A group of Preston Hollow parents wants to take you back to the days when swing music

ruled and Frank, Dino, Sammy and the rest of the Rat Pack owned Las Vegas .

 

The Rat Pack’s Vegas shows are the inspiration for Live at the Sands, a fund-raising event for

 Friends of Hillcrest High School and Franklin Middle School .

 

The Vegas lounge theme is a deliberate departure from previous Western-styled parties, says

 event co-chairwoman Terry Case.

 

“We’re hoping the new location and the new theme will intrigue people to come,” she says.

“The more the merrier.”

 

Live at the Sands will be March 5 at the Richardson Hotel. The evening includes dinner, cash

bar, live and silent auctions, dancing and a performance by the Marc Toussaint Combo, a

Dallas-based jazz group.

 

  It’s the 12th annual event for the Friends of Hillcrest High School and Franklin Middle

School , an organization that raises money to improve the campuses.

 

“The money goes back to both schools and benefits the students,” Case says. “The whole

purpose of the evening is to raise as much as possible.”

 

Last year’s event raised about $90,000, and organizers hope to top $100,000 this year, Case

says. Underwriters and sponsorships help keep ticket prices reasonable — $35 per person.

 

Proceeds benefit ongoing PTA projects, school beautification and teacher appreciation

efforts.

“Both schools are very dated,” Case says. “In Dallas , there is so much competition for

funds. We like to enrich what the district gives us.”

 

Projects vary from year to year, Case says. The group previously bought an air conditioner

for the Hillcrest gym and updated the school’s soccer and track fields. This year’s proceeds

will go towards auditorium renovations and technology upgrades, such as computers and

software, at both campuses. Books likely will be purchased for Hillcrest’s new library wing.