Darling... October 2019

9/30/2019

French Quarter Social Scene
with Margarita Bergen

Margarita Bergan (far right) at the September 11 Round Table luncheon. More photos and captions below.

New Orleans socialite and long-time French Quarter denizen Margarita Bergen doesn’t miss a beat - or a party - when it comes to the Quarter’s jazzy social scene. There are three sections to each column: Social Swirl (where she's been), On My Calendar (where she's going) and Quarter Buzz.

The Social Swirl

WWOZ Groove
September 5

Beth Arroyo Utterback, CEO of WWOZ with Grammy Award Winner Irma Thomas

The spectacular Sold-Out WWOZ Groove Gala at Tableau/ Le Petit Theatre on September 5th, was indeed not your typical Gala. It featured live music on the three fest stages around Tableau. The Groove Gala featured Irma Thomas, Lena Prima, Amanda Shaw, The Storyville Stompers, Doreen Ketchens, Gerald French, John "Papa" Gros and Al "Lil' Fats" Jackson!

Guests, including me, come in dressed in our best fest attire to enjoy the best Groove Gala which included beyond delicious fine festival fare from Dickie Brennan's Tableau with open bars, Mango Freeze and a Main Stage Showcase in Le Petit Theatre at 8 pm.

Dickie Brennan hosted for the first time the Groove Gala Oasis on the third floor of Tableau. Guests experienced a special VIP menu that included caviar, raw oysters and wine pairings - personally selected by Dickie himself, plus intimate live music performances upstairs and reserved seating for the Main Stage Showcase in Le Petit at 8.

Round Table Luncheon Saluting the 2019-20 Cultural Season
September 11

More than 100 guests enjoyed a lovely, informative and delicious Round Table Luncheon "Saluting the 2019-20 Cultural Season" on Sept 11 at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel. The luncheon was co-hosted by Society Editor Margarita Bergen and Civi Activist/Philanthropist Sandra Herman.

Among the speakers were:

Millette White, the New Orleans Ballet Association’s education manager, and Francesca Martin, NOBA’s development manager representing Jenny Hamilton, Director of NOBA;
Maestro Robert Lyall, Conductor and General Director of New Orleans Opera;
Maestro Dennis Assaf, Director of the Jefferson Performing Arts Society; Leah Oby, representing James William Boyd, CEO of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra;

Laura Tennyson of the Contemporary Arts Center;
Maxwell Williams, Artistic Director of Le Petit Theatre;
Aimee Hayes, Producing Director of Southern Repertory Theatre;
Daniel Hammer, Executive Director of The Historic New Orleans Collection;
Greg Lambousy, Director of the New Orleans Jazz Museum;
Kelly Fouchi, Co-director of Rivertown Theater;
Beth Arroyo Utterback, CEO of WWOZ;
Clem Goldberger of the National WWII Museum;
Megan Holt, Ph.D., Executive Director of One Book One New Orleans
Dr. Maxim Samarov , Director of the New Orleans Chamber Orchestra;
Nathan Davila of the Joan Mitchell Foundation;
Fallon Young ,Executive Director of the New Orleans Film Society:
Marjorie Schramel of New Orleans Ballet Theater;
Brenda Melara of Que Pasa Fest - New Orleans.

Live entertainment was provided by talented bass-baritone Ivan Griffin, who got an standing ovation), along with Givonna Joseph, co-founder of OperaCréole with pianist Ashlin Sims. Pianist Jim Walpole and drummer Carl Mack and Marshall Harris performed before and after the Round Table Luncheon. Tracee Dundas, the founder of the New Orleans Fashion Week presented a lovely fashion show of Dark Garden Corsetry.

The next luncheon will be on Wednesday, October 16 "Saluting Wine and Halloween." See more details below in coming events.

Hotel Monteleone Celebrates Carousel Bar's 70th Year
September 12

What a lovely & delicious celebration of the 70th anniversary of Carousel Bar at the Monteleone Hotel.

I was elated to be invited to the private reception to celebrate the 70th Birthday of the legendary Carousel Bar at the family-owned Hotel Monteleone.

