From the Grammys in L.A. to the annual Washington Mardi Gras celebration in D.C., Lafayette rocked and ruled from coast to coast on the second weekend in February.
At DCMG, the Lafayette hospitality suite was brimming with business types and politicos the entire weekend, doubtless a good investment for the dozens of sponsors and private donors who foot the bill for it all. Veterans like Brett and Donna Mellington, Jim and Pat Prince and Donna Byrne helped initiate event newcomers, including Frank Camalo, Ann Laurent and Sonia Perez. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner turned out to be a not-so-welcome guest at the annual Economic Development Luncheon (talking about energy and tax policies), but the glittering dinner dance, tableau and ball were spectacular, as always. For those lucky enough to be invited to Jim and Corky Hutchison’s private party, The Italian Embassy was the venue of choice, and the dessert, fashioned like little jeweled chocolate boxes wrapped in gold leaf and filled with mousse, was truly the pièce de résistance.
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| Lynne and Joey Durel, Paula Carson, Sgt. Benton Thames, and Dee Stanley lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier |
Paula Carson, Cydra Weingartner and David Colligan | Dana and Glenn Armentor at the DCMG dinner dance |
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| Representative Jack Montoucet, Rice Festival Queen 2010 Andre Elizabeth Lyons and Sandra Montoucet | Gregg and Alyssa Gothreaux | Congressman Charles Boustany and his wife Bridget |
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| AT&T hosted a group of U.S. Air Force cadets at the ball, pictured here with Donna Byrne. | Paula Carson, front and center, with friends: Cydra Wingerter, Claudia Colligan, David Colligan, Amanda Toups, Buffy Domingue and Gerd Wuestemann |
State Attorney General Buddy Caldwell and Pat Caldwell |
On the Left Coast, Chubby Carrier accepted the Grammy for Best Cajun-Zydeco Album with a rousing whelp, “Louisiana!” during the “pre-tel” ceremony that takes place before the evening’s international telecast. DL Menard’s snappy black suit with beaded soutache musical notes turned heads on the red carpet. In fact The Back Door Man made the cut, along with Rob Jones, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga’s egg, for TMZ.com’s feature, Wild and Crazy Fashion at The Grammys — check him out!
Grammy nominee Feufollet got a taste of life among the rich and famous over lunch in Beverly Hills, glimpsing Selma Blair and John Legend at nearby tables while paparazzi chased Eva Longoria on her way out. All gave standout performances at the pre-Grammy “Only in Louisiana” brunch, which also featured nominees The Pine Leaf Boys and honored the memory of songwriter Bobby Charles. Warren and Mary Perrin, CC Adcock, Lisa Stafford and others made the trip, as did state Sen. Mike Michot, who opted to take his daughter Mary Carolyn to the Grammys instead of the traditional trek to Washington Mardi Gras, where the festivities were a little less funky but no less fun.
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| DL Menard on the red carpet at the the Grammys |
Members of Feufollet in L.A., from left: Chris Stafford, Philippe Billeaudeaux, Anna Laura Edmiston, Chris Segura and Michael Stafford. MIA in this photo is Josh Caffery, who also contributed to their Grammy-nominated album. | DL Menard along with Grammy winner Chubby Carriere, Terry Huval and The Pine Leaf Boys perform at pre-Grammy brunch in L.A. |
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| Juanita Hebert, DL Menard and Ricky Skaggs at pre-Grammy party |
Warren Perrin, Nelda Menard, Chubby Carriere, DL Menard and Terry Huval at the Grammys | Julie, Robbie and Emily Bush in lobby of Biltmore Millennium Hotel before Grammys |
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| French custom guitar maker James Trussart, DL Menard and Mary Perrin pose with the team from Ridgway, Colo., who make the coveted Grammy trophies | Dru Simon and Jon Bertrand of The Pine Leaf Boys with Robbie Bush and Sen. Mike Michot at the "Only in Louisiana" Brunch at the 2011 Grammys | DL Menard with CC Adcock |
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| Michot and his daughter, Mary Carolyn, at Grammys | Anna Laura Edmiston at the mic during Feufollet’s performance at the Louisiana pre-Grammy party |
All was glitter and gold for Michael Lavergne’s 35th Age of Aquarius Golden Gala & Dance Party Extravaganza at the Blue Moon Saloon. Admission was a gold item of clothing or accessories, and boy, did the guests outdo themselves with disco-inspired attire and out-of-sight afro wigs. The dance floor was transformed into a discotheque with tiered gold foil chandeliers and glitzy kitschy décor. By midnight, dance-frenzied guests had torn down the chandeliers and were using them as hoola hoops (including Party Girl, naturally) and wearing Crime Scene tape as accessories. What a wild scene! Dancing the night away in the packed house were Lavergne’s PASA colleagues and his closest friends.
