We are so excited to feature “Odyssey” presented by IberiaBank for the New Orleans Museum of Art on our October cover, and especially honored to have Walda and Sydney Besthoff, Margo DuBos, Juli Miller-Hart and H. Britton Sanderford featured. Gayle Benson is also a chair, along with Margo, Juli and Britton, and she tells us that this will be a spectacular night to remember. On Friday, November 7, fabulous food, libations and music will be a backdrop for the unveiling of “Photorealism: The Sydney and Walda Bestoff Collection,” the largest collection of photorealistic paintings in the world! All proceeds this year will strengthen and advance specific arts education programs at the museum. Last year they served 11,426 children, and this year – with your help – they want to expand to serve 25,000 public school children. The patron party starts at 7 p.m. with the gala beginning at 8. Get your tickets now by calling 658-4121. We want to thank Stephen Putt and Saks Fifth Avenue for lending us the priceless jewelry that Margo and Juli are wearing – you really should see Saks Fifth Avenue’s estate jewelry!
This art-filled issue features both OnStage as well as our What’s Hot for Art and a piece on antiques. We also have a terrific feature on cancer-fighting technologies; everyone has been touched by someone who has cancer, so learning about new technologies and techniques benefits us all.
And don’t miss out on our Halloween-themed pieces for the perfect ideas for your party.
For all of us who love New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, Maurice LeGardeur of Covington has created a masterpiece in his new book, Gulf Coast Stimulus Package, Viagra for the Soul. His love of life and his family, including pets and his home in Folsom and the mountains of North Carolina, is expressed in a funny and irreverent way in poetry. He urges us to “get out there,” enjoy life and have no regrets! The illustrations by Roy Robinson are a perfect fit. Quote: “In this mindless world / Of crime and stupor / Our sole defense / Is a Sense of Humor.”
Rivers Spencer Interiors has recently opened a new showroom at 3909 Magazine St. The new store is a 3,000 square foot renovated double shotgun showroom, with each room thoughtfully designed to look as if it were an actual house. In addition, Spencer has launched the Rivers Spencer Collection – a line of custom furniture, all bench made and hand finished locally. Rivers Spencer Interiors is also celebrating the launch of their e-commerce website (RiversSpencer.com) and blog, “Rivers’ Sketchbook!”
The self-titled “flamingo float” in the Krewe of Muses parade has come up with a novel idea for a good cause: If you come home one day and there are 12 pink plastic flamingos in your garden – you’ve been flocked! It is all to help them buy fans for elderly people in the Irish Channel who don’t have air conditioning. You can give as little as $20 or you get the whole flock for a donation of $200. This is Morgan Packard’s float, so we all need to pitch in! For more information and to “Flock a Friend,” email FlamingoAndFriends@gmail.com.
We also want to remind you of the annual Ladies Leukemia League’s “Fete de Noel” on Friday, December 5 at the Hilton Riverside. All funds raised are awarded to grant recipients in the Gulf South, primarily Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. For more information and to purchase tickets, call Rosalie Edwards at 466-8875 or email her at RosalieEdwards@aol.com.
Happy (almost) fall!
Bev
