The “Mais oui, C’est Marie” BRAVO Ballet Ball was held at the New Orleans Museum of Art on March 21, giving guests an evening fit for French royalty. Like the legacy of Marie Antoinette, the party was filled with extravagance; some ladies even dressed up in fashions right out of 18th-century Versailles!
The museum was decorated as the Gardens of Versailles, thanks to event chair Charlotte Bollinger, Mardi Gras Productions and Dunn & Sonnier Flowers. A patron party kicked off the evening from 7 to 8 p.m. Entertainment included a Parisienne cabaret and music of Edith Piaf performed by M.I. Scoggin, who was accompanied by her son Matthew on the piano, while Dr. Will Robichaux played accordion. Guests dined on haute cuisine by Cashio’s Catering. During the main event, Orleans performed music and guests were treated to themed “Let them eat cake” party favors such as petits fours by the Cake Shop in Lockport.
Live and silent auctions, with Boysie Bollinger as auctioneer, featured items such as white gold and diamond earrings from Friend & Company, and a French tapestry depicting Versailles, donated by Hurwitz Mintz Furniture Company, among many other delightful items.
Preceding the soiree was a benefactor dinner, held March 18, with white glove service and haute cuisine donated by Muriel’s.
The proceeds raised by the benefits ultimately supported NOBA’s triumphant return to the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts with Houston Ballet’s production of Marie.
BRAVO (Ballet Resource and Volunteer Organization) is the largest single contributor to NOBA, and makes it possible for NOBA to provide more than 2,500 free dance classes at nine sites, as well as master classes, workshops and performances for more than 7,000 youths in four parishes.