Wednesday, December 15, 2010
More than 150 of Lafayette’s generous philanthropists and community leaders gathered at City Club at River Ranch for the elegant soirée celebrating the Community Foundation of Acadiana’s 10th anniversary. Kim Veillon of Party Central decked out the ballroom with gorgeous fresh flowers in simple glass vases for a stunning backdrop. While guests mingled, servers passed around trays of spicy crawfish wontons, shrimp en brochette, Portobello mushroom fries, white chocolate-dipped strawberries and petit fours iced with “10” commemorating the milestone birthday. CFA started in 2000 with just a handful of supporters and sparse staff, and has since grown to a $47 million dollar charitable organization with donors granting more than $11 million to worthy causes in the Acadiana and beyond. Bon anniversaire, CFA!
Party On!
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| Allyson and Raymond Hebert | Ed Abell, Lenny Lemoine, Kris Wartelle and Randy Haynie |
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| Doug and Claire Ashy, and Ron Gomez | Jane and Ken Blanchard |
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| Faye and Larry Hornback | Larry and Kay Hebert |
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| Hank and Debbie Perret, and Sissy and Jean Breaux |
Tom Bloch |
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| Lenny Lemoine, Jerry Prejean, Barry Berthelot, Ernest “Topper” Breaux and Pat Trahan |
Tracy and Kevin Moody |
The Krewe of Xanadu held its annual Royalty Tea at Le Triomphe to announce the characters and theme of its Mardi Gras ball, scheduled for March 4 at the Cajundome Convention Center. The ladies of the krewe enjoyed sipping on cocktails and visiting with other members while dressed in Sunday best attire, which included many incredible hats. The theme this year will be “Louisiana Xanadu Style,” and the theme muse is Larayn Guidroz. The characters will represent unique features of our great state, including magnolias, pelicans and the fleur de lis. The krewe recently followed up with a fall social, “Voodoo Bash on the Bayou” at Grant Street Dance Hall. Xanadu’s voodoo vixens attended for an evening of potions, charms and conjuring. Members dressed in voodoo costumes mingled as they enjoyed cocktails, DJ music and food prepared by one of Xanadu’s members, caterer Sally Guidry.
Hunt Slonem’s magnificent “On the Bayou” exhibit served as the backdrop for the president’s dinner held at the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum. Kim Veillon of Party Central decorated the main gallery to the hilt, topping tables with gorgeous bouquets of fresh calla lilies and hydrangeas in simple glass vases. Students from UL Lafayette’s Dining Services program served up a savory shrimp and grits entrée followed by an exquisite chocolate-layered dessert topped with edible flowers. The elegant event launched the museum’s $3 million fundraising effort to support future exhibits.
Party On!
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| Royalty court 2011 at the Royalty Tea | Royalty court with King Xanadu XXI Rick Voth and Queen Xanadu XXI Rickey Maloney |
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| Guests Debbie Mills, Donna Lyon nd Dianne Carlisle |
The 2011 royalty “voodoo” court |
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| Most creative costume contestants | Best costume contest winners Paulette Blanchet, Donna Lyon, Amanda Shepard and Susan Moncrief |
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| Voodoo necklace winners Michelle Blanchet, Bettie Sonnier (1st prize) and Darsy Babin |
Dr. Jean and Walter O’Roark |
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| Butch Bailey, Cherie Kraft and Bugy Bailey | UL Lafayette President Dr. E. Joseph Savoie and Mark Tullos |
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| Butch and Bugy Bailey, Mark Tullos Jr., Jenny Cole and Cherie Kraft |
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Lafayette’s finest legal eagles gathered at Corner Bar for the Young Lawyers Association’s final social of the year, sponsored by Becker & Hebert, Durio, McGoffin, Stagg & Ackermann, Judge Phyllis Keaty Campaign, Home Repair & Remodeling by Isaac, Steven “Buzz” Durio Campaign and Taylor Davis of Northwestern Mutual. Stan Lerille and his crew served up frosty frozen margaritas, generous mixed drinks and beer to the thirsty crowd, while lawyers, judges and guests dished out their own jambalaya and sweets. The boisterous event ended with door prizes from Brother’s on the Boulevard and Oil Center One Hour Dry Cleaners.
Darnall, Sikes, Gardes & Frederick’s spacious River Ranch office was the site of its Meet the Artist reception for the Art for All Seasons’ fall exhibit, featuring the artwork of Bonnie Camos, Tina Trahan and Kate Ferry. As guests leisurely sipped wine and nibbled cheeses, they perused the halls to view Camos’ unique Head Study and Spirit series composed of encaustic, wood, glass and copper; Trahan’s beautiful violin, wine bottles and Baroque Scrolls, and Ferry’s vibrant fish, guinea hens and Dancer with Headdress. During the reception, the charming artists mingled with art lovers and described the inspirations for their paintings. Art for All Seasons is a program designed by DSG&F to showcase the works of local artists in its workspace, with exhibits changing every three months through coordinator Peggy Wagner. Attending the fall reception were John Mouton and his son, Jake, David Strother and his wife, Susan Daigle, and Scott and Dianne Bailey and photographer Sonny Monteleone.