La Petit Curtain Call
September 13

Once again the annual fundraiser of Le Petit  Theater's  “Curtain Call Ball” was a very memorable, spectacular experience!

The evening began with cocktails and delicious Creole cuisine at Tableau before moving into Le Petit’s historic playhouse. This year’s ball featured a performance by actress and singer Betsy Wolfe, who starred in Broadway’s “Waitress,” “Falsettos” and “The Last Five Years,” among many others. 

Lovely, talented Wolfe was joined on stage by a cast of local favorites, celebrating the wealth of talent we have in our community. Talented Mark Romig managed to get a lot of guests motivated to participate in the Live Auction and the silent auctions that offered art, jewelry and one-of-a-kind experiences.

VCPORA’s River Vieux Soirée at the Riverview Room
September 20

The lovely Riverview Room with its stunning 360-degree views of the Mississippi River at Jax Brewery, was the setting for the VCPORA’s River Vieux Soirée.This year the VCPORA’s Gala focused on our city’s founding inspiration, the mighty Mississippi River.

The VCPORA Gala is an event that offers our community the chance to support and celebrate the Vieux Carré and its oldest guardian, VCPORA.

This amazing venue set the stage for an evening of culinary traditions, including live-action cooking stations courtesy of the New Orleans School of Cooking. Dance music was provided by Bon Bon Vivant and The Rainy Day Band. Guests enjoyed the fabulous silent and live auctions while sipping on specialty cocktails from Old New Orleans Rum, SoBou, and others.

Wild Palms Gala
September 25

The spectacular church of the Hotel Peter and Paul was the setting for The Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society's black-tie annual Fall Festival. The lovely soiree, Happy Birthday, Mr. Faulkner!, honored and saluted all great writers—past, present, and yet to come. The theme was Wild Palms, after one of Faulkner's earlier novels.

The gala featured a signature cocktail (The Wild Palm Cocktail), concert, buffet dinner, program and dancing by the New Orleans Ragtime Band led by my longtime friend Lars Edegran. The soiree included presentations of the Faulkner Society 's 2019 winners, parade of the gold medal medalists escorted by this year's judges.

It was followed by the presentation of the 2019 winners of the Society ALIHOT Awards (A Legend in His/Her Own Time). The ALIHOT award is given to men and women for excellence in literature, journalism, music, art, and community service, or philanthropy.

Well-known community activists Michael Harold and Quinn Peeper, hot off their huge success with Rach & Bach last fall, co-chaired the fundraiser and performed a concert of music Faulkner would have heard when he was living on Pirate's Alley and writing his first novel here in 1925. From the same era of New Orleans music, talented socialite and columnist Nell Nolan and acclaimed dancer David Gentry performed a lovely tango to the delight of the audience!,

Sazerac House Grand Opening
September 28

Spectacular is the word to describe the elegant Grand Opening of the The Sazerac House, a new interactive cocktail museum. The 48,000 square-foot, historic building stands on the corner of Canal and Magazine Streets is the product of Bill Goldring, American billionaire businessman, chairman of the Sazerac Company, and head of the family that owns Sazerac, the second largest spirits company in the U.S.

I felt very honored when my darling friend Bill personally invited me and who was in New Orleans to be part of his exclusive Patron Party before the cutting of the ribbon. My longtime friend Miguel Solorzano, Sazerac House general manager, was also present.

In an recent article by Ian McNulty for the Times Picayune/Advocate claimed that Sazerac House was conceived as an "immersive exploration of the spirited culture of New Orleans." Public exhibits cover three floors, showing the history and traditions of cocktails, their interplay with New Orleans and the company’s current and past brands.

