Nell Nolan: Ogden “O” What a Night, Catholic Community Foundation, American Cancer Society | Parties/Society

Right Nights!

By George!

For the annual fundraiser of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, diptych delights delivered. First there was the two days’ earlier patron party at the showplace home of Walton and Jeffrey Goldring. Last two hours, it thrilled one and art-oriented all with a preview of the 14 works that would be auctioned at the gala. Fueling the fest was The Delachaise’s cuisine. The delish deviled eggs flew off the trays.

Also starting at 6 pm, but 48 hours later, O What a Night! commenced, “Celebrating and Supporting the Art of the American South.” Two areas of the Camp Street museum were the sites for “Night!” Billed “O What an Evening!” the first frolicking began in the Patrick F. Taylor Library with cocktails and a silent auction sponsored by Neal Auction Company as attractions. From that spot, guests tunneled to the tent adjacent to the Stephen Goldring Hall for the bulk of the bash. During the next number of hours, the comely crowd enjoyed dinner, the live auction and dancing. The crowning excitement was the presentation of the 2022 Opus Award to nonagenarians George Dunbar (joined by Louisette Brown), recipient of the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 for his contributions to art and culture in Louisiana. A category-listed benefactor for the recent event, he was additionally a donor to the live auction along with Katrina Andry, Raine Bedsole, Aron Belka, Michael J Deas, Amilton Neves Cuna, William Dunlap, Simon Gunning, Gina Phillips, Ashley Pridmore, Gregory B Saunders, Aimee Farnet Siegel, John Isiah Walton other Mitchell Wright. (Understandably, Opus honoree Dunbar’s work, courtesy of the artist and Callan Contemporary gallery, was the top selling item.) The silent auction enticed with works by, and from, 117 artful sources from the South.

As O What A Night! co-chairs, the masthead names were PennyFrancis other Jason Waguespack. More headliners were auctioneer Nicholas Lowry of Swann Auction Galleries; Jessie Schott HaynesOgden Museum board chairman — the officers are Geoffrey P. Snodgrass, Cleophus Thomas Jr., Justin Woods other William Pittman Andrews, executive director; and the dozens of trustees. Included in the listing, and gala vanting, was museum namesake Roger Ogden (with Ken Barnes). After the last “live” lot, the paddle raise occurred in support of the Charles D Urstadt Chairman Emeritus Acquisition Fund. Joining Urstadt what David Bernard.

The tent glowed with luminescence from 15 chandeliers. Credit for the décor tapped Wink Designs and Geometric Designs. For the posy punctuation, there were centerpieces of red anthuriums, orchids, greenery and gilded stems, as well as similar-floral cascades with roses on the stage, where Jeremy Davenport and KARMA! made merry music. “I’ve Got a Crush on You” was an early number. Saba and Beth Biundo Sweets fed the flock, respectively for the buffet dinner and dessert array.

Among the many noted Bill Goldring, Coleman E. Adler II, City Council member Helena Moreno and Christopher Meeks, Gayle Benson, Dennis P. Lauscha (Jesuit High School’s 2022 Alumnus of the Year), Nina Dunbar, Michelle and Jason Leckert, Richard Dragijic and William Brockschmidt, Judith Oudt, Lee Ledbetter, Sherrie Mitchell, Dorian Bennett, Katherine and Tony Gelderman, Beth and Hugh Lambert, Troy Scroggins and Frank Wilder, and countless others, including a number of the above artists. All were riveted by the comments of George Dunbar, who stated how much the lifetime achievement Opus meant to him, especially since it was awarded by people who surrounded him and recognized his work.

Dancing capped the “O” activity as Ogdenophiles flocked to the floor. Earlier, Davenport played “The Way You Look Tonight,” a tune that resonated with all the visual virtues of the gala.

Raves for a restaurateur

The Board of Directors of the Catholic Community Foundation Archdiocese of New Orleans invited its constituency to the Hilton New Orleans Riverside for the Annual Dinner: Celebrating Catholic Generosity in honor of Klara Buconic Cvitanovich, recipient of the 2022 Saint John Paul II Award. “Black tie” was preferred for the dress. Established in 1996, the award taps worthy Catholic laypersons who have rendered unselfish service to the archdiocese’s institutions and programs. The owner of Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, the honoree often donates proceeds from the restaurant to various charities. Following Hurricane Katrina, she and her family gave out more than 77,000 free meals. Joining Mrs. Cvitanovich, who has a namesake great-grandchild, Clare Tinneywere her two sons, Dr. Gerry and Tommy Cvitanovichand their families, as well as her friends, Albert and Erin Nicaud, Laurie Ventura, and Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng. To name a few.

Highlights of the 35th dinner, which assembled 450 guests, included the Rev. Andrew Rudman‘s invocation, the St. Augustine High School Color Guard, a three-course meal (featuring braised short ribs), the Rev. Joseph Kraft‘s benediction, and two videos, one a surprise. Robert’s Fresh Market and Federico’s Family Florist provided the pretty flowers.

Headliners included foundation board chair Archbishop Gregory M. Aymondpresident DarleneRobertand officers Ronald H. Dawson Jr., Octave “Todd” J. Francis III other Dawn A Laborie. Shannon Adams, Mary Jane Becker, Anne Dardis, Veda Dawson, Carol Hall, Cindy Nolan, Paulette Renaudin, Joy Zainey and Darlene Robert formed the dinner committee. Noted, too, were the Rev. Luis RodriguezCCF past board president Dr. Jose Bautistaexecutive director Cory J. Howat, Carroll SuggsHilton General Manager David and Lisa Piscolaand scores more who extended hearty congratulations to Klara.

Cure by design

Hosted by Garret Hartley other Kelsey Davis, the American Cancer’s Society’s Cure by Design, the 22nd annual New Orleans Gala, and presented by Ochsner Cancer Institute, unfolded in Mardi Gras World to benefit the Patrick F. Taylor Hope Lodge. Among the chockablock program points were cocktail hour entertainment by The Truffle Honeys, dinner stations, the Oui Dat performance, CbD chairwoman Missy Lindsey‘s welcome and sponsor recognition, and the Heart & Soul Award presentation by Lindsey and Will BryantAmerican Cancer Society’s director of Sports Alliances, to Gayle Benson. Fifty-five people served on the committee for the gala that was dedicated to late journalist Suzanne Pfefferle Tafur. Subsequent features were Fund the Mission Runway Show, Cure Champion of the Year Award, music by D’Ivine Play, the silent auction, and the jewelry raffle by Lee Michaels.

Additionally, there were the bash’s honorees. As ladies, the names to know were Shannon Brice, Brandy D. Christian, Allison Shapiro Dandry, Janell Herbert-Bryant, Tandra Lemaydr Suma Maddox, Deanna Rodriguez, dr Jennifer Silinsky other Mariana H Williamson, while the gentlemen were Tommy Benge Jr., Chad Berg, George Brower, Telley S. Madina, Parker Roydr Ali Sadeghidr John H. Stewart IV, Jonathan Stewart other Eric A Wright. Kudos!