Bright Nights
Goodwill Hunt
Internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor Hunt Slonem was the draw for the Louisiana Museum Foundation Founders Ball V, which hailed Pat and Henry Shane as the honorary chair couple and, as co-chairs of the 54-person committee, Jane Scott and Philip Hodges, Jennifer and Dennis Lauscha, and Martine Chaisson Linares and Juan Linares. Further notables assembled for the opening of “Hunt Slonem | A Retrospective,” an exhibition of the Louisiana State Museum at The Cabildo on Jackson Square, were honoree Gayle Benson; LMF board president Ben Dupuy and spouse Sweet, a committee member; foundation executive director Kristin Shannon with Michael; Bill Goldring with Julie Breeden; Debra Shriver; and, among those present rating thanks, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Dept. of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. Susan Maclay is the interim director of the Louisiana State Museum,
Also, LMF board members Dorothy Clyne, Dana Hansel, Mary Cavanaugh and Renee Carrere; renowned designer Ken Fulk; Katie and Wendell LeGardeur; committee members Richard Dragisic, Bill Brockschmidt and Courtney Coleman; out of towners Tham Kannalikham and Mandy Rochelle; and curator Cybele Gontar.
Further features included Pamela Dennis floral designs; table linens of Slonem’s “Bunnies and Orbs”; entertainment by Echelon String Quartet, Ricardo Pascal Jazz Trio and David Torkanowsky’s Torkestra with Judith Owen; a fine array of food; and an auction, with, as top bidders, LMF board treasurer Murray and Caroline Calhoun (a Hunt Slonem painting) and LMF board member Jeremy C. Corkern (dinner for 12 by chef Justin Devillier at Slonem’s Madewood home). Attire was black tie and “bright colored gowns inspired by Hunt’s paintings.” Most of the distaff dress was in sartorial sync.
Gala of Resilience
Inaugural underscored Bastion’s Gala of Resilience in the National WWII Museum, U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, when dozens trod the red carpet at the firehouse entrance in support of “America’s first intentional living community for injured veterans and their families.” Funds raised will go to the future Wellness Center, which will break ground in spring 2024.
The collective eye turned to thematic postcards with a Bastion-resident quote at each place setting; flowers donated by Humana Healthy Horizons in Louisiana; and a Mardi Gras Indian suit on display by the Bastion step and repeat. Photo opportunities were available with Bastion resident Marvin Belisle, an Army veteran and Wild Man for the Wild Magnolias. The Marine Color Guard presented the colors, the Victory Belles sang, Amanda Shaw fiddled with brio, emcee Norman Robinson opened the formalities, VA Regional Office Director and Bastion’s Citizen of the Year awardee Mark Bologna gave the keynote address, and Bastion’s Executive Director Jackson Smith (Marine veteran), a speech. A video presentation followed. Culinary pleasures were provided by the museum’s catering and included pork loin, pasta, and dessert stations.
More headliners were Bastion Development Director Kimberly Grady, retired Judge Arthur Hunter, Nathaniel "Nate" Fields, Dr. Lakisha Davis Flagg, Elizabeth Bush, spouses Sam Robinson and Dr. Marilu O’Byrne, Gregg Habel, Oliver Duvernay, Bill and Elaine Schwartz, Ben and Jennifer Kadden, and Paul Page. All were touched by the message of the “We Are Bastion” video and the snapshots of the veterans and their families.
Tributes
Foundation was to the fore at Gala Celebration 2023 at Chateau Golf and Country Club for an evening of cocktails and buffet, followed by a program and the later night-capping music and desserts. This event was for Jefferson Community Foundation and presented by The Feil Family Foundation, which was represented by Brian Lade. Jim Garvey chairs the JCF board; Dr. Shondra Williams, John K. Roberts III, Meghan Donelon and Philip W. Rebowe (immediate past president) are officers; and Mickal Adler, JoLena Broussard, Oscar Chimal, Tim Coulon, Stephen Dwyer, Joe Ewell Jr., Jim Hudson, Louis Lauricella, Pat LeBlanc, Claudia Shabetei, Henry Shane, Ronnie Slone, Lynda Nugent Smith, Gordon Wadge, Darryl Ward and Pamela Watson are directors. Most were accompanied. Jennifer Van Vrancken, Jefferson Parish Council member, joined spouse Stephen Dwyer; Betty Lauricella was with son Louis; and Pat Shane was with Henry, the recipient of the 2022 Jefferson First Philanthropy Award.
Jim Garvey opened the program and JCF executive director Christine T. Briede (with Otto) extended greetings. A recap of the community work throughout the year garnered attention, as did a special presentation by students from the Jefferson Community Youth Leadership program.
The event highlight was the introduction by Sarintha Stricklin and Libbie Sonnier of Paula Polito, Ph.D., (with Darrin) as the second “Jefferson First” Philanthropy Award recipient. She has worked in child care for 32 years and, since 1999, has owned Beary Cherry Tree in Metairie, an early care and education center. Today, it serves more than 200 Jefferson Parish families.
Among the others making rounds were Jerry and Lauren Smith, who enjoyed the buffet dinner of chicken Marsala, pecan-crusted catfish and bread pudding. A lighted “ring” tree and balloons (NOLA Party Boutique) served as decorations, along with the centerpieces of take-home door hangers depicting a brown pelican and the wording “Jefferson Strong.”
Nocturne
During the Champagne reception of Nocturne XX, a benefit for the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans, the Lafayette Foyer of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel was abuzz with the anticipation of what was just about to happen: the thrilling pianism of Jonathan Biss and his all-Schubert program. Post-performance, attendees sat for a dinner prepared by the hotel’s chef and culinary team with wine and Champagne from The Wine Seller. Anna Lee Ingalls did the floral arrangements of orchids and fall blooms.
MASNO mastheaders were board president-elect and Nocturne Committee chair Robert Edgecombe with Sarah, executive and artistic director Cara McCool Woolf with Vance, board president Jason Burge and spouse Rebekka Veith, founder Julianne Nice and husband Herb Larson, and
and 2023 artist co-sponsors James "Jim" Farrow and Edward Levy. And, Terry and Rand Voorhies, Leo and Elizabeth Landry, David Greenhouse, Michael Boucree, Victoria and Daniel Zangara, Hristo Birbochukov with Monika Rak, Anne Copeland Sumich, Julie Doan, and spouses Joni Jensen and Bruce Regeczi.
Still others were Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Music Director and Conductor Matthew Kraemer with Megan, Steven Kinchen from Hall Piano Company, Lori Mince from sponsor Fishman Haygood, LLP, and Margaret Woodward. For each, music was the message.