New Orleans nostalgia was the name of the game for the WYES Gala: “Once Upon A Time In New Orleans” presented by the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust on Sept. 14.
Held at the WYES studios, different areas were decorated in homage to favorite city landmarks. For example, Bali Ha’i, the famed restaurant at Pontchartrain Beach, now both closed, was recreated as a tiki bar and served Mai Tais made from the former restaurant’s recipe.
Guests even got into the retro spirit with a New Orleans Saints fan wearing a vintage lettermen jacket and a couple who wore a K&B logo dress and suit made for the event.
Food was provided by The Windsor Court, which served favorite New Orleans dishes from past and present such as: turtle soup inspired by Maylie’s Restaurant, baked oyster Rockefeller, Windsor Court petit crab cake, seared filet of beef canapé, barbecued shrimp, creamy béchamel caviar manchego cheese brûlée, bananas Foster bread pudding and much more, including snowballs from Mr. Snowball.
Keeping the fun times going throughout the night were the Party Starters 504 Band, which played a variety of music from the 1950s to today’s hits.
As this is a benefit, the gala’s online auction was well-received with a 5.45-carat diamond tennis bracelet from Diamonds Direct, Sugar Bowl tickets, wine and dine gift cards from restaurants, and staycations, including ones at Windsor Court Hotel and Hotel St. Vincent, among the items garnering bids.
Event co-chairs were Juli Miller Hart, Catherine and Will Hales, Mark Romig and David Briggs; Junior Committee Chair was Mary Beth Benjamin.
Fun Fact: The gala highlighted all things iconic and nostalgic to New Orleans. WYES is a proud storyteller of New Orleans and for over 66 years has helped preserve the memories and stories of the people, culture and traditions of our region.
