Turning back the pages of good times, the Eight O’Clocks, a long-standing social club, was founded in 1950 to hold dances, usually two a year, for eighth grade students from various schools. The purpose was to bring young teenagers together for music and dancing. Current grandparents can look back on all the fun they had then as they see their youngsters off to make their own acquaintances and create memories.
“Eight O’Clocks Mardi Gras Soirée” headed the invitation that featured a Carnival mask above the lettering and below, the time and venue: The Cannery. Girls were requested to wear purple, green or gold semi-formal dresses, while the boys’ attire was “tie, no jacket or jeans.” Everyone was to be picked up promptly at 10 p.m.
A separate, and smaller, invitation on a dark amethyst background announced “King Cake Party.” This one-hour dessert gathering for the girls preceded the two-hour main event and featured purveyance from local favorites Hi-Do Bakery, Tartine, Dough Nguyners, and Haydel’s Bakery. During the later dance, the crowd enjoyed a slider bar, chicken fingers and French fries.
Carter Perrilliat and Lauren Wakeman, whose respective daughters are Mae Perrilliat and Barrett Wakeman, chaired the event. Committee mothers and their daughters were Mallory Avin and Lorelei, Jennifer Bernard and Jane Allen, Sibby Charbonnet and Emme, Kristy Donaldson and Kinley, Celeste Eustis and Clayton, and Olivia Fleming and Elle. Also, Ashley Hope and Lizzie, Staci Hughes and Taylor, Lisa LaCour and Harper Zweben, Betsy Laborde and Penn, Jessica Lunsford and June, Elaine Montgomery and Mathilde, Eve Peyton and Georgia, Anna St. Marie and Amelia, and Krystal Springgate and Eleanor Oliveira.
To address the theme, The Cannery was decorated in Carnival’s tri-colors. Sibby Charbonnet, Emme’s mom, added special touches, such as oversize beads that hung from the ceiling and chandeliers. For personal sparkle, “Glitter up Nola” was available, and for souvenirs, the New Orleans Photo Booth Company provided lively likenesses. Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry designed a special gold charm on a gold chain for each of the 2026 new members. The gifts were placed in a red box, which was wrapped and beribboned.
Scores of the younger set made rounds and included, along with the above (and many others), Will Baldwin, Wills Brewster, Hank Flower, Will Gwin, Claire Heffler, Legier Mann, Alice Mead, and Baldwin Montgomery.
When dancing beckoned, DJ Ronnie Roux spun the numbers. A hit that got everybody dancing was “All I Do Is Win,” by DJ Khaled, an eighth grade favorite. And a winner!
Cheers!
“Saturday Night Lights” titled the invitation for the 31st annual Magic in the Park gala and auction held on Christian Brothers School Campus in City Park and sponsored by the Christian Brothers Foundation. Football was the thematic thrust.
Trappings of the sport were rendered decoratively, thanks to goal posts, team banners, stadium chairs, turf, and, of course, footballs. More attractions were the table décor done by Luminous Events, reserved seating in the CBS Stadium Club, and lighting on the walls of the lounge that featured football players.
Attendees at the patron party enjoyed jazz by The Aqua Velvas and posed for pics in front of the extra-large stadium ice sculpture. The After Party Band, sponsored by Linfield, Hunter & Junius, Inc., got the bunch boogieing for hours.
Bid business lured some away for the 395 auction items. Melissa Samuels, a determined bidder, came out on top after the competitiveness for the City Park Campus Principal for the Day item. Yet another “winner” was Katie Lafont, who purchased the sought-after Seven Night Stay in Costa Rica.
Food chairman Katie Moro, along with help from Christian Brothers Foundation President Steve Pettus, served a variety of special dishes from 34 restaurants, hotels and caterers for the patron party and gala. Those at the former event sampled sushi and other delicious offerings under the lights of the Founder’s Courtyard as the Champagne flowed. A special bourbon, as well as shrimp cocktails provided by Boil and Barrel, attracted crowds.
Within a “cheering squad” of 400 attendees were auction chair Allison Couvillion with spouse Josh, solicitation chair Marie McLaughlin with Scott, gala chair/foundation’s operations executive Carol Couvillion with Dennis, CBS President Joey Scaffidi and Lisa, CBS City Park Principal Michael Prat with Rachel, and CBS Canal Principal Kimberly Flair with David. And Amy and Chris Piacun, Emily and Scott Francingues, Julie and Mikel Bonano, Melanie and Joe Stephens, Alexa and Clay Colombo, Katie and Keith Porta, Erin and Ryan Bartel, Michelle and Tyler Goff, and Sarah and Nathan Junius. All reported a social touchdown!
Archbishop Chapelle High School showcased “A Night Under the Stars at the Emerald Gala.” It was presented by Jessica Brandt, held in the Chapelle Gymnasium, and honored as Alumna of the Year Lyndsey Manalla Dyle, ‘03, and as Deus Providebit recipients, Deacon Drea and Brenda Capaci. A host of sponsors received special thanks.
As guests entered the event, violinist Sam Craft gave them a musical welcome. The visual one was decoratively rendered with blue uplighting and twinkling lights, along with complementary blue and white florals. An immediate attraction was the auction of 350 items in the silent portion and in the live one, a coveted package purchased by John and Christine Watts Freeman that included football, a concert and Delta Air Lines travel. The Chipmunk Raffle with a $10,000. prize claimed Shannon Johnson as the thrilled winner.
As for food and drink, Pigeon’s Catering provided passed appetizers, crawfish pasta and beef short ribs; local bakeries contributed to the dessert table; and “Moonlight Margarita” titled the specialty drink.
Reveling in all this excitement were the Freemans, Sidney and Martha Lacayo McCann, John and Joanna Theriot, Kenner Council member Joey LaHatte and Virginia, Joseph and Erin Vezina Caruso, Danny and Chrissy Riehm, Bryan and Tracie Bruno, Jim and Michelle Muniz Hanzo, John and Natalie Canale, Jason and Alison Ural, Ralph and Joanie Roppolo Boudreau, Steven and Allison Labbé Vogt, Michael and Stacey Stanfield, and Henry and Brienne Frey. To mention a few heeding the beat of the band, The Mixed Nuts. They were due to quit at midnight but because everyone was having so much fun, the music makers kept the groove going for another happy hour.