We are thrilled to feature the fabulous and always spectacular “Azúcar Ball 2017” benefiting the New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation on our cover this month! Thanks so much to George Fowler, a Co-Founder, VP of Sponsorships and Chairman Emeritus of NOHHF; NOHHF President Ileana Suquet; Co-Chairs Mullady Voelker and Mary Petikas; and José Suquet is President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Pan American Life, Lead Sponsor of the ball.
The ball will be held on Saturday, December 2, at the Hyatt Regency from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Mullady and Mary promise a festive night of music, dancing, food and entertainment, a silent auction, a raffle and the presentation of the prestigious Galvez Cup. The black-tie event’s theme this year is “El Festival de las Flores” (The Festival of Flowers), and you don’t want to miss it. For information and to purchase tickets, call 636-0107.
I want to add a special tribute to George Fowler’s wife Cristina, who passed away in September after a long and painful illness. She was larger than life; she founded the “Azúcar Ball,” which raises funds for scholarships given by the NOHHF. She was such a great friend to so many and will be so missed! Her friend Ana Gershanik said, “She was one of the most loving people I ever knew, always positive and making everyone feel comfortable and letting them know they were unique. She was always ready to help others, and she always did. Cristina was passionate about the things she believed in, most importantly her family, friends and life!”
New Orleans Opera continues its 75th anniversary season with Jacques Offenbach’s comical spin on the myth of Orpheus, the musical demigod. Orpheus in the Underworld features a marriage on the rocks (Orpheus’s wife is weary of his virtuosic performances), a lusty god of the underworld and the pivotal character Public Opinion. The opera concludes with a raucous celebration, to the tune of the original can-can dance. Orpheus and the entire season center around New Orleans Opera’s new vision for the next 75 years: Opera Connects! For tickets, visit NewOrleansOpera.org or call 529-3000.
The New Orleans Ballet Association continues its 2017-2018 season with Aspens Santa Fe Ballet, co-presented with The NOCCA Institute, on Friday, November 10, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, November 11, at 2 and 8 p.m. at Freda Lupin Memorial Hall at NOCCA. Hailed by The New York Times as a “breath of fresh air,” Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is at the forefront of American dance with its innovative, sleek and adventurous programs. For two performances on December 3, NOBA presents the holiday classic The Nutcracker Suite at Dixon Hall at Tulane University. This hour-long adaptation features a cast of over 200 participants ages 6 to 80 from the NORD/NOBA Center for Dance. Ticket information for both performances can be found at NOBADance.com or by calling 522-0996.
Now that fall is here, we all want to add new accessories to update our wardrobe, so check out What’s Hot for Fall accessories with shoes, scarves fabulous jewelry and more.
Our Fall Fashion Feature will give you ideas for the most up-to-date trends that you’ll want to wear to your next fundraiser or party! Find this season’s top trends and wearable art starting on pg. 46.
Once you get your new wardrobe, you’ll want to go to your favorite restaurant. Be sure to look to our feature on holiday restaurant specials, and this year leave the oven off, dress up and step out on the town with your loved ones.
We are so excited about all of the people and sponsors who worked to make the fourth annual “Wine, Dine & Design” one of the most profitable yet for Bastion! I want to thank all of the sponsors and table designers and our chairmen, Celeste and Curtis Eustis and Bryan and Lauren Fitzpatrick, and also thanks to Cheryl Lemoine, Whitney Weathers, Morgan Griffith, Todd Matherne and everyone at Renaissance Publishing. The success of this event wouldn’t have happened without each and every one of you – and our “angel” that matched the amount that we raised! Thanks also to Dylan Tête, Founder and Executive Director of Bastion, which is having an open house on November 9 at the site, so don’t miss it!
Happy Thanksgiving!! Bev
Beverly Reese Church
Lynne Farwell White (left), pictured with Bettie Pardee at a book signing in Newport, Rhode Island, has written the first-ever book on gift giving: Giving and Gifts: The art of thoughtful giving! White, a New Orleans native, learned the art of gift giving from her parents and grandparents, and dedicates the book to them. With the hustle and bustle of our technology filled life, we have lost the “personal contact of thoughtful giving,” White says.
Save the date for her book signing at the Garden District Book Shop on November 7, 6-9 p.m., sponsored by The Garden District Book Store and Judy At the Rink!