Party On!
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| Bill Stagg, Gary McGoffin, Arthe and Jesse Lambert |
Cade Evans, Anne and Tim Ryab and Sean Rabalais |
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| Frank Slavich and Dona Renegar | Hallie and Jeff Coreil |
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| Jason Matt and Miles Matt | Jeremy Hebert, Adam Abdalla, Stan Lerille and Jean Paul Coussan |
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| Penny Rogers and Matt Fontenot | Susan Daigle and David Strother |
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| Anna Bergeron and Kate Ferry | David Strother, Jake Mouton and John Mouton |
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| Artists Tina Trahan, Bonnie Camos and Kate Ferry with Camos’ Head Study series |
Jane Broussard, Tina Trahan and Sonny Monteleone |
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| Tina Trahan with “Forest Rain” | |
It was a dark and scary night for Spencer Hoyt’s Halloween bash held at Debbey Ryan’s Lafayette party pad. MG Designs spooked out the house for the festive event, while Party Central converted the indoor pool into a clear plexiglass dance floor. Some 250 friends danced the night away to tunes spun by DJ Coury Moss and Super Dave. Libations included a special blend of Halloween creep and witches brew served via ice luge. Contest winners included Mindy Gromer for sexiest costume, Anna Goodson, Ashley Cutrera, Kate Wynne and Dylan Cutrera as evangelical Mormons for best costume, and Seth Gilmore as Swamp “Shoot em” People for funniest costume.
Party On!
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| Corinne Sykes and Sarah Mayon | Frank Gerami, Dennis Smith and Adam Abdalla |
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| Lance Ortemond, Spencer Hoyt and Kelly Ortemond |
Mandy Gilmore, Spencer Hoyt, Mindy Gromer and Erin Tramontozzi |
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| Ryan Marine, Blake Huggard and Ben Bernard |
Mindy Gromer and Corinne Sykes |
Art enthusiasts came together with members of the AcA to celebrate the grand opening of the center’s theater and a café. Guests toured the space and mingled over plates piled high with hors d’oeuvres provided by The French Press and drinks from the AcA’s new bar. Among the guests was businessman and patron of the arts James Devin Moncus, who made a gift of $1.5 million to the AcA (the theater is named for him).
Feathers, frills and fine art abounded Oct. 21 for the UL Lafayette College of the Art’s first ever Beaux-Arts Ball. The black tie masquerade affair took place at the Petroleum Club where 200 guests helped themselves to fine food, wine and spirits. The Nouveau String Band plucked away new and old tunes to set a lively tone for the fundraising event, which also kicked off the residency of Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet with the College of the Arts. Several guests sported elaborate headdresses or costumes to reflect the theme “Re-new, Re-Vision, Re-cycle,” but most simply sported a mask with their finery.
Lafayette held its first ever Fashion Week Preview, showcasing New York Fashion Week Designer Luis Machicao, local businesses Stella & Dot, Pink Paparatzi Couture, Andreé Greig, Indrea Gordon, artist Hope Hebert and the UL Fashion Department. Held in conjunction with a scholarship fundraiser for a Lafayette senior to attend a local university in art, fashion or design, the event was hosted by Lafayette’s Ashley Jolet and Tyler Hebert. Among the surprising (and shocking) fashions were cocktail dresses made from garbage bags, metal rings and newspapers, and jackets constructed with bubble wrap.
Party On!
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| Renee Roberts, Sharon Moss and Sarah Moss | Ruth and James Moncus and Ed Abell |
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| Art theater ribbon cutting | Ashley Bell (front), Philippe Callais, Sunnie Diaz, Abigail Comeau, Gabe Andrews, Alison Zerangue, Megan Merriman and Collette Prudhomme |
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| Burton Durand | Rob Davis, Jan Davis, Rob Guidry, Belinda Guidry, Rob Bush and Julie Bush |
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| Dane Castille, Samuel Richard, Mariah Comeaux and Debbie Quebedeaux |
Dustin Hebert, Emily Gautreaux and Cameron Blake |
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| Lance Gardner and Thomas Simmons | Giorgio Russo, Beau Nunez and Matt Thibodeaux |
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| Marlow Veillon, Amy Rider, Chandra Trahan, Dawn Landry and Melanie Carrier |
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