The New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s annual fundraiser event, “Azúcar Ball” presented by Pan American Life, provides funding for the foundation’s mission to encourage and support talented Hispanic high-school students by providing them with educational scholarships via the NOHHF Scholarship Program. The gala, themed “Una Vez en Nueva Orleans … 300 años de Encanto,” was attended by more than 600 patrons.
The NOHHF prestigious Gálvez Cup for 2018 was awarded to Ti Martin, Lally Brennan, Lauren Brennan Brower, Ralph Brennan, Dickie Brennan and Cindy Brennan. Operating 13 restaurants in New Orleans alone, including Commander’s Palace, Tableau and Brennan’s, the “cousins,” as they call themselves, maintain the high standards of hospitality and cuisine instilled in them by their parents’ generation.
A Patron Party preceded the gala festivities, with signature cocktails presented by Daniel Victory of Victory NOLA.
The festive gala program featured dancing and musical entertainment such as Julio y César, Javier Olondo & AshéSon, The Paulin Brothers Brass Band, DJ Felipe Estrada and Eliza González-Flamenco Dancer.
The ball offered guests the opportunity to dine with several dozen restaurants and beverage purveyors, including several of the Brennan’s restaurants. Featured dessert donors were Cafe 601, Cold Brew Coffee, Gaby’s Desserts, Ice Cream 504, La Casa de Patty, Cuzco Peruvian Cuisine, Loretta’s Pralines, Mategourmet, Pastry Xpress, Pasteles de Francia, Purple Cactus, Sucré and Welty’s.
In addition to a raffle, the Cristina J. Fowler Scholarship Fund Silent Auction Signature Items included a spectacular estate 18 karat yellow and white gold diamond bracelet donated by Friend & Company and an original oil on canvas painted exclusively for the ball donated by Mexican-American artist Belinda Flores-Shinshillas.
The Hand Fans Project, an initiative in collaboration with Isidore Newman School, presented hand painted fans inspired by the history of Spain, Hispanics and the Tricentennial celebration in New Orleans; the students’ fan creations contributed to the fundraising efforts of NOHHF for its Scholarships Program.
Rossana Bracho and Gracia-Maria Zaccaro served as Chairs.
Event at a Glance
What: “Azúcar Ball,” benefiting the New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation
When: Saturday, December 1, 2018
Where: Hyatt Regency New Orleans
Dr. Juan and Ana Gershanik with Patty Riddlebarger and Raul Fonte
George Fowler, Heidi Kiesling and Ileana and Jose Suquet
Elena and Eugene Countiss with Lita Fowler
Elsa and Robert Baker
Mayra and Hector Pineda with Kathleen McGlone and Celimar Maldonado
