Lifestyle -> Party Girl TUE, OCT 9 6:00PM by Party Girl

Party Girl

On a not-so-chilly summer night, I went to chill out with hundreds of fellow shoppers at the Big Chill, River Ranch's annual summer evening event and the perfect cure for shop-aholics. In addition to keeping doors open after hours at many of my favorite boutiques in town, this year's event, held on Aug. 9, featured the official opening of the new Main Street area at River Ranch. People were strolling through the warm summer evening, and many shops invited guests in, luring them with free drinks and eats. A complimentary glass of chardonnay while I check out the new Jimmy Choos? OK, twist my arm! It was easy to cruise from store to store, meet and greet people and enjoy a wonderful, old-world atmosphere ' almost like mingling in the streets of Paris or Rome. I really loved the free chair-massages and manicures offered by the folks at River Spa. What can I say? I'm always up for a little more glam, and my new sparkle-red nails really made me fit in with the crowd, dancing to the music of Nik-L-Beer. The event was produced by River Ranch Hospitality in conjunction with the associated stores, and, Oh, what a night it was!

Sometimes, being the girl about town does have its drawbacks; I had to curtail my party going at The Big Chill to make it over to another wonderful event. "Sippin' in the Sunset," a fund-raiser for the annual Festival of Light Christmas spectacular in the Oil Center. The event drew a fun-loving and festive crowd of 200-plus patrons to the Petroleum Club for live music and dancing. Good thing I decided against buying those Jimmy Choos after all ' I would have had blisters from dancing in new shoes all night. Fine foods were catered by the Petroleum Club as well as Oil Center restaurants like Antoni's, Blue Dog CafÃ©, Zeus and Popeyes. I nearly hurt myself on an out-of-this-world carrot soufflÃ© and left with a full stomach, tired feet and thoughts of sugar plums dancing in my head.

And even though you might not think it, Party Girl isn't always about partying. I recently attended a ceremony at the Children's Museum downtown to honor Mike Harson, district attorney for Acadia, Vermilion, and Lafayette parishes. Mike presented Marvita Hudson, director of administration of the Children's Museum of Acadiana, with a donation to the museum of funds raised through the 12th Annual Mike's Open Golf Tournament. The contribution will help support a variety of CMA programs and exhibits, starting with "Learn the Ropes," in celebration of the 250th birthday of the Marquis de La Fayette, followed by Kid's Alive in Parc Sans Souci in October, a series of fall courses in ham radio technology, and even an interactive exhibit featuring the art of Marc Chagall. The Children's Museum of Acadiana is a privately funded, nonprofit organization that I encourage everybody to help support. This wonderful place is filled with learning and exploration for kids. I'm even thinking about volunteering my own services, you know. Maybe teach a little science between luncheons and cocktail hour.

Party on! ' PG

Articles by this Author:

View all articles by this author

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

You must be logged in to post a comment. Log in using your Facebook account or register if you do not have an account yet.

Most Read

David Calhoun, ‘EB’ Brooks join Lafayette Central Park

David Calhoun and Elizabeth “EB” Brooks are the first two employees of Lafayette Central Park Inc., the nonprofit charged with turning Lafayette Consolidated Government’s 100-acre Johnston Street Horse Farm property into a passive public park. Calhoun was named executive director, and Brooks is director of planning and design.
Alex Lege: 'The Cop Watcher'

Is it a crime for citizens to photograph, video, or take notes of a police officer in the line of duty, or a right protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution? Locally, such activity, as witnessed recently, will at the very least result in a night spent behind bars.
Update: PXP creating 600 jobs averaging 100k

At Thursday's State of the Economy luncheon, LEDA President and CEO Gregg Gothreaux said PXP has already quietly hired 180 people for its Broussard expansion.
Zachary Barker takes helm of the Opportunity Machine

Zachary Barker continues making waves in Lafayette’s business scene, mostly recently being named director of the Opportunity Machine.
Shakin' at the Shack

There will soon be a whole lot of shakin’ going on at Benny’s Sportshack Supplement Depot, a new concept by Opelousas native Benny Nele. Located at 2002 Johnston St., the supplement shop, smoothie bar and café, featuring hot off the press paninis and wraps, plans to open in late May.

in case you missed it

COOL TOWN 2013

This year’s Cool Town issue is all about people who are not native to South Louisiana but made a conscious decision to be here, to be among us, to participate in our culture and contribute to it.
A curious compact

A shelved ordinance transferring $200,000 from a northside drainage project to a south Lafayette development may not break any laws, but it stinks to high heaven.
Pooyie 2012

It's good, it's bad and it's just plain crazy.
Saving Saturday Night

An effort to restore a shuttered dancehall and document other vacant or razed honky-tonks could serve as a model for saving an endangered species of entertainment.
Posthaste vs. HART FORTENBERY

Lafayette’s gene pool has been host to a long line of eccentric characters who have blurred the lines between crazy, genius, disturbed and curiously entertaining.