IJR News

Community Galas Support Charities, ScholarshipsGood News — Nov 2, 2026Community organizations are hosting galas and musical events to support local causes, including United Way of Lee County’s fundraiser for grants to 36 nonprofits, a Louisiana Baptist association’s scholarship gala, and Fort Lauderdale’s Spirit of Giving Night benefiting seven charities. A Savannah church also celebrated its annual Men’s Day gala with worship, fellowship and a guest sermon.

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Kardashian and Jenner Coordinate Looks at LACMA Gala Honoring Celmins — 2dKim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner drew attention at the 2026 LACMA Art+Film Gala with coordinated dark-brown gowns, while a star-studded crowd gathered for the annual fundraiser honoring artist Vija Celmins and filmmaker Denis Villeneuve. The event was co-chaired by Leonardo DiCaprio and Eva Chow, with Gucci as presenting sponsor.

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Sam Okafor DiCaprio and Chow always pull in a strong crowd for this gala, and Gucci's sponsorship keeps it polished.

Artscape gala and Day of the Dead mural mark arts milestonesEntertainment — 1dArts organizations are celebrating cultural exchange and performance through Artscape’s 55th-anniversary gala, a Mexican-American Day of the Dead mural in Washington, D.C., and a preview of the Museum of Fine Arts’ reimagined collection. In Austin, Early Era Collective is marking nine years of dance with performances and a preview of an upcoming film focused on violence and power in relationships.

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Dana Whitfield Early Era Collective's film on power in relationships feels like a timely choice given what their dance work has explored over nine years.

Met Gala Sets 2027 Theme After Galliano CancellationEntertainment — 5dThe Met on Nov. 5, 2026, named “extraORDINARY” its 2027 Met Gala theme, replacing a Galliano show canceled over past antisemitic and racist comments; Bolton plans 200-230 pieces.

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Rachel Meyers I was looking forward to seeing Galliano's work but the decision to move on is understandable given everything.

Taylor Swift Attends Chiefs Game After LA Gala — Oct 16, 2026Taylor Swift attended the Chiefs’ game against the Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium after performing at the Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles, where she sang songs including her first live performance of “The Fate of Ophelia.” Reports that she would miss the game were contradicted by coverage showing her in the stands with Caitlin Clark and friends, cheering on Travis Kelce.

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Most Influential Women in World HistoryYourlist — RankingFrom ancient queens who ruled empires to modern activists who changed laws, these women left indelible marks on politics, science, and culture. Vote for who you think shaped history most profoundly.

Jenner, Elordi Hold Hands at Academy Gala — Oct 18, 2026At the Oct. 17 Academy Museum Gala, Jacob Elordi put his arm around Kendall Jenner's waist as she reached for his hand—their first official event photo together since dating reports.

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Tom Gallagher Still no confirmation from them makes the hand holding feel like it could be early days.

Taylor Swift Makes Academy Museum Gala Debut — Oct 18, 2026Taylor Swift made her Academy Museum Gala debut Oct. 17, 2026 in a strapless Dior gown with crystal-embellished bodice, wearing 32.40-carat Chopard earrings and set to close the night without Kelce.

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Maya Lindstrom Taylor Swift's pale blue Dior gown sounds elegant for the Academy Museum Gala, and it's nice to see her performing there.

Marine Corps Birthday Celebrations Span Three RegionsLifestyle — 5dMarines and supporters marked the Corps’ 251st birthday with celebrations in Texas, South Dakota and New York, including ceremonies, traditional cake-cutting and remarks honoring Marine history and service. New York’s gala also benefited a nonprofit supporting wounded service members, veterans and their families.

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Retailers Open, Plan New Stores Across RegionsBusiness — Oct 29, 2026Several retailers are opening or expanding stores: Lafayette, Louisiana, is set to get locally owned home-consignment shop Hart & Cole and Rayne antique dealer Cuccio Bella Antica, while Arhaus is opening an expanded showroom in Hackensack, New Jersey. Oliver Bonas is preparing a Whiteley, England, location, and Cunningham’s Gala has opened in a former bank building in Ballaghaderreen, Ireland.

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Tom Cruise to Receive AFI Life Achievement Award — Oct 18, 2026Tom Cruise has been selected for the American Film Institute’s 52nd Life Achievement Award, honoring his decades-long career as an actor and producer and his advocacy for theatrical filmmaking. He will receive the award at a gala in Los Angeles on April 24, 2027.

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NAACP Galas Recognize Leaders, Support Civil RightsPolitics — Oct 12, 2026NAACP branches in Port Huron, New York, Long Beach, Bryan County and Lansing held or announced gala and Freedom Fund events celebrating civil rights, honoring community leaders and supporting local programs. New York’s 90th-anniversary gala raised more than $500,000, while other events highlighted initiatives including scholarships, youth education, voting advocacy and community outreach.

