10 minute read
Social Events
SOCIETY
32 | A Blind Taste
Benefiting WRBH Radio
33 | Blue Door Blues
Benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana 34 | Le Petit's Curtain Call Ball
Benefiting Le Petit Théâtre
35 | Soiree De Lumiere
Benefiting Lighthouse Louisiana 36 | Mr. Legs XXII
Benefiting Bridge House / Grace House
37 | Shakespeare Festival at Tulane
Benefiting the Tulane Theater Program
A Blind Taste
The refined culinary event benefits WRBH Radio for the blind and print handicapped
Eighty guests gathered at La Petite Grocery on September 12 for A Blind Taste, a unique, intimate dining event featuring a five-course dinner with wine pairings created by James Beard Award-winning Chef Justin Devillier.
During dinner, guests wear blindfolds, removing one sense but also heightening others with a goal that by dining blindfolded, they gain awareness of some of the challenges that WRBH listeners experience on a daily basis. This year the event raised $37,000 (its most successful year ever), which will support operations and programming for the station.
Angela Hill and Charles Smith served as event co-chairs while Sherman Boughton, the president of WRBH's board of directors, was the keynote speaker.
Floral arrangements were graciously provided by La Petite Grocery. Chef Devillier’s culinary offerings were on full display with expert wine pairings for the evening provided by Nola Wine Merchant.
Between courses, MCs Angela Hill and Charles Smith, auctioned off six prize packages featuring a behind the scenes TV tour, VIP festival tickets, luxury hotel stays, private food and drink tastings, a special New Orleans Saints package, and a private porch concert.
Humana was the event’s presenting sponsor. Hancock Whitney Bank, Southern Eye Bank, BSP Law, LSU Health New Orleans Department of Ophthalmology and New Orleans Aesthetics were other major sponsors.
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1. Sherman Boughton, Jennifer Babineaux, Lindsey Wands, Matt Berger 2. Dr. Robert Ross, Dr. Lisa Ross 3. Tom Spiers, Angela Hill, Charles Smith 4. Kaye Smith, Dr. Jay LaCour 5. Zeena Al-Dujaili, Lena Al-Dujaili, Christina Nakamoto 6. Natalia Gonzalez, Geoff Worden 5 2
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Blue Door Blues
Over 200 patrons gathered for the event benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana
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6 The annual Blue Door Blues was held on June 16 at the Audubon Tea Room to raise funds for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana’s nine club sites located in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany and East Baton Rouge Parishes. This year’s event raised $120,000.
Festive décor featured flowers by Jeanne Gallo with AV and lighting by Insight Events. A vast menu of culinary options provided by the Audubon Tea Room included passed hors d’oeuvres, fried jumbo shrimp with cocktail sauce, grilled filet of beef with chimichurri, Chicken Orleans served in mini cast iron skillets, a bread pudding station and more.
Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns entertained guests in addition to models and themed talent from Paperdoll Promotions.
Eighty items were available for auction including a signed Steve Gleason football, Napa Valley package and diamond earrings from Diamonds Direct.
Jeanne Gallo and Judy Verges served as the 2022 event co-chairs. CRUCIAL, Inc. presided as presenting sponsor while Cycle Construction served as another major sponsor.
Wally Landry, owner of CRUCIAL, Inc. was honored with the Lifetime Giving Award from Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana.
A VIP Experience was held before the gala. Notable names in sports were in attendance including Will Lutz, Pete Werner, and Zach Wood.
1. Jeanne Gallo, Judy Verges, Will Lutz, Michelle Pflueger 2. Jeremy Hunnewell, Tommy Capela, David Gallo 3. Tony Leggio, Kelly Phillpott 4. Pete Werner, Angel Wood, Emily Sparks, Zach Wood 5. Wally Landry, Michelle Landry, Gary Solomon 6. Diane Cory, Steve Cory
Le Petit’s Curtain Call Ball
The annual event benefits Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré supporting performances in addition to educational programing
Approximately 280 patrons gathered on September 9 for The Curtain Call Ball, Le Petit Théâtre’s largest fundraiser of the year. All proceeds from the event go to supporting Le Petit’s mission of presenting the highest quality theatrical performances while nurturing the next generation of up-and-coming talent. In addition to supporting a dynamic season of musicals, dramas and comedies, contributions help underwrite Le Petit’s Education Program, which serves 2,000 students in the Greater New Orleans area annually.
Cocktails, a dinner of delicious Creole creations, and a silent auction at Tableau were followed by musical performance and live auction (with auctioneer Mark Romig) in Le Petit Theatre. Guests then headed back to Tableau for dessert and nightcaps.
Silent auction items included a vacation to Telluride, a theater weekend in New York, artwork, beautiful jewelry from local jewelers and much more. Performances by Broadway and cabaret star Emily Skinner and a cast of local favorites including Keith Claverie, Leslie Claverie, Rachel Looney, Kathleen Moore, Alicia “Blue Eyes” Renee and Anais St. John delighted the crowd.
Décor by Roland Montealegre lit up the space. Urban Earth Design Studios provided floral arrangements in shades of blue with blue bunting and a blue carpet with blue velvet ropes for a VIP entrance.
Marilee Hovet and Helen Young served as event co-chairs.
Main Stage sponsors included Elizabeth and Edwin Bragg and Tableau. Red Carpet sponsors included First Horizon, Friend & Company and Diamonds Direct.