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| Paige Krause and Amy Venable | Heather Newman, Michael Lavergne, Jason Crooks and Kate Lemoine |
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| Ross Fontenot and Michael Lavergne | Michael Lavergne and Jason Crooks |
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| Paige Krause, Kevin Ancelet, Corey Faul, Jason Crooks and Colin Miller |
Jason Carroll and Regina Reviere |
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| Paul Cockrell, and Tricia and Stafford Barnett | Lian Cheramie a/k/a Cookie Bouillion and Mandy Migues |
Karen Lippman’s outdoor poolside patio was the scene for the King Cake, Champagne and Super Bowl party co-hosted by Lippman, Karmen Blanco and Lisa Hanchey. Big game hunter Duaine Demny cooked up a tender venison backstrap cut in strips, stuffed with cream cheese and jalapeno and wrapped in bacon. Hanchey served up a massive pot of taco soup with fixings, and a cheesy black eyed pea dip in honor of the halftime entertainers, The Black Eyed Peas, and chef John Panaro went the gourmet route with spicy deer sausage over creamy polenta. For dessert, Gail Wolf prepared an exquisite chocolate éclair cake, served alongside an assortment of king cakes from Southside Bakery and Gambino’s.
Party On!
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| Brad Colgin and Duaine Demny | Duaine Demny and Karen Lippman |
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| Patti Reed and Michelle Strohe | Janice Hebert, Gail Wolf and Teri Stelly |
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| Karmen Blanco, Duaine Demny, Emily Guilbeau, Brad Colgin, Karen Lippman, Johanna Villarreal and Gail Wolf |
Jason Rhodes, Kris Wartelle and Teri Stelly (front row); Johanna Villarreal and Brad Colgin (middle row); Duaine Demny, Karen Lippman, Karmen Blanco, Amy Romero and Stephen Fournet |
Mallory Page Chastant’s contemporary paintings were showcased at the Winter Opening Reception at Rue Du Pont Galerie and Studio in Breaux Bridge. The charming Louisiana-based artist, who divvies her time between her Julia Street gallery in New Orleans and Seaside, Fla., mingled with art lovers and discussed her muted modern style. Fans from Lafayette and beyond admired her works while sipping wine and nibbling on tasty dips, marinated veggies and sweet treats. Seen browsing in the gallery were Elizabeth and Pit Hesterly, New Zealand-bound Superbowl XLIV ad writer Brett Landry and parents Beth and Leo Landry, gallery owner/artist Lue Svendson and exhibiting artist Kelli Kaufman with hubby Henry.
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| Elizabeth and Pit Hesterly | Kelli and Henry Kaufman |
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| Annik Morgan, Mallory Page Chastant and Megan Glowacki |
Barbara Olinde, Leo and Beth Butcher Landry, Brett Landry and Joe Giglio Jr. |
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| Dana Hart, Denise Arceneaux and John Panaro |
Kelli Kaufman, Kim Landry and Lue Svendson |
Trynd Ristorante and Boutique Lounge was packed to capacity for Festival International’s festive Pin Party. Event Rental went over the top with the amazing décor, hanging chandeliers from tents and topping tables with fluffy white-feathered centerpieces. Festival supporters got into the celebratory spirit by donning Roaring ’20s-inspired costumes from Old Vogue. Guests sampled chef Dean Mitchell’s fabulous cuisine, including roasted veggies, risotto and meat balls, fresh tomato bruschetta, caprese and shish kabobs. Ann Savoy and Her Sleepless Knights serenaded the crowd as sexy “cigarette girls” sashayed through the club selling the colorful festival pins. Artist Francis Pavy signed festival posters to the delight of fans. This year’s Festival International runs from April 27 to May 1
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| Chuck Anselmo, Julie Calzone and Bart Bernard | Gina Aswell and Cathy Hebert |
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| Mauri Robicheaux and Nicky Domingue | Karen Domingues, Ramsay LeBlanc, Kim Neustrom, Mallory Joseph and Leroy Gauthier |
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| Matt Hill, Susan Holliday, Dana Cañedo and John Claude Arceneaux | Odie Terry, Gary and Thelmi McGoffin, and Councilman Sam Doré |
Gallery at City Club’s Winter Art Show reception had patrons all abuzz about the talent and variety offered by Lafayette area artists. Featured artists for the January/February/March exhibit are Candace Greer, Julie Siracusa, Caroline Chunn McCarthy, Kerry Griechen, Eddie Granger and Jacques Royal. The chefs of City Club provided fresh fruit and tasty wraps for patrons to nibble while sipping wine. An intriguing piece included Granger’s “From Dusk Till Dawn,” so named because he literally painted it during that time period. Griechen’s painting-like photographs of New Orleans landmarks and a vivid streetcar captivated visitors native to the Big Easy. Greer’s enchanting paintings of boats and seafood paid homage to Louisiana’s bounties from the Gulf, while Siracusa’s paintings and drawings with spiritual origins conjured images of classic beauty. Admiring the artworks were Karen Lippman and Duaine Demny, Elizabeth and Pit Hesterly and Marty and Lee Audiffred.
