El Pasoans are being invited to dig out their best 1920s flapper fringe or 1970s bell-bottoms for a gala this Saturday that doubles as a fundraising lifeline for a local cultural dance team trying to rent its own theater. The Through the Ages gala lands at the Vienna Ballroom on Oct. 17, with 25% of funds raised going to We Are Meteora as it seeks $10,000 toward a theater rental.
The event is the brainchild of Iliana Villalpando, founder of Diora Couture and director of the Pass the Dream Foundation, according to KFOX14/CBS4. The gala also marks Diora Couture's third anniversary, and Villalpando has said the Pass the Dream Foundation has supported the community for four years. A quarter of gala proceeds will go directly to We Are Meteora, the cultural dance team serving as the night's main performers with traditional dances from across Mexico, per the same report.
Beyond the dance showcase, the evening carries a fashion-forward twist. Five fashion collections are set to be unveiled at the gala, with KFOX14/CBS4 noting the designs are planned to appear in New York City, Paris and London in 2027. The event's promotion also references the Supermodel Challenge.
Ticket Tiers and a Platinum Sponsor Push
General admission tickets run $75, while VIP passes cost $150. Gala tickets remain available and include dinner, gifts and raffles, the station notes; the event is raising funds toward a $10,000 theater-rental goal.
Villalpando has suggested attendees lean into the era theme fully, encouraging guests to wear an outfit from their favorite decade spanning the 1920s through the 1970s. Organizers are also looking for a choir to perform at the gala and benefit from funds raised, according to a separate Instagram post.
Why a Theater Rental Became the Goal
The push to raise $10,000 for a theater rental underscores a persistent squeeze facing grassroots arts groups in El Paso. The Vienna Ballroom & Garden itself, located on Paseo Nuevo Drive in East El Paso, offers a 3,000-square-foot indoor space with room for up to 300 guests plus an outdoor garden, according to Eventective, which notes the venue regularly hosts quinces, weddings and private banquets. But for a full theatrical showcase, groups like We Are Meteora look toward the city's performing arts venues, where costs can run considerably higher.
Downtown, the Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Centre includes the 195-seat Philanthropy Theatre, according to the El Paso Community Foundation. The foundation's annual Jewel Box Series eases the financial burden of producing a show at the Philanthropy Theatre.
We Are Meteora is raising funds toward its theater-rental goal through the gala.
At Saturday night's gala at the Vienna Ballroom, vintage fashion and traditional dance will share a stage as We Are Meteora raises funds toward a theater of its own.
