Nell Nolan: Blue Rose Ball 2024, WRBH flavor, new voices NOLA | Entertainment/Life

Impressions!

True blue!

“The students of St. Michael Special School cordially invite you to attend the 46th Annual Blue Rose Ball,” said an attractive invitation recently released. The purposeful party, which took place a few weeks ago, was held at the Hyatt Regency’s Celestin Ballroom to glorious effect under the direction of Maria Spera And Stephanie Salvaggio. They were joined by their spouses, Keith Spera And Eric Revels. The Speras are parents of Samwho attends St. Michael Lower School.

Luminous Events, which is credited with creating the sparkling look, provided candles, lounge furniture and bar fronts, while balloons, linens and step-and-repeat elements contributed to the decoration. Mardi Gras Productions used artful draping and lighting Destiny Pinson by Doris Ione Boutique Floral and Lifestyle Studio filled bud vases created by students with cream and blue flowers.

A pair of trios, Electric Yat and Sasha Masakovskyintroduced the first rounds of music for the cocktail hour and the subsequent sit-down dinner. Big Sam’s Funky Nation capped the caper with dancing. Grooven waved.

Mark Romig once again made a name for himself as master of ceremonies at the opening of the program. Other personalities included the archbishop Gregory M. Aymond Headmaster Dr. thanks for the call. Elizabeth Cerise “Cissy” LaForge for comments; and recognition of the chairs and host committee whose ranks were Lori Babin, Shon Baker, Sarah Block, Susan Block, Cindy Bowman, Bethany Brinkman, Helene Cerise, Nancy Colomb, Ashley Cusimano, Lyndi Dobbs, Ann Heslin, Lisa Fenasci LaFrance, Courtney Nalty, Erin Olwell, Darbi Philibert, Julie Ryan, Erin Shea Stahnke, Anne Bailey Theard, Julie Vanderbrook And Cindy Wooderson.

Auction action attracted attention. All the while, guests flocked to the silent auction tables and the 97 tempting packages, including one for a Saints game purchased by Louise and Steven Higgins, and another for a private party for 10 at Gris Gris, donated by the chef with the appropriate last name Eric Cook. Adrianna Smith smiled as the highest bidder.

The lively live portion, led by Mark and Keith, showcased five super buys, including a dining experience at the home of the President of the St. Michael Advisory Board Gregg and Shari Barrios and with Jason González (Gonzo’s Smokehouse & BBQ, in Luling), NOLA Wine Merchant (Geoff and Ann Worden) and Super Witch Ice Cream Company (Briggs Barrios). The buyer will enjoy this culinary cornucopia Brian KishPresident of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation.

Thanks to Paddle Raise, Wine Pull and two raffles – Taylor Swift Concert (won by Jennifer Noveh And Peggy Villemarettetwo suite tickets each) and Saints vs. Las Vegas Raiders Gameday Experience (the winner will be drawn on December 12th) – the school’s coffers were very well filled.

The reason for all this excitement was the Hyatt Regency’s fine dining. A traditional tomato and burrata salad, red wine-braised ribs as the main course and lemon tart satisfied the countless guests.

In addition to the Hyatt and the Solomon Family, three foundations were major sponsors: J. Edgar Monroe (represented by Kevin and Nancy Colomb), EJ and Marjory B. Ourso (Lori Babin, former prom chair and school parent), and Michael and Victoria Rohm. The ball was co-hosted by the Ray & Jessica Brandt Family Foundation and the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust with Vice President Lisa Romano present.

Other keynote speakers included the executive director and superintendent of Catholic schools, Dr. RaeNell Houston and spouse LeonGregg and Shari Barrios, St. Michael Ladies’ Guild President Anne Bailey Theard and Kevin, James Stahnke with Erin, Charles Cerise and judges Janis van MeerveldTulane baseball coach Jay Uhlman and Emily, Joe and Debbie Exnicios, and school parents Kevin Block and Sarah, and Howard and Miriam Guidry. Countless others, at least 600, supported Blue’s donation, showing their support for the 230 students at St. Michael School. The mission is “to create a Catholic environment in which students with intellectual and developmental disabilities can grow in their faith and realize their full potential.” A photo essay by Jennifer Zdon by Twirl Photography highlighted the students, as did a video produced by Fire on the Bayou with Mark Romig that included testimonials from students, parents and faculty.

Praise for the evening’s success was full of a special compliment to Mary Spera after the ball from a school administrator who described Spera as “a pleasure and a joy to work with” and how happy St. Michael was “to have her in ours.” to have a team.” .”

The final fusion of fun and philanthropy occurred with decisive tact. Big Sam’s Funky Nation didn’t want to occupy a chair and produced sounds that enticed the crowd to boogie through the Blue Rose night.

Reading meal

A unique fundraiser, A Blind Taste, has been presented for years by WRBH Radio at Chef-led La Petite Grocery Justin Devillier. Event manager and WRBH board chairman Charles Smith (with spouse Emily Mase) explained: “ABT is an event aimed at raising awareness of what it is like to live without vision.” The station provides readers, volunteers, to the listening audience. Smith added that it was also “an evening of great joy for all in attendance.”

The host restaurant, Magazine Street, provided not only the fine food, but also the blooms of white hydrangeas and sunset-colored roses. Each seat included a royal blue apron, a wine opener kit donated by Humana, and masks to wear during dinner to show compassion for those without vision. Hence the title of the event: A Blind Taste.

Appetizers, wine pairings from Nola Wine Merchant and a four-course meal of beef carpaccio, gnocchi, red snapper and brown butter cake were the delights of the table. Between courses, host Smith auctioned off four valuable packages donated by WWOZ, Humana, Casa Pelican and Sommcru (a wine tasting from Kaye and Jerry Smith). Dr. and spouse Lena Al-Dujaili and Ahmed Mohiuddin, Both WRBH directors placed the highest bid for the final article.

They were among the dinner guests Rick Born from Humana, Lindsey wands by Hancock Whitney, Jennie Meyer from East Jefferson Hospital and husband Todd Thompson, Geoff Worden, Dr. and spouse Zeena Al Dujaili and Ravi TandonDr. Roland Waguespack, Dr. Puneet Singha, Catherine Burns Tremaine and grandchildren Burton Tyler Tremaine, Ray Blalock, Carl Arredondo and fiancée Isis Casanova, and WRBH Managing Director Natalia and Guy Gonzalez.

New voices

One hundred singers, families and supporters gathered in the gilded hall of the Houghtaling Mansion on St. Charles Avenue to celebrate the launch of the 2024-2025 season of New Voices New Orleans: ROUTES. The stars were 14 young singers from NVNO at KIPP Central Primary. Her brief appearance included excerpts from an earlier season, including “Basin Street Blues,” adapted from Allyssa Jones.

The treats came from Rouses (including mini muffalettas), The Wine Seller (for adults) and especially Loretta’s Authentic Pralines.

Those giving eulogies – many with significant titles – included hosts/NVNO board members Julia Houghtaling and husband JohnNVNO Founder and Director Trey Pratt and Golan MoskowitzPh.D., Bryan Batt and Tom Cianfichi, Randy Roig and Brian Weimer, Patrick Schoen and Christopher Costello, Nick Shackleford and Augustin Correro, Vincent Ilustre, Gary Robichaux, Michael Shlenker and Don SchwennDr. Marc Behar and Jeff Sbisa, Dodd and Alix Loomis, Ann Loomis, Ilana Horwitz, Ph.D., Trey Fontana, And Claudette Brassfield. Voices were the mood!