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Toy Story vs ShrekYourlist — VS BattleThe toy box vs the swamp: two animation revolutions, one inevitable playground argument.

Kamala Harris Mocked as She Attends Met Gala — May 6, 2025Former Vice President Kamala Harris made a rare appearance at the high-profile Met Gala on Monday night, a move that was ruthlessly mocked by critics. According to Fox News , the theme of this year’s Met Gala was…

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Swift Set for Academy Museum Gala Performance — Oct 8, 2026Taylor Swift will perform Oct. 17, 2026 at the Academy Museum's sixth gala in Los Angeles, honoring Charlize Theron, Colman Domingo and John Carpenter.

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Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala to Return in 2027 After His Death — Oct 8, 2026Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Gala returns Feb. 6, 2027, at the Beverly Hilton, the first since he died at 94; Mason Jr. says the show goes on to honor his legacy.

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Theater Scene Spans Galas, Ghost Films, Musical RunsEntertainment — Oct 4, 2026Santa Barbara’s Legends Gala honored Bo Derek, Meryl and Chuck Zegar, and the Santa Barbara Bowl for their contributions to local arts and culture. Other theater news includes documentaries exploring haunted West End and Broadway venues, a theatrical cinema presentation of Doctor Who’s “The Satan Pit,” and Sutter Street Theatre’s 16th season of Evil Dead The Musical.

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How charismatic are you, really?Quizie — QuizNot a score out of ten — the AI identifies your specific brand of charm and where it's most dangerous.

Met Gala Stars Mocked as Absurd Outfits Leave Them ‘Unable to Conquer a Flight of Stairs’Opinion — May 7, 2024Monday night was The Met Gala, the self-proclaimed “fashion’s biggest night out,” where celebrities dress in absurd outfits and the establishment media fawns over their bizarre attire in a modern day version of the…

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Star Accused of Wearing ‘Satanic’ Outfit As Elites Put Their Vanity on Full Display at Met GalaOpinion — May 3, 2023Ever since Cher caused a stir by attending the 1974 Met Gala wearing a Bob Mackie concoction consisting of beads and feathers — and not much else — attendees have been partnering with the world’s top fashion designers…

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Elon Musk Sends a Warning from the Met Gala: ‘I’m Definitely on the Warpath’Reporting — May 4, 2022With a goal of making Twitter more user friendly, Elon Musk told reporters that he is both on the warpath while also wanting to build inclusivity at Twitter. As Musk attended the celebrity-studded Met Gala on May 2, he…

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AOC Gets Hit With Ethics Complaint After Attending Met Gala in ‘Tax the Rich’ DressReporting — Sep 15, 2021An ethics complaint has been filed against Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York over her attendance at the Met Gala on Monday, where she wore the words “Tax the Rich” on her gown. Thomas Jones, founder…

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AOC Arrives at Met Gala Wearing ‘Tax the Rich’ DressReporting — Sep 14, 2021Rep. Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) made a statement during an appearance at the Met Gala by wearing a dress that said “tax the rich.” Fox News noted tickets to the event cost at least $30,000. It is unclear whether…

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Pink Events Support Breast Cancer CausesHealth — Oct 8, 2026Communities and Purdue Fort Wayne are marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month with pink-themed events that raise funds and honor survivors and people battling the disease. Allen Community College’s Spirit of Pink donated $504 to a local cancer-support organization, while Purdue Fort Wayne expanded its longtime Pink Out into a campuswide Pink Week; a separate gala in Virginia is also fundraising to celebrate and support breast cancer champions and their families.

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Presidential Hopeful Van Hollen Headlines Notorious ‘Arab World’ Gala With Group that Issued ‘Most Wanted’ List of Jewish Americans1 source — Oct 9, 2026

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Weekly Briefs Span Retail, Capitol, Community EventsLifestyle — Sep 15, 2026Canadian retail remains in flux with Primaris pursuing over $1 billion in mall acquisitions, Dollarama sustaining growth within a $5 price ceiling, and luxury district updates on Toronto’s Bloor Street. In Chattanooga, a slate of community events includes the Ruby Hurley Gala, new Books & Culture shop opening, A Better You Hair Studio’s anniversary, and an Adult Day Center program, while national coverage notes AI concerns on Capitol Hill and forthcoming hearings amid midterm activity, complemented by a Williamston local events calendar and a Daily Dispatch Quiz.

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U2 to Receive MusiCares 2027 Honor on Band's 50th Anniversary — Sep 10, 2026U2 are named MusiCares 2027 Persons of the Year, celebrated for five decades of music and extensive humanitarian work, with a February gala at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The honor highlights Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.'s philanthropy and impact beyond music.

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Priya Raman U2's charity work has always stood out, so this 2027 honor feels well earned after fifty years.