1. Anais St. John, Marilee Hovet, Helen Young 2. Don-Scott Cooper, Dale Mott, Ken Hyle 3. James Van Horn, Mary Beth Benjamin 4. Kathleen Van Horn, Julie Livaudais 5. Martha Gettys, Robert Gettys, Judith Oudt 6. Troy Scroggins, David Isganitis, Frank Wilder 1
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Soiree de Lumiere
Approximately 200 patrons gathered at Arnaud's to support Lighthouse Louisiana
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4 On Thursday, Sept. 8, at Arnaud’s restaurant, guests attended Soiree de Lumiere in an effort to raise needed funds so that Lighthouse Louisiana can continue programs and services to support people who are visually impaired, deaf and live with other disabilities. Soiree is an annual fundraiser that highlights Lighthouse Lousisiana’s mission to empower people with disabilities through services, employment and advocacy.
Floral arrangements by Bee’s Wedding & Event Designs were provided for the occasion.
During cocktail hour, passed hors d’oeuvres included Arnaud’s signature soufflé potatoes, fried oysters, crab cakes and caviar. A delightful dinner comprised of chicken and andouille gumbo and filet mignon au poivre was served in addition to a wonderful chocolate hazelnut pot de crème for dessert.
Beverages were graciously donated by the Goldring Family Foundation.
The Gumbo Trio provided music throughout the evening.
Items available for bidding at auction were trip packages to Antigua, Panama and Africa, a ride in the 2023 Krewe of Orpheus parade, artwork and gift baskets.
Major sponsors included the Goldring Family Foundation, J. Edgar Monroe Foundation, FIRST HORIZON and Otto Candies, LLC.
5 6 1. Ryan Gootee, Sara Gootee, Kelly Casey, Kevin Casey 2. Chris Caire, Cathleen Randon, Joey Hogh 3. Blaire Monroe, Dee Budgewater, Nolan Budgewater 4. Scott Heck, Jenice Heck, Susan Pereira 5. Gary Lorio, Lindsey Wands, Lauren Schenker, Chris Schenker 6. Fred Holley, Soheloa Holley, Lisa Williams, Brian Williams
Mr. Legs XXII
Approximately 700 guests gathered for the annual Mr. Legs XXII Presented by Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust Benefiting Bridge House / Grace House
Mr. Legs, the annual fundraising event featuring male contestants who show a little leg for charity, was held on Saturday, July 16, at Generations Hall. As a parody of a beauty pageant, Mr. Legs contestants don costumes and perform on stage soliciting funds before and during the event to benefit the treatment programs at Bridge House / Grace House. Over $196,000 was raised at this year’s event, with more than half coming directly from contestant fundraising.
Laura Buchtel and Mike Hoss served as emcees. Celebrity judges included Erika Ferrando (WWL-TV), Malik Mingo (WWL-TV), Ryan Veuthey (NOLA Brewing) and Vincent Giardina (Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust).
Contestants performed for over an hour, taking on such personas as Maverick from “Top Gun” and John Travolta from “Saturday Night Fever.” The Les ReBelles entertained the crowd at the beginning of the event to open the show and The Pussyfooters performed during intermission.
The Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust returned for the 6th year in a row as the event’s presenting sponsor and WWL-TV returned for the 5th year in a row as media sponsor. NOLA Brewing returned for the 4th year in a row as the exclusive Beer Partner. Copeland’s of New Orleans returned for the 6th year in a row as the featured restaurant, serving dishes ranging from chicken & sausage gumbo to blackened shrimp alfredo. CoolBrew served hot and iced coffee, and Swiss Confectionery provided desserts.
Forty-one total items were available to bid on via silent auction including two-night stays at both The Roosevelt and Windsor Court hotels, a white gold diamond pendant necklace from Boudreaux’s Jewelers and more.
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1. Rachel Apken, Allison Donnelly 2. Kathy Pedersen, Else Pedersen, Amanda Avery 3. Megan Ripoll, Sarah Sammarco, Angelle Verges, Karen Kersting 4. Mike Hoss, Laura Buchtel 5. Chip Verges, Anne Raymond, Stephanie Haigler, Jeff Haigler 6. Kevin Gardere, Scott Crabtree, Tammy Crabtree 5 6
The Opening Night Party celebrated the first ever presentation of Henry IV, Part 1
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4 AShakespeare Festival first! The 29th season of the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane is dedicated to the memory of Max Nathan. Max served on the Festival’s Advisory Board for many years and acted as chair during the crucial years after Hurricane Katrina. His daughter Kathryn, who now sits on the advisory board, attended the presentation as a family representative.
A heartfelt thanks was given to Clare Moncrief who, after 23 wonderful years, retired as managing director of the festival. Without Clare, the Shakespeare Festival would not exist. Her countless hours behind the scenes have made the Shakespeare Festival what it is today.
The mission of the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane is to produce professional classical theatre with a primary focus upon the works of William Shakespeare. Its commitment is to utilize local, national, and international talent to create dynamic, visceral, text-based performances celebrating Shakespeare’s brilliant insight into the human condition.
The production of Henry IV, Part 1, was performed in Tulane’s Lupin Theatre. The Opening Night Party occurred immediately after the performance.
Feeding the crowd was Black Pearl Catering Several savory bites included praline popcorn, hard salami, grilled mushroom cheesecake, watermelon and a selection of cheeses. Complementing this feast was champagne, white and red wine.
5 6 1. Capt. Robert Phillips, Kathryn Leigh Nathan, Juan Barona 2. Shelley Johnson, Silas Cooper 3. Burton Tedesco, Monica R. Harris, Graham Burk 4. Martin Sachs, Cassie Worley, Mike Harkins 5. James Cahn, Haydee Dennard 6. Kris LaMorte, Brittany Williams, Matthew Raetz
