RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Every year, TITAS/Dance Unbound (T/DU) hosts its Command Performance and Gala, and every year the event features an impressive roster of renowned dancers and companies performing.
But this year, one dance company will likely stand out above the others.
T/DU welcomes the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to perform at this year’s gala, bringing with them a dash of hometown flair coupled with worldwide recognition.
“TITAS’ annual Command Performance consistently sets a new standard for excellence in talent and artistry here in Dallas,” Charles Santos, executive and artistic director of TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND said in the event announcement.
“This extraordinary evening brings together the best of the best for one night only — made possible by the unwavering support of the Dallas arts community.”
The Command Performance and Gala will be held Saturday, April 26 at the Winspear Opera House and will showcase ballet, contemporary pieces and, well, cheerleading.
Kinda.
The T/DU executive director said the idea of incorporating the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders came from his husband.
“I was at a party where a young woman had just finished the audition process for [the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders],” he said in an email.
“She got injured and had to pull out. Anyway, my husband said to me I should put DCC in the gala, and the seed was planted.”
It was a fortuitous suggestion.
Santos added that he had been considering a mainstream element to T/DU’s seasons.
So maybe this is a first step?
“Lately, I started thinking about the parts of the dance world, most particularly, commercial versus concert dance in the gala,” Santos wrote.
I’ve been thinking about how we need to celebrate the success in the commercial world, and [the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders] are the best at what they do.
These women are great dancers; they will be fun and fabulous at the gala.”
The world-famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders will perform their famed “Thunderstruck” piece.
“The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are proud advocates for the Dallas Arts Community,” DCC Senior Director Kelli Finglass said in a press release.
“This collaboration is such a unique and exciting opportunity for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to connect with the arts in a meaningful way.
“As performers, we believe in the power of the arts to inspire, connect and uplift people, and we deeply admire the work of TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND.
We are thrilled to be part of this performance.”
They will be in good company.
The event will also feature performances by Principal Dancer Daniil Simkin, Heather Magee, Jason Williams and Seah Hagan with MOMIX, Adji Cissoko and Shauib Elhassan from Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Dylan Wald and Elle Macy with Pacific Northwest Ballet and Christian Burse from Complexions Contemporary Ballet.
The event will also include the presentation of the Tom Adams Award of Appreciation to Lily Cabatu Weiss, the current executive director of the Dallas Arts District and previous artistic director and dance department chair at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts.
The award is named after T/DU’s co-founder.
A dance graduate of Texas Woman’s University, Weiss has spent more than 40 years as an artist-educator, primarily at Booker T. Washington HSPVA.
She also serves on the boards of TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND, the Booker T. Washington HSPVA Advisory Board and Downtown Dallas Inc., while working with the Texas Commission on the Arts and the Global Cultural Districts Network.
“Leaders like Lily exemplify the passion and commitment that drive the growth and innovation of our arts scene,” Santos said.
“Her leadership, tireless work ethic and dedication to the arts make her truly deserving of the Tom Adams Award of Appreciation for her contributions to TITAS and the broader Dallas arts community.
“It is a privilege to honor her with this award at Command Performance.”
He continued, “Through the decades, I have watched Lily’s incredible energy and commitment to furthering arts and education impact thousands of students.
Now, as the leader of Dallas Arts District, where I am a board member, she has developed into one of the city’s most powerful and successful leaders,” he said.
“We are great friends, and Lily is a standard bearer for what an inspirational leader should look like.”
A regular element of Command Performance is the announcement of its new season, and T/DU will reveal its 2025/26 schedule at the event.
But Santos isn’t dropping any hints on what to expect.
“The hint is to come to Command Performance for an outrageous performance and the announcement of the new season that’ll have 10 companies, five from the U.S. and five international.
It’s diverse, exciting, relevant and fun,” he said.
After the performances, the gala will kick off with its on-stage champagne reception with a surprise performance and the gala sponsor dinner.
Tickets are available at TITAS.org/Command-Performance.
image source from：https://dallasvoice.com/dcc-dance-unbound-gala-2025/
