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The Pasta & Puccini Gala of the Jefferson Performing Arts Society took place at the Hotel InterContinental New Orleans on October 29.
With performances by local, national and international singers and other artists, along with the JPAS Orchestra, there was no shortage of talent or support. Hiroka Morita, Victor Garcia, Juan Valls, Gregory Gerbrandt and Nancy Ross (wife of JPAS maestro Dennis Assaf) captivated the audiences with their renditions
of songs by the legendary Giacomo Puccini.
More than 30 area restaurants and caterers provided delectable cuisine; Republic National Distributing Company, along with Coca-Cola and Old New Orleans Rum Distillery provided the guests with numerous libations. Other entertainment was provided by celebrity auctioneers James Michalopoulos and Reese Johanson.
Co-chairs of the evening were Wayne Nocito and Karen Villavaso; Beth Goddard and Dr. Jane Miller had co-chaired a patron party preceding the main event. A major sponsor of the evening was Sammy Steele III.
The event benefited JPAS artistic endeavors and JPAS children’s programming.
