Party Girl 09.08.10

It was a progressive party for Kris Wartelle's birthday bash in downtown Lafayette. Starting at Pamplona, guests celebrated at happy hour with margaritas, prize-winning blackberry lemonade martinis and even absinthe (for brave soul Matt Fontenot). After nibbling on some apps, including duck fat fries, calamari, ratatouille and mac and cheese, the group sauntered down the street to Collage Café to party '80s style to live music by Scott Alan Stagg accompanied by delicious pizza and beer. Finally, it was time to dance away those calories at The Office.

Ah, Venezia! Kim Veillon of Party Central transformed City Club at River Ranch into a romantic Italian setting for the Reflections of Hope Venetian Nights gala benefiting the American Cancer Society. Guiding guests to the event was a ceiling of white lights leading to a gondola, where top-notch photographer Daren Broussard took gorgeous shots of couples and friends to commemorate the inaugural event. Inside, red-draped tables were topped with live goldfish in striking round bowls. During the party, patrons bid on fantastic silent auction items, including a Wine Party for 8 at Marcello's, cooking class with Chef Brian Blanchard of iMonelli and artworks by Hope Hebert, Leslie Leonpacher, Gail Savoie, Adrian Fulton and Martha Grant. For the gala, City Club provided a generous spread of pastas, stuffed mushrooms and spicy meat pies, while the Andy Smith Band played a variety of tunes that kept the crowd dancing. The 2010 Spirit of Hope recipients Ginger Breaux, Yvette Davis, Evelyn Goodrow and Dr. Perri Prellop were the focus of the touching video program midway through the event. Following the program, ACS' Buddy Graves filled in at the last minute as auctioneer for the live auction.

Party On!