Photo by RUDA Photography

Reprinted from January Special Events Magazine

Event designer Steve Kemble works in concert with a star team to create a spectacular opera house opening

“Fresh off September’s gala opening of Jerry Jones Stadium — new home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys — hometown event expert and nationally recognized “lifestyle guru” Steve Kemble turned his attention to yet another Dallas landmark. This time, it was the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts. The event, a November gala for 450, turned out to be “one of most challenging events I’ve ever worked on,” Kemble says, ‘but also one of the most rewarding.’

“…First, there was the installation window, which was “sandwiched between productions,” as Kemble notes. Union workers gained access to the area after Thursday night’s performance, and began clearing set pieces from the center of the stage. Beginning at 6 a.m. on the Friday before the Saturday evening gala, Kemble and his team — top Dallas vendors including Ducky-Bob’s/Classic Party Rentals, LiveWire Special Events and Gemini Light • Sound • Video — descended on the space.

“On event night, two stars took the Winspear Opera House stage: acclaimed soprano Deborah Voigt, who gave a masterful pre-dinner performance, and Kemble’s dazzling event design.

“After Voigt’s performance, ‘We raised the curtain,”’Kemble says, ‘and everybody got chills. They had tears in their eyes.’ Fun Factory’s ’bold, heavy’ glass tables — now set with gold flatware, gold stemware and gold-rimmed chargers — took center stage, accompanied by gold-cushion Chameleon chairs. Delighted guests sat down to a meal of roasted veal loin with mushroom ragout and mascarpone polenta from Wolfgang Puck Catering.

“Kemble notes that his own gratification was not just professional, but personal. ‘The city of Dallas means so much to me,’ he says. ‘To be selected to work on this event was one of my greatest honors — but also one of my greatest challenges, not just in terms of logistics but also because I knew all eyes would be on me.’ He credits his vendors’ talents, and teamwork, for the event’s success: ‘Without everyone working together, it never would have happened.’”