DALLAS, March 11, 2025 — A high school graduation party is usually a small gathering of friends, but for Dallas senior Thomas Owen, it’s something much bigger—a 3,500-person concert organized by his nonprofit, Nightly Charity Events. What started as a simple idea has turned into a full-scale live production featuring country artist Ty Myers, a massive student-led effort, and a $50,000 fundraising goal for Make-A-Wish North Texas.
On May 9, 2025 at Gilley’s Southside Ballroom in Dallas, The Graduation Concert is shaping up to be one of the largest student-led events in the city’s history. But for Thomas, this is more than just a party—it’s a mission-driven event combining music, community, and entrepreneurship.
A Student-Led Vision Turned Reality
As an entrepreneur who has built multiple businesses while still in high school, Thomas saw an opportunity to create something memorable not just for himself, but for thousands of students across Dallas. Instead of a traditional celebration, he wanted to bring people together one last time in a way that felt bigger, more meaningful, and gave back to a great cause.
“I’ve always believed that if you’re going to do something, do it at the highest level possible,” said Owen. “For me, that meant turning my graduation into a real concert—an event that could bring together thousands of students while making an impact beyond just one night.”
To ensure that every high school in Dallas has a voice in this event, Thomas has organized a team of student co-chairs from over 30 different high schools across the city. Each co-chair represents their school, spreading awareness, promoting ticket sales, and building momentum to make the concert a success. This grassroots effort has turned The Graduation Concert into more than just an event—it’s become a movement.
“These students are the reason this is happening at the scale that it is,” said Owen. “By having representatives from schools all over the city, we’re bringing together seniors from all backgrounds and making sure that this night truly belongs to everyone.”
A Concert for a Cause
Beyond the music and celebration, this event is about making a real impact. The Grad Concert is on a mission to raise $50,000 for Make-A-Wish North Texas, helping grant life-changing experiences for children with critical illnesses.
“We’re bringing thousands of students together for one night, but the impact will last far beyond that,” said Owen. “This is about using our moment to help others get theirs.”
The Graduation Concert is happening on May 9, 2025, at Gilley’s Southside Ballroom in Dallas, featuring a live performance from rising country star Ty Myers. With over 3,500 students expected, this is the ultimate way for the Class of 2025 to come together one last time.
Tickets available at Night.ly
For media inquiries, interviews, or press passes, please contact [email protected]
About Thomas Owen
Thomas Owen is a young entrepreneur from Dallas, focused on creating impactful ventures that bring people together and give back to his community. As the Managing Partner of TO Ventures, the holding company for his various businesses and projects, he is leading initiatives in entertainment, event management, and philanthropy.
About Nightly
Nightly is an entertainment and event management platform founded by young entrepreneur Thomas Owen to power his large-scale events. Focused on bringing people together through music and culture, Nightly creates high-energy experiences with a lasting impact. For updates, follow Nightly on Instagram.
SOURCE Nightly
