’t be in multiple shots)
- Guests need to be posed and smiling into the camera. No candids.
You must ID the people in each photo (left to right)
Tell me the name of the event and provide a brief description of the event (no more than 50 words)
Provide the photographer’s name for credit

I encourage you to pick up the latest issue of the Katy Trail Weekly complete with community news, articles by local experts, event and restaurant info, puzzles, and more for FREE each week! Where? Katy Trail Weekly proudly serves these Dallas neighborhoods: Uptown, Arts District, Highland Park, Preston Hollow, Downtown, University Park, West Village, Preston Center, Oak Lawn, Knox-Henderson, Love Field, Medical District, and more!

The United Way Of Metropolitan Dallas Centennial Celebration | Curate Texan

Cynthia Smoot — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 16:43:16 +0000

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas marked its 100th anniversary with a Centennial Celebration that transformed multiple iconic areas of Fair Park and the Cotton Bowl into an elevated, immersive experience designed to honor a century of community impact. The evening featured a Taste United Food & Wine Festival that took place inside the Fair Park Centennial Building alongside a Patron Dinner hosted inside the historic Fair Park Automobile Building. As the night progressed, the celebration moved into the Cotton Bowl, which had been transformed into a spectacular concert venue. The evening ended with a concert from Blake Shelton and Janet Jackson. To read more about this even in its entirety, visit Curated Texan online.

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Scene Around Town: House of Creed and Perot Museum

Cynthia Smoot — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:52:00 +0000

As Society Editor for the Katy Trail Weekly I oversee the publication's Scene Around Town feature, which shines a spotlight on nonprofit and community events each week. In this week’s December 19 issue, I’m featuring scenes from an exclusive private masterclass experience that was recently hosted by House of Creed's North America Brand Ambassador Luis Cavallo alongside 2024 NorthPark Ambassador Hamilton A Sneed at the Creed Boutique at NorthPark Center. Also featured are scenes from one of Dallas’ most imaginative annual events, a Night at the Museum. the 2025 edition transformed the Perot Museum of Nature and Science into a luminous, after-hours world of exploration raising more than $2 million for the Museum’s financial aid programs.

Have an event you’d like to submit for editorial consideration? Here’s what you need to email me:

Send a minimum of 4 images for consideration.
- No more than 4 people in each shot
- No repeats (meaning the same person can’t be in multiple shots)
- Guests need to be posed and smiling into the camera. No candids.
You must ID the people in each photo (left to right)
Tell me the name of the event and provide a brief description of the event (no more than 50 words)
Please send one event submission per email with the name of the event in the Subject line

I encourage you to pick up the latest issue of the Katy Trail Weekly complete with community news, articles by local experts, event and restaurant info, puzzles, and more for FREE each week! Where? Katy Trail Weekly proudly serves these Dallas neighborhoods: Uptown, Arts District, Highland Park, Preston Hollow, Downtown, University Park, West Village, Preston Center, Oak Lawn, Knox-Henderson, Love Field, Medical District, and more!

Scene Around Town: Dallas Zoo and Nasher Sculpture Center

Cynthia Smoot — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

As Society Editor for the Katy Trail Weekly I oversee the publication's Scene Around Town feature, which shines a spotlight on nonprofit and community events each week. In this week’s December 12 issue, I’m featuring scenes from Zoo To Do where almost 40 of Dallas’s top chefs converged upon the Dallas Zoo serving signature bites and inventive nibbles from their stations across the Wilds of Africa side of the Zoo. The night raised an outstanding $1.5 million in support of the Zoo’s mission of Engaging People & Saving Wildlife. Also featured were scenes from the Nasher Sculpture Center who recently held The Great Create, an annual fundraiser that commissions North Texas artists to create unique, hands-on activities at stations throughout the Nasher’s garden for kids and families.

Have an event you’d like to submit for editorial consideration? Here’s what you need to email me:

Send a minimum of 4 images for consideration.
- No more than 4 people in each shot
- No repeats (meaning the same person can’t be in multiple shots)
- Guests need to be posed and smiling into the camera. No candids.
You must ID the people in each photo (left to right)
Tell me the name of the event and provide a brief description of the event (no more than 50 words)
Please send one event submission per email with the name of the event in the Subject line

I encourage you to pick up the latest issue of the Katy Trail Weekly complete with community news, articles by local experts, event and restaurant info, puzzles, and more for FREE each week! Where? Katy Trail Weekly proudly serves these Dallas neighborhoods: Uptown, Arts District, Highland Park, Preston Hollow, Downtown, University Park, West Village, Preston Center, Oak Lawn, Knox-Henderson, Love Field, Medical District, and more!

Scene Around Town: Cattle Baron's Ball and ManeGait

Cynthia Smoot — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:26:00 +0000

As Society Editor for the Katy Trail Weekly I oversee the publication's Scene Around Town feature, which shines a spotlight on nonprofit and community events each week. In this week’s December 5 issue, I’m featuring scenes from the legendary Cattle Baron’s Ball, the largest single-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, recently celebrated its 52nd annual Ball in grand Texas style at South Fork Ranch. Nine-time diamond-certified global superstar Post Malone headlined the night. Also featured were images from ManeGait’s 18th Annual Gala for the ‘Gait on Saturday, Oct. 18. More than 800 friends and supporters gathered at The HUB in Allen for this sold-out, one-of-a-kind celebration helped raise funds for ManeGait’s operations and the ambitious $12.1 million Beacon Project.

Have an event you’d like to submit for editorial consideration? Here’s what you need to email me:

Send a minimum of 4 images for consideration.
- No more than 4 people in each shot
- No repeats (meaning the same person can’t be in multiple shots)
- Guests need to be posed and smiling into the camera. No candids.
You must ID the people in each photo (left to right)
Tell me the name of the event and provide a brief description of the event (no more than 50 words)
Please send one event submission per email with the name of the event in the Subject line

I encourage you to pick up the latest issue of the Katy Trail Weekly complete with community news, articles by local experts, event and restaurant info, puzzles, and more for FREE each week! Where? Katy Trail Weekly proudly serves these Dallas neighborhoods: Uptown, Arts District, Highland Park, Preston Hollow, Downtown, University Park, West Village, Preston Center, Oak Lawn, Knox-Henderson, Love Field, Medical District, and more!