Fables and Fêtes

Telling Tales

The Empire Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans was the setting for the 86th Carnival ball of the Young Men Illinois Club, Inc., which had “Tales from Aesop’s Fables” as its theme.

Within the Eric Wright family, there are many tales of club royalty, starting with Miss Sydney Angelle Wright in 2020 and sister Lauren Aliya Wright last year with “Phenomenally Phenomenal Woman” as the title. Most recently, the fourth daughter — another sister was a first maid not long ago — wore the crown. All hailed Miss Elise Amina Wright as the 2023 queen. The parents of the fabled foursome are Mr. Eric Anthony Wright and Ms. Safiyya Trepagnier Wright. Queen Elise made a lovely picture in a while lace gown with a sweetheart neckline that was embellished with crystal beading and sequins over glitter tulle. The hemline was scalloped. Her mother’s cap-sleeve gown glittered with sequins and silver beads.

Lovely, as well, were court maids Brianna McKinley Robertson, Gabrielle Alaina Trevigne Legeaux, Chayil Amaya Spencer-Thomas, Lauren Monique Bickham, Jada Renee Anderson and Mary Dianne Napoleon, and debutantes Queen Kessiah Byrd, Kiley Elise Harris, Gigi Gabriella Haydel, Jaylah Anese Holmes, Skylar Marie Charbonnet Jones, Amiah Louise Leal, Kelci Rose Lewis, Aleyea Thibodeaux Mogilles, Gabriella Marguerite Olivier and Gabrielle Terre’ Prevost.

Gracing the court, as well, were princesses Fallon Victoria Bart, Nadia Elise Bart, Carson Elizabeth Bates, Isabella Grace Boutte, Sophia Rose Boutte, Gray Skye Grandpre, Karry Lynn Avey Johnson, Cailey Rachel Lewis, Maddyn Christina Peck, Payton Martinique Rogers, Gian Laje Rutherford, Jayla Kamille Williams and Jordyn Kai Williams, and pages Trinity Lyn Marie Byrd, Sean Mackie Dolliole, Ilon V. Jackson, Kailee Madison Keeler and Carrington Elise Martin-Russell. Mrs. Rosalind Kay was the etiquette specialist.

Serving as club officers are Judge Omar K. Mason, president, Ravi J. Bates, Emile A. Bagneris III, Adam A. Roussell, Cardell Ross Jr., Lawrence R. Robinson (ball chairman), Anthony M. Faciane Sr., Michael C. Walcott Sr., magistrate Marion D. Floyd, Joseph L. Batiste III and Bryan D. Jourdain. The Rev. Milton M. Brown was honored in memoriam.

The setting was beautiful with column pedestals holding white flowers, shorter white squares with greenery, alternating gold and silver drapery topped with the club’s crest, and a gold bench, where her majesty held forth. There was no king, as per tradition. The stage floor was covered with white canvas.

A special announcement stated that personal photography of the ballroom floor was strictly prohibited. The audience obliged. Special guests included Darrin Isabel from the Original Illinois Club; King Zulu Nicholls Spears and Queen Zulu Dr. Christy Lagarde Spears; NOMTOC royalty Donald Smith and Vinaya Jackson, the king and queen, and from the Krewe of Femme Fatale, queen Monique Jones and Dr. Yolanda Prevost.

All appreciated the noteworthy majesty of Clark Knighten/Black Cat Productions, who set the “Fables” night to music.

Gatsby Gallivanting

One of the season’s most stylish invitations – the cover featured a delicate art déco “grille” effect – was sent by Mr. and Mrs. Bernard H. Robertson III and Mr. and Mrs. Mario Anderson, who honored their daughters, Brianna McKinley Robertson and Jada Renee Anderson, the respective first and fifth maids (then “elect’) of the Young Men Illinois Club. The venue was Club XLIV and Encore in Champions Square and the theme, “The Great Gatsby Soiree.” The men’s requested attire was “black tie” and, for the women, “floor length gown.”

Susan Harris designed Brianna’s lace and tulle ball gown, while Rjer Dress created the lovely look for Jada. Sequins bedecked the gowns of their mothers, Rheneisha and Talana. And for the party’s decor, Chela Victoria Designs was credited.

Further features were delish food, such as sirloin and teriyaki chicken, and for the music making, harpist Cassie Watson Francillon, vocalist Reina Prosper and DJ Kristi “SugarCookie” Coleman. Tributes were paid to both honorees throughout the formalities.

Among their guests were family members. Brother Bernard H. Robertson IV joined sister Bri’s fun, as did great-grandmother Mrs. Jean T. Jack and grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mable and Mr. and Mrs. Bernard H. Robertson Jr. From fifth maid Jada’s family came brothers Ethan D. and Evan D. Anderson, and grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Marty J. Anderson and Marilyn W. Johnson. Noted, too, were YMI ball captain Lawrence Robinson, YMI president Omar and Carla Mason, mistress of ceremonies and WDSU anchor Gina Swanson.

'A Great Gatsby Affair'

Such was the title for another social expression of the renowned work by F. Scott Fitzgerald, when Mr. Ralph Bickham and Dr. Shaniece B. Bickham honored their daughter, Lauren Monique Bickham, at formal festivity in The Crystal Palace in Harvey. She was the YMIC’s fourth maid (then “elect”).

Black, gold and white served as the color scheme by KDW Design Solutions. Tall feather centerpieces, candle displays and oversize letters that spelled LAUREN with black and gold balloons were further thematic touches. Adding the sartorial ones were Lauren, in a May Queen taffeta ball gown adorned with beaded pearls and white sequins, and mom Shaniece, in a gold Mac Duggal gown. Admiration for the decorations and the above dresses was abundant.

Gustatory choices were many, including mini filet mignon creations wrapped in bacon, while the musical menu came from Gina Brown and Anutha Level Band. The father/daughter dance was Sade’s “By Your Side,” followed by a members/debs waltz.

Joining the “Gatsby” gallop were deb siblings Lindsay and Raphael Bickham II, grandparents the Herbert Bells and the Roshell Bickhams, Shona and Melvin Williams, the Cedric Maurices, Atravian Bickham, Judge Rhonda Goode-Douglas, the Walter Sextons, Robert and Dr. Jinx Broussard, the Lloyd Clarks, the Russell Franks, Leila Eames and queen Elise Wright.

As the two separate parties concluded, Brianna and Jada and, elsewhere, Lauren, expressed heartfelt gratitude to their parents for booking such fun. Their thematic “Gatsby” bashes will script indelible memories.