Fiesta Flirt
“Join the Sybarites for a Mexican Fiesta” announced the invitation that depicted an oval-shaped ring of colorful flowers in pink, orange and yellow, along with two Day of the Dead masks, a guitar and a set of maracas. The location for the revelry was the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club. Upon arrival, the sybaritic set was ready to party.
As members and guests entered, they were transported visually to Mexican merriment. Huge paper flowers, bursting with colors of vibrant apple green, red, white, pink, teal and marigold, outlined the stair railings and doorways. Above, in The 1876 where the partying unfolded, were string lights, cutouts, pinwheels (in solid colors or variegated) and globes. Adding the musical complement was acclaimed duo Julio and Cesar.
The tennis club purveyed. Choice chomps were bacon-wrapped jalapenos, taquitos, enchiladas, carne asada and black beans with churros. For starters. Margaritas — spicy and conventional, as well as palomas, were specialty drinks.
Among the headliners were Sybarites President Katy Roubion with husband Dennis, most recent past president Mathilde Currence with Richard, Karen and Perry Eastman, Leslie and Lance Estrada, Kelly and Robert Grace, Elizabeth and David Grimes, Dierdre and Christian Hooper, Karyn and Gregor Hoffman, Jill Nalty and Gary Russo, Katherine and Chip Saulsbury, Rebecca and Benton Smallpage, Stacey and Jay Lacour, Elizabeth and Andrew Wooten, Meredith and David Picou, Coco and Todd Johnson, Lynne and David Gibbons and dozens more. “It was a lot of fun,” said Mathilde Currence, who added how much she liked the decorations.
The musical scenario had another scripting when the BRW stepped forward, playing nonstop for two and a half hours. Kicking in, too, were the sartorial elements, such as sombreros and colorful floral headbands. They were handed out and readily put on, by not only the “Fiesta” frolickers but also the staff and band, who embraced the theme spirit.
A 25 Tout!
“Join KID smART in celebrating 25 Years of Education Through Imagination” headlined the invitation that was sprinkled with silver stars. Ochsner Health was the Legacy Sponsor and Jones Walker and Primary Eye Care, the presenting ones. More top names to know included the respective Featured and Emerging artists, Ruth Owens and Bianca Walker; event chairs Gretchen Weller Howard, Michael Mimeles and Nancia Sterling (and their committee of 40); KID smART board chair Krystal Hardy Allen, treasurer Jeanette R. Weiland and secretary Gretchen Howard; and executive director Elise Gallinot Goldman. Allison Stewart and her late husband, Campbell Hutchinson, are emeritus members of the board.
The site for the night, The Cannery, was given a decorative fillip by students’ artwork and centerpieces of silver trees covered in art supplies by the above Gretchen. The International School of Louisiana’s Circus Acts were performed throughout the evening. More delights were supplied by the glitter buffet of Elektra Cosmetics with many faces sporting silvery sparkles, and the auction action. The top items and the purchasers were the Owens art (Emeril Lagasse Foundation and Erin and Jean Paul “JP” Hymel, who’ll donate it to Ochsner Health); a villa stay in the south of France (Bill Hines); and the New Orleans Arts Lovers package (Meryt Harding). All savored the venue’s catering, especially the Bourbon bruschetta and chicken satay.
Master of ceremonies Bryan Batt, Ochsner Health CEO Pete November with Stephanie, Dr. Gwenesta Melton, and board members Nancy Rebold, Bill (from Jones Walker) and Mary Hines, and Jeanette “J.R.” Weiland mingled with KID smART co-founder Allison Stewart, Stephanie Coln, Jonathan Ferrara, Elizabeth Nalty, and about 300 more. Everyone turned an attentive ear to the music makers: the Jenn Howard Band for the patron party and DJ Rusty Lazar for the main gallivanting
Singing for their Supper
The New Orleans Opera Director’s Dinner assembled supporters of the New Orleans Opera Association in La Chinoiserie at the top of the Windsor Court Hotel. Guests mingled for a round of drinks and socializing before sitting for dinner. The menu was Windsor Court salad, braised short ribs and chocolate bread pudding.
Emmet Geary Jr., NOOA board president, emceed the program and introduced performer Eli Strain, a NOCCA student and 2023 Donald W. Wood Sr. Vocal Competition winner, who sang “Pieta, Signore” by an anonymous composer. Jonathan Szymanski was his accompanist. President Geary also issued rounds of gratitude to the Mastersigners, the donor group, and to Edward “Ted” Martin (joined by Pat Denechaud), who spearheaded a Masterworks campaign to support two staged works per year through the 2025-2026 season.
Mastersigners chaircouple Mary and Doug Albert talked about the importance of their giving group before Ranney Mize (with spouse Emel) strode forward to introduce new General and Artistic Director Lila Palmer (with husband Joshua “Josh” Slater), who will succeed the departing Clare Burovac, producing artistic director. “This is a special night,” said Ranney. In her turn, Palmer exclaimed about the opera company, “What history!” and thanked everyone for their attendance and for helping her as she assumes her new post.
Noted, as well, were development chair Rand Voorhies and Terry, Sonya Moore, Dwayne Littauer, Ron Scalise and Sally Richardson, Norma Jean McClain and daughter Ava, Price and Christine LeBlanc, Peter Brigandi with Lisa Leone, Bruce and Melissa Gordon, Lee and Karen Sher, Greg St. Etienne with Tanya Freeman, Larry and Nina Pugh, Elizabeth and Jim Landis, Phil and Eleanor Straub, Claire and Harry Stahel, Jo-Ann Adams with guest Bette Marx, Virginia Roddy, Cynthia Molyneux and scores more.
Most of the above were at the recent performance of “Lucia di Lammermoor,” starring Katrina Galka as Lucia. The post-production applause was thunderous.