Joyful Gallivanting
One Enchanted Evening
Once again, attendees were captivated by lunar levity, Magic in the Moonlight, an al fresco fête to benefit New Orleans Botanical Garden, and in partnership with the NOBG Foundation and City Park Conservancy. Mastheaders were Peggy and Timber Floyd, top sponsors; gala chairpersons Sarah and Gregory Feirn and Catherine Makk, who headed a committee of 23, running from Anne Abbott to Sarah Young; and honorary event chair Paul Soniat, founding director of the Botanical Garden, who is retiring after 41 exemplary years.
Several venues welcomed the party pack: the Arrival Garden of the Conservancy of the Two Sisters for the Cocktail Hour and Botanical Garden’s main axis for Dinner Under the Stars. The menu was by chef Austin Pipkins of Joel Catering & Special Events; the florals by donor Stephen Sonnier of Dunn & Sonnier; the music by John Parker & Friends and DJ Ann Glaviano: Heatwave; and the unique virtual auction featured getaways, bespoke experiences, art and more. Glass Half Full and The Compost Network supported sustainability initiatives.
More within the gala constellation were CEO of City Park Conservancy Cara Lambright, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ward, Natalie and Robert Phillips, Camille and Gregory Rome, Muffin Balart, Dessa and David Griffin, Moises and Rosemary Arriaga, Elise Ryan and countless others, all “Moon”struck.
Desire Ado
Rebeccka Coe and Susan Garic Mitchell did the social scripting as co-chairs for the 2023 Opera Ball titled “A Streetcar Named Desire” at the Higgins Hotel and presented by the Women’s Guild of the New Orleans Opera Association, which has Joanne Mantis as president. The above threesome were the headliners, along with auction chair Meaghan Ryan Bonavita and emcee Marshall Harris, while the names of Deborah Alciatore and Constance Young bookended the 47-person ball committee. Major sponsors were the Goldring Family Foundation and Friend & Company, the Robert T. Weinmann Foundation, Lake Lawn Metairie, and Joseph Young “in memory of Aysen Young,” his late wife. Diamonds Direct sponsored the raffle, which had Diane Dupin and Michelle Goldfarb as winners.
Patrons, who received streetcar-themed trays by Connie Kittock, first assembled atop the hotel, at Rosie’s on the Roof, where Anais St. John entertained. Mingling by more followed in the Arcadia Ballroom area for big bidding on 120 “desired” silent-auction items; a seated dinner of mixed field greens, a duo main course, and a trio of desserts; and the live auction. Saints owner Gayle Benson and the Saints Organization rated thanks for a game package purchased by Babs Deacon. Meanwhile, guests admired the thematic streetcar and French Quarter balcony decorations that nodded to Tennessee Williams, who penned “A Streetcar Named Desire.” It’s taken artistic life as a play, movie, ballet and opera.
Others within the ball brigade were Judson Mitchell, Joe Bonavita, Opera board president Emmet Geary Jr., NOOA general director Claire Burovac with husband Christopher Mattaliano, Kay and Robert Oplinger, Bill Coe, Norma Jean McClain, Ryan and Kristi LeBlanc, Lawrence and Nina Pugh, Marylynn Cahill, Rick and Jeanne Keene, Ranney and Emel Mize, Calandra Corder, Rand and Terry Voorhies, Eric and Nadia France (top auction bidders for a chef Jason Goodenough dinner), Jason and wife Amelia Goodenough, and others who boogied with the BRW band.
Fall Affair
An annual lure, the Garden District Association’s Fall Affair at Commander’s Palace promotes camaraderie and cuisine, as it generates funds for the acclaimed area. In fact, the 2023 event — chaired by Andrea and David Bland and Christa and Chris Montgomery, and hosted by Dottie Brennan, Lally Brennan and Ti Martin — paid tribute to the Profiles in Preservation Program and titled the event “Know Thy Neighbor…hood.” The Garden District developed on the land of four former plantation tracts: Panis, Livaudais, Delassize and Wiltz.
Rallying were GDA president and executive director Isabel Sanders and Shelley Landrieu with husbands Moye and David Spielman, and board members Jeanette Weiland, Julie Sugar with Shelton, John Rareshide with Jennifer, and Carolyn Fitzpatrick with Brian.
Features of the gala evening that started with cocktails in the patio before the three-course seated dinner by chef Meg Bickford of turtle soup, seared Gulf fish, and “Put Up” Mississippi blueberry blondie, included the restaurant’s signature blue ribbons on the tables, roses by Ambrose Garden, and menus with artwork by Laura Moise. All this was appreciated by Lauren and George Brower, Katherine and Tony Gelderman, Tina and Deryk Jones, Jennifer and Dennis Lauscha, JEB Bland and Gracie Rebman, Erin and George Montgomery, Emilie Montgomery, Shaun and Foster Duncan, Mary Merle and Ted Laborde, Mimi and John Koch, and others, who congratulated co-chairs Andrea and Will Bland on the birth of grandson Joseph Starring Jr. A future Garden District resident?
Gallic Heritage
The prestigious French Heritage Society is an American nonprofit organization that espouses the protection of French architectural and cultural legacy in both France and the United States. There are 10 chapters in the U.S. and one in Paris. Recently, the society met in the Crescent City with a round of elegant and educational activities. One in particular was the gala dinner prepared by chef Nina Compton (Compère Lapin, Bywater American Bistro) at New Orleans Auction Galleries, which was acquired in 2012 by Houston businessperson and philanthropist Susan D. Sarofim. She co-hosted the dinner along with Timothy Corrigan, “one of the world’s leading interior designers,” author of two Rizzoli-published books, and the only American honored by the FHS for his restoration of several national landmarks in France.
Guests were gobsmacked by the Marie Antoinette-themed ambiance: lush flowers partout, strolling opera singers in 18th-century period costumes and the wait staff in livery. Compliments tapped event designer Michelle Norwood. Notables turning an ear to Harry Hardin’s string quartet were society board chair Elizabeth “Libba” Stribling and husband Guy Robinson, and New Orleans chapter chairmen Michael Harold, Diane S. Labouisse and Buddy Bolton (with Jean). The latter two are retiring, and Suzie and Pierre Villere will fill their positions.