Good works
Oh, Freedom!
When the program opened in the newly renovated Broadside and pavilion space, the Zion Harmonizers rendered “Oh, Freedom!” The title and the inherent sentiment set the tone for the evening.
On a recent Friday, Innocence Project New Orleans held its 22nd anniversary Oh Freedom! Gala. It started with a patron party “featuring our clients Raymond Flanks, Larry Moses and Jerry Davis.” During the gallivanting, 35 IPNO clients and their families made rounds. Pyramid Audio illuminated the premises, IPNO staff and volunteers created the floral arrangements, and banners of all IPNO clients lined the entrance “detailing their stories of wrongful convictions and unjust sentences.”
In addition to the Zion Harmonizers, there was entertainment by musical artist Erica Falls. Afrodisiac and Jacquel’s Catering purveyed, and 15 auction items, including works by IPNO clients Clydel Cummings and Jerry Davis, generated bidding.
Avery Pardee and Jee Park, respective Innocence Project New Orleans board chair and executive director, opened the program with remarks. Additional officers of the 12-person board are retired Judge Stanwood R. Duval Jr., John Nolan and Tara Allegra Adams, vice chair, treasurer and secretary. Then came Laverne Thompson’s presentation of the John Thompson Award for Courage & Justice to Flozell Daniels Jr., CEO of Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation. A holder of an MBA, Daniels was praised for his proximity “to the diverse communities he supports, strengthens and uplifts.” The late John "JT" Thompson was exonerated (for crimes he did not commit) in 2003.
A short film by JoLu Productions, “Ready Set, Give with Royce Duplessis and Jerome Morgan,” IPNO client introduction by Falls and Park, and the auction’s closure completed the program.
Among the many within Freedom’s flock were Frank and Tracy Neuner, Lizette and Jay Coleman, Andreanecia Morris, Derwyn Bunton, Scott Cooper, Molly Pulda and Gary Sernovitz, Kevin and Brittany Sloan, Lance Unglesby, Danny Engelberg with spouse Jee Park, Herschel and Mary Richard, and Michael Friedman and his wife, Jules Griff.
In Concert
In addition to honoring Torch of Liberty Award and Community Impact Award recipients, ADL South Central combined 2023 Concert Against Hate in the Orpheum Theater. Tulane University President Michael A. Fitts and retired Judge Robin Giarrusso were the A. I. Botnick Torch of Liberty awardees, while Big Freedia (the concluding concert’s performer) and Peyton Rose Michelle received the Communtiy Impact awards.
A happy hour with drinks, food by SABA (and candy as later-on desserts) preceded the program, which was headed by Lindsay Baach Friedmann, regional director ADL (Anti-Defamation League) South Central Region. Jessica Ravitz Cherof of ADL Southern Division came in from Atlanta.
Milling about the Orpheum — and then seated for the program and ensuing concert with rapper Big Freedia’s bounce music — were Louellen and Darryl Berger, Arthur Roger, Mark and Libby Adams, sisters Julie Wise Oreck and Ginny Wise, Donna Kay Berger, Carol Stone, Stephen Hales, Marc Behar, Edwin Curry, Rodney Thoulion, Joanna Sternberg, Walt Leger, Robin Forman, Amanda and Ryan Berger, Steve and Mara Kupperman, Cathy and Charles Glaser, and Judge Simone Levine with little son, Ezra Levine-Harrell.
YOU-nity!
Gallier Hall was abuzz with goodwill and glamour when You Night 2023 Masterpiece Soirée — Cancer Survivor Runway Show & Celebration held forth with La Vie en Rose as its theme. Decorations, with a nod to France, included magnificent balloon artistry, oversize flowers, Marie Antoinette centerpieces, live models by the Merry Antoinettes and the Oui Dats de la Nouvelle Orleans, registration by the Krewe of Isis, a later dance party by DJVNM, more Marie (Antoinette) in live model food tables by Carl Mack Presents, and emceeing by Marshall Harris and Betsy Otken Barnes. You Night Events help women embrace life beyond cancer.
Frenchy did live art painting, 100 auction items enticed, Dr. Ravi Tandon did the 360 Photo Booth, and Jeff Anding, backstage model photography. Other attractions were a selfie station, a video team, ScART painting display, and food, glorious food, by Patton’s Catering, PF Chang’s, Outpost 45, and Desi Vega’s, among others. French-inspired cakes commemorated the 10th anniversary of You Night, which showcases cancer survivors in a fashion show.
Top names, ever so many, included You Night Empowering Events founder Lisa McKenzie, Dr. Christopher Trahan (of Title Sponsor, Center for Restorative Breast Surgery), Leslie Legania Shelby, Byron Cornelius, Maria Gemma and Bryan Sawyer, McClean Bergeron, Dr. Mary Maluccio, Michael Holmes, Dr. Jimmy Ellis, Julie Stokes, Dr. Genevieve Maronge, Dr. R. Scott Bermudez, Dr. Maureen Ezzell, and 32 celebrants from the You Night Class of 2023. Hailed as representatives of classes from the past 10 years were 45 alumnae role models.
PAR-TEE
Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Louisiana, which has Grace McIntosh as executive director, did the inviting for the inaugural Fore the Families Patron Cocktail PAR-TEE, which was held in the Louisiana Children’s Museum with the grand oak trees of City Park as the backdrop. Thanks tapped EMR Metal Recycling as the event sponsor. “Libations, local fare from Dickie Brennan, luxury excursions (and) live auction” were irresistible lures. Party accents came from Fleur de Lys, as well as Crescent Sound and Light. Lovely vases with golf tees and low lights added further touches.
In the auction, Marianne Graffam and Wolfe brothers Tommy and Charles (and spouses Tracy and Mo) purchased luxury trips to Tuscany, Italy, while Sergio and Jody Lopez will sojourn in Mexico as top bidders for the jaunt to Tulum. More auction “winners” were Gary Goodenough, Crystal Marks Price, Jordan Parker, Claudia Carrere (with husband Cleland Powell), Chase Hutchinson, and Chad and Kristy Lentz.
Making their PAR-TEE presence were RMHC-SLA board member and COO Hoffman Media Eric Hoffman, Cheryl Egan, Tony Schultz, Dr. Elizabeth Wisner, Henrik and Pam Pontoppidan, Trey and Leah Woods, Jan Lester, Jackie Marks-Rollins, Mathew Timmons, Brigette Schultz, and Meaghan Bonavita. As they mingled, they noshed on miniature croque-monsieur sandwiches, Bloody Mary ceviche, crabcakes, and a slew of other Dickie Brennan Restaurant Group taste treats.