Nell Nolan: WYES Juleps, Hotel Hope Gala, TU Shakespeare, Lupin | Entertainment/Life

Giddyup!

This was indeed well mint! To celebrate one of the best- known horse races on the planet, WYES-PBS named its 2026 gala “Juleps & Generosity” and channeled the Kentucky Derby. The Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust was the Presenting Sponsor. Also teamed for sponsorial giving were Erin and JP Hymel, entertainment; Ochsner Health, patron party; Eileen and Joey Devall and Gerri and Murray Valene, Triple Crown sponsors; and Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation. The galivanting took place primarily in the WYES Paulette & Frank Stewart Innovation Center for Educational Media. Adding more largesse, the couple was also credited as the dance floor sponsor.

Further generosity came from Trifecta Sponsor (First Horizon, Hancock Whitney, and Hoffman Media, LLC); Mint Julep Cup Sponsor Yazoo Restorations; and Gallo Mechanical, auction sponsor. Individuals thanked as Jockey Club Sponsors were Micki and Lawrence Chehardy, Lauren and Bryan Fitzpatrick, Cammie and Charles Mayer, Tia and Jimmy Roddy, Lori and Bobby Savoie, and Susan and Pierre Villere. Most were sighted with the ladies sporting comely chapeaux or fascinators.

For an hour, patrons rubbed shoulders as they mingled in Derby-inspired attire. (Those in the superstition “know” banned the wearing of green, which is considered an unlucky color.) Lots of gents got in the sartorial act as well. “I made a trip to Meyer the Hatter,” mentioned one Churchill Downs aficionado, who sits glued to his TV each year for the Triple Crown runs.

To locate Louisville, the party planners decorated the premises using silver julep cups for the requisite beverage; red roses — the Kentucky Derby is nicknamed “The Run for the Roses”; cascading white fairy lights above the dance floor; pennants and string lights above the auction area; and a background of the famed racetrack for souvenir photos. The gussied-up guests appeared to be perfectly placed in Churchill Downs, thanks to that backdrop, a Run for the Poses.

Teamed to chair the bash were the above Devalls, Katie and Eric Hoffman, and Megan and William Wolf, while Sarah and William Worsely spearheaded the auction attractions. The Derby dozens eyed art, sports memorabilia, jewelry, and gift baskets, among other enticements.

As for the cuisine, the Windsor Court filled the bill. People made repeated trips to the fried chicken service. And Pheris & James (New Orleans Cocktails) got credit as Cocktail Mixers.

The “Juleps & Generosity” who’s who was extensive. One of the top names was that of Robin Cooper, hatted, of course, who answers to president and CEO of the television station. The list of patrons ran from an easy A to Z, starting with Tracee (Dundas) and Arnold Baker to Carroll and Emory Zimmer. Similarly, the gala and auction committee began with two surnamed “A” couples, Becky and Michael Angle and Markey and Len Aucoin, and ended, once again, with the Zimmers. Well over 100 names were mentioned within.

Paulette Stewart was among the choice few with top tables on the dance floor. At a certain point in the evening, the music makers, The Phunky Monkeys, commanded attention (and gave the horses a rest). Simian excitement was to the fore — and the floor — as the party pack gyrated with glee. Not quite living up to its name in time, but yielding congenial energy, the song “All Night Long” was a winner.

Hope Fest

Presented by Airbnb, Hope Fest lit up the night, and scads of spirits, at the Audubon Clubhouse by Dickie Brennan & Co. The clubhouse, which was packed, rated billing as a “new venue (for the fundraiser) with free, convenient parking.” People turned out in droves for the fun.

Mastheaders for the event, the fourth annual benefit for Hotel Hope (a homeless shelter), were honorary chair New Orleans City Council member Lesli Harris; 2026 co-chairs Jenifer Besh and Dr. Zoe Larned; and host Bryan Batt. “We’re sold out!” he enthused. Sister Mary Lou Specha is the executive director.

(Since the gala, Sister Mary Lou extended an invitation titled Breaking New Ground. This was the ceremonial groundbreaking of the new Hope Family Housing pilot site, an “intergenerational affordable housing model that seeks to help stabilize families, build community, and revitalize neighborhoods.” It will be adjacent to the Hotel Hope campus in Central City. Special thanks tapped the “good friends at Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald for their continued support.”)

Fest features were myriad with wine, beer and craft cocktails, yummy food from local chefs, a silent auction, goody bags (with Hubig’s Pies, a cup and water bottles) and music galore. The Preservation Hall Foundation Presents: the Pres-Hall All Stars, and The Original Pinettes Brass Band set the tone and the tunes.

Relishing the multiple attractions were Tom Cianfichi with Bryan Batt, Joan and Orville Duggan, Jane and Larry Merington, Eric Vanderpool Ohman, Ingrid Foy, and scores more, who made purposeful partying the celebration.

Here for Lear

Not only was it an opening night for “King Lear,” but it was also that of the season. The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane launched staging with the tragic tale of Lear, King of Britain, who, in his need to be flattered and indulged when he was dividing his kingdom amongst his three daughters, fell prey to the flattery, ever so false, of the older two and failed to recognize the sincere love and genuine worth of his youngest child, Cordelia.

The Bard commanded the boards of the Lupin Theatre on Tulane’s campus and furthered the mission of the festival “to produce professional, classical theatre with a primary focus upon the works of William Shakespeare.” Socializing played a major role, as well, when audience members clustered about a large table in the theater’s lobby for a charcuterie spread by Black Pearl Catering and smiled for photos in front of the step and repeat. Some milling occurred during the intermission and then increased post-performance when the actors joined the crowd. Kudos to the cast, especially to John Neisler as the eponymous Lear.

Noted, too, within the grouping was “King Lear” director Jana Mestecky, who’s now portraying Lady Macbeth in “Macbeth,” which just opened two nights ago and features David Lind as Macbeth. That director is Graham Burk, the festival’s interim artistic director.

Notables hobnobbing on the opening night of “Lear,” included Burk, fest followers, and such advisory board members as chair Cassie Worley, vice chair Kathryn Scurlock, secretary Marie Cahn (with husband Jimmy), Cathryn Abbott (with mom Anne), Marcia King Reck (with spouse Gothard) and Dr. Julian Wheatley (with Margie). Additional board members, along with a few past ones, including Ted Martin, and several with emeritus ranking, figured in the crowd. All raved about “King Lear” and are doubling back to campus for “the Scottish play.”