Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1087559
34 LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER BY LISA COLLINS SHADDOCK. PHOTOGRAPHY DANA DRIENSKY, DANIEL DRIENSKY. P assing through a moss-covered corridor at the Hilton Anatole into the cocktail hour of The Crystal Charity Ball, the magic of New Orleans was palpable, with romantic gas-lit lampposts, brick facades swathed in ivy, and a bubbling fountain fit for a courtyard. Chair Claire Emanuelson did everything short of putting everyone on a plane to her hometown to make the affair fit the theme, "A Celebration in Nouvelle-Orléans." Bartenders mixed cocktails inside a revolving carousel modeled after the Hotel Monteleone's iconic watering hole, serving Sazeracs and Ramos Gin Fizzes to guests in their black-tie best, who sampled mini muffuletta lollipops, andouille sausage puffs, and jumbo Gulf shrimp the size of small lobsters. A brass band led a festive second-line parade all the way into the Chantilly Ballroom, where cascading wisteria trees and arrangements of roses and hydrangeas by The Garden Gate set an elegant Southern scene. Students from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts — one of the year's eight Crystal Charity Ball beneficiaries — drew accolades for their uplifting choral number. From the crab Louie salad with Galatoire's rémoulade that started dinner to the hot beignets offered to guests in the valet line on their way out, the evening was filled with nods to the Big Easy — especially the dance floor, which stayed packed until it was time to turn on the lights. SEEN: 2019 chair Pat McEvoy, 2020 chair Tucker Enthoven, Muffin and John Lemak, Piper and Mike Wyatt, and Nancy Rogers. Dwight & Claire Emanuelson, Muffin & John Lemak Cheryl Joyner, Libby Hegi Nancy Rogers, Karla McKinley Clark & Tavia Hunt Cara & Jim French Sabrina & Field Harrison Piper & Mike Wyatt Angie & Kevin Kadesky Ed & Julia Hawes Al & Libby Allred