On My Calendar
featured events

10/4 - After the Curtain Falls

10/5 - Tremé Fall Fest

10/11 - Celebration of Life Luncheon

10/13 - The Spirit of the Vieux Carré Gala

10/16 - Round Table Luncheon - Salute to Wine and Halloween!
In anticipation of The Historic New Orleans Collection's Uncorked! A History of Wine on November 2, 2019, the luncheon will present Harsha Chacko Ph.D. CSW, of Bonne Cuvee that will teach us “how to really taste and enjoy wine."
Kate Fagan (Burgun) will play songs from her “Witchin Ball” (Oct. 30, AllWays Lounge). Prizes will be presented to the best Halloween Hats. Pianist Jim Walpole and Carl Mack will play before and after the Luncheon . Doors will open at 11:30 for networking.
The $65- all-inclusive price includes a delicious, 3-course gourmet luncheon, champagne/wines and valet parking. Make your reservations now by calling Judy LeBlanc at (504) 571-4672 or email her at Judy.LeBlanc@BourbonOrleans.com.

11/1 - French Quarter Citizens Annual Fundraiser - "Jazz and Joie de Vivre"

Join us in celebrating our mission to preserve the French Quarter, Friday, November 1, 2019, for an evening of “Jazz and Joie de Vivre” in the Orleans Ballroom of the historic Bourbon Orleans Hotel with the jazzy music of New Orleans’ own Phillip Manuel.

As a Patron you enjoy an exclusive pre-party from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m., with the Gala event to follow from 8:00 until 11:00 p.m.

The evening will be complete with delicious cuisine provided by many of New Orleans’ finest restaurants, along with an open bar, dancing, and both live and silent auctions. Our celebrity auctioneer will be TV and radio personality Ms. Angela Hill, and she will be presenting a wide selection of exceptional items that you don’t want to miss.

Frances and Rodney Smith, of the historic Soniat House, will be the 2019 Gala Honorary Chairs.

We will also honor our generous hosts, Joe and Becky Jaeger, of the New Orleans Hotel Collection.

Margarita's Buzz

Darlings every day, I count my blessing for knowing so many fun and talented people and being able to have the energy to attend so many fabulous soirees.

Among the myriad of events that I loved attending were the awesome, annual New Orleans Museum of Art 's Love in the Garden. This year it honored philanthropists Wanda and Sidney Besthoff, formerly owners of KB and donors of the Garden namesake - and most of the sculptures in the Park.

Honorees Sidney and Wanda Besthoff with Susan Taylor (center), director of NOMA

Philanthropy runs in the family! I also attended the LPO 's Encore Shop "Baubles and Bubbly to Beethoven" at the art-filled mansion of her daughter Valerie Besthoff.

Valerie Besthoff with her parents Sidney and Wanda Besthoff

This past month there so many celebrations that included my darling friend Greg Lambousy, director of New Orleans Jazz Museum who presented on Sunday, September 30, the Museum Life Time Achievement Award to Jose Feliciano at the Latino Village of the Gretna Heritage Fest.

Greg Lambousy presenting Jose Feliciano with New Orleans Museum Lifetime Achievement Award at Gretna Fest

Congratulations to my talented gallery owner Dee Dee Martin who just opened her DDMG Gallery from Magazine Street to 510/520 St. Louis Street to merge with the magnificent Kurt E Schon Gallery.

Margarita Bergen and Dee Dee Martin at New Orleans Fashion Week at Degas House

I also must congratulate my darling friend Ana Maria Uribe-Bach, publisher of VIVA NOLA for being honored with the prestigious Excelencia Award by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Julio Guichard Jr, honoree Ana Maria Uribe-Bech, winner of the Excelencia Award from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce & Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser

Talented Amanda Shaw was seen modeling a glamour dress by designer Jenny Campbell at the Grand Glam, The Artistry of Carnival Fashion, at the Presbytére.

Grand Glam - the Artistry of Carnival in Fashion - with Amanda Shaw & Jenny Campbell at Louisiana State Museum.

During the Grand Opening of the Louisiana Children's Museum, I was delighted to see my longtime friend Amy Kirk Duvoisin founder of the Joan de Arc Parade and former PR for the French Market working now as Education Director of the Louisiana Children's Museum in City Park.

Another familiar face at the Opening, was Dickie Brennan who opened Acorn restaurant at the Louisiana Children's Museum in City Park.

Dickie Brennan, Kristen Fury , Dr. Lauren Brennan and friends.

Until next month, darlings!