Festive Focus
Rockin’ Good Time
Lisa and David Farnsworth invited kith, kin and the deb set to “Rockin’ Good Time with Rockin’ Dopsie Jr.” in honor of their daughter, Meghan. Guests were beckoned to "Strike up the NOLA Fun at Rock ‘n’ Bowl." There, in addition to images of the honoree, New Orleans-themed decorations included a street car and a Mardi Gras float. Katie Rafferty was the designer, and Elizabeth Kelleher of In Any Event LLC, the coordinator.
As the party’s figurative kingpin, Meghan donned a metallic, striped mini dress, teal in color, while her dad and her brothers sported bowling shirts with “Team Meghan” on the back. Mom Lisa’s ruffle-neck mode was by Roberta Roller Rabbit. All the Farnsworth family wore silver sneakers with light-up soles.
Furthering the Crescent City theme, the tasty chomps included Ye Olde College Inn po-boys, red beans and rice, Café Du Monde’s beignets and coffee, and Joan Farrell-Mathis cookies.
Making “Rockin’” their revelry were deb siblings Miller, Ryan and Jane Farnsworth; grandparents Eleanor Farnsworth (who honored Meghan the next day at a mimosa brunch at the New Orleans Country Club), David and Bootie Farnsworth, and Eddie and Patty Rice; Patrick and Kathleen Rigamer and children James, Lizzy and Connor; and Stephen and Amy Farnsworth with Carter, Colin and Simms. Also, Brendan Carlson, Chase McLanahan, Julia Smith, Mary Kate Luetkemeier, David Dillon, Shelby and Laurie Friedrichs, Sam and Jen Zurik, Marty and Colleen McLeod, and with their families, Nancy and Michael Walshe, Ward Rice, and Tricia Hickham.
The call to dance prevailed early on. Meghan, who described the party “one of the best nights” of her life boogied on the stage with pals, and even played the washboard along with Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters to “Brown Eyed Girl.”
A Whirl of Sweets
Willy Wonka and all his wonders made a thematic and decorative statement at The Cannery, when Jeanne and Lane Davis (costumed as Wonka) entertained for debutante daughter Bailey. A red carpet led guests to the venue, where two Oompa Loompas served chocolates and Champagne. Nearby were a large, candy-themed balloon arch and a cut-out of the cast. Lick-able wall paper, mushrooms and trees, giant lollipops and gum drops, geese with golden eggs, trees laden with candies, and a stilt walker added to the wondrous fun.
The Bailey-designed silk dresses found the honoree in gold, a purple velvet bow with candy appliques, and ostrich feathers. Her mom's dress also had a feathery fillip.
“Fantastic” labeled the food, which included tuna, truffle mac and cheese, and croque monsieur sandwiches. Also, a chocolate fountain, a suite of sweets, and espresso martinis.
Brothers Hampton and Lane Davis joined in Bailey’s blast, as did Philip and Deedee Blake, James Dudley Day, Charles V. Cusimano II, Ashley and Kelley Abbott, Skye and Allison Durant, Grayson and Lana Lovick, Greg and Patricia Breedy, Grady and Toni Hurley, Natalie Saenz, Ellie Methe, Ella Tate Schidlowski, Briana Shaw, Tamara Nassar, Albert Kelleher Jr., and John and Kim Henry. “Shout” got lots of them gyrating with glee to the band, After Party, which lured the five Davises to the stage for the Dahl delights and the bounty of the “sweet” beat.
A Lautrec Trek
The final social brushstrokes occurred when Mr. and Mrs. Daniel O. Conwill IV honored their last debutante daughter, Caroline Conwill, at “Art Party,” a midday merriment in the Audubon Tea Room.” “Dress to Impress” stated the invitation that celebrated “the final masterpiece in Danny’s debutante series” that started in 2014.
Inspired by Impressionism, event planners Van Wyck & Van Wyck created a decorative art studio with an abundance of red in curtains at the doors, flowers and hanging ornamentation, as well as splash-painted pillows, lounge areas, artwork on easels and live models to keep abreast of the times. Yvonne Counce and Alexis were the respective designers of the dresses of Caroline and mom Mary Clare. Toulouse Lautrec would have approved.
More attractions were food from Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar and Joel’s Grand Cuisine, while Big Freedia and Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue purveyed the musical menu.
Caroline’s siblings, Catherine Clare (Sayers), Marcia, Mary Elizabeth and Daniel Conwill, and brother-in-law Carter Sayers, were painted in for the frolic that included Chloe Post, Terry and Kathleen White, Megan and Willie Nelson, Archie and Olivia Manning, Maxine Fox with Elizabeth and Barry, James and Erica Reiss, Jimmy and Pixie Reiss, Parker and Julie LeCorgne, Ann and Tony Fuselier, Ron and Sally Forman, Wayne and Diane Ducote, and Alice Baudier. Concerning Caroline, the party picture was an “incredible” one, depicting an extraordinary afternoon of smart art.
Let’s Lunch!
Nolan Grant and her mother, Tia Roddy, teamed to honor Lillie Nolan Grant, their respective daughter and granddaughter, at a luncheon at Galatoire’s. The invitation depicted a scene of the French Quarter waterfront (with landmark St. Louis Cathedral) taken from an old map.
To embellish the premises with a holiday feeling, Z Event Company’s décor team “Sparkle and Swag” added a host of festive balloon creations; Kim Starr Wise provided floral accents in metallic vases; and, thanks to the menu devised by Susan Zackin of Z Event Company, the renowned restaurant set up an extensive buffet of its traditional dishes. Added, too, were pain perdu, fried chicken, and mini beignets. Bar items included a bloody mary, French 75, milk punch and mimosa listing.
For the musical notation, it was all that jazz. The sounds of John Grey and his band had the feminine flock merrily dancing by the end of the afternoon.