I had a wonderful opportunity this evening to wander on over the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas to see the legendary Diana Ross speak about her fabulous life and career.  It was the last event in the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts 2008-2009 Brinker International Forum.

The Forum gave audiences unique opportunities to hear the inside stories from icons of stage and screen, to get behind the camera with filmmakers who bring powerful stories to life and to gain insights from the brightest minds of our time.

Diana Ross is without a doubt an icon American recording artist (and actress… and entrepreneur) that helped shaped the music industry as the lead singer of The Supremes during the 1960s and on into her solo career beginning in the 70s.  

Like so many stories in life, Ross grew up poor in the projects of Detroit.  Though stereotypical stories are often heard from those who were raised in the projects, Ross shatters them all.  With trade skills in many areas including fashion design, she always had a desire to sing.

Ross has an impressive portfolio that spans music, film, television and Broadway.  She holds awards in almost each genre.  Billboard magazine name her “Female Entertainer of the Century” in 1976 and the Guinness Book Of World Records declared Ross as the most successful female music artist of the 20th century with a total of eighteen American number-one singles.

During the Forum tonight, Ross touched on many of the topics that we’ve all heard and read about.  From Detroit, to The Supremes, to her solo career, and even into her personal life, Ross candidly spoke about her experiences along the way.

One of the most interesting things I walked away remembering was her viewpoint regarding the music industry.  Yes, times have indeed changed from “back in the day”.  Long gone are the records, 8 Tracks, cassette tapes, and everything in between.  Ross noted that no longer can you walk into a Tower Records to browse aisles and aisles of music.  Now you boot up your computer and launch iTunes.

She says that we’re missing out today on the art of music.  Back then you were able to flip over an album cover and read about the artist/band, the performers, the lyricists and composers, photographers, and the stories behind each song.  I guess I never really thought of it that way.

In conclusion, I just wanted to express my appreciation to One Arts Plaza and the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts for the opportunity to see the legendary Diana Ross speak this evening on her life and career.  It was an extreme pleasure.

The Brinker International Forum 2009-2010 season will kick off this fall in the brand spankin’ new Winspear Opera House.  Condoleezza Rice, Hilary Swank and many other notable figures will be featured in candid conversations.  For more information and to purchase your tickets, please visit www.dallasperformingarts.org.

Savor an international array of fine wines and scrumptious cuisine Tuesday, March 3 at 2 p.m. CT with Savor Dallas’ virtual food and wine tasting live on Facebook. Organized in-part by SRJ Marketing Communications, Savor Dallas co-founder Jim White and five of Texas’ top chefs will host members of the press and fans on Facebook with a discussion on highlights of the premiere wine and food celebration in the Southwest.

Facebook friends and fans will be able to join the conversation with these experts and interact with them about what they see as the food trends for today and what Dallas is doing to contribute to culinary excellence worldwide.

Savor Dallas has been recognized for its creative use of social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook, to keep its fans in the know. With more than 1,000 active fans on Facebook, Savor Dallas has become one of the highest traffic culinary and wine pages on the popular social networking Web site.

“Today it’s all about listening to our publics and establishing meaningful relationships with them,” said Steven R. Jolly, principal of Dallas-based SRJ Marketing Communications. “Social media has an exponential value to digital public relations and is a great way to inspire two-way conversations with consumers, clients and other target markets.”

For wine enthusiasts like Brent Watters of Arlington, Texas, the virtual food and wine tasting is a great way to learn a little more about what he and his friends can expect this weekend.

“I’ve never heard of Savor Dallas until I noticed all my friends becoming fans of the Facebook page,” said Watters. “Tuesday’s interactive event will definitely be a great way for people like me to ask questions and get a better grasp as to the kinds of wines and foods I’ll get to sample this weekend.”

Savor Dallas happens on Friday, March 6, 2009 and continues through Saturday, March 7, 2009. Scheduled in several beautiful locations in downtown Dallas, the international experience of wine, food, spirits and the arts is expected to draw 4,000 people from Dallas/Fort Worth, throughout Texas, and 14 other states across the country.

Join me and take part in the discussion on Tuesday, March 3 at 2 p.m. Simply log into Facebook and visit the Savor Dallas page.

Every 10 seconds, someone in the world dies from AIDS. As World AIDS Day approaches, The North Texas HIV Service Providers Council is raising awareness about the disease and the virus that causes it with a day-long event on December 5 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas.

“AIDS is a pandemic that knows no bounds,” said Raeline Nobles, executive director of AIDS Arms, Inc. and chair of this year’s event. “World AIDS Day is the largest worldwide initiative designed to raise awareness, remember the millions who have lost their lives to AIDS and celebrate those who continue their struggle with the disease.”

Comprised of 10 HIV/AIDS service organizations from across North Texas, the Council is welcoming the public to visit the free health and information fair which will feature a variety of local, regional and national organizations. Patrons will also have the opportunity to view panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt.

In addition, the event will include a special luncheon beginning at noon, featuring keynote speaker Jeanne White-Ginder, mother of Ryan White and national advocate for people living with HIV and AIDS.

In 1984, 13-year-old Ryan became infected through a tainted hemophilia treatment. His story gained national exposure after being expelled from school because of his infection. Throughout a lengthy legal battle with the school board, Ryan quickly became a national spokesperson for AIDS research and education.

Although Ryan lost his fight to the disease in 1990, his memory lives on through a major piece of legislation known as the Ryan White CARE Act, the largest federally funded program for people living with HIV/AIDS.

“AIDS knows no bounds. It affects us all no matter your age, gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity,” said Steven Pace, executive director of AIDS Interfaith Network. “It is an absolute honor to have Jeanne White-Ginder with us on December 5 to talk to North Texans on today’s issues related to AIDS and share her very personal experience of dealing with the disease.”

Tickets for the luncheon are available in advance for $30 each or at the door for $40. Luncheon reservations must be received by December 1 by contacting Alisha Fowler at 214-521-5191 or afowler@aidsarms.org.

According to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), infections in the United States are among the highest in the world. While symptoms vary from person to person, the only way to know for sure whether you are infected with HIV is to be tested.

“Proper education, practicing safer sex, and refraining from drugs and other risky behaviors are the best ways to prevent infection,” said David Thomas, executive director of Bryan’s House and Chair of the Council. “Information on free HIV testing throughout the community will be at the health fair for all participants.”

The North Texas HIV Service Providers Council is a partnership of the Ryan White-funded HIV/AIDS Service Organizations that provides a complete continuum of care for those at risk for or living with HIV and AIDS. Organization partners include: AIDS Arms, Inc.; AIDS Interfaith Network; AIDS Services of Dallas; Bryan’s House; Dallas County Early Intervention; Legacy Counseling Center, Inc.; Legal Hospice of Texas; Resource Center of Dallas; Parkland Health & Hospital System and Welcome House, Inc.