Scene Around Town: New Friends New Life, the Other Art Fair, and The Concilio

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 31 issue, I was pleased to spotlight photos featuring highlights from New Friends New Life luncheon. Attendees not only benefited from the empowering words of Academy-Award Winner Lupita Nyong’o, but they also gained new perspective into the lives of those who are sex trafficked from the personal stories of five courageous graduates of the nonprofit’s program – each of whom was present at the luncheon. Luncheon Co-Chairs Jan Osborn and Trina Terrell-Andrews introduced the video of the sex trafficking survivors, followed by remarks from NFNL CEO Bianca Davis. ProtectHER awards went to Dr. Monique W. Morris, president and CEO of Grantmakers for Girls of Color, Patrick Sanders, director and senior attorney at American Airlines, accepted his company’s ProtectHER Award for its work in the fight against sex trafficking. Lastly, Jessica and Dirk Nowitzki were announced as the recipients of the third ProtectHER Award from the work of their foundation which focuses on the well-being, health, and education of children; their donations to critical social service agencies during the pandemic; and their understanding that social ills – including sex trafficking – are often the result of vulnerabilities of early childhood. NBC 5’ Laura Harris introduced virtual guest Lupita Nyong’o, a Kenyan actress, producer and author, known for her Academy Award-winning performance in 12 Years a Slave.

On Oct. 16, The Concilio came together with families and community members to kick off its 40th anniversary outdoors at Kiest Park in Dallas. The event, which celebrated the nonprofit organization’s 40th anniversary theme of “Juntos Podemos” (“Together We Can”), commemorated its long history of unlocking opportunities for Latino families in North Texas. In fact, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson officially proclaimed October 16, 2021, as “The Concilio for Latino Equity Day."

Lastly, on October 21, Dallas art enthusiasts joined local, national and international artists at the Dallas Market Hall for the Private View of the Dallas edition of The Other Art Fair, a leading artist fair for discovering emerging artists, which took place from October 21-24, 2021. Over the course of the weekend, The Other Art Fair showcased 130 independent and emerging artists, each handpicked by a committee of art world experts. Art lovers and collectors were invited to connect with artists in-person and explore thousands of original artworks across various media—including painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, and more—in a range of prices from $100 to $10,000. The Other Art Fair also featured interactive sculpture displays, murals, installations and live DJ sets by some of Dallas’ most talented creatives.

You can grab the latest issue of the Katy Trail Weekly complete with community news, articles by local experts, event and restaurant info, 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!


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

  • Please send a minimum of 2 images and a maximum of 8 images for consideration

  • Horizontal shots are preferred. If you send me vertical shots, just know that they will be most likely be cropped to horizontal

  • No repeats

  • You must ID the people in each photo (left to right)

  • Tell me the name of the event, the location of where it was held, and the charity it benefited (if there is one)

  • Please send one event submission per email.


Cynthia Smoot