The Second Saturday Artwalk of December showed that great art is not limited by age. Cité Des Arts featured 21 pieces by Evan Daigle, a 17-year-old junior from Lafayette High. Cité’s artist of the month, Evan offered a clever mix of his photography and original artwork, drawing art walkers to the gallery by the dozen. Daigle’s work is bringing a new appreciation for the arts from Acadiana’s teenage community and was showcased at Cité through the month of December. Searching for the perfect Valentine’s gift for the art lover in your life? From an inventive spin on the St. Louis Cathedral to a Dulac sunset that will take your breath away, this young artist could make your Valentine’s heart skip a beat. Check him out at www.evandaigle.daportfolio.com.
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| Vanessa Berkley, Lee Spain and Nicole Turk |
Barry Greer with daughter, artist Candace Greer |
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| Lee and Marty Audiffred and Dan Hare | Kerry Griechen, Jeffrey McCullough, Lee Audiffred and Kim Landry |
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| Julie Siracusa and Meghan Connell | Jacques and Pauline Royal |
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| Eddie Granger with his paintings | Evan Daigle, Nic Hollier, Stefan Domingue, Jordan Williams, Quinn Robicheaux and Lucas Knepper |
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| Evan, Katelyn, Katherine, and Chad Daigle and Brooke Daigle (front) |
Libby Stutes, Grace Reaux and Katelyn Daigle |
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| Jacie Daigle, and Stan and Ann Messinger | Jacie and Evan Daigle |
Sweet southern belle Dale Kennington of Alabama welcomed patrons at the opening reception of her impressive exhibit, “Mythologies,” at the Paul and Lulu Hilliard Art Museum. Guests sipped wine and nibbled on appetizers from Abacus while studying her sculptural paintings displayed on Japanese shoji screens. Her depictions of human figures are so lifelike they look as if they could step out of the paintings and into the world. Enjoying the exhibit were artist Camilla Drobish in a festive jacket from Birdie’s Boutique with her daughter, fellow artist Kai Drobish, and museum patrons Jolie and Robert Shelton.
Pretty Christa Billeaud and rugged John T. Landry warmly greeted guests at the Winter 2011 exhibit of Darnall, Sikes, Gardes & Frederick’s Art for All Seasons. While a steady stream of patrons perused the artworks throughout DSG&F’s spacious office, Billeaud and Landry mingled and shared tidbits about their paintings. Billeaud, a forensic nurse by day, took painting lessons from self-taught artist Pat Venable for 15 years. She has only recently started marketing her works, ranging from religious to still-life to landscapes. One of her most talked-about paintings at the show was “Cowboy by the Campfire,” inspired by famed Marlboro man Tom Selleck. On the opposite end of the art spectrum was Landry, a former car dealer and retired UL director of development, who was inspired to paint while sitting on the porch of his duck camp sipping a glass of wine and enjoying the sunset. That very sunset was brilliantly reproduced on note cards and displayed with Landry’s paintings of colorful indigenous fish and stunning swamp scenes.
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| Artists Camilla Drobish and Kai Drobish |
Chere and Bruce Coen, artist Shawne Major and Dina Rhymes |
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| Artist Dale Kennington | Mark Tullos, Kris Wartelle and Robert and Jolie Shelton |
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| Artist John T. Landry, and Diane and Jay Frederick | Becky Gardes Sonnier, Steve Sonnier and Jeanne deValcourt |
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| Chris and Gretchen Vincent | Christa Billeaud with “Cowboy by the Campfire” |
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| Paula Dronet and brother John T. Landry | Steve Sonnier, Bonnie Camos and Theresa Rohloff |
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