Improvisations
Under the catchy title, “Storyville: Sounds of the Rising Sun,” the New Orleans Jazz Museum gala, called Improvisations, held forth on a recent Saturday night with fabulous fundraising fun. It was presented by the Herb Alpert Foundation and included as honorary co-chairs Herb Alpert, Jon Batiste, John Goodman, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, Arthel Neville, Wynton Marsalis, Randy Fertel, Joe Donner, Tony Sylvester, and Francis Ford Coppola.
More notables were gala co-chairs Valerie Landry, James Moore, and Claus Sadlier; 31 committee members; 25 advisory committee cohorts; and gala organizers Greg Lambousy, Carlisle & Voelker (Ali Carlisle and Audrey Voelker), and Sandra S. Dartus, CFEE. Greg, the Jazz Museum director, reigned as King Charles VII on “12th night” in the Jeanne d’Arc Parade.
And that was just the beginning. Countless musicians were spotlighted on the three main stages. There was the Omega Stage, which was sponsored by Omega Production Resource, located on the Esplanade Lawn Tent, and emceed by Charisse Gibson of WWL-TV. It opened with Kermit Ruffins & Friends and concluded, after four interim acts, with Bobby Rush (presented by Land of Dreams). Cole Williams of WWOZ emceed the Gallatin Stage on the second floor, which was presented by Anne Atkinson (Congo Square Gallery). It included NOCCA Jazz Ensemble, Audrey LeCrone Trio, LPO Ensemble with Dominican Strings of Gocessa, and Törngren Quarter, presented by the Embassy of Sweden in Washington and the Honorary Consulate of Sweden. On the third floor, the Hilton (New Orleans Hilton Riverside) made the musical mark with emcees Rachel Pizzolatto and Christien Bold, and Tuba Skinny as the opening of four acts. A DJ Showcase featured Alan Nobili (Alliance Francaise).
The Entertainment & Production Sponsors were Land of Dreams, the Lupin Foundation, Positive Vibrations Foundation, and Presson Productions. Messina’s, the primary purveyor, and Element were the respective culinary and VIP Experience sponsors, while the New Orleans Storyville Museum and New Orleans Auction were thanked for the program and auction sponsorship. Dozens of additional sponsors abetted the programming and partying.
Element and Omega Production Resources provided spectacular décor and lighting throughout the Jazz Museum complex. In keeping with the “Storyville” theme, Element used a variety of velvet reds, burgundies, and gold-accented blacks to render atmosphere. The VIP tent used similar colors and hung black Maria Theresa chandeliers from the ceiling. Many further features intrigued, as did the coordinated games of chance by Carl Mack Presents in the Sporting Parlor, and the roving Fashion Promenade with Storyville-inspired designs. In addition to the museum’s ongoing exhibitions, gala attendees were also treated to the newly-opened Storyville Exhibit, where presentations such as “Lulu White’s Parlor Talk” and “A Storyville Burlesque” occurred.
As for the auctions and prizes, Lady Luck tapped winners Michelle Broom, Michelle Leblanc, Charles Zapf, Wendell Frazier, Randall Miller, and Jason Hughes.
Special guests were numerous and included Sarah Elizabeth Gundlach, spouse of Greg Lambousy; Tim Lupin and Anamaria Villamarin-Lupin; past Improv co-chairs Davis Piscola and Lisa Ramsay, Wendy Lodrig Bart and Hank, Pam Friedler and Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, Dino Gankendorff with Ragan, and Randy Fertel. Also, Priscilla Gordon, who announced a sponsorship in memory of spouse Nate; Dr. Emma Levenson with James Moore; consuls general Rodolphe Sambou (France) and Yanina Torres (Dominican Republic), and honorary consuls Cecilia Kjellgren (Kingdom of Sweden) and Joseph Dunn (Canada).
Hundreds more figured in the massive and musical merriment. According to a party principal, the “multi-faceted event and this year’s Storyville theme took on a life of its own!”
A Silver Salute
Let’s start with the acronym: NORLI. It stands for the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. And now for the anniversary: the 25th. The MISI on Decatur Street was the site for the socializing that celebrated a quarter century of leadership, connection, and impact across the Greater New Orleans region. Scores of alums and civic leaders rallied in a space that was set with a stage and dance floor. All enjoyed the catering by Messina’s that included a number of favorite local dishes
Stephen Reuther and Barrett Conrad, respective NORLI executive director and chairman, opened the formalities with remarks, which were followed by those of alumni, past chair Patty Riddlebarger (Entergy), founding chair Lonnie Stockwell, Sandra Lindquist (New Orleans Chamber), Bill Hines (Jones Walker), Kia Robinson (New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Foundation), and Tifferney White (Louisiana Children’s Museum). Additional recognitions ensued, as did applause.
Along with the above were Voris Vigee (Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana), Amy Boyle Collins, Elizabeth Ellison-Frost, Slade Simmons, Melissa Hodgson, Ashley Hilsman, Michelle Clarke Payne, Val Grubb, LeeAnn Moss, Kristi Trail, and Amy Corcoran, who won the raffle item of a bottle of Dom Pérignon Champagne.
Also catching the eye — and ear — was Michael Hecht (Greater New Orleans, Inc.), who was cast as DJ El Camino. As such, he served up 25 years of hits that moved the party pack with gusto to the dance floor.
Legacy and Levity
The 17th annual Lambeth House Gala, which had Ochsner Health as the Title Sponsor, was in honor and loving memory of author Albert E. Cowdrey. A beloved resident of 15 years, his generosity and impact gave way to the Albert E. Cowdrey Library.
Sponsorship was extensive and included as the Presenting threesome Hancock Whitney, Unidine, and Woodward Design+Build. Headliners on the Lambeth House Foundation Board were chair Christine Montz, vice chair Stephanie November, secretary Ken Kneipp, treasurer Jeff Meckstroth, and board members Dorothy Clyne, Britt Galloway, Ted George, Mary Martin Roth, Julie Talbot, Tim Trapolin (also an auction donor), Charlotte Travieso, and Stacey Williams.
To embellish the premises, Sparkle and Swag created and installed bright colored balloon sculptures and an impressive floral arrangement in the rotunda. Traveling music by the Chuck Brackman Trio, pianism by John Mahoney and Adam Lozoya, photos by Boogie Booth, and 35 silent auction items added layers of levity. Top purchasers were Marjorie McKeithen (with spouse Scott Schlesinger), Gordon Stewart (with Anne) and Stacey Richards (with Richard). The cuisine rated raves, as gala-goers reached for char-grilled oysters, the culinary lure on two buffet tables, and assorted pastries.
Notables included the above, along with LH CEO Scott Crabtree, Holly Abbott and Bob Vorhoff, Sarah Meckstroth with Jeff, Reecee and Charlie Lanier, Pam Martin, Chuck Striffler, George Young, Sandy Villere, Sam Rosamond, Duke Eversmeyer, Margaret Carriere, Anne Bradburn, Camille Yeldell, Karen Smith, Frances and Rodney Smith, and Julie McCollam.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.nola.